Umami returns to GuyTIE
Products of Umami Inc that will be on display at the second Guyana Trade and Investment Exhibition (GuyTIE) scheduled for May, 2020
Products of Umami Inc that will be on display at the second Guyana Trade and Investment Exhibition (GuyTIE) scheduled for May, 2020

— set to showcase expanded range of top-quality, export-ready products

THE bold, bright labels on Umami products grab attention. The beautiful labels featuring red, green, black, yellow and white circles— the colours of Guyana’s flag—on a minimalist white background are eye-catching standouts on supermarket shelves. But they represent much more; they signify some of the finest products ever manufactured locally by one of the most innovative businesses in the country.

This fast-growing range of superlative local products is the outpour of Umami Inc., a dynamic Lusignan-based operation which was started by re-migrant Guyanese. The growing success of the company can be attributed to their bold approach and ability to think outside the box, which has enabled them to overcome multiple challenges and upgrade their factory in Lusignan. As a result, Umami Inc. now has an expanded range of export-ready products that the company will showcase at the second Guyana Trade and Investment Exhibition (GuyTIE) scheduled for May, 2020.

According to Office Administrator of Umami Inc., Michelle Reidwald, the company’s decision to participate in the event again was based on the encouraging results from its participation in the inaugural event in 2018.

“Participation in GuyTIE 2018 benefitted us… we were able to secure large-scale buyers overseas in countries like Barbados, Grenada and Canada… GuyTIE provided Umami with an international platform and an excellent opportunity to showcase its products,” she said.

The willingness to capitalise on the best opportunities to market its brand, and the desire to establish and maintain excellent relationships with business associates and customers, have been distinctive features of Umami Inc., Ms. Reidwald explained. That is why the company did not hesitate to participate in GuyTIE again as it seeks to enhance its local and international identity, and also to facilitate productive interaction at the event between the business and the consumers who buy its products with their hard-earned dollars.

This inventive approach was evident from the inception of Umami Inc. which began operations back in 2013. The company saw an opening in local and international markets for high-quality agro-processed sauces and condiments.

RIGHT TIME

It proved to be the right time for the company to enter the market, because Guyana was importing such products from regional and extra-regional markets, and no other local company was manufacturing a reliable supply of such items of comparable price and quality to compete with the imported products.

To make a good and lasting first impression, the company placed all its efforts into producing the first product —Umami Hot Sauce— and it was a runaway success. This paved the way for the follow up range of products that included tomato ketchup, mustard, all-purpose seasoning, green seasoning and stir-fry sauce. Later, the company was able to add honey-barbecue sauce, soy sauce, teriyaki sauce.

Even more importantly, Umami has been able to secure strong markets in the USA, Canada, Dominica, Barbados, Grenada, St Lucia and St. Maarten. And thanks to an active international outreach programme, It has consistently tapped into new markets. A key reason for this is the fact that the company’s products are all registered with the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA), an internationally accepted mark of product safety and quality, which makes it easier to enter export markets worldwide.

Apart from their international appeal, Umami products have generated considerable buzz in Guyana. As the company’s office administrator put it, “Many persons did not know it is a local product because of the excellent packaging… we are very much dominant in the market… the products can be found almost anywhere.”

Reidwald also noted that feedback from the local market indicates that Guyanese are pleased with the company’s efforts to produce high-quality products that are readily available and enrich every popular local recipe.

“Umami produces quality products… time and effort have gone into the recipes… we have always made an effort to maintain a consistent product, using technology… we use a specifically customised electrical kettle which allows for cooking to be done evenly and to perfection. We also use environmentally-friendly cleaning agents to sterilise kettles, equipment etc., so we have maintained a three-year shelf life on every product,” she pointed out.

The process ensures that the products are thermostable.

BIG SELLER

She said her personal favourite was the stir-fry sauce because it contained all the seasoning ingredients for a great stir-fry—onion, garlic etc. — so cooks just have to add vegetables or meat. She added that the company’s current big seller is its signature Umami hot sauce.

Reidwald noted that the company was still dealing with a few challenges, such as getting reliable supplies of electrical power and sourcing regular supplies of farmers’ produce at consistent prices.

“We suffered from an unreliable power supply from the utility company for a long time, but we have since invested in alternate backup power… another challenge is farmers not maintaining steady supplies and prices… so we have not been able to get a constant supply of pepper, which is a main raw material,” she said.

Nevertheless, Reidwald expressed full confidence that Umami Inc has created a brand that reflects its core Guyanese values and the message has resonated with the public. In particular, the company’s management believes that GuyTIE provides important touch points for brand messaging and for gaining valuable exposure for products, especially new products.

Umami Inc. remains as progressive as ever. “We have been able to extend the factory, making it more spacious… we intend to turn it into a state-of-the art facility that maintains the highest standards of quality… with quality and safety controls that can be traced back to the last bottle of each product we produce,” Reidwald asserted.

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