$200-m Expansion at Jamaica Drink Co
THE Jamaica Drink Company, manufacturers of Bigga Soft Drinks, yesterday unveiled its $200-million expansion project at its White Marl, St Catherine complex, which according to the company's managing director, Francois Chalifour, will increase the company's local market share and enhance its export growth in both soft drinks and bottled water.
"This investment is significant not only because of its big dollar amount but also because of the production efficiencies that it will bring to Jamaica Drink's bottling facility. At the end of the day our objective is to offer our consumers the best value for their hard-earned dollars and this expansion will enable us to continue doing just that," Chalifour said yesterday.
The Jamaica Drinks Company is a subsidiary of the 37-year-old WISYNCO Group of Companies. The company started operations six years ago.
Its new expansion includes a warehouse, carbon dioxide plant and water treatment plant.
According to Chalifour, the carbon dioxide plant became necessary as the company was dependent on a local company, which too had to import the gas from South Africa.
"This proposition was very expensive and sometimes proved inefficient as supplies did not meet requirements," Chalifour explained. "Our investment provides vertical integration which will lower our costs and guarantee supply."
The water treatment plant, Chalifour noted, has enabled the company to increase its water treatment capacity and put its newest addition, the WATA (purified bottled water) brand on the market in October.
Tourism and industry minister, Aloun N'Dombet Assamba said Jamaica can only benefit from such positive developments.
"The company's record speaks a lot to its further development and as government; we would encourage you to continue your expansion for
growth and development. Jamaica is the major beneficiary here," she said at the official opening of the company's expansion project.
Meanwhile, Jamaica Manufacturers Association president, Clarence Clarke lauded the company for its use of technology to increase productivity, hence contributing positively to the Jamaican economy.
(Observer)