The new plant at Diamond on the East bank of Demerara which will produce some 100 000 cases of 200 ml box per month.
President Bharrat Jagdeo has identified “aggressive leadership’ as an effective tool to deal with the challenges of the new globalized world.

Delivering the feature address at the commissioning of TOPCO Juice Plant yesterday at a ceremony that was attended by businessmen, members of the Diplomatic Community and Ministers of the Government, the President lauded the leaders of the Demerara Distillers Limited (DDL) for their vision and leadership.

At the commissioning, held adjacent to the new US$3M Juice Plant at DDL, Diamond, EBD, (formerly Diamond Sugar Factory) the President acknowledged the leadership role-played by Mr. Yesu Persaud (Chairman) and Komal Samaroo (Managing Director) for moving DDL from a one product company to one of the most diversified companies in Guyana with Beverage, Insurance, Shipping, Banking and now into Information Technology.

“This is absolutely important if we are going to survive and prosper in the new human global dispensation,” the President declared.

“We have to have this kind of aggressive leadership that just does not complain about where the world is going but is willing to examine the challenges, take steps and re-adjust their companies to be successful in that new environment,” the President pointed out.

The President also recommended the creation of linkages with foreign firms, since it will secure markets and bring in badly needed technology.

Pointing to the fast changing external economic environment that will replace the trading regimes; the negotiating cases that seem to lead towards the removal of those preferences as it forge a new trading system, the President stated, “We must not fall into the syndrome like other countries, that is, to just complain about the problems. We have to do things to maintain in this global system and prosper within it.”

And this is where companies in Guyana like DDL is making a difference, in the forefront of adjusting to the new global market place, the President added.

President Jagdeo insisted that Guyana has a wonderful ability to move forward with intelligent people and resource base.

“I wasn’t surprise that this is the first factory in the world to be done in fourteen months after all we are Guyanese we can do anything,” the President declared to an appreciate audience that responded with a round of applause.

The President promised his government’s support and assured that the policy-making environment will continue to see many changes that will create a more favourable environment to private sector.

He extended congratulation to all the stakeholders involved in the project and publicly acknowledged Mr. Geoffrey Murray who started from a cottage industry with TOPCO, in the early 1980’s, resigning as the Deputy Director of the Civil Aviation and pursuing his dream, which is now a reality.

Mr. Manuel Calderon who represented the Tetra Pak Company which is responsible for the technical work stated that it is the first in the history of the Company to have completed such a project within that time frame.

He acknowledged the dedication of the local team in making this possible.

Tetra Pak is a world wide leading company dedicated to the development, manufacturing, and marketing food processing and packaging systems for industry, working in 165 countries.

For the distributor it is an opportunity to have an item cost effective, in transportation and storage with minimal environmental impact, 75% of the package is paper, Mr. Calderon explained. The factory is capable of producing some 100 000 cases 24 x 200 ml box per month operating on two shifts. Shortly within a few months a second packaging line will be established packaging one litre box.

Overseas markets are already secured and some G$300M worth of fruits will be required annually from local farmers when the factory is in full capacity, fruits will including cherry, passion fruits, guava and pineapple to name a few.

The project is set to significantly increase fruit farmers income, and in order to help the farmers meet the new demand, TOPCO has net worked with Institute of Private Enterprise Development (IPED) to provide assistance for farmers to expand production facility.

The plant utilises fruit pulp extracted from Topco Operation at Timehri, which is being expanded and upgraded with new washing and extracting equipment.

The 24x200 ml triangular shaped box which will be retailed for $60 each is now available at a special introductory price of $50.