Associated Manufacturers tops export awards

Associated Manufacturers walked away with the title of Champion Exporter last Wednesday evening at the Jamaica Exporters' Association (JEA) annual awards banquet.

Governor General Sir Patrick Allen presented the Champion Exporter Trophy to Sean Garbutt, group marketing director of Associated Manufacturers.

The awards banquet, which is part of the monthlong celebration of the JEA National Exporters' Month, was held at The Jamaica Pegasus hotel in New Kingston.

National Exporters' Month is being held under the theme, 'Achieving Economic Development through and Export Led Strategy'.

Associated Manufacturers recorded a significant increase in export sales of more than 100 per cent during the review period of 2009, which saw the company earning US$3.3 million. The previous year, the company export sales totalled US$1.6 million. The United States was responsible for more than two-thirds of the company's export sales, with more than US$2 million in sales to that country. The company recently acquired the Walkerswood Carib-bean Foods Limited which produces Busha Browne, Jamaican Joe and Walkerswood brands.

Associated Manufacturers ex-ports its products to the United States, the United Kingdom, Germany, the Cayman Islands, The Bahamas, Turks and Caicos Islands, and CARICOM states. In 2009 the company successfully penetrated the New Zealand market.

The manufacturing firm also introduced its Busha Browne BBQ Sauce to its export markets.

Associated also won the title of Champion Manufacturer in Category II, which represents export sales between US$1 million and US$5 million. Caribbean Cement Company Ltd was the runner-up in the same category and also the runner-up for Champion Exporter.

Other winners of the night included Seprod, which won the title of Champion Manufacturer in Category III as well as Grace Foods International, which won Best CARICOM Exporter and also Champion Trader. Red Stripe won the Model Exporter award, Spur Tree Spices won Best MSME Exporter and Spatial Innovision won the Service Champion award in Category I.