KINGSTON, Jamaica — Red Stripe won Manufacturer of the Year at the Jamaica Manufacturers’ Association (JMA) 46th Annual Awards Banquet Thursday night.

The brewery received five awards in total, more than any other company on the night. Other awards included the Champion Exporter in the category of large exporter, The Digicel Business ICT Award, The NCBJ Best Environmental Management Award and the Robert Lightbourne Skills & Productivity Award.

JMA president Brian Pengelley said that local manufacturers were finding new markets including Brazil, India, Africa, China and the Caribbean.

“There is a niche market for processed foods, beverages, indigenous high quality fashion. In South Africa there is demand for tea, coffee, beers and rice. In Cuba, our closest neighbour, there is demand for processed foods and beverages. Also, opportunity is ripe for export to the French Caribbean including Guadeloupe,” Pengelley said.

Some of the larger awards included the Ray Hadeed Award for best small and medium enterprise, which went to Caribbean Flavours & Fragrances. The Eddie Hall Award for New Manufacturer of the Year went to Spring Vale Enterprise. The C Henderson Davis Award for Breakthrough Product of the Year went to Fersan Ltd. Champion Exporter medium size went to PA Benjamin. Champion Exporter small size went to Honey Bun.

Steven Jackson