Questions, questions, so many questions. It seems for the last 16 months, all we’ve been doing is asking questions – of ourselves, of our families, our medical professionals, our employees, our co-workers… our IT people! How are you? How are you really? How do I do this? When can I do this? Is it safe? What do we do now?
We’ve all had a long and strenuous COVID-19 workout but we can, and should, feel proud of what we’ve accomplished – how we’ve learned to pivot and Zoom, and above all, that we’ve come through it together by going through it, for the most part, alone. It’s not a time for celebration – the losses are too deep – but the valuable lessons learned will guide us through whatever’s on the horizon. And that’s something we shouldn’t question, but just accept… with gratitude.
This month’s issue of BV Caribbean toasts the manufacturing sector – the movers and shakers and innovators whose amazing efforts are responsible for the food on our table, the parcels we receive, the beauty in our homes, and a wealth of jobs in our communities. In that regard, the Jamaica Manufacturers and Exporters Association envisions a Jamaica with a diversified economic base that is no longer overly reliant on one sector, but supported by other areas that can also sustain and drive economic development.
The CB Group has taken that to heart as it continues its family legacy of bettering the lives of the Jamaican people through innovative advancements in safe food production and the growth of sustainable agricultural industries. Of note, “The Nest” is their exciting new development you must read about!
Dairy Industries Jamaica Limited, renowned for its famous ‘canned cheese’, exemplifies success through diversification. They’re now ramping up to widen their territory, noting, “Wherever it is, we want to expand our export market because innovation and market expansion will help us grow.” National Rums of Jamaica is well-versed in the value of exporting your brand. Their award-winning Monymusk rums continue to please the taste buds of connoisseurs on an international, regional, and local scale. Cheers to that!
Speaking of delicious treats, Barbados Ice Cream Company is just the coolest place to work. They’re now incorporating state-of-the-art technology in their production process to make their staff even happier. Long gone are the days of churning ice cream by hand at the original BICO factory. Trowel Plastics Barbados Limited (TPBL) also carries on a proud legacy – adorning residential and commercial properties across the island with their beautiful textured coatings. Now they’d like to spread their wings even more throughout the Caribbean, Africa and the U.S.
While traditional mailing of letters has dwindled, the booming advent of ecommerce and online shopping means parcel delivery is busier than ever. And the Grenada Postal Corporation is enhancing its capabilities to capture that lucrative revenue stream.
As the world’s largest provider of Enterprise Application Software, SAP is committed to supporting every customer to become a best-run business. They share, “We win together as a community, but the value comes from the network and the millions of interconnections it facilitates in real time.” Kudos to that.
It’s our pleasure to bring you these inspiring stories. Be well and enjoy!
Lorie Lee Steiner
Editor in Chief
