A Starfish Oils gift package. - File photo

Local manufacturer and exporter of aromatic candles and aromatherapy products, Starfish Oils Limited, was acquired six months ago by Leslie Chang, a developer linked to Surrey Paving and Aggregate Company Limited, the Financial Gleaner understands.

The 12-year-old company's Chief Executive Officer Larry Watson did not respond to requests for comment on the company's sale.

Chang's affiliation with Starfish Oils is not entirely new, however. Up to 2006, he was known to hold shares in the company.

Starfish Oils manufactures from its fragrance factory on Bell Road in Kingston and operates from five local outlets, including Manor Park, Norman Manley International Airport and Devon House in Kingston, Island Village in St. Ann and Sangster International Airport in Montego Bay.

Exports via Internet

The company exports to the Caribbean and United States markets via Internet shopping arrangements but also has outlets throughout the region.

One year, the company achieved as much as 40 per cent of its revenues from exports.

The original owners of the company were Joan and Sharon McConnell and Kynan Cooke, who up to year 2006 still had a share of the company.

In 2006, the registered ownership was in the name of EA Enterprises Limited as majority shareholder, with Leslie Chang and Kynan Cooke each holding a share. Cooke has been a long-standing director of the company. It is not clear if he remains on the board.

Surrey's directors Leslie and Jamie Chang were said to be in a meeting and unable to comment on plans for the company.

susan.gordon@gleanerjm.com