Basseterre, St. Kitts, July 01, 2009 (SKNIS): Minister responsible for Industry and Commerce, the Honourable Timothy Harris congratulated the Manager of Harowe Servo Controls St. Kitts Ltd., Mr. Carol Evelyn for his hard work over the years, particularly in the manufacturing sector.

The occasion arose for Minister Harris to do so when he visited the manufacturing plant on June 25, as a continuation of an orientation on factories on the island.  

During the tour, the Minister was enlightened on the different parts constructed by the plant which included components for refueling pumps of jets, as well as parts for the US aerospace programme and the US military.  Mr. Evelyn was able to reveal that 15 percent of what is constructed at his factory goes back to Danahar in Buffalo which is the corporate office of the company’s headquarters which is API Deltran located in Washington D.C. 

The Minister of Industry and Commerce was also impressed with the number of employees who had worked for a long time with Harowe Servo, one attaining as much as 33 years.  He mentioned that working for over 30 years in a plant that has been in existence for 35 years, demonstrates that employees care for the company.  Minister Harris noted that the factory, along the same vein, would have had to be providing the means of survival to the extent that more than just the basic needs were met.

Minister Harris noted that the fact that St. Kitts and Nevis has a high minimum wage would translate into a higher operating cost, which is the chief factor considered when companies source factories to build their parts.  He added that the element that gives plants such as Harowe Servo an advantage is its skilled workers along with loyal employees that will work at full capacity to make sure that the product quality remains at its height.  The Minister encouraged supervisors to continue to ensure quality as they train, nurture, guide and assist those on the plant floor to make sure that there is always improvement.

Minister Harris praised Harowe Servo for employing 175 individuals which makes it the largest employer in the light manufacturing field in the rural area.  He also congratulated Mr. Evelyn on his ongoing post as the Chairperson of the Manufacturing Association of the St. Kitts and Nevis Chamber of Industry and Commerce as well as his recent appointment as the President of the Caribbean Association of the Chamber of Industry and Commerce.

Mr. Evelyn thanked Minister Harris for the accolades given to his factory and himself.
 
The Minister toured with a team that included Mr. Donald Cable who serves as consultant to his ministry, and Dorothea Jefferson a Senior Officer in the ministry.  Media representatives accompanied the government officials.