In just over a year, little known timber business Trade-Linc has crept up on the competition and grown into a key exporter of tropical hardwood products, accessing key markets locally and also in North America, Europe and Cuba.
Managing Director Rodney Raghubansee said the company entered the industry at a decisive time when markets were opening up and, the local housing drive had taken off, and according to him the business strategized a way to break in and remain competitive.
Trade-Linc officially started operating in January 2005, out of a small office at South Road and has since grown into a key player on the market — trading and exporting timber in Guyana and abroad, and is known for its ability to ship on time. Raghubansee opened a second company, Timber-Line, this year as he seeks to expand in the industry.
He told Stabroek News in a recent interview that Timber-Line is still in the embryonic stages, but its focus would be on supplying imported timber-related products to the market here. In addition, Raghubansee plans to invest US$1.5 million over the next few years in the construction of a modern saw mill with kiln drying facilities, and also the construction of a hardware store.
Since operations commenced Raghubansee has invested close to US$200,000, which he said, went into the initial start-up and a few follow-on projects.
“Strategy is a big part of what we do and focus is also placed on evaluation. It is not only about what profits we bring in, it is also about how we sustain our operation, our goals for the future…,” Raghubansee said.
Increasing revenues have defined the strength of Trade-Linc and according to him the business has also grown through its relations with customers. Trade-Linc recently picked up the Young Business Achievement Award from the Georgetown Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI) for its significant investment and growth over the past few years.
Currently, Trade-Linc produces structural timbers in addition to several other value-added products that its exports and trades. The company partners with third-party contractors and sawmills across the country to meet demand. Raghubansee said these include people in Essequibo, Parika, Ituni and the hinterland region among other areas.
Some of its products include structural timber; profiled lumber; wallaba shingles; plywood; garden furniture; decking; mouldings and millworks; doors and windows and logs. But within recent months, logs have been difficult to access on the local market, which resulted in the company being forced to stall its export of logs since according to Raghubansee “the deadlines were simply not being met”.
Raghubansee said the company’s main objective is to give quality produce with strict observance of the Guyana Forestry Commis-sion’s regulations.
However, he pointed out that there are challenges in the industry that he has had to overcome to get up. He pointed to the unavailability of logs, financing, high interest rates and a documentation process that often takes a while. Still, he noted that the business has been able to grow without applying for any tax exemptions.
With respect to its overseas markets, he said Trade-Linc has managed to find buyers that are seeking long-term business relations. According to him, the company has basically shied away from finding markets in the Caribbean, given that it is trying to avoid spot buyers and is focused on more sustained relations.
Trade-Linc is co-owned by Raghubansee and his wife. He was a former marketing executive with Barama Company Limited and had been operating a small sales business in the city prior to starting up Trade-Linc. He has 13 employees working directly with him and others who work on a contractual basis.