Day 5 of #designweekja, an initiative of the Jamaica Observer Media Group, continued Thursday, October 17 inside the spanking-new, well-appointed state-of-the art ARC Manufacturing Limited retail space, located at the company’s 14 Bell Road location.

The event, dubbed ‘The Art of Building Materials Excellence Showcase’ certainly lived up to its expectations.

Those who had stood in the incomplete space a year ago were suitably impressed with the now-finished space.

Guests stepped into ARC’s new showroom which featured displays of light fixtures, a wide selection of customised doors artfully displayed on uplit walls, various kitchen and bathroom fixtures, as well as a designated paint section.

The afternoon’s formalities, which were handled with aplomb by media personality Dahlia Harris, commenced with prayer from ARC COO Neville Alexander. Up next was ARC Retail Business Manager Diana Johnson, who highlighted the new capabilities of the showroom which has close to 30,000 square foot space to meet the increasing demands of their customers.

“We have 12,000 square feet of showroom space… with an additional 13,000 square feet of retail storage space that is behind us. So, we are almost 30,000 of retail space,” shared Johnson, who also made mention of the team’s willingness to pivot and to think outside of the proverbial box in what they offer in their new showroom. For example, displaying their lumber selections inside rather than outside. For Johnson, such decisions reinforce an effort to display their full catalogue to their customers.

“We will do many things differently in our displays because we want people to be fully aware of the extensive inventory that lies here,” Johnson said.

On stage next was newly minted ARC CEO Conroy Rose, who was brimming with pride at being able to satisfy a long-standing request from both a former prime minister as well as customers.

“This is about listening to our community whose desire was for a one-stop retail space to conduct business.” Rose revealed.

A key part of the presentation was the display of furniture created by Tamara Harding, chief creative director of Mara Made Designs. The furniture involved cedar sold at ARC. Rose said it was critical for people to see the quality of the lumber brought to life in creative ways. On display were lamps, tables and wooden objets d’art.

“A lot of Jamaican craftsmen don’t know that we supply lumber. They don’t know that we supply cedar. They don’t know that we supply mahogany. They don’t know that we have a wide variety of lumber. That is why we brought in Tamara to let Jamaica know that we have excellent quality lumber.

“The kind of work Tamara does requires a high-quality international standard. That is what we want to tell every single Jamaican: Don’t settle for less. Come to ARC and come for quality.”

Crediting the technical expertise of the staff, competitive pricing as well as a wide range of offerings, Rose is championing the vision of chairman Norman W Horne, who believes in Jamaica’s potential of being a big player in the international manufacturing market.

“My chairman has a vision for Jamaica of being highly competitive internationally in terms of manufacturing. He is passionate about serving Jamaicans from across all sectors,” concluded Rose.

ARC General Manager of Corporate Affairs and Governance Novlet Green concluded the event, showing gratitude to all stakeholders who made the vision a reality.

That appreciation was felt by the customers who toured the space post-formalities, enjoying libations from a CPJ bar, fare from Mastered Meals and the musical styling of violinist Dayna Palmer.