PREFERRED VENDOR/PARTNER n Stone Crusher www.stonecrusher.com across the business community. For Janssen de Jong Caribbean, these connections span from government contracts to supplier partnerships, creating a network that enhances their ability to deliver consistently excellent results. “Bonaire is a small economy, so we have to work very closely with our suppliers and even our competitors,” Zwiers explains.“Sometimes our competitors become our suppliers, or we become theirs—that’s just how closely we work together.” Among their key partnerships is CBKF (Caribbean Blokken en Klinkers Fabriek), the local concrete plant that provides essential materials and services.“They are our primary supplier for ready-mix concrete delivery here on the island,” Zwiers notes. “We rely on them not just for concrete, but also for products like blocks and pavers.” The relationship goes beyond basic material supply. “They provide everything from raw aggregates and stone sand to transportation services with their trucks and heavy equipment,” Zwiers adds. “We can always count on them when we need them—they’ve proven to be an invaluable partner over the years.” Government relationships also play a crucial role in the company’s operations. With nearly three-quarters of their work coming from government contracts, maintaining strong ties with public sector entities is essential. These relationships have evolved beyond traditional client-contractor dynamics into collaborative partnerships that help shape the island’s development. LOOKING AHEAD: GROWTH, DEVELOPMENT, AND CULTURAL INTEGRATION The future of Janssen de Jong Caribbean holds exciting prospects, with significant projects on the horizon and strategic initiatives aimed at strengthening their market position.“We know some big projects are on the way. The new developments, the new neighborhoods, the government will be developing in the coming period. We are looking forward to that,” Zwiers explains. “There will also be some projects we are following very closely for improving fuel provision to the island like diesel, gasoline, and kerosene for airplanes.” The company’s proactive approach to workforce development remains a key focus.“Even if we don’t have many projects at the moment, when we see someone who is crucial to our organization, we contract them because we know that in the future when we need them, they’ll already be there,” Zwiers notes.“We want to strengthen our people, the people we already have. We give them courses and training so they can raise their level and be ready for what is coming in the future.” This forward-thinking approach also embraces the rich cultural diversity that characterizes the Caribbean workforce. Drawing from his personal journey of moving from the Netherlands to the Caribbean eleven years ago, Zwiers has gained valuable insights into the importance of cultural integration and mutual respect in business success. “I very quickly learned not to have any prejudices about people when you come to live in another culture. I came into another culture—a Caribbean culture, a Latin American culture. It is such a mixed culture here on the island,” Zwiers reflects. His final observation captures the essence of their success in this diverse environment: “It’s so great to see how all these cultures and languages work together and make beautiful things, beautiful projects and products. When you’re open to working with everybody, that’s when the magic happens.” 24 BUSINESS VIEW CARIBBEAN VOLUME 12, ISSUE 01
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