Caribbean Cement Company wishes to clarify a story published in the Jamaica Observer Online portal dated December 17, 2016. The article noted a shortage of cement in the south central areas of Jamaica and pointed to reduced supply over the last three months.
It is important to note that Carib Cement can and has been ably supplying the Jamaican Market. The manufacturing plant’s productive output has been delivering at levels suitable to supply the local market.
The recent disparities in supply and sales have been as a resulted of a few glitches in the operations that we are pleased to say have been addressed. We have been working with our Distributors over recent weeks to quickly correct those disparities and have ensured that there is an adequate supply across Jamaica. Some challenges were experienced and the company has overcome same to ensure that the demand across the length and breadth of Jamaica is fulfilled.
Over the last few months Carib Cement has invested over US$40 million to increase production capacity, improve reliability and increase efficiencies. There are a few more projects that are looking to come on stream within the 1st quarter of 2017 which will see further stability in the supply locally. We look forward to building inventories in the market over the next few weeks and ensuring that those capacities are maintained into 2017 and beyond.