Business View Caribbean | Volume 9, Issue 1

25 BUSINESS VIEW CARIBBEAN VOLUME 9, ISSUE 1 JAMA I CA PLUMB ING SUPPL I ES CO. LTD . timing.” He adds, “I say perfect because last year when we had the first lockdown in Jamaica, St. Catherine (the biggest Parish) was totally locked down for two weeks. To God be the glory we were able to pay our staff. It’s only because we are doing so financially good. The warehouse does suit us.” With 35 staff members, the company was again able to pay everyone their full salary during a second, 10-day lockdown – at a total of almost $2 million JMD per fortnight. “You pay them for every day that they work,” says Neil, “I’m quite happy with that.” Jamaica Plumbing has been able to keep all of their employees throughout the pandemic, adding two new people to the team in the process. Reporting a 20 to 30% increase in sales since the move, Neil notes that part of this success is the fact that people are unable to fly freely to Miami to pick up supplies, leading them to Jamaica Plumbing instead. The other advantage is that the construction industry in Jamaica is booming. While supply shortages, and price increases are affecting them, Neil shares, “It’s a good thing we do not put all of our eggs in one basket. We were probably taking, on average, two containers every six weeks out of Miami. Luckily for us we had the warehouse, so we were able to bring in quite a bit more stuff, not knowing what was coming.” Waiting for months to receive fast-moving items like PVC pipe fittings, the company is also facing higher freight charges. “For example,” says Neil, “we used to pay three to four thousand dollars for freight from China. It’s now eight to twelve thousand or more. So, we have to try to consolidate our containers with two different suppliers. If you bring in certain stuff, the freight is going to be so high that the price of it can’t be recovered.” With suppliers in the United Kingdom, Ecuador, and the United States, the company does bring in most of their best selling items from China, while acquiring some of the higher-end, more expensive products from other locations.