Carib Brewery has unveiled its new $200 million smart manufacturing Line 7, commissioned by the Caribbean Development Company (CDC), making it the company’s largest investment in decades.
The new line will cater to the local market and assist in meeting export demands, adding to the company’s two other production lines.
The Prime Minister, who was the keynote speaker at the brewery’s ribbon-cutting ceremony at its Eastern Main Road, Champ Fleurs headquarters, described the production cost as a “significant injection,” which shows the company’s “unwavering commitment to environmental stewardship.”
Dr Rowley urged manufacturers to see the value in taking calculated risks, saying risk is an integral part of business strategy that can unlock new opportunities and achieve sustainable growth.
Rowley, who was in high spirits, said the new production line adopts the latest trends in innovation and technology, particularly in the context of smart factories and he believes it will meaningfully enhance the capabilities of the brewery in achieving world-class quality through process improvement.
“Smart factories are one of the cornerstones of industry, and this move is highly applauded.”
[caption id="attachment_1085208" align="alignnone" width="1024"] Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley, centre, cuts the ribbon at Carib’s new production Line 7 at Carib Brewery, Champs Fleurs. Also in the photo are Ansa McAl Group CEO Anthony N Sabga III, left, Health Minister Terrence Deyalsingh, Trade Minister Paula Gopee-Scoon, Housing and Urban Development Minister Camille Robinson-Regis, Youth Development Minister Foster Cummings and Public Utilities Minister Marvin Gonzales. - AYANNA KINSALE[/caption]
The PM described the government’s mood as “heartened" by this transformation, which he said is taking place with large conglomerates and small and medium-sized enterprises.
“We see innovation at our very own Moruga Agro-Processing and Light Industrial Park with the implementation of vertical farming and controlled environment agriculture by iFarmsTT, which offers premium-quality, pesticide- and herbicide-free, fresh greens and herbs.”
Rowley cited Novo and Charlo Farm as innovators in dehydrated culinary product lines. He also spoke about Marilissa Farms, an agro-processing business based in the south, saying it is a business that has taken calculated risks and has now successfully penetrated the milk market, producing pasteurised goat milk.
Rowley reiterated the importance of innovation and technology throughout his speech, calling it the “currency for success” and saying it remains at the core of manufacturing competitive advantage, increased productivity, economic progress and the future sustainability of the domestic economy.
He called Line 7 a state-of-the-art facility that will fortify the regional value chain for beverages in the Caribbean and open up the potential for new linkages with beverage producers around the world.
“The development of both backward and forward linkages will not only strengthen the plant’s
