Best Practices in Business & Economic Development July 2024 Latest Issue US Virgin Islands

Plugworks BVI – British Virgin Islands

written by BVC July 30, 2024

Plugworks BVI

Mapping a New Course for Further Expansion in the Caribbean

Spearheading the construction industry across the Caribbean with its specialized MEP services.

Plugworks BVI, under the visionary leadership of CEO Kadeem O’Neal, is ambitiously redefining its presence within the construction industry across the Caribbean. With roots in the British Virgin Islands, Plugworks BVI has set its sights on becoming a regional leader in Mechanical, Electrical, and Plumbing (MEP) services, leveraging a unique business model to address the growing needs of various islands.

“We’re transitioning from a local construction company to a Caribbean-wide MEP provider,” says O’Neal. This pivot is driven by the limited opportunities within the British Virgin Islands, prompting a strategic expansion across Grenada, Saint Lucia, the US Virgin Islands, and the Cayman Islands. “The BVI is very limited regarding work, so I’m creating a Caribbean-wide MEP company.”

Currently, Plugworks BVI is deep into the development phase of this ambitious transition. “I’m creating a platform right now, but it’s not yet ready,” O’Neal explains. This platform, an integrated website with robust SEO capabilities, is designed to attract investors and clients across the Caribbean.

The company’s future operations will see it taking on a dual role. On the one hand, Plugworks BVI will be the client’s primary point of contact, managing the construction process by subcontracting to local firms. On the other hand, it will directly handle the MEP aspects of projects. “When I launch the platform, I will be responsible for the client to get the contractors to do the construction process, while my company will do the mechanical, electrical, plumbing finishing, and roofing,” O’Neal elaborates.

Currently, Plugworks BVI’s operations are confined to the British Virgin Islands, where it engages in various projects, including government contracts and future residential developments. “There are projects I’m working on, like government projects and other future developments,” says O’Neal. However, the goal is to extend these services to a broader Caribbean audience. “With this platform, I could get contacted by different companies and investors within the Caribbean islands so my company could tender and bid for various works.”

Expanding Expertise Across the Caribbean

The foundation of any successful construction company lies in its workforce, and Plugworks BVI is no exception. CEO O’Neal emphasizes that his team is not just locally based but globally sourced, ensuring a wide array of skills and expertise. This international reach is crucial as the company aims to provide specialized Mechanical, Electrical, and Plumbing (MEP) services across the Caribbean.

“In the British Virgin Islands, a lot of my team is not here,” he states. “I have three plumbers and two electricians on the way. They’ll be here by the end of this month.” His strategy involves leveraging tradespeople from the United Kingdom, the USA, and various Caribbean nations.

One of the significant projects Plugworks BVI is gearing up for is the NEOC DDM building. “It’s a hurricane-proof and fireproof building for the government, responsible for storing all the information and data about weather conditions, natural disasters, and stuff like that,” O’Neal explains. This new building will be a critical facility for disaster management, and Plugworks BVI has secured the contract to handle the plumbing.

Beyond government projects, O’Neal shares that the company has been involved in numerous residential projects. “We’ve done a lot of different villas within the British Virgin Islands on Virgin Gorda and in Tortola,” he notes. While Plugworks BVI primarily focuses on plumbing, their services are expanding to include electrical and mechanical work.

Though Plugworks BVI is a relatively young company—it is five years old—it boasts a team with extensive experience. “The personnel within the company have many years of experience working for different companies throughout their time,” O’Neal points out. This depth of experience positions the company well for future projects, even as it continues to solidify its presence in the British Virgin Islands and prepares for expansion across the Caribbean.

O’Neal clarifies that while his company holds a construction license, it focuses on specialized services. “I always do the plumbing and the services for these homes. I don’t do the construction even though I have a construction license,” he says. Instead of subcontracting out plumbing work, Plugworks BVI seeks opportunities where other contractors will bring them in for MEP services.

The Evolution and Future of Plugworks BVI

Over the past five years, Plugworks BVI has steadily built its reputation through dedicated plumbing services across the British Virgin Islands. Now, as CEO O’Neal aims to transform the company into a significant player in the MEP sector, the journey reflects a clear shift in strategy and ambition.

“Currently, I’m tendering for different MEP contracts, but up until now, my company has been primarily focused on plumbing throughout the British Virgin Islands,” he shares. Recognizing the need to diversify, he decided to expand into electrical and mechanical services a few months ago. “It was strictly plumbing before,” he explains. “Now, we’re broadening our scope.”

Expanding services beyond the British Virgin Islands is not just about growth but also addressing specific market dynamics. O’Neal acknowledges the competitive nature of the local market. “There is no shortage of trades in my region. When it comes to plumbing and mechanical, I have access to many technicians, from ten to thirty,” he states. Despite this, the limited demand within

the British Virgin Islands means fewer opportunities. “The landscape here is challenging for applying for jobs and getting them. There isn’t enough work to supply the companies.”

While many regions face a shortage of skilled tradespeople, the British Virgin Islands present the opposite challenge. “The British Virgin Islands do not have a shortage of trade people. If anything, I have a lot of access to tradespeople that I could use to expand to other islands where there is a shortage,” O’Neal points out. This unique position allows Plugworks BVI to capitalize on its surplus of skilled labor by targeting markets with higher demand.

“This realization led me to step back from construction and focus on supplying speciality trade tradespeople within the Caribbean,” O’Neal explains. The British Virgin Islands, with a small population of about 30,000, cannot sustain a high demand for tradespeople. “If you have five projects in the British Virgin Islands, you’re doing extremely well,” he notes. “There are a lot of plumbers and electricians out of work because there isn’t a high demand here.”

Plugworks BVI’s strategy is clear: leverage the surplus of tradespeople in the British Virgin Islands to meet the needs of other Caribbean islands and beyond. “We invest our time and money in securing tradespeople and supplying them,” O’Neal emphasizes. This investment ensures that Plugworks BVI remains a reliable partner for any project requiring MEP services across the Caribbean.

Supply Chain and Workforce Dynamics

Securing a steady supply of materials and skilled labor is paramount in the construction industry. For Plugworks BVI, these elements have unique challenges and advantages. CEO O’Neal explains.

“Shipment of materials isn’t a problem,” he reveals. “The British Virgin Islands have limited access to certain materials, so we must outsource from places like Puerto Rico and Miami.” While basic materials such as PVC and copper are readily available, specialized plumbing and electrical work materials can present hurdles. “We source the materials overseas, and they ship it to us within a week,” he adds. The real challenge lies in sourcing specialty items required for specific projects, like fire safety components.

As Plugworks BVI looks to expand its MEP services beyond the British Virgin Islands, O’Neal is open to various project types. “I say all three—commercial, residential, and industrial—because of the level of skilled labor that I have,” he asserts. The company sources tradespeople from various Caribbean islands and beyond, including Jamaica, Guyana, and the Philippines.

The company’s revenue growth reflects its evolving business model. “I got my license in June 2020. We started with about $30,000, then it went up to $50,000,” O’Neal shares. However, the revenue growth is limited by the availability of work, not the availability of skilled tradespeople. “There is not enough work for the skilled plumbers,” he notes.

This dynamic makes the British Virgin Islands a transition hub for skilled tradespeople. “It’s cheaper for a contractor in Antigua or the Cayman Islands to come to the British Virgin Islands, get those guys, and then go where they have to go,” O’Neal explains. Plugworks BVI positions itself as a supplier of these tradespeople, investing in securing and retaining skilled labor to meet the demand across the Caribbean.

Projected Growth and Strategic Expansion

As Plugworks BVI continues to navigate the intricacies of the construction industry, CEO O’Neal has a clear vision for the company’s future.

“In the next 18 months, I see my company expanding and growing in the British Virgin Islands,” he states confidently. This growth is fueled by the influx of new projects and the increasing recognition of Plugworks BVI’s capabilities. “We are growing in number when it comes to skilled labor,” he adds, emphasizing the natural progression of the company’s development.

The strategic plan involves securing more projects and obtaining licenses to operate in additional Caribbean islands. “With this new influx of jobs that I’m currently bidding and tendering on, I see myself being financially able to get a different license in the target Caribbean islands,” O’Neal explains.

Despite the slow process of gaining traction in new regions, he is optimistic about the future. “We are reaching a point in my company’s career where we are getting recognized and have some big offers on the table,” he says. Among these opportunities is a significant hotel project, signaling a promising horizon for Plugworks BVI.

O’Neal strategically brings in skilled tradespeople as needed to manage the increasing workload. he notes. This careful planning ensures the company can meet project demands without overextending its resources.

With a focus on continual investment and growth, Plugworks BVI is poised to become a leading MEP provider in the Caribbean. As O’Neal steers the company’s expansion plan, his strategic approach and dedication to quality continue to position Plugworks BVI for a bright and prosperous future.