NAMILCO celebrates 50 years
Managing Director of NAMILCO, Roopnarine Sukhai, and Deputy Chief of Mission for the US Embassy, Terry Steers-Gonzalez, cutting the ceremonial cake to commemorate the 50th Anniversary (Adrian Narine photo)
Managing Director of NAMILCO, Roopnarine Sukhai, and Deputy Chief of Mission for the US Embassy, Terry Steers-Gonzalez, cutting the ceremonial cake to commemorate the 50th Anniversary (Adrian Narine photo)

…eyes expansion in coming years

THE National Milling Company of Guyana (NAMILCO) has reached a milestone in its journey as a company, hitting its 50th year in the local market.

Despite the challenges within the manufacturing sector and a dynamic market, NAMICLO has persevered as a company and made its way to being one of the top performers in the industry. The company has made many positive strides over the years, said Managing Director of NAMILCO, Roopnarine Sukhai, during his presentation at a commemoration ceremony at the Marriott Hotel on Thursday evening.

Sukhai, who gave a breakdown of the company’s history, said NAMILCO, a subsidiary of Seaboard Corporation of the USA, saw an opportunity to set up a flour mill in Guyana and negotiated with the government in 1967 to make this a reality. According to the company’s website, the land was purchased in 1967 at Agricola, and construction was completed by Taylor Woodrow & Associates and Ocrim of Italy in 1969. NAMILCO was officially opened on May 17, 1969 by the then Prime Minister, Forbes Burnham.

The mill was established with a capacity to produce 3,300 one hundred-pound sacks per a twenty four-hour period. Over the years NAMILCO has re-tooled its mill, installing state-of-the-art Buhler Packaging machines, scales, roller mills and storage silos.
On the company’s 40th anniversary, they achieved ISO 9001 certification and through this they have committed to develop, maintain and continually improve their Quality Management System.

President and Chief Executive Officer of Seaboard Corporation, Steve Bresky (Adrian Narine photo)

According to Sukhai, the company also received another certification which allows them to sell flour to popular franchises like Kentucky Fried Chicken (KFC) and Pizza Hut. NAMILCO exports flour and specialty flour products to the Caribbean, Suriname, North America and Northern Brazil. “Although there have been many successes, we have some trade issues on the table and we look forward to having those resolved through legislation,” said the managing director.

Despite the odds, with the oil industry closer to fruition, the company anticipates a growth in the population and an increase in flour consumption. “As such we will be discussing plans for the years to come…we will continue to take recommendations for new products and strive to maintain our quality,” said Sukhai.

President and Chief Executive Officer of Seaboard Corporation, Steve Bresky, said the company will continue to invest in the local market. He said the company has been transitioning into a modern entity by replacing old equipment with new technology. Part of its transition was to introduce and utilise ‘green’ and clean energy in its operations.
As the company continues to grow, he challenged the government to continue safeguarding the industry. Bresky also commended the government for instituting policies which protect the local market and its investors. Seaboard Corporation employs more than 25,000 people worldwide. The company is number 481 on the 2018 Fortune 500 list with net sales of over $5 billion annually. Seaboard is traded on the NYSE American under the symbol SEB. Seaboard will be celebrating 100 years in business this September.

Minister of Business, Haimraj Rajkumar, commended NAMILCO for being involved in the local market. “50 years is certainly a long time to be involved in many things other than doing business in Guyana…given the uncertainties that arise, it is the ultimate test when a company could be in operation for such a long time and still manage to be a main stake in the business community,” said Rajkumar.

He said NAMILCO commands a very hallowed place in the country’s culinary heritage. The company’s flour and flour-based products form an important part of Guyana’s local cuisine. “I suspect that NAMICLO could not have been in business without focusing on the dynamism of the market and navigating the challenges,” said Minister Rajkumar.
In response to the company’s challenges, he said government is committed to addressing the challenges in the manufacturing sector. “Government is interested in seeing modern manufacturing that relies on the latest technology… we want companies to comply with international standards,” he said. Rajkumar believes that progress in the industry will continue as long as there is strong collaboration between the private sector and government.

SHARE THIS ARTICLE :
Facebook
Twitter
WhatsApp

Leave a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

All our printed editions are available online
emblem3
Subscribe to the Guyana Chronicle.
Sign up to receive news and updates.
We respect your privacy.