ARC Manufacturing: Building a legacy
THE ANGRY, grey skies release their tears in torrents upon the zinc roofs at 14 Bell Road; but this does not stop the workers from carrying on with their duties. The security guard and designated gateman are kept rather busy as vehicles go in and out, much like the intersection at Three Miles. The gates roll open to allow free passage of ARC trucks and trailers, vans and cars of customers, contractors and ARC workers. Work never stops for ARC Manufacturing, Jamaica’s building supplies specialist.
It’s been 21 years since this manufacturing and construction giant has graced the Jamaican landscape. In 1996, they set up in a small, rented building on Asheinhem Road as a small manufacturer of zinc sheeting. Now, ARC occupies 19 acres of land on Bell Road. The property spans Bell Road in the west to Development Road in the east. If you plan to walk the entire property, you might need to don comfortable shoes. From front to back, there are more than a dozen buildings with machines churning away inside.
Over the years, due to the visionary leadership of Norman Horne and the directors of ARC, there has been considerable growth and product diversity.
Bell Road is home to six manufacturing plants producing purlins, tracks and studs, nails, wire products, roofing products, fencing products and treated lumber. There are also warehousing and distribution hubs, along with office buildings for the administrative and sales staff. The company also operates a branch in Montego Bay.
ARC Manufacturing, though understated in its ego, is one of Jamaica’s top manufacturing companies. They are the only manufacturer of zinc sheets in Jamaica. ARC is the only manufacturer of treated wood and they dominate the local market in providing quality roofing products, construction fabric mesh, quarter wire and drawn wire. ARC remains the leading manufacturer of nails and the sole manufacturer of binding wire in Jamaica, and has effectively competed in this market segment against foreign imports.
In 21 years, ARC has done what few companies in Jamaica and the world has done. They rallied from a devastating global recession, to not only maintain economic viability as a business, but they continue to see consistent growth in sales and market share. ARC reinvests most of its profits not only in the local market, but also in the human capital of its surrounding communities.
The evening sky is now crisp with orange and gold streaks as dusk creeps across the land, and the gates at 14 Bell Road continue to open and close with frequency.