“THERE comes a time in life when one cannot ignore the constant whisper in your head; a whisper that gets louder by the day; hence my decision to act to that voice which was telling me not only to become a businessman but to make a difference in the process,” said Samuel Blackman, Founder of Blackman and Sons (B&S) Green Fields Sugarcane Juice.

He told the Pepperpot Magazine that at the age of 11 years old he remembers his father asking him what he would like to become when he was older. He said that without hesitation, his response was that he would like to become a businessman.

Blackman said that though his dream was real and felt like fire in his soul he did not go for it immediately. After completing secondary school he started working at then Guyana Electricity Corporation (GEC) as an apprentice in 1990. The apprenticeship programme lasted four years after which he became a permanent member of staff in 1995. He was later promoted from an apprentice to Technician III; later Technician II and Technician I after passing a number of tests and doing other programmes.

“In 2006 and 2011 respectively I completed the Diploma and Degree programmes in Electrical Engineering at the University of Guyana, after which I continued to function in different capacities at GPL for 23 years; my last position being that of an Electrical Engineer in the Transmission and Distribution area,” Blackman stated.

PREPARATION FOR BUSINESS
He said that he believes that in all of his pursuits he was being prepared for the role he now has in business. In addition to his electrical qualifications, in 2017 he went on to become a Certified Associate in Project Management from the PMI Institute in the United States of America. At the same time, Blackman said that he functioned in an engineering capacity both at the Power Station and Transmission & Distribution level.

Blackman said that his knowledge in the sugarcane juice industry started with his father years ago, when he was just a child. However, the problem with cane juice having a limited shelf life was never addressed until now, he posited.

“Knowledge of the controlled pasteurisation process that is required in the preservation of cane juice created an excitement in me, especially since it has never been done in Guyana before – as far as I know,” he said.

According to Blackman, his knowledge in the cane juice industry created a natural and smooth transition, from that of being an engineer to becoming a specialist in the pasteurisation and preservation of cane juice. Apart from this, he said that he has always had a desire to operate his own business, hence his decision to submit his resignation to the GPL in May this year.

DETERIORATION PROCESS
According to Blackman, B&S Green Fields Sugarcane Juice could have been considered as going through a preparation mode for a long time. However, with the full advent of B&S Green Fields Sugar Cane Juice and the implementation of the pasteurisation process, the general public can consume this drink from a supermarket or shop near their place of residence. He said that this speaks to his vision of making available this product throughout Guyana and the Caribbean even if there is no cane available in their local area.

“Cane Juice deteriorates very fast even if refrigerated. Hence many lovers of cane juice cannot enjoy this healthy drink at will. However, my engineering instinct, coupled with my project management certification, continues to propel and motivate my efforts as I work towards revolutionising the cane juice industry in providing safe, pasteurised cane juice that is healthy and that offers great value to Guyana and the Caribbean,” he stated.

He noted that the pasteurisation process removes all the bacteria from the juice, thus allowing it to have a shelf life of up to six months at room temperature. The non-removal of these bacteria is what causes the juice to spoil so quickly – within 24 hours.

“In order to make the availability of cane juice at all times as a soft drink, prepared under electric motorised, sugarcane crushers [with] hygienic conditions, a method of bottling the cane juice has been developed and we at B&S are proud to be the pioneers of this process in Guyana.”

He added that a preservative is indeed used in the process. However, the percentage of preservative used is minuscule, and this was obtained from local experts and research. This preservative that is used has no negative impact on the health of the consuming public and is the same used in most soft drinks.

Blackman stated that sugar cane juice has many health benefits and the quality offered by B&S Green Fields Sugar Cane Juice only adds to that value. At the same time, he noted that as the founder of B&S Green Fields Sugar Cane Juice his goal is to make his brand and quality of pasteurised cane juice available in all of the 10 administrative regions of Guyana, as well as in the Caribbean.

In terms of future plans for further exploring the sugar cane, Blackman said that he has some serious plans to explore other products from the sugar cane and juice, but was not ready to share such at the time.