a diversified network combining direct manufacturer partnerships with membership in major buying cooperatives, creating supply chain resilience that proved crucial during recent global disruptions. “We represent a broad base of suppliers directly, like Makita Power Tools, like TOTO Plumbing Fixtures, but we’re also part of a huge buying group called Orgill, and we just actually started out with Do It Best,” Thomas explains. The Makita relationship exemplifies CTL’s long-term partnership approach, with nearly three decades of collaboration including joint customer events and product demonstrations. “We’ve been distributors for Makita for nearly 30 years. They’ve supported our business, getting involved at this level.”TOTO, the premium bathroom fixture manufacturer whose products appear in Las Vegas hotels and major airports, highlights CTL’s quality offerings despite the small market size. The Orgill partnership is CTL’s most significant supply relationship, providing access to thousands of products through one of America’s largest wholesale distributors. “I’ve been with them for over 30, approaching 40 years, and they basically rise to the challenge,” Thomas notes. During Hurricane Irma’s aftermath, Orgill suppliers extended credit terms and prioritized shipments to support reconstruction efforts. “They forewent a lot of payments that were needed during the time that we were going through our stresses as a country. They just made sure that we had a product because in their minds, as they said, if you guys don’t function, we don’t function.” 41 BUSINESS VIEW CARIBBEAN VOLUME 12, ISSUE 08 CARIBBEAN TRADING LIMITED (CTL)
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