On Wednesday of last week, the AC Hotel in Kingston was abuzz with energy as an oversubscribed audience of over 200 attendees gathered for the inaugural JMEA Manufacture 360° Conference, marking a significant milestone for Jamaica’s manufacturing industry. The conference brought together international experts, government ministers, alongside business leaders, decision-makers, and manufacturers representing diverse sectors of the industry.

Kamesha Blake, Executive Director of the JMEA, said, “The conference is the first of its kind locally and its oversubscription signals a strong need for manufacturers to convene, exchange ideas, and gain valuable perspectives on the industry. Given the complexity and intricacies of our industry, a platform of this nature is essential to foster industry-wide collaboration, facilitate communication, and promote shared learning – all crucial for navigating the dynamic manufacturing landscape and maintaining global competitiveness.”

Themed ‘Shaping the Future of Jamaica’s Manufacturing from all Angles,’ the conference delved into pressing topics crucial for the industry’s advancement. One of the most eagerly anticipated topics was ‘Enhancing Manufacturing Skills through the Apprenticeship Model,’ led by international UK expert Dr. Daniel Tromans, Head of Service Delivery and Responsible Officer at EAL (part of the Enginuity Group), who offered insights into leveraging apprenticeship models to enhance skill sets in manufacturing. Stressing the dynamic nature of apprenticeship programs and emphasizing their role as continuous learning processes, Dr. Tromans provided a fresh perspective on apprenticeships, redefining them beyond traditional notions. He highlighted that apprenticeships aren’t solely for interns but also for experienced workers within the company lacking skills in specific areas.

He emphasized the importance of companies investing in apprenticeships, highlighting their essential role in ensuring industry sustainability and citing significant long-term returns. “Investing in apprenticeships and interns requires both time and financial resources. However, over time, if retention is achieved, the returns can be substantial, sometimes tenfold, or even twentyfold,” he stated. Furthermore, Dr. Tromans emphasized the importance of cultivating a supportive work environment to foster employee loyalty, advocating for comprehensive training programs coupled with respectful treatment to incentivize retention.

Championing the apprenticeship model, Blake said, “The manufacturing industry is currently experiencing robust growth, driven by companies investing in cutting-edge technologies to boost productivity and explore new markets. This growth has brought to light a significant rise in demand for skilled labour. As the leading voice in the industry, we recognize the imperative to address these skills gaps to ensure industry sustainability, which is why we have collaborated with HEART/NSTA Trust and the Inter-American Development Bank to adapt the UK’s Apprenticeship Programme to build a robust manufacturing sector anchored by the requisite skilled workforce.”

Another highly anticipated topic was ‘Revisiting the Special Economic Zone Act’, focusing on the opportunities and constraints it presents for driving local manufacturing and exports. The SEZ has emerged as a significant point of discussion, especially over the past two years, with a notable increase in the presence of manufacturers and logistic companies within the zone. The SEZ was positioned as a regime to propel sector performance and so companies operating within the regime benefit from lower corporate income tax, no duties on imports, and no GCT on goods and services purchased locally.

Sean Garbutt, Group Marketing Director of Walkerswood Caribbean Foods, where over 90% of its output is exported, emphasized the advantages of being part of the SEZ. He stated, “We can certainly attest to the benefits of participating in the SEZ and the significant savings it provides. Beyond the amended GCT, we assess the difference between what we would have paid in taxes outside the SEZ compared to what we pay within it. We now allocate these funds to invest in capacity-building equipment, bolster our marketing budget to expand our presence in international and local markets, and contribute more to our local communities.”

While not disputing the benefits, companies like FosRich and CPJ, contend that more concerted efforts are necessary within the regime to provide tangible benefits to diverse manufacturers. Mark Hart, Executive Chairman of CPJ, highlighted the bureaucratic hurdles that hinder operations within the zone. Hart mentioned that he established Caribbean Producers Jamaica Homeporting Limited to take advantage of the growing trend among cruise lines to choose Jamaica as a destination for their homeporting operations. Despite holding an SEZ license for over two years, Hart said he has faced insurmountable bureaucratic obstacles, casting doubt on the realization of this opportunity in the foreseeable future.

Concurring on the constraints of the SEZ, Garbutt emphasized the need for harmonization among the different agencies that comprise the regime, such as the TAJ, Customs, and

JSEZA. He stressed the importance of collaboration between organizations like JM

EA, JAMPRO, and the ministries to effectively align all these different agencies towards the goal of the SEZ, which is to propel growth.

Additional sessions on the agenda focused on topics ranging from navigating the intricacies of logistics to strategies for catalyzing growth through mergers and acquisitions and exploring innovative financing solutions for industry expansion. There was also featured presentations from prominent industry organizations including The Trade Board Limited, Anti-dumping and Subsidies Commission and Factories Corporation of Jamaica. The conference also witnessed notable addresses from governmental dignitaries, including Dr. Dana Morris Dixon, Minister of Skills and Digital Transformation, and Senator Aubyn Hill, Minister of Industry, Investment, and Commerce, who reaffirmed the government’s unwavering commitment to supporting and catalyzing the growth of the manufacturing sector.

The conference concluded with an exclusive tour of Cemex Caribbean Cement, affording attendees, including Senator Hill and representatives from HEART/NSTA Trust, a rare opportunity to observe firsthand the cutting-edge manufacturing processes in operation. During the tour, discussions centered on workforce development, with Managing Director of Cemex Carib Cement Jorge Martinez welcoming the adoption of the apprenticeship model as a cornerstone of sustainability in manufacturing. Mr. Martinez highlighted recent initiatives such as the launch of the CEMEX Campus aimed at integrating more university students into the company and providing hands-on training. He also underscored the ongoing upskilling efforts for the existing workforce, emphasizing that training is an iterative process of continuous learning.

The Manufacture 360° Conference was supported by Caribbean Cement Company Limited, Sagicor Group Jamaica Limited, GSS, Visa, The Trade Board Limited, Jamaica Special Economic Zone Authority, HEART/NSTA Trust, National Commercial Bank Jamaica Limited, Jamaica Public Service Company Limited, GK Capital, Seaboard Freight & Shipping Jamaica Ltd, Kingston Wharves Limited, ARC Manufacturing Limited, Anti-dumping and Subsidies Commission, Factories Corporation of Jamaica, Le Champ Cosmetics, Pepsi-Cola Bottling Company, Salesforce Inc and Vantage One Marketing Group.