Business View Caribbean | Volume 8, Issue 7

73 BUSINESS VIEW CARIBBEAN VOLUME 8, ISSUE 7 TROWEL PLAST I CS BARBADOS L IMI TED All these products have been used domestically as well as regionally. The company’s distribution links are tiered between over-the-counter – people who come in to shop at the independent stores; distributors – all the major and minor hardware stores; and two mobile distributors. Clarke explains, “They are actually like a mobile store. So they come into the office, collect the goods, and do what’s necessary without having a warehouse. Their warehouse is transient; it is their vehicle.” Over the years, the company has done business in about 95 percent of the English-speaking Caribbean. As far north as Jamaica, as far south as Guyana, and has trade relations going on with the countries between. “Our direction looking ahead is to flog that aspect of the business more,” says Clarke, “so that exports give the thrust forward. The local market is going through a transition because the crippling of the tourism industry due to COVID makes things challenging. It needs more effort, more focus, diligence and discipline.” The company mission is to be internationally recognized for quality solutions in residential and commercial architectural finishes, and its vision is just as bold – for Trowel Plastics Barbados Limited to be a leader in quality innovative architectural finishes for residential and commercial markets in Barbados, the region, and the world. According to Clarke, “Innovation is one of the ticket items where we try to deploy resources, whether through mechanical means or just simply human creativity and ingenuity that we embrace. We have some employees that are very savvy mechanically and they are able to put their talents into masterminding processes in the plant. And streamlining the admin office.” TPBL is blessed to have a complement of multi- faceted staff, which speaks volumes for the personable approach that is inherent in the company culture. “We believe that serving the people by giving them what they want builds brand loyalty and appreciation,” says Clarke. “Our forte is really manufacturing and I’m a firm believer in not compromising on spending