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46 47 It still has a lot to do with the consistency of our products, over time. People have grown to know our brand because of the key products that we have. MARNIX PEREZ MARKETING MANAGER opportunity to come to Belize and set up a business for the distribution of Grace products,” Graham continues. “In addition, GraceKennedy was also involved in the sourcing of certain products, such as red kidney beans and fish, from Belize, for distribution in Jamaica. So, the establishment of a business here made sense. The Chief Financial Officer for GraceKennedy at that time was Mr. Rafael Diaz, who originally hails from Belize and was instrumental in establishing GraceKennedy Belize. He subsequently became the CEO and Chairman of GraceKennedy Limited. “During its early years, it was a joint venture between GraceKennedy, who owned 66.7 percent of the business, GRACEKENNEDY BELIZE LIMITED AT A GLANCE GRACEKENNEDY BELIZE LIMITED WHAT: One of Belize’s major food, grocery, and beverage dis- tributors WHERE: Belize City, Belize WEBSITE: www.gracekennedy belize.com and Roberto Espat who owned the other third. Roberto Espat was involved in a paper conversion business, which, at the time, produced toilet tissue, paper napkins, and brown paper bags.When GraceKennedy Belize got started, they distributed Grace products and the paper products under one management. Over time, as the business grew, Grace- Kennedy eventually bought out Roberto Espat, so GraceKennedy Belize is now a 100 percent-owned subsidiary. “Over the years, the business expand- ed the range of products that are dis- tributed to include third-party brands. We currently represent brands such as Colgate-Palmolive, Devon Biscuits, Carib Beer and Mackeson Stout out of Trini- dad, Suretox Insecticide and Go Repel- lant from Barbados, and Mahler Prod- ucts from Guatemala, to name a few.” Customer Service and Sales Manager, Luis Ugarte, says that GraceKennedy Belize serves “many different customers in many different channels from whole- salers, to general supermarkets, small- er supermarkets, convenience stores, schools, and offices.” The company has 52 full-time employees, including field merchandisers and sales representatives who cover the entire country, including its islands and cayes, from its distribu- tion center in Belize City. Marketing Manager Marnix Perez,