34 October 2015 - Business View Caribbean
If successful, it will position Jamaica as a significant
player in the global shipping and logistics industry by
capitalizing on the almost-completed expansion of the
Panama Canal, and providing a more cost-effective
platform from which to export product. “We’re chal-
lenged to export, at the moment, because of the trade
rate coming out of Jamaica,” Barnes explains. “Once
there are increased activities, we expect a reduction in
trade rates which will allow us an opportunity whereby
we can move more exports.”
ARC employs over 200 workers, and according to
Barnes, attracting, employing, and training its work-
force is a key component of the company’s ethos.
“We’re a people-oriented company and an equal-op-
portunity employer. We invest in our community and
we have a corporate social responsibility. Most of the
persons who are doing manufacturing are low-skilled
persons when they come here. We coordinate with
national training agencies to ensure that these young
men, especially, from depressed communities, have a
skill and some form of academic certification, and are
trained to the extent, whereby if they desire to leave
this company at any point in time, they are employ-
able. We pride ourselves in investing in youth. We be-
lieve in Jamaica and that’s why we continue to invest
in this country.”
As ARC Manufacturing Limited goes forward, undoubt-
edly it will continue its tradition of providing its custom-
ers with superior products of superior quality, delivered
via its superior delivery service. “Our customers and
our staff are our two prime assets,” declares Barnes.
“And it is our view, that if we continue to invest in both,
then the return for the company will be consistent with
our projections.”
Perhaps, the next time President Norman Horne flies
over Jamaica, he will be able to see much more of
what he and his company have helped to build from
the ground up.
