BUFF BAY, Portland — Suppliers, distributors and staff were the stars last Tuesday as Lifespan Company Limited, one of Jamaica's leading manufacturers and traders in naturally alkaline spring water, marked its 18th year of operation.

CEO of Lifespan Nayana Williams traced the development and growth of the Portland-based company as she delivered the main address.

"Eighteen years ago Devon [my husband] and I started this company as we sat in a little office in a meeting with an attorney to incorporate the business, which was the formal beginning of Lifespan," said Williams.

"Devon worked tirelessly to construct our first 1,200-square-foot plywood and container factory with his bare hands. I remember when he had to get up 2:30 in the mornings to go to the source to pump water and transport it to the factory, which he did for the first years of this company — which was no easy task.

"When he got back he would have his breakfast then head out again. I thank Devon for his tireless effort, commitment, and hard work that laid the foundation for this company. The team worked under harsh conditions while stepping out of our comfort zone, believing in what we are doing, persistent in what we are doing, and giving it our best — which required focus and attention," added Williams.

She noted that the company has evolved over the years.

"In the beginning we only had one pickup truck and when David Williams [plant manager] joined us it became two pickup trucks, and this increased our sales on the Port Antonio route on Wednesdays — which was at lot of work and sometimes a lot of rejections — but it was all worth it. We have come a far way and we thank David for the work he put in.

"Many of us here today have become a part of this company's DNA — from our first, largest, and valued customer Kamal's [Supermarket] that has been with us from the beginning to our other valued customers our suppliers and distributors — we thank you all. Over the years we have metamorphosed, however we still have persons who have been here from the early years. We thank you, long-standing team members," said Williams

The Lifespan CEO pointed out that its bottled water is taken from seven springs located on its 40-acre property nestled at the foot of the Blue Mountains in Spring Gardens, Buff Bay, and is naturally purified from the mountain where its main catchment is located.

The water is then processed to remove whatever impurities may be present.

"One bottle of water a day supplies all the minerals one will need for a day. We get 900 gallons of water per minute from our catchment areas," said Williams.

In accepting the award for top distributor, Ruddy Hudson of T Geddes Grant said, "I met Nayana 11 years ago and from that our relationship has not waned but [instead] we have stuck to the ground. I'm not just a distributor but an ardent customer, and we do appreciate the service over the years and look forward to the continued service."

— Everard Owen