There is no doubt that 2017 has been the most eventful year in the OECS and wider Caribbean, when it comes to natural disasters! We experienced full-scale devastation as never before seen in the region, as two major hurricanes: Irma and Maria, raged through the Leeward Islands within two weeks of each other. As a company, we immediately responded by assisting with food items to the affected islands and knowing the resilience of our people we began to rally. Today, the recovery process is still on-going, but with our continuous support and contributions, the islands will rebuild and we shall become even more cohesive as a region.

 

In December 2017, ECGC celebrated its 40^th Anniversary.  This Ruby Celebration kept customers and staff as a focal point and a series of year-long activities culminated in a Thanksgiving Service in early December.

 

As ECGC moves into its fifth decade, we look toward to the future, excitedly anticipating the success of all our new endeavours. We also remember our past and the exceptional contribution you, our loyal customers have played, in moulding us into whom we are today. We therefore wish to thank all of our customers for their loyalty to our products, services and support to our company over the decades. To our agents and distributors, we pledge our commitment to you, as together we all continue to strive for growth in what is a very competitive arena. You have our promise and commitment that we will do what is necessary to maintain our hallmark standard of excellence in the products we sell and the services we provide.

 

We spent the greater part of last year being the pioneer company for St. Vincent and the Grenadines to ensure that we are Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) compliant.  This means that we have documented standards of operations where safety is the watch-word.  This we believe is not only beneficial to the company but to the employees’ health and well-being. We will actively continue along this path to ensure that we are fully compliant in the earliest possible time- frame.

 

The retooling and upgrading of the milling equipment at our rice factory, in Guyana – Caricom Rice Mills – has led to an increase in throughput and improved quality. Thus, by mid-year we shall be transitioning the bulk of our rice sales to Guyana. This means fresher product, shorter delivery times and more competitive pricing for all of our rice customers!

 

The ECGC Foundation Inc. was officially launched in St. Vincent, on 2 February, 2016; with the aim to create opportunities for education and health care of the less fortunate persons within our Vincentian Society. As an organization, we believe that a comprehensive approach to meeting people’s needs and providing them with positive choices can bring about meaningful life changing experiences. It is our desire that the Foundation would stretch its tentacles to embrace all of our key markets and as testimony to this, The ECGC Foundation will be launched in St. Lucia in April of this year.

 

On behalf of the Board of Directors, Management and Staff; I take this opportunity to once again say thank you and may God continue to bless you all!

 

Mr. Osmond Davy

Chief Executive Officer