ON Saturday, April 1, Jamaica Producers Group (JP) honoured the long service of 101 team members of its locally-based businesses — the group’s corporate head office, JP Farms, and Tortuga. With its roots as a cooperative association founded by banana growers in the 1920s, JP has grown over the last century into a multinational conglomerate, with a team spanning eight countries in 13 locations and consisting of more than 2,000 people, half of whom are Jamaica-based.

Upon the conclusion of the amalgamation of the group’s material businesses with PanJam Investment Limited and the official beginning of the Pan Jamaica Group, JP saw it as important to recognise, honour, and celebrate the long-standing JP employees who were awarded for 10 to 36 years of dedicated service.

Speaking at the award ceremony held at the Clubhouse Brewery, Jeffrey Hall, chief executive officer, who received an award for 21 years of service, acknowledged the hard work and dedication of his team.

“First and foremost, we are a Jamaican company, so heralding our Jamaican team is of paramount importance. This is your company. It is made from your work, your time, your laughter, your tears, and your energy, and today I am proud and humbled to recognise the hard work, loyalty, and dedication of these 101 members of our team. JP stands tall on your shoulders. We won’t forget it and we will live up to your hopes and dreams for this great company.”

Eighty-five of the awardees hailed from JP Farms, the leading producer of high-quality tropical foods in Jamaica and one of the largest private employers in the parish of St Mary. Eight awardees were from Tortuga, makers of the world-renowned Tortuga spirit and rum cakes in its state-of-the-art bakery in Kingston, and eight awardees were from JP’s corporate office.

The longest-serving employees, with over 35 years of service, were Audrey Brown, Astley Doharris, and Carmen Blake of JP Farms and Elaine Clarke of JP’s corporate head office. Clarke, now in her 36th year in her role as office attendant, expressed her gratitude and appreciation for the years spent working at JP.

“I have to give God thanks. JP has been good to me. It has allowed me to purchase a home, put my daughter through school, and I will be able to retire comfortably when my time comes. I would keep working for JP for 20 more years if I could!”