BUILDING THROUGH CHALLENGES: LABOR, SUPPLY CHAIN, AND TIMELY EXECUTION For any significant development project, labor and supply chain concerns loom large— particularly in a post-pandemic world. But as Oran explains, Sheraton Mall’s latest venture, W Plaza (wplazawelches.com), has managed to sidestep many challenges plaguing construction projects globally. Through local expertise, careful planning, and fortuitous timing, the project has remained on course despite the obstacles. “In terms of labor and technical resources, everything has been local,” he says confidently. With its $80 million price tag, W Plaza is a significant regional undertaking and a local triumph. “All of our consultants—engineers, architects, project managers—have been from local professional companies that do an amazing job.” And while the contractor is based in Barbados, the workforce has been drawn from across the Caribbean. “I can’t say they’re all Bajans,” Oran clarifies, “but certainly they’re from the region.” The movement of skilled labor between the islands has been essential in maintaining the momentum of the build. Supply chain issues, however, have been a constant concern throughout. “Coming out of COVID, the supply chain has been an ongoing concern. It’s gotten better, but it’s still there,” Oran notes. The project has had to deal with delays in sourcing key materials—particularly electrical components and structural steel—most of which had to be ordered from outside Barbados. Yet the team was proactive, securing long-lead items well in advance to avoid setbacks. Tony Yam, the owner of Luk Yeung’s, one of the establishments in the Sheraton Mall food court Some of the plants from recently held Treemendous Plant Fair 31 BUSINESS VIEW CARIBBEAN VOLUME 11, ISSUE 11 SHERATON MALL
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