Stewart’s breaks ground for Jaguar, Land Rover showroom
More than US$13m invested in South Avenue facility
STEWART’S AUTOMOTIVE Group, one of Jamaica’s largest car dealerships, has officially broken ground for two state-of-the-art showrooms for its Jaguar and Land Rover luxury brands.
The US$13-million full-service dealership will be located at 2 South Avenue (off Arthur Wint Drive) and will span over 5,000 square metres, with Jaguar and Land Rover occupying the first two floors and rental properties occupying the upper floors.
Delivering the keynote address at the groundbreaking ceremony on Thursday, Prime Minister Andrew Holness referred to Stewart’s investment as the perfect example of businesses taking risks and reinvesting in the country’s development. He also highlighted the employment potential of the project, saying: “I’ve been to many groundbreakings of a similar nature, and an immediate effect on the economy is that it creates jobs, and I’m very happy for that. In addition, I like the fact that this building will have space for not just the showroom and other facilities to do with the business at hand, but you will have space for BPO rental, and that is great because that generates significant employment.”
In closing, Holness commended the Stewart family, saying: “All in all, this is such a great development for this area, in particular for Kingston, and for Jamaica. I wish to congratulate the Stewart family and encourage them to keep on investing. The Government gives the commitment that we will continue to ensure that the environment for business is friendly, that it’s inclusive, conducive, and that it gives you the ability to make even greater investment decisions and take even greater risks.”
JAMAICANS FOR JAMAICA
Speaking of the opportunities that the BPO rental will create, Jacqueline Stewart-Lechler, director of the family-owned Stewart’s Automotive Group, said: “We’re excited to be entering the BPO sector, creating jobs for Jamaicans and opportunities for our business partners, the professionals, bankers, and customer partners, among others. We are proud that we are Jamaicans for Jamaica, and this project is supporting local businesses.”
Duncan Stewart, also a director at Stewart’s, shared: “We are excited about starting the new year with this milestone achievement. Our new Jaguar and Land Rover showrooms will no doubt ensure that we continue delivering the highest quality of service that our customers have become accustomed to since our inception over 80 years now.
“I’d like to use this opportunity to thank the prime minister and his administration for their support on this project, our dedicated staff for always going above and beyond to make Stewart’s a trusted and formidable brand in Jamaica, and our customers for trusting us with their driving experience in Jamaica.”
The construction of the new Jaguar and Land Rover facility is expected to provide a significant amount of direct employment during the construction phase while raising the appeal of the area and making it even more attractive to other investors. Construction is scheduled to be completed by the third quarter of this year.
Stewart’s Automotive Group has enjoyed the reputation of being a first-class, full-service dealership, carrying one of the widest ranges of spare parts and accessories for car dealers in the English-speaking Caribbean.
PRIME MINISTER Andrew Holness has said that the Government has enabled businesses to take resolute long-term steps with greater certainty towards actualising investment decisions.
Speaking at the ceremony to break ground for the new Stewart’s Automotive Group showroom at 2 South Avenue (off Arthur Wint Drive) in St Andrew on Thursday, Holness said that this has been achieved through macroeconomic decisions taken in regard to interest rates and the Government’s tax policy.
“I believe Jamaicans can feel satisfied in their Government that the continued sacrifice for fiscal discipline has resulted in an economic environment in which businesses can take decisions and risks about investments,” he said.
He referenced the steps taken by the Stewart’s Group to open the new Jaguar and Land Rover showrooms as evidence of the future long-term decisions that businesses are taking.
The prime minister argued that even greater progress must be made on micro issues, such as the length of time it takes for businesses to get off the ground and obtain electricity and titling, in order to “make the big investments happen”.
“We have to do things to make it easier to do business, which are usually microeconomic considerations ... . We are strategically focused on that,” he emphasised.
Meanwhile, Holness wants the nation to consider the importance of innovation, which he said is absolutely critical to economic growth.
“We, too, can innovate. We, too, can create new ideas that we turn into a product and monetise in a market. I am saying to all Jamaicans, do not be afraid to explore new ideas. You will never know what the next big thing is,” he said.
ECONOMIC POTENTIAL
Holness is advocating for innovation in the arts, which he argued has economic potential.
Projected for overall completion in September 2019, the US$13million investment made by the Stewart’s Group will be a fivestorey building, with the first two housing the Jaguar and Land Rover showrooms. Those two storeys are projected for completion in March.
The upper levels will enable the company to expand into real estate with the creation of space for business process outsourcing, thereby bringing employment to the community.
“Our Jaguar and Land Rover facility will be very exciting (and) is the first of its kind in the Caribbean. It will be built to Stewart’s and Jaguar and Land Rover exacting standards. We have left no stone unturned to deliver on our family’s promise of unparalleled service to our customers,” said director of the Stewart’s Automotive Group, Duncan Stewart.
Stewart said that the construction of the group’s new facility will also enhance the ambience and appeal of the area and will heighten the sense of pride for persons operating and living in the area.
He thanked the Government for its support of the company’s endeavours to grow.