$35M meat centre opens in Kitty
|
$35M meat centre opens in Kitty
J.P. Santos, Bounty Farm in strategic allianceby Wendella Davidson
Guyana Chronicle
January 31, 2000
A $35M meat centre and supermarket, the result of a strategic alliance between J.P. Santos Limited (JPSL) and Bounty Farm Limited (BFL), of Water Street, was opened yesterday at the corner of Pike and Alexander Streets, Kitty,
The spacious, air-conditioned `Bounty Farm Meat Centre Franchise' is located in the former J.P. Santos building. Bounty Farm is a subsidiary of the conglomerate John Fernandes Limited, also of Water Street.
According to BFL Managing Director, Mr Patrick De Groot, the franchising of the Bounty Farm Meat Centre operations is the first step towards a goal the company had set itself many years ago, to take its meat countrywide. The Kitty facility is the beginning.
He described it as a "union of wisdom and youth - wisdom of the long history of J.P. Santos in commercial trade, and the youth of the Bounty Farm management team".
The new service will open its doors to customers from 08:00 hours today, offering the choice meats synonymous with the `Bounty Farm' label, and a wide array of other products.
De Groot, who said that customers had been asking about the opening for nearly two weeks, apologised for the delay.
New Minister of Trade, Tourism and Industry, Mr Geoffrey Da Silva, who delivered the feature address and cut the ceremonial ribbon, underscored the need for local companies to forge alliances among themselves.
He told the audience that with the trend of today, in terms of globalisation and liberalisation, alliances and joint ventures are the way to go if companies are to move ahead.
Such ventures will also aid the private sector in becoming stronger.
Among persons present at the opening were Mr Anthony Xavier, Minister of Transport and Hydraulics; Mr Winston Tyrell, Acting Chairman, J.P.Santos Ltd; and Mr David Fernandes, Assistant Managing Director of Bounty Farm Ltd.
The Minister drew attention to the trend in Canada, USA and Europe, where different types of alliances and joint ventures are being formed.
He said, too, that small companies are also forming alliances in the area of information technology.
And remarking that J.P. Santos and John Fernandes Limited, have made a tremendous contribution to the development of Guyana over many decades, the Trade, Tourism and Industry Minister said he viewed their alliance as a sign of what will happen for them in the future.
Tyrell, who in his remarks gave a background into the establishment and development of JPSL, said the coming together of the two entities represented a new life for JPSL as it seeks to recapture its old glory.
J.P. Santos was founded in 1889 by Joaon Pedro Santos, a sole trader. It was registered in 1910 and became a public liability company in 1969. At its peak, J.P. Santos was regarded as one of the leading trading organisations in this country, the Acting Chairman said.
Branches were established in various parts of the country such as Diamond, Pomeroon River; Wakenaam, Leguan, Georgetown, and New Amsterdam. Its activities included wholesale and retail trade in household goods, import and export agencies, insurance, wharfage, manufacturing and agriculture.
However, the company, which provided employment for over 500 persons, found itself fighting for survival during the times of economic woes. Its growth ceased and the condition represented one of decline, Tyrell recalled.
In addition, with the advent of an unfavourable business culture - the street vendor - the company's profitability suffered further decline.
An effort by the Board, which had the interest of employees at heart, to bring about a revival of the company by borrowing collateral also failed.
It was the leasing of some of its facilities to John Fernandes Limited which realised a light at the end of the tunnel.
The JPSL Acting Chairman reiterated an earlier sentiment by Minister Da Silva that the path taken by the two companies is the way forward in the 21st century.
Tyrell also urged the employees to take up the challenge of achieving the sales target demanded by the level of investment made.
To achieve this, they, the employees, will have to influence customers to shop at the outlet, he said, and he cautioned that they must be pleasant and helpful under all circumstances.
He promised customers quality, the right price and excellent service.
Tyrell, who said businesses need to be competitive, questioned whether the present business culture in the Guyana society, that of proliferation of a sole trader, is preparing the nation for the 21st Century.
Following the ceremony chaired by Mr Robert Fernandes guests had the opportunity of touring the facility.
