Derrimon Trading Group (DTL), a Jamaican-owned conglomerate spanning multiple subsidiaries that includes distribution, manufacturing, wholesale and retail outlets, made its debut as an exhibitor at the 2023 staging of the Caribbean’s largest trade show, Expo Jamaica.

Hosted by the Jamaica Manufacturers and Exporters Association (JMEA), DTL showcased an array of new and innovative products from its various brands at the Expo’s 48th staging. Brands and subsidiaries on display included Woodcats International, Caribbean Flavours and Fragrances, recently acquired companies Arosa Limited and Spicy Hill Farms along with its own consumer brand, Delect.

“The JMEA is the premier exposition in the Caribbean so this is naturally where we would want to be,” Derrick Cotterell, Group CEO of DTL, said in a press release.

“We do have hopes to participate in trade shows in other countries, but seeing as this is our debut as exhibitors, we had to ensure that we premiered in Jamaica. Coming into Expo Jamaica for the very first time as a group, we are excited to be able to interact with our customers as well as to be able to present our wide range of products to potential buyers, who may be familiarising themselves with our company and brands for the first time,” Cotterell continued.

“Following this public session we will continue to share our exciting products with customers because we do believe in better, and we want to be a company that makes good wholesome Jamaican products in a very creative way,” he said.

The Derrimon booths located in the National Arena included an array of products and samples from Spicy Hill Farms, Arosa and Delect.

From the Trelawny-based Spicy Hill Farms patrons sampled the Ram Goat Soup, Spicy Curry Chicken, Spicy Jerk Chicken and were also treated to samples of the brand’s soon to be launched Cock-o-Noodle soup which contains real chicken meat and flavour and has no MSG or artificial ingredients.

Derrimon used the opportunity to showcase an array of products from Delect, ranging from canned goods such as corned beef, mackerel, ackee and callaloo, to fish and meat sauces, flavoured cordials and the the Delect Coconut Milk which only includes coconut meat and water. Since the launch of the Delect brand in 2014, starting with five products, the brand has grown and now boasts over 15 products that are available in retail and wholesale outlets islandwide.

Arosa Limited, the most recent company to be acquired under the group and known for being processors of the highest quality meats, had a wide variety of products on display and used the opportunity to introduce patrons to its new jerk pork product which will be available to the public later this year.

The Group also showcased two of its companies in the Indoor Sports Centre, Woodcats International and Caribbean Flavours & Fragrances Ltd. Under the theme, ‘Invite Us Into Your Outdoor Living’, Woodcats International Ltd which currently serves 90 per cent of the manufacturing and distribution industry, took second place in recognition for the Expos Best Environmentally Friendly Exhibit/Product.

“This is our first time at Expo, and it has been a tremendous experience for us. To be a first-time entrant and winning an award it is really the icing on the cake. And this is a special award for us considering that being environmentally friendly and sustainable is currently one of our main drivers,” explained Peter Douglas, General Manager at Woodcats International. The company premiered its newest product under the Summerland brand, Black Mulch. The booth consisted of Summerland’s black and red mulch, natural mulch, trinket boxes, wine holders, customized plant boxes, orchid boxes, and wooden pallets.

Caribbean Flavours and Fragrances (CFF) presented on the main stage with its “Build A Drink Improve Yuh Ting” during the Jamaica To Di Worl presentation, where it showed patrons how to create a Full Sugar Orange Drink. CFF also introduced The Flavours and Fragrances Lab which catered to features of the sensory system providing an experience encapsulating smell, hearing and taste. Using virtual reality, CFF created a simulated experience of computer-generated visuals enabling users to interact with new and existing scents. Buyers and consumers were also able to interact with the traditional tester and sample flavours manufactured and distributed by the DTL subsidiary.