After three and a half years of consistent effort, the Machinery Corporation of Guyana Limited (MACORP) has been able to receive its International Standard Organization (ISO) 9001 Certification.
This was handed over to the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of MACORP Group of
Quality coordinator Sonia Richard-Yong hands over certificate to CEO of MACORP Group of Companies, Jorge Medina
Companies, Jorge Medina, in a ceremony held at the Pegasus Hotel in Georgetown last Friday evening.
Announcing that the future of Guyana is here, Medina emphasized the company’s need to perform in accordance with its new certification. He presented an overview of the company, during which he recalled that in the late 1980s, Guyana encouraged foreign investors to come, and MACORP was invited in 1993 to form part of the mining and forestry sector, among other things.
Medina described MACORP as a pioneer company that brought the age of technology to Guyana, and continues to perform at high levels of excellence by educating customers in maintenance and fuel management.
“We need to educate our customers in their practices and maintenance of fuel management, and the utilisation of the ultra-low fuel (is) compatible with today’s technology; it’s a process to teach users and customers,” he said.
While highlighting the achievements of MACORP over the years, the CEO noted that the journey was not an easy one. “We were the first company to provide equipment connectivity in the real time…Every single piece of equipment can be connected by satellite and internet protocol to the offices of the owners and customers, and they may supervise and administrate their fleets, and figure out
Special invitees at Friday’s event at the Pegasus Hotel
how their equipment is performing,” he explained.
MACORP was recognised in 2011 as the winner of ‘Excellence in the Caribbean dealership in Caterpillar equipment’. In 2013, the company was ranked third in Latin America for efficiency. However, this was not enough, as the company was required to perform to international standards to be able to compete globally, and as such, the company sought to be ISO certified.
Having attained this, Medina assured consistency to match international standards. The CEO announced that he believes MACORP is prepared to face the oil-and-gas boom in the near future, and is able to offer packages for the oil-and-gas industry.
“Additionally, MACORP can support complacent pumping and generation packages, as well as offshore water treatment services,” he explained.
Executive Director of the Guyana National Bureau of Standards (GNBS), Candelle Bostwick, congratulated MACORP and applauded the exceptional efforts and commitment of the company from the inception of consultation. She urged the staff of the company to continue on this note.
“Every time a company in Guyana becomes internationally recognized, it tells us that Guyana is being prepared to take up the challenge, to compete with international companies and investors,” she stated.
Bostwick noted that the ISO 9001 Certification is an international recognition that companies aspire to achieve, and she expressed her optimism that MACORP would continue to serve Guyana with distinction, reliability, and in compliance with the certification.
As MACORP expands its services, she expressed, it is hoped that the company would extend its services to the oil-and-gas industry, as this certification places the company in an ideal position to provide services to that industry.
“It’s one where its operations are streamlined; it’s one where you have focus on customer requirements; and, of course, you can have reliable and consistent service. MACORP has served Guyana for many years, and we look forward for continued support as they expand their services. I’m sure that they have started to look into the area of the oil-and-gas industry, as we know that everyone is looking towards that level, and also this (ISO 9001 Certification) will put them in the right place so that they can be among those companies to provide services to that industry,” she declared.
She concluded that MACORP’s achievement provides an opportunity for other businesses to get on board, as the ISO 9001 Certification is a reality that can be achieved by local companies.
