As part of its ongoing multimillion-dollar expansion programme, Distribution Services Limited (DSL), a major subsidiary of the Demerara Distillers Limited (DDL) Group, on Friday commissioned a state-of-the-art warehouse.
The new facility was constructed over a 17-month period at Plantation Diamond, East Bank Demerara (EBD), to the tune of more than $1 billion. The warehouse is about 43,000 square feet and is outfitted with modern storage facilities with capabilities to store both frozen and chilled goods.
At the commissioning ceremony, General Manager of DSL, Bryan Prittipaul explained that the company’s success as a leading distributor of fast-moving consumer products in the country as well as moves to diversify into retail has pushed the need for such a massive distribution warehouse to serve its four “Cash and Carry” stores and other customers.
(From left) DDL Chairman Komal Samaroo, former Chairman Dr Yesu Persaud, acting Prime Minister and Foreign Affairs Minister Carl Greenidge, Finance Minister Winston Jordan and Business Minister Dominic Gaskin joining a Sixth Form beneficiary of the DDL Foundation in cutting the ribbon at the commissioning ceremony of the new DSL warehouse
“The distribution business currently reaches 2300 retailers in Guyana through our effective sales course and strong distribution network. However, these efforts were stymied to an extent as the rapid growth of DSL resulted [in] to our existing warehouse and this provided a key justification to our state-of-the-art warehouse facility,” he stated.
According to the DSL General Manager, the company is now positioned to continue its growth through the development of current brands as well as the acquisition of new brands and categories.
Meanwhile, Chairman of the DDL Group, Komal Samaroo noted that the construction of this warehouse is part of a much larger expansion programme that the company has undertaken.
Last year the company announced a $10 billion expansion programme and this had already seen the construction and completion of a state-of-the-art warehouse for ageing 30 barrels of rum to support its international brand development.
“Not too far from here, we are building a new modern blending plant, which is scheduled for completion later this year; we are in the middle of a modernisation of Demerara Shipping port and office facilities at Water and Schumacher Streets, Georgetown, and we are commencing a major expansion of our TOPCO operation – an expansion which I think bring very interesting linkages to the agriculture sector in Guyana,” Samaroo posited.
The new DSL state-of-the-art warehouse facility at Diamond, EBD
According to the Chairman, DDL has always been forward-looking and capitalises on opportunities. He explained that even though the company is recognised, a branded market would pose major challenges because of what was taking place on the international market but the company still went ahead with divestment plans and giving birth to the DSL subsidiary.
“Our goal was to take Guyana’s best-known product to the world while bring some of the best-known products from the world and the region to the Guyanese market and consumers. That is what we’ve been doing further past 27 years,” he asserted.
Samaroo went on to outline that DSL’s growth is a sure projection and this new facility will prove to be an ease to do business especially because of its strategic location in a community which will be the origin of the much-anticipated bypass road that will link the East Bank and East Coast Demerara corridors.
On the other hand, Finance Minister Winston Jordan lauded the expansion the company has undertaken over the years, noting that these investments are a testament to the confidence investors have in Guyana.
The Finance Minister noted that Guyana is now looked at as the “preferred destination”. This, he said, was highlighted at the recent Prospectors and Development Association of Canada Convention – the largest mining convention in the world – where over 275 investors attended the “Guyana Day” with interests shown by “extremely high-level investors”.
