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Red Stripe wins inaugural JMEA Inclusivity award

October 11, 2024
Export Trends, Market Trends
3 min read

As the call for inclusivity gains momentum across companies islandwide, Red Stripe, part of the HEINEKEN Company, became the first company to receive the Inclusivity Champion Award at the 2024 Jamaica Manufacturers and Exporters Association (JMEA) M&E Awards held recently.

“At JMEA, we decided to honour a company that is leading the charge in creating a stigma-free, inclusive workplace where everyone has the chance to thrive. Red Stripe has demonstrated this through their workplace culture and organisational structure. With this award, we are showcasing that they are breaking barriers and fostering true inclusivity. So, as we advocate for the elimination of stigma and discrimination, particularly within the manufacturing and exporting sectors, we look forward to seeing more companies enhance their internal frameworks to cultivate an inclusive and equitable workplace for all employees and customers,” said Johnoi Elliston, JMEA Senior Development and Programme Officer and project lead for the association’s Beyond Labels: Manufacturing, A Stigma-Free Workplace initiative.

The Inclusivity Champion Award is sponsored by Beyond Labels – an initiative led by the JMEA with support from the U.S. President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR), the Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS). Judged by an esteemed panel from PEPFAR, CDC, and UNAIDS, the award was presented by U.S. Ambassador to Jamaica, N. Nickolas Perry.

“We are deeply honoured to be recognised in an area that is at the heart of our company. While receiving the Jamaica Productivity Centre (JPC) Competitiveness Award is a significant achievement, we are equally proud of the Inclusivity Champion Award, as it highlights the culture we’ve cultivated for our employees – a workplace where every voice is valued, and everyone is empowered to contribute meaningfully. At Red Stripe, caring for people is at our core, and we remain committed to upholding the highest standards of inclusivity to ensure this remains a key part of our identity,” shared Red Stripe Managing Director Daaf van Tilburg.

To ensure it seamlessly champions inclusivity, Red Stripe has implemented comprehensive workplace policies designed to cultivate a diverse, equitable, and inclusive environment. As part of this commitment, the company launched the Women Empowerment through Collaboration, Allyship, and Networking (WE CAN) initiative, spearheaded by its Employee Resource Group (ERG) Committee. This 12-member team is dedicated to empowering and advocating for the growth of female employees and allies within Red Stripe and the broader community.

Since the establishment of the ERG Committee and the launch of WE CAN in September 2022, Red Stripe has spearheaded numerous initiatives. These include a Women’s Day Power Brunch, featuring speakers such as Krystal Tomlinson of Success Farm and Amy Whiteman of Velvet Suite, a global female owned and led consultancy based in the United States which focuses on building the capacity of women in leadership. Red Stripe has also hosted Lunch and Learn sessions with Financial Wellness Expert Kalilah Reynolds and partnered with The University of the West Indies (UWI) Mona’s Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) Unit to provide mentorship and sponsorship opportunities.

“We will remain committed to prioritising our employees’ well-being and growth, and we wholeheartedly welcome increased partnerships with like-minded organisations to amplify our impact in the community,” added Tilburg.

At this year’s JMEA M&E Awards, Red Stripe also received the Productivity Centre and Competitiveness Award.

Red Stripe is one of Jamaica’s leading corporate entities employing just under 300 full-time employees and approximately one thousand contractors, producing the world-famous Red Stripe™ beer, which was first brewed in Jamaica in 1928. Dubbed the Beer of Jamaica, Red Stripe has earned the distinction of having 16 Monde Selection Awards for Quality, among numerous other awards. It is also brewed in the United Kingdom under licence and is now available in over 25 markets around the world.

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https://jamaica-gleaner.com/article/news/20241011/red-stripe-wins-inaugural-jmea-inclusivity-award

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Mr. Sydney Thwaites

President

Mr. Thwaites has over 28 years of experience in financial services, petrochemicals, and consulting, with a global reach spanning the USA, Canada, Europe, Asia, and the Caribbean. He co-founded Lubricating Specialties Company Jamaica in 2015, revitalizing the local lubricant manufacturing industry. With a solid track record of organizational leadership, Mr. Thwaites has developed and negotiated long-term partnerships with major global companies, closed various debt and equity financing deals, and delivered consistent growth and returns. Known for his dynamic

leadership, trustworthy and ethical approach, and keen market understanding, he has served as CEO of LSC USA and held advisory roles with the U.S. Export-Import Bank and the Petroleum Quality Institute of America.

Licenses, Permits, and Certificates: A Quick Guide

Apply for the necessary licenses, permits, and certifications at the following Agencies:

  • Plant Quarantine Produce Inspection (PQPI) Division: Contact for exportation of agricultural produce. A certified packaging facility is required. Specifications and guidelines can be obtained from PQPI.
  • Veterinary Services Division: Contact for export permits/licenses related to the following:
    • Apicultural products
    • Bee products
    • Animals and animal by-products
  • Jamaica Agricultural Commodities Regulatory Agency (JACRA): Contact for exporting the following:
    • Coffee
    • Coconut
    • Cocoa
    • Spices (including Pimento, Nutmeg, Ginger, and Turmeric).
  • Cannabis Licensing Authority (CLA): Contact for exporting the following:
    • Cannabis
    • Hemp
  • Mines and Geology Division: Contact for exporting the following minerals:
    • Bauxite
    • Limestone
    • Aggregates
    • Gravel
    • Alumina
    • Cement
    • Rock
    • Stone
    • Soil
  • National Environment and Planning Agency (NEPA): Contact for exporting the following:
    • Scrap products (metals, batteries, etc.)
    • Hazardous materials
    • Endangered species.
  • Trade Board Limited: Contact for exporting the following:
    • Scrap metal (including scrap batteries and scrap gold)
    • Coffee
    • Ammunition (explosives and firearms)
    • Plasma
    • Wood (Lignum Vitae and log wood only)
    • Jewellery (excluding those from earth metals)
    • Brown Sugar
  • Ministry of Health and Wellness: Contact for exporting pharmaceutical products.

Bureau of Standards Jamaica (BSJ): Consult with the BSJ for guidance on processed food prior to exporting. This includes information on standards, labelling and market requirements.

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