CONTACT Magazine (Vol.19 No. 4 — December 2019)

Courtesy HADCO Group
John Hadad
Co-Chief Executive Officer,
HADCO Group
May 2019 marked a year since
HADCO Group launched Creamery
Novelties Limited, its ice cream
manufacturing company. Being 100%
locally-owned, the Group decided to
examine the feasibility of expanding
within the local market. An assessment
showed that customers’ changing
demands, the economic slow-down
and the shortage of foreign exchange
VOICE OF BUSINESS
meant that the Group needed to adjust
its product offerings to include a local
value brand that suited every pocket.
Opportunities presented themselves
in the ice cream sector. Although
there were minor challenges in
the initial set-up, with delays in
approvals, construction, machinery
and equipment, the idea was
welcomed and facilitated by state
agencies and private entities. These
included InvesTT, the Environmental
Management Authority, the Town
and Country Planning Division, the
Customs and Excise Division, and
local banks for financing.
Over the course of the year,
Creamery Novelties thrived, notably
contributing to the foreign exchange
of the Group. The company employs
over 109 persons and offers consumers
ice cream and novelties in diverse
flavours at an affordable price.
Recently, we invested US$1.5 million
Voice of business
to procure equipment to expand the
range of novelties. The company
exports to Antigua and Barbuda,
Dominica, Guyana and Montserrat,
and products will be available in other
Caribbean countries before the end of
the year.
Creamery Novelties is not the first
strategic investment made by HADCO
Group on the local market. Imanex,
the manufacturers of Happy Time
ice cream cones; Ecoimpact, which
recycles waste vegetable oil for export;
and Land Ice and Fish, which exports
tuna to the US, are other examples.
HADCO Group continues to see
opportunities for investment in
the local market, especially in the
manufacturing sector, and believes that
future growth is in the diversification
of its products and services.
Trinidad and Tobago is one of the
stronger economies regionally,
with a superior per capita income.
The highly skilled labour base is a
key investment incentive, together
with Caricom’s free movement of
professional resources.
The country has a very open
environment for doing business. The
presence of a highly skilled labour
force, a reliable electricity supply,
easy access to essential utilities,
telecommunications and a strong legal
framework are significant enablers.
This is supported by a steady trade
route throughout Central, South and
North America and the Far East.
Our investment in south Trinidad
contributed significantly to the
growth of our business footprint. In
2018, we established a premier facility
for Courts, Courts Optical and the
Ashley Furniture HomeStore at South
Park – a total investment of over
TT$25M, with 31,500 square feet of
retail space. During the construction
phase employment was generated for
approximately 100 people; sustained
employment is currently at 50.
Earlier this year we also expanded
our technological reach for sales
financing through the launch of our
digital technology app EMMA, which
enables easy access to credit facilities
for our customers.
The main risk to the business is the
impact of crime on our operations.
We continue to place a very high
value on the safety and security of
our people, and we have strengthened
our infrastructure accordingly.
Additionally, we have embarked
on building strategic relationships
that support the national process of
dialogue to find sustainable solutions
to crime. Through this advocacy
approach, we have established
partnerships with NGOs, private sector
entities and the Trinidad and Tobago
Police Service to conceptualise
progressive options aimed at the
reduction and prevention of aspects
of crime impacting the nation.
Courtesy Unicomer Ltd.
Clive Fletcher
Managing Director, Unicomer
(Trinidad) Limited
Our investment in south Trinidad
contributed significantly to the
growth of our business footprint.
In 2018, we established a premier
facility for Courts, Courts
Optical and the Ashley Furniture
HomeStore at South Park – a
total investment of over TT$25M,
with 31,500 square feet of retail
space
chamber.org.tt
DECEMBER 2019 23