Situated as it is in the distant reaches of Jacklow, in the Pomeroon river, neither Centaur Holdings, the parent company of a farming/agro-processing enterprise, nor Green Diamond Foods, the brand under which Centaur Holdings markets its products, is likely to be household names across the country. Owned and managed by Essequibo couple, Oscar and Michella Richmond, however, the Green Diamond brand may well be on its way to ‘greater things.’
The recent bestowal of the Made in Guyana brand on several Green Diamond products, the couple hope, will enhance the marketability of the brand across the entire range of its products.
Established in 2018 Green Diamond Foods has realized a commendable level of accomplishment on account the popularity of its products that include Lemon Grass Tea, Capudulla, Plantain Flour, Power Mix Porridge, Cassava Casareep and Carambola Fruit Mix.
Four years into its operations the company recently recorded its most important breakthrough up to this time having recently had the afore-named products ‘decorated’ with the Guyana National Bureau of standards’ ‘Made in Guyana’ brand. Going forward, Oscar and Michella hope, Made in Guyana ‘award’ can now proceed to enhance the marketability of the company’s products both at home and abroad.
Back in 2009, prior to their ‘excursion’ into agro processing, Oscar and Michella had embarked on a farming venture. This was shortly after Oscar had completed his secondary education at the Charity Secondary school and has spent a period of time teaching Technical Drawing at his Alma Mater. Unsurprisingly, Oscar found the salary as a teacher inadequate and having taken a ‘tilt’ at gold mining and made an investment in trading in agricultural produce, moving fruit and vegetables between Essequibo and Georgetown. Finally, though not without considerable persuasion from his wife, he finally settled into farming.
Centaur Holdings and what it has accomplished for Oscar and Michella has become a source of considerable pride for the couple. They regard the bestowal of the Made in Guyana accolade as a huge achievement for Centaur Holdings and a satisfying reward for their tireless efforts. Through the mark of authenticity which the award bestows the Richmonds are hoping that, going forward, it can serve as a valuable marketing tool.
Understandably, they have expressed the hope that the Made in Guyana brand has been sufficiently ‘marketed’ both locally, regionally and internationally to cause it to enhance the marketability of their products.
Oscar is upbeat about the prospects. “Getting this Made in Guyana mark is a huge achievement for Centaur Holdings. We hope that the brand will boost sales and will send a positive message to our customers about the quality of the products manufactured under the brand. It tells us that our products have complied with the rules and met the standards set by the Guyana National Bureau of Standards” he says.
