Plans for Logistics Hub in Action

Shareholders of the Kingston Wharves Limited Group (KWL Group) were briefed at its Annual General Meeting (AGM) earlier today on the advancing plans for the company’s launch into full-scale logistics hub operations. Coming out of a record financial performance in 2013 where the KWL Group posted operating profits of more than J$1.5 Billion, its Board of Directors provided details on the initiatives expected to propel the company into a new period of sustained growth. Grantley Stephenson, the company’s Chairman and CEO explained that KWL’s strategic thrust is to grow its international business while simultaneously leveraging its assets and traditional capabilities.

Positioning the planned upgrade of its physical plant as key to achieving its strategic goal, Stephenson said the KWL Group plans to introduce post-panamax cranes to its equipment fleet during 2014 as well as undertake significant redevelopment of its warehouse operations using best practice models, and technology. Another major development in the company’s next-steps is scheduled road closures in the Newport West community following stakeholder sensitization. This move will facilitate the extension of Kingston Wharves’ port boundary and freezone area, in effect expanding the availability of space for transshipment, modular warehousing and manufacturing for the export market.

Mr. Stephenson boasted on the company’s success as a niche services port stating that Kingston Wharves is an already established regional specialist in global automobile transshipment and hub for leading feeder lines, allowing for direct shipment to ports across the Americas.

The Chairman stated that KWL currently operates Jamaica’s largest stripping facility for Less than Container Load cargo and offers in-bond cold storage to local importers and exporters from the largest public cold storage facility in CARICOM. Speaking to its subsidiary, Security Administrators Limited (SAL), he added that the Group is a leading private provider of maritime and port security services and provides specialist anti-narcotic vessel security to a global standard.

The KWL Group was represented by its full complement of Directors and Senior Managers at the Jamaica Conference Centre which hosted the AGM.

Board of Directors: Chairman & CEO, Grantley Stephenson; Company Secretary, Roger Hinds; Directors, Alvin Henry, Charles Johnston, Harriat Maragh, Jeffery Hall, Karlene Bailey, Kathleen Moss, Kim Clarke, Ramon Pitter, Stephen Lyn Kee Chow; Chief Operating Officer, Mark Williams; Chief Financial Officer, Clover Moodie; Human Resources & Administration Manager, Roselee Scott Heron.

 

For additional information, contact: Catherine Carter | Marketing Executive | 876.923.9211 | catherine.carter@kwljm.com