Business View Caribbean l Feb 2023

71 72 BUSINESS VIEW CARIBBEAN VOLUME 10, ISSUE 2 BUSINESS VIEW CARIBBEAN VOLUME 10, ISSUE 2 company that is helping to bridge this gap. Founder and CEO Ken Hurst shares his motivation for starting the company. “In the Caribbean, parents buy a plot of land, and that would become an investment for their children who have gone overseas to study,” he says. “The problem is that some go overseas, graduate, get good jobs, and don’t return. The land stays there undeveloped.” This culture has resulted in many undeveloped plots of land on the island, resulting in a reduced availability of ready-made houses, something Hurst saw as an opportunity. “Bau Homes removes the need to buy a BAU HOMES plot of land and develop it yourself,” Hurst says. “On our website, we offer several types of ready-made designs that you can pick from, including the pricing of each. You can easily pick the one you like, go to the bank and apply for a loan, and once approved and payment made, we can build you the house.” The company mainly targets expatriates who want to return to the country and get a completed house when they arrive. “Persons returning from the United States, Canada, or the UK after many years often find many changes. Family and neighbors might have moved, and you no longer know anyone to help you get a place to live, “Hurst relays. “It’s also becoming increasingly risky to send money to relatives to help set up a In the Antilles, Argos operates in Antigua & Barbuda, Dominica, Sint Maarten, and the US Virgin Islands (USVI), each with a terminal equipped to receive bulk-load cement, to be packaged if needed, and distributed within the respective islands. Some of the products in our portfolio include gray and white cement, among others, which can be packaged in small bags and jumbo bags or bulk distribution, which are available to clients through a wide network of hardware stores and independent contractors that the company collaborates with. Argos is the leading cement producer in Colombia and the 4th largest in the United States. Their total installed capacity is 23 million tons of cement per year and the company’s business model is centered around its clients and adding value to stakeholders. Argos aspires to be the customer’s first option when it comes to their cement needs, supported by permanent availability, high-quality products, a diversified portfolio, and an outstanding customer service. For more than a decade Argos has contributed to the islands’ most iconic infrastructure projects, such as St. Johns Container Port (Antigua), Royalton Hotel (Antigua), Barbuda Ocean Club (Barbuda), Fourteen Towers (Sint Maarten), Magens Junction Apartments (USVI), New Cyril E. King Parking Garage (USVI), among others. Argos has also partnered with several organizations to invest in social projects that aid in the development of local communities. This aligns with the company’s higher purpose of making possible the construction of housing and infrastructure dreams that enable a more sustainable, prosperous, and inclusive society. “Our four terminals in Antigua & Barbuda, Dominica, Sint Maarten, and Saint Thomas (USVI), are from where we serve our local markets and other islands such as Saint Johns (USVI), Anguilla, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Sint Eustatius, Saba, and St. Barths. Through our operations in the Antilles, we generate more than 40 direct and indirect jobs. Our history in the Caribbean started around the mid-1960s and will keep growing for more generations to come. In addition to having the best logistics chain to meet the needs of the islands where we operate, our team works every day to transform people’s lives by promoting development and social welfare”, declared Samuel Arango, General Director for the Antilles operations. Argos is an ally for the social and economic development and contributes to the growth of the construction industries in the countries where it operates. For more information, please visit www.antilles.argos.co