Wisynco's J$1- Billion Expansion to be Completed by April

Distribution company Wisynco, headed by William Mahfood, is now constructing a 260,000 square-foot logistic warehouse and distribution centre that the company expects to be completed in April this year. Wisynco's expansion efforts are expected to come in at J$1 billion.

Wisynco has ambitious plans to manufacture cranberry juice drink Ocean Spray here in Jamaica for the Caribbean market. This week the company began production of Coca-Cola for the Jamaican market.

Speaking with Caribbean Business Report last night from the Air Jamaica Jazz and Blues Festival held in Montego Bay, Wisynco's Marketing Director, Zachary Harding said: "Our Ocean Spray sales grew 350 per cent over the last three years and Jamaica is now the number one market in per capita consumption in the world."

The company also produces Wata with sales growing by 200 per cent over the last three years. Harding declared that Wata is now officially the number one bottled water drink in Jamaica and now has 60 per cent market share in Jamaica.

The company is now the distributor for Coca-Cola in Jamaica which speaks to its ambitions particularly as this is predominantly a Pepsi market. Harding said that the goal is for Coca-Cola to have 50 per cent market share in Jamaica in the next three years.

Largest cash sponsor of Air Jamaica Jazz and Blues Festival
This year sees Wisynco as Air Jamaica Jazz and Blues Festival's exclusive non-alcohol sponsor.

Caribbean Business Report understands that Wisynco's sponsorship this year came in at US$150,000, that's US$135,000 in cash and US$15,000 in drinks. It is now the largest cash sponsor of the event, surpassing Digicel.

"I have found that event sponsorship is an effective way to market. Rather than compete with other sponsors we want to complement the venue in Montego Bay and work together with other sponsors to have a great event. This year we will be showcasing Coca-Cola, Ocean Spray and the Ciclon energy drink, said Harding.

(Observer)