A new organic-based candy has been introduced to the local market by Associated Brands Industries Ltd (ABIL), which has led to the creation of several jobs in the manufacturing sector.
ABIL recently acquired the US-based OCHO (Organic Chocolate) Candy and decommissioned its entire factory and moved it from Oakland, California to Trinidad and Tobago.
The acquisition was completed in 2020. In an interview with Business Day, ABIL CEO and deputy chairman Nicholas Lok-Jack said the move came from the need to tap into a new segment of the market with a product that was tasty as well as affordable.
“It is a company that we have bought into and taken a majority stake...the product has been available in the US for a couple of years in the natural food segment.
[caption id="attachment_960156" align="alignnone" width="1024"] (L-R) Charles Chocolates general manager Ronald Sampath, ABIL chairman Arthur Lok Jack, ABIL group CEO/deputy chairman Nicholas Lok Jack, plant manager Vede Ramsaran and quality assurance manager Karen Maharaj at OCHO Candy factory line at Bhagoutie Trace, San Juan.[/caption]
“The process started in 2019. The opportunity came about to take an equity stake...when we reviewed the company, we decided to take a majority stake and bring a lot more of our manufacturing capabilities to the company.”
So, he said, “We have moved the line to TT.”
The new line and factory at Bhagoutie Trace, San Juan, Lok-Jack said, have created employment, and while it was small, it has had a meaningful impact on the people it served.
“We have already ramped up our employment to about 50 people just for this line. We have engaged with local refrigeration and structural engineering firms within the course of the installation of the lines, so we have had a decent impact in a small way, as best as we can.
“What I am really proud of is the training that was imparted to the people we brought in and how they have been operating the line and how they have been operating in an organic environment with the highest food safety standard.”
[caption id="attachment_960155" align="alignnone" width="819"] Organic Chocolates (OCHO Candy Inc) from Oakland, California was recently acquired by Charles Chocolates. The factory was moved to Bhagoutie Trace, San Juan.[/caption]
The company, he said, was also in discussions with local cocoa estates to boost its organic line and was ready to support local production.
“We know that there are a couple of cocoa estates trying to get organic certification right now, so we are always in discussion around what we can do locally and how we can assist in supporting.
“The thing that made us really go after this company and brand is that the products taste fantastic...We believe everything needs to be underscored by that in any food product. We always pay attention to taste and desirability, etc.”
OCHO Candy’s website said it realised it was outgrowing its Oakland production facility and needed to move. It pointed out that TT was the best fit for its unique candy line and would be best abl
