Unicomer Guyana Inc yesterday formally commissioned its US$6 million state-of-the-art Distribution Centre at Eccles, in its bid to lay stronger foundations in bringing quality service to Guyana.
The huge structure, which sits on four acres of land at Eccles Industrial Site, East Bank Demerara is 60,000 square feet. It is fully automated with the capacity to accommodate 18 loading trucks/containers simultaneously; additionally 20 containers can be stored on the premises.
Managing Director of Unicomer Guyana, Clyde de Haas said the centre took approximately one year to build and is one of the most advanced facilities of its kind in the Caribbean, boasting the latest in technology and equipment. The comfort and safety of staff were placed at the forefront and the intention was to make it safe, efficient and user friendly to all.
Unicomer, which is the parent company of the prominent Courts and Lucky Dollar brands embarked on the establishment of the facility which has replaced the previous one located at Montrose, because the demands have outgrown the previous premises, de Haas said. Last month, the Trinidad-based Massy group opened up a massive distribution facility at Montrose.
The Unicomer structure is said to be three times the size of the previous facility, with the ability to maintain adequate stock even during this period which is considered the peak of its operation.
De Haas said Unicomer is here to stay and is looking at further expansion.
Vice Chairman and Executive Vice President, Unicomer Guyana Group Guillermo Siman concurred that Unicomer was looking for more opportunities for expansion. He noted the service Courts has been providing, adding that it has spread across the major towns of Guyana, since it opened its doors 20 years ago.
He also mentioned the increase in production, while maintaining world class standards, which the modernized distribution centre features. There are also plans to implement a warehouse management system, which will foster investment and employment in Guyana.
The new facility currently provides employment for approximately 50 persons.
President of the Georgetown Chamber of Commerce and Industry Lance Hinds congratulated the company for investing in the technologically advanced facility. He expressed hope that investments of this nature will aid in curtailing the rate of migration among young people in Guyana.
Hinds alluded to the fact that prospective investors continue to show interest in investing in Guyana. He cited the need for modernizing laws and building a progressive environment for the nature and types of investments Guyana may attract.
Minister of Commerce Irfaan Ali also lauded the efforts of the Unicomer group. He stated that the reason for the choice of area, was because of the location of a housing scheme for low and middle income persons nearby. He said this allowed for persons living in the community being exposed to jobs right in their neighbourhood.
As an aside, he also pointed to the development of a remigrant scheme nearby, for which the ministry is currently looking at over 5,000 applications.
Ali challenged investors to explore the market in the Lethem area.
Minister of Finance Ashni Singh also praised the Unicomer group for choosing Guyana as a major place of investment. Singh said the transformed area that houses the facility was once the wilderness of a swamped cane field.
President Donald Ramotar, in his address, highlighted that the budget catered significantly for the social and educational sectors, which were vastly responsible for a competent work force.
He said government is looking at implementing cheap energy, which will contribute to enhancing the manufacturing and processing sectors.
Unicomer, based in El Salvador, has been operating for over 90 years in the Americas with establishments in over 21 countries.
Financing for the distribution centre was provided by Republic Bank and construction was done by Nabi Construction Company.
Courts Guyana celebrated 21 years of service to the Guyanese people in September. (Roger Wong)
