KINGSTON, Jamaica — Managing Director of ARC Manufacturing Ltd Norman Horne says the company is set to increase its production fivefold with the addition of its new plant and the latest machinery.

“The demand in the United States for fabric mesh can almost never be satisfied, and so we therefore had to first increase our production capacity. I believe that the benefits of this development to Jamaica are numerous as the local stock of high quality material is increased, while at the same time export revenue and the prestige of Brand Jamaica are simultaneously boosted,” Horne told guests at the launch of the new ARC Manufacturing mesh wire plant at Bell Road in Kingston, yesterday.

The new plant sits on 18 acres of land and boasts several factories. According to Horne, the expansion will see the company shipping 10 containers per month, up from the previous two. It will also mean the employment of additional staff.

ARC currently exports to Grand Cayman, St Lucia, Haiti, Turks and Caicos, Guyana, Dominica and the USA. Horne said the hope is that the new plant will enable the company to attract more clients.

Also taking part in the launch were Minister of Industry, Commerce, Agriculture and Fisheries, Karl Samuda; President of JAMPRO Diane Edwards; President of the Jamaica Manufacturers Association, Metry Seaga; Opposition Spokesperson on Industry and Commerce, Peter Bunting; and MP for St Andrew South Western, Angela Brown Burke.

Balford Henry