BASSETERRE, St. Kitts – THE General Manager of Kajola Kristada Ltd., José Rosa, announced that there is a very bright light at the end of the tunnel for the company, as plans are on the front burner to ink an agreement with Brazil before the end of the first quarter of this year.
Rosa made the announcement during his presentation of “Kajola Kristada Limited’s Review of 2011 and Expectations and Challenges of 2012” at the company’s Annual Management Review Dinner held on Saturday (Jan. 21) at the St. Kitts Marriott Resort.
The General Manager noted that in management’s efforts to continue moving the company ahead to face the challenges of the new economic and competitive world, they have placed their attention and efforts to three main areas – Lean Implementation, HR Global Project and Brazil-St. Kitts & Nevis Partial Scope Agreement.
He stressed that in the area of Lean Implementation, Kajola Kristada had achieved substantial results through the modification of layouts, reducing material handling, improving work methods and minimising non-value activities.
The HR Global Project, he explained, is directed to focus this area with a global approach to review the company’s policies and strengthen management’s development.
He however noted that among the three areas, the most important is the Partial Scope Agreement between Brazil and St. Kitts and Nevis.
“Even though all the efforts of the government of St. Kitts and Nevis, the private sector and Kajola Kristada, we were not able to finalise and sign it in 2011. I expect that the words of Mr. Charleton Edwards tonight will become a reality and we will be able to sign the agreement and implement it before the end of first quarter 2012.
“The completion of this agreement is extremely important for Kajola to expand our markets in Brazil and minimise the impact of actual markets being losing in United States due to the digitalisation of the cable industry,” Rosa said.
He indicated that the growth and future of Kajola Kristada are linked to the agreement.
“Also,” he added, “this agreement is an important part in the development of the St. Kitts and Nevis manufacturing sector, and it will benefit the Federation as a whole.”
Earlier in his address to the gathering, which included Executive the Director of the St. Kitts and Nevis Chamber of Industry and Commerce, Calvin Cable, and Charleton Edwards, Acting Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of International Trade, Industry, Commerce and Consumer Affairs, Rosa commended the employees and noted that the excellent results achieved in 2011 were due to their commitment and dedication to the company.
He however declared that 2011 was not an easy year, because the company’s customer orders were not flowing consistently and that management had to transfer additional product lines from Syracuse to Kajola Kristada in order to maintain its workforce.
“I know many of my direct reports had endless nights, thinking different strategies to maintain our workforce and avoid personnel reduction. The hard work had a payback, since in the last quarter of 2011 we added 15 new employees to our organisation. Thanks to all the Kajola Kristada management and staff for your support and understanding in maintaining our productivity during those challenging times.”
In reviewing the company’s major accomplishments for 2011, Rosa listed seven areas which included training courses for employees and the introduction of new products in which US$50 000 was invested.
Addressing the company’s goals for the New Year, the General Manager noted that although the global economic condition is still unpredictable, management aims to increase sales by 10 percent over last year’s.
He however warned that in order for the company to achieve success and overcome seen and unseen future challenges, the employees must maintain the spirit of teamwork.
“The teamwork will continue as the strength of our organisation. It makes us stronger to meet the goals and overcome the challenges of this year and the future. Each one of the KK employees has a role and responsibility with the organisation to maintain high teamwork spirit.
“The uncertainty of the actual times requires leaders with focus, right tools and commitment. I know, after seven years working in this organisation, that I count with these leaders in the plant. Now, more than ever, it is necessary to look optimistically at the future without losing contact with reality and uncertainty of our actual times.”
Rosa again thanked all the employees of Kajola Kristada Ltd. for their support and commitment and extended management’s gratitude to some members of the Federal Government and the community.
