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This was evident in yesterday’s opening of what is destined to become one of Guyana’s leading agricultural and spare parts establishments, Agri Parts, located at Lot 202 Alexander Village, Greater Georgetown.
This business is owned by a remigrant Guyanese couple — Deonarine and Sylvita Sugrim – who have spent more than 20 years in the United States of America.
Opening of the facility yesterday coincided with the celebration of their 20th year in the business. Having started from humble beginnings – in a rented bottom house, selling mechanical spare parts on Sheriff Street, Campbellville in 1993 — by dint of hard work, shrewd marketing, sound financial management and a bright vision for the future, they later opened up a branch of the business in Alexander Street, Kitty. Determined and resilient, the Sugrims forged on despite the odds, eventually opening up a third spare parts business at 193 Mandela Avenue, Alexander Village, Georgetown.
Yesterday, the Sugrims’ fourth branch was opened at Lot 202 Alexander Village. Labour Minister, Dr Nanda Gopaul was on hand to officially declare the business place open. The ceremonial ribbon was cut by sons Dillon and Steven Sugrim.
The eminently delighted but very modest Deonarine Sugrim, also known as ‘Haro’, in addressing the media, said the establishment caters for persons in the agricultural, mining, road construction and forestry industries. “We have now expanded our operations from a spare parts store onward to importation of heavy duty equipment, for example bulldozers, excavators, loaders, road rollers and other different types of machines, where we have our warehouse located at 93 Eccles Public Road, East Bank Demerara,” he disclosed.
The business sells original as well as after-market spares. Other items include Caterpillar trucks; front end-loaders; excavator buckets; the all-purpose Dumper four-wheel forklifts, which work in all-weather terrain; and a wide variety of top of the line Caterpillar, Hyundai, Doosan, Kobelco, Hitachi and Omatsu items.
Through this establishment, the Sugrims have created employment for more than 100 Guyanese in various fields: as store assistants, sales representatives, mechanics, welders, auto electricians, and operators.
Mrs. Sylvita Sugrim, who has been at Haro’s side every step of the way, recalled that while moulding and keeping the business going has not been smooth sailing all the way, they have absolutely no regrets about returning home to Guyana, after spending more than a decade in the United States. They had departed Guyana in 1982, and having opted to return home to invest here and contribute to the economic development of Guyana; by 1993, their business was up and running. They brought back to Guyana their two sons, Dillon and Steven.
“We have confidence in the economy of our country, where we have returned to serve, and have been doing so…moving forward with Guyana for two decades now,” Sylvita said with pride.
In his brief remarks, Minister Nanda Gopaul congratulated the couple, and added: “The Government of Guyana is indeed proud of this development. We are always pleased when investors, and when Guyanese in particular, show confidence in the country and the economy, and expand their businesses to this magnitude.
“It started as a bottom house business and has moved into a multi-million-dollar complex; and something like this we should be proud of.”
Minister Gopaul described the success story as one which is due to hard work, dedication, and perseverance from a family that has worked together very hard, sacrificing to realize this magnitude of success.
Minister Gopaul recalled having been associated with the family for a number of years, and he said he has watched them grow. He alluded to hard work and dedication as being necessary in order to make a success story, and expressed confidence that the facilities would serve Guyana in good stead.
He observed that the sale of original as well as after-market parts will give purchasers an opportunity to access spares at a far cheaper rate; and he said that that aspect of the business would be of great service to farmers, contractors, gold miners, and others with a variety of heavy machinery and equipment.
“I can assure those doing business with the Sugrim family that they will have absolutely good service, because they are known for very, very efficient and professional business service,” Dr Gopaul declared.
Apart from the four facilities, the company also owns a massive heavy vehicle and equipment warehouse at Lot 93, Eccles Public Road, East Bank Demerara.
