Business View Caribbean September/October 2018

40 41 repair shop and we obtained the Toyota franchise the same year.We got our first shipment of Toyota cars in December, and that’s where the love affair started.” General Manager (and Ewart’s daughter), Dyna Harney Barnes, clarifies, “He used the right words: ‘love affair,’ there, because the mindset of the business comes 100 percent from Mr. Har- ney’s love and true passion for cars. This young, 23-year-old entrepreneur was exposed to Japa- nese cars when he studied mechanics in the U.K. and, upon his return in the 1970s, the oil crisis was taking place and the Antigua marketplace was primarily English and American ‘gas guzzlers’, so it was truly the right time for him to make his entry with these small Japanese cars.” Forty-eight years later, Harney Motors continues to enjoy a wonderful relationship with Toyota, as well as being a thriving multi-franchise firm. In 1985, Harney opened Ace Enterprises Ltd. and ob- tained the Mitsubishi franchise. In 1996, Harney Motors added KIA and Ford franchises, followed by Mazda in 1999. Ssangyong, a Korean brand, was added in 2015 at Ace Enterprises Ltd. “Ace En- terprises is a separate entity,” says Harney-Barnes. “It has its own showroom–we call it our sister company. In 2017, Ace Enterprises acquired the HARNEY MOTORS LTD. AT A GLANCE HARNEY MOTORS LTD. WHAT: Full-service car dealership WHERE: St. John’s, Antigua, West Indies WEBSITE: www.harneymotorsltd.com Overview General Insurance Company Limited (GIC) is a family owned and operated insurance company, one of the few indigenous insurance companies on the island. Our office is strategically located on Upper Redcliffe Street in downtown St. John’s. General Insurance Company the brainchild of Peter Blanchard an Antiguan by birth, started out as an In- surance Agency in October 1984. The bold decision was made in 1991 to make the transition to becoming what we are today, General Insurance Company Ltd. Over the years we have endeavored to provide an exceptional level of service to our customers through our products and our claims experience. We have demonstrated our strength and stability in the mar- ket and with careful planning and foresight we have been able to stay the course and remain viable. In this economic climate we strive to give our cus- tomers and prospective customers the best pro- tection at the most affordable cost; by continuing to add innovative products to suit our customers’ needs and further enhance their experience. Here, at General Insurance Company Limited, we go the extra mile; we offer convenient parking for persons trans- acting business with us and for those who are unable to come to us we can accommodate you. Our Community Connection Since our inception we have been actively involved in the development of our community, we have assisted individuals with educational and medical funding as well as assistance to the less fortunate. We assist social groups such as but not limited to The Rotary Club, The Lions Club, JCI, Dogs and Cats of Anti- gua and Friends of Mt. St. John’s Medical Centre. We have also assisted public and private schools, churches and sports clubs. We have made significant contributions to relief efforts for countries affected by major disasters not only in Antigua & Barbuda but in Dominica, Grenada and Haiti. Products and Services We specialize in all classes of General Insurance, which is synonymous with our name to include: n Private Homes, Rental Properties and Commercial Properties n Household Contents and Office Equipment n Comprehensive Motor Vehicle Insurance Policies n Third Party Motor Vehicle Insurance Policies with options to upgrade n Public Liability Policies n Marine n Workmen’s Compensation n Contractors All Risk n Credit Risk n Burglary Why should you choose General In- surance Company? n Our high level of Customer Service n The claims experience - we pride ourselves on be- ing there in our customers’ times of need. n Our competitive rates and innovative policies How to contact us… If you are tech savvy, feel free to visit our website www.gicantigua.com for details on our policies or submit details for a free quote with no obligation, and for persons who prefer the human approach give us a call at (268) 462-2345/46 and speak with one of our customer service representatives who will be more than happy to assist you with any enquiries you may have. At General Insurance Company Limited our staff has a wealth of knowledge and experience in the indus- try spanning over 30 years. We continue to strive and seek ways to improve on our existing products and services to meet the needs of our customers. We invite you to let us help you safeguard your invest- ments through sound coverage and competitive rates. We would like to take this opportunity to thank our customers and business partners who have support- ed us over the years and we look forward to this continued partnership in the future. Insure and be secure!