Business View Caribbean Dec. 2018 / Jan. 2019

41 & Company Ltd., recounts the rich legacy of his family’s business in St. Lucia. “The company was started in the early 1900s by my grandfather, Joseph Edgar Bergasse. It was really just a shop front in Castries, where he sold fabric, foodstuffs, and various other things, and did what he needed to keep his family fed. As the company grew, and took on more agencies, my father (Peter Anthony Bergasse) joined him. At that time, my grandfa- ther recognized that insurance was an area they should probably get involved in. So, he sent my father to the UK to study about insurance, and when he came back, that side of our business was launched.” In 1959, current Chairman, Hollis Bristol, joined the Company and for the next 15 years, J.E Ber- gasse enjoyed tremendous growth and prosperity with the insurance business and other agencies, most notably, Heineken. “Our company used to import Heineken beer from Holland,” Bergasse relates. “Then, in the mid-‘70s, Heineken built a brewery in St. Lucia and for 10 years, we were their local distributor. But in 1984, when Heinek- en took on both local and international distri- bution themselves, it very nearly sounded the death knell for J.E. Bergasse, because the brewery accounted for well over 50 percent of our gross revenues.” By the 1990s, the company was in a downward spiral, and the death of Peter Bergasse in 1995 worsened the situation. Difficult decisions had to be made. As a result, food, alcohol, and tobacco distribution were discontinued, and insurance and technology services became the main focus. The core business was redefined and operations were streamlined to become more competitive in pro- viding world-class customer service and support. This strategic move helped earn J.E. Bergasse WHY MASSY UNITED INSURANCE? Throughout the region, our customers know that a financially secure insurance company covers their homes, vehicles, businesses and prized possessions. With a financial strength rating of “Excellent” by A.M. Best for more than 10 consecutive years, we understand what insurance is about – reliability, security and most importantly, you! We offer excellent service, exciting benefits and a prompt and compassionate claims response. Choose from a full range of market-leading personal and business insurance solutions designed to meet your individual needs. Email us at mail@massyunitedinsurance.com As you chart your course, you can rest assured that Massy United Insurance will be with you for every leg of your voyage. Whether you are importing or exporting, your cargo is in safe hands with our Marine Cargo Insurance Policy. Our policies are customisable depending on the commodity, carrier, and packaging. Anguilla n Antigua & Barbuda n Aruba n Bahamas n Barbados n Belize n British Virgin Islands n Cayman Islands n Curacao n Dominica n Grenada n Guyana n Montserrat n St Kitts & Nevis n Saint Lucia n St Vincent & The Grenadines n Trinidad & Tobago n Turks & Caicos Islands massyunitedinsurance.com J.E. BERGASSE & COMPANY LTD. Massy United Insurance Ltd. is one of the leading general insurance companies in the Caribbean. We are a regional company, with a network of branches and agencies through- out 18 territories, with a financial strength rating of A- (Excellent) by A. M. Best for more than 10 consecutive years. Our financial strength and stability enables us to continue to deliver an excellent range of general insur- ance products and services to our customers, including prompt, reliable claims responses. At Massy United, we offer solid, reliable commercial insurance solutions that can give your business the competitive advantage it requires. The main areas of your business to be protected are the physical assets against loss or damage by an insured peril and expo- sure to liability arising out of the operations of your business. From industry-specific coverage, such as Contractor’s All Risk (Builder’s Insurance) to coverage for general business needs such as Fire & Perils insurance for your buildings, stock and equipment; Loss of Profits cover in the event of a major catastrophe affecting your business; as well as Public Liability, we offer a wide range of special insurance packages crafted to meet the needs of any progressive business owner. Massy United is a member of the Massy Group, one of the largest and most success- ful conglomerates in the Caribbean with over 60 subsidiary companies. Contact any of our offices across the Caribbean today! Email mail@massyunitedinsurance.com or online at www.massyunitedinsurance.com