There is a market for specialised packaging

ACCORDING TO Janine Taylor, manager for the marketing services unit at the Jamaica Business Developing Corporation (JBDC), there is a market for specialised packaging such as plastic bottles, which are not manufactured locally.

“We don’t make bottles here, so we have to look at how we stay relevant to the speciality food market which is sexy, off the chain. We’re not talking about the typical go-in-the supermarket, tek-up type of packaging. Really, we have to import those inputs, so we have to now support our beneficiaries of this product to use the (high grade) packaging, an investment which they would not necessarily be able to afford on their own,” she said.

For example, instead of the six producers who use a similar type of bottle attempting to source this input on their own, the JBDC as an umbrella entity is better able to import a container load, the contents of which is then dispersed to the different parties in relevant quantities.

“It’s really trying to address some of the things that we see as barriers to the competitiveness of our clients and pitching in where we could, which is branding and packaging. We have a design house that we use to assist clients. So we have worked with the local manufacturers for the boxes which are made locally but we have a lot of innovation now taking place in the background and coming up with other product ideas to really strengthen the line,” said Taylor.

START-UP BENEFITS

She pointed out some of the start-up benefits of operating under the aegis of the JBDC.

“If you are making flour, why compete under two different brands when there is really very little differentiation on such a small scale?

So we have basically provided a system for them to operate because it would be difficult for them to engage with that sort of thing, but us as the anchor firm that’s managing that value chain, it allows us the flexibility to do that. I think, for the clients, they are so appreciative of the fact that on their own they were unable to move from idea, to prototype to market,” said Taylor.

“If you are making flour, why compete under two different brands when there is really very little differentiation on such a small scale?

Clover Young (left), business banker at the National Commercial Bank New Kingston branch, shows keen interest as Janine Taylor, manager, marketing services unit, at the Jamaica Business Development Corporation, talks about plans for marketing the...