MINISTER of state in the Ministry of Industry, Investment and Commerce Delano Seiveright has hailed the management of Rock Solid Plastics Limited for its rapid expansion, describing it as a strong example of Jamaican entrepreneurship benefiting from a stable economic environment and government policies geared towards investment, production, and business growth.

Seiveright made the comments during a tour of the company’s Ashenheim Road manufacturing operation on Tuesday with Rock Solid Managing Director Andrew Simpson and Jamaica Business Development Corporation (JBDC) CEO Daenia Ashpole.

Established in 2020 with just five employees, Rock Solid has grown to more than 40 workers, while dramatically expanding production.

The Jamaican-owned manufacturer now produces thousands of water tanks annually and, according to the company, has manufactured well over 150,000 tanks since inception.

“This is the trajectory we want, small Jamaican businesses becoming medium-sized businesses and, ultimately, large businesses,” Seiveright said as he noted that in addition to the increase in its staff complement, the company has “a much wider multiplier effect through suppliers, transportation, distribution, and other supporting businesses”.

The company manufactures water tanks ranging from 200 gallons to 2,500 gallons and has steadily diversified into other plastic products, including garbage bins, planters, and access chambers.

It also incorporates recycling into its operations by repurposing material from old and damaged tanks for selected secondary products.

Two of the more than 40 employees of Rock Solid working on one of the water tanks produced by the company. (Photo: Karl Mclarty)

Seiveright said the company’s expansion reflects the importance of maintaining the stable macroeconomic environment that has helped strengthen investor and business confidence in Jamaica.

He pointed to the Government’s Productive Inputs Relief (PIR) scheme, which provides eligible manufacturers with relief on duties and taxes on certain productive inputs as one of the practical policy tools designed to reduce the cost of production and encourage greater investment in local manufacturing.

“The Government has worked hard to create greater economic stability and a more supportive environment for investment. Through initiatives such as PIR and the work of… other agencies, we are focused on helping businesses invest, improve productivity, expand production, and employ more Jamaicans,” Seiveright said.

He added that Rock Solid represents the type of new-generation Jamaican entrepreneurship that should be encouraged.

“We need many more Rock Solids. Andrew Simpson and his team have demonstrated what can happen when entrepreneurship, investment and innovation meet an environment that supports business growth. Rock Solid is fast becoming one of Jamaica’s standout locally owned manufacturing companies,” declared Seiveright.

He said Ministry of Industry, Investment and Commerce will continue working directly with businesses to identify obstacles to expansion and connect them with available Government support.

“Our mission is not simply to help people start businesses. We want Jamaican businesses to grow — from micro to small, small to medium, and medium to large. That means jobs, greater production, stronger supply chains, and a more resilient Jamaican economy,” added Seiveright.