BVM Caribbean May

30 BUSINESS VIEW CARIBBEAN VOLUME 10, ISSUE 5 as their competitor instead of their friend.” As a result, A.L. Construction diversified its operations, transforming it into a supply company with multiple branches. Today, the company offers hardware and aggregates, supported by additional units in Big Falls. Its decision to adapt and grow has allowed it to carve out a niche in the market, strengthening its position in Belize’s burgeoning construction industry. The evolution of A.L. Construction into a supply company has been a gradual process, with a notable shift around 2012. Loewen recalled, “We made a huge [change] in 2008. We were swamped, and then we went through a change where we changed our employees to subcontractors. And then after that, a few more years later, we started doing less and less [construction].” However, the company still takes on island projects and focuses primarily on commercial and land development. One such project the company has recently been involved with is island development. Loewen explained, “If I do anything at this point, that’d be commercial. But lately, it’s mostly been land development, like islands.” A recent example is their work for Reggie Bullock, where they “redid his island completely.” A.L. Construction’s role involved creating beaches and ensuring the island would not suffer from erosion. In addition to island projects, A.L. Construction provides barge services, as Loewen mentioned: “We’re not involved so much in home [construction]. We have barge services too.” Working on island developments requires a deep understanding of the natural environment, as Loewen explained: “Islands always are low. They need filling. They always have erosion issues. If you can develop, you must ensure you don’t remove the wrong tree so you don’t have erosion. So it’s all about understanding the wind and the water currents and putting the right products in place so it doesn’t wash out once you develop it.” A.L. Construction’s expertise in land development and island projects demonstrates their ability to adapt and thrive in Belize’s construction industry.