By Gibron Rahim
KRONOCO Safety Solutions was, yesterday, officially launched at its Sherriff Street office. The company seeks to offer occupational health, safety, environment and quality solutions to businesses and individuals across all sectors of Guyana. The launch, followed by a brunch, included a demonstration of some of the products Kronoco will be offering.
Latoya Jack, Kronoco’s CEO and co-founder, noted that having herself worked in the mining sector, she knows how difficult it can be to work in conditions where one’s safety footwear is unsuitable for the job. Her initial idea had been to offer V12 safety footwear. However, while doing her initial market research for the V12 safety footwear, she realised that there was a greater need to fulfil in Guyana. “As such, myself and [my] business partner assessed ways in which we could offer the assistance to the local population in a most valuable way,” Jack said. Kronoco Safety Solutions was born out of this.
Jack related that she had recently heard Guyana being referred to outside of Guyana by a non-Guyanese as “the land of opportunity”. Referring to that story, she said that it brought the true reason for which Kronoco was created into focus. “The time of opportunity is really here for Guyana, but unless we can do what it takes to grab hold of the opportunities,” she said, “It will be lost to those who are not only willing but, more importantly, to those who are ready.”
Jack emphasised the need to improve Guyana’s safety culture. She explained that Kronoco Safety Solutions aims to increase the awareness of occupational health and safety in the workplace and prepare local businesses and professionals for international contracting opportunities through training, certification services and offering the right supplies for the right kinds of jobs.
Co-founder Darrel Gilkes, said that Kronoco is distinguishing itself, as the “new kid on the block”, in terms of quality and training. He explained that the company intends to maintain high-quality standards. The training Kronoco will provide aims to prepare young people for a working environment. Gilkes also related that Kronoco intends to provide quarterly quality checks, providing continued support to workers. “Our intention is to be long-term and give you that opportunity to develop yourself for your organisation,” Gilkes said.
Gilkes noted that the products that Kronoco offers are applicable to any environment or industry, whether automotive, oil and gas, construction, or even at home. Among the products for home use are emergency lights and smoke-detection devices. “The idea for us is that we supply the product to you, we show you how to use it and we show you why it’s important to have it,” stated Gilkes. He affirmed Kronoco’s commitment to supporting local and emerging industries with services that will enhance their competitive advantage. The company also has inspectors who are qualified and competent in their roles. “Competence separates us from accidents,” Gilkes said. “That’s what we want to promote as a practice of Kronoco Safety Solutions.”
V12 Safety Footwear
Jack invited Rick Corbin, a representative of V12 safety footwear and Völlner Lighting, to give a demonstration. Corbin showed the audience the features of V12 that make the safety footwear both durable and comfortable. He noted that the V12 brand is based on technology. The toe caps of V12 safety boots are made of reinforced fiberglass, rather than metal. The material he said is just as strong as metal, while conducting neither heat nor electricity and returning to 90 percent of its shape should an object fall on it, allowing the safe removal of the foot. The V12s are also puncture-proof, also called bulletproof, since they contain Kevlar midsoles. The midsoles replace the traditional metal plates of safety boots and allow flexibility.
The footbeds of the V12s are made of memory foam and a shock-absorbing foam called PORON. Corbin explained that the foam absorbs more shock than the traditional material used. Taking a small lead ball, he bounced it on a footbed made of traditional material and one made of PORON. While the ball bounced on the more traditional footbed, it simply landed on the PORON footbed to the awe of the audience. The soles also allow air circulation and have antifungal linings on both sides. Corbin concluded that V12 safety footwear combines safety, comfort and affordability.
Jack addressed the audience once more and announced that, due to recent events, Kronoco has decided to start a best-packages campaign as part of its launch series. The intention is to offer a holistic, operable option for anyone looking to implement safety. “The campaign focuses on best practices of safety for the home, the individual and the professional in varying fields,” she said. The bundle for the home will include fire extinguishers, smoke detectors, and emergency lights as part of a one-time package. Kronoco will visit customers’ homes and perform the necessary installations, as well as service the fire extinguishers on a yearly basis. “Safety is an individual and personal thing, but your safety is our business,” Jack concluded.
