2024 Will be Jamaica’s Year – PM
By: , January 9, 2024
Photo: Michael Sloley
Prime Minister, the Most Hon. Andrew Holness (left) breaks bread with (from second left), Opposition Leader Mark Golding; Minister of National Security, Hon. Dr. Horace Chang and Chairman of National Baking Company Limited, Butch Hendrickson. Occasion was the announcement ceremony for National Baking Company Limited’s new $6.7-billion Bread Plant, held on Monday (January 8) at the Hilton Hotel and Spa in Rose Hall, St. James.
Photo: Contributed
Prime Minister, the Most Hon. Andrew Holness (left), exchanges greetings with National Baking Company Limited’s founder, Karl Hendrickson, during a ceremony to celebrate Mr. Hendrickson’s 94th birthday and announce the company’s new $6.7-billion Bread Plant to be built in Catherine Hall, St. James. The celebration was held on Monday (January 8), at the Hilton Rose Hall Hotel in St. James.The Full Story
Prime Minister, the Most Hon. Andrew Holness, says 2024 will be a year of peace, productivity and prosperity for Jamaica.
He said that the new year comes with a lot of opportunities, and by bonding and working together, the country can begin to see some of what has always been possible.
“I wish for a happy, peaceful, and prosperous new year because I genuinely believe it will be so – that 2024 will be our breakthrough year. It will be the year for Jamaica,” the Prime Minister declared.
“The theme for my Administration for 2024 will be peace, productivity and prosperity. It may sound wishful, but I think we all want to see peace in our land. The more peace we have… the more productive we will be and the more productive we are… the greater our prosperity and the greater the prosperity, the greater will be our productivity,” he reasoned.
Prime Minister Holness was delivering the keynote address at the announcement ceremony for National Baking Company Limited’s new $6.7 billion Bread Plant, at the Hilton Hotel and Spa in Rose Hall, St. James, on January 8.
He congratulated the Hendrickson family and patriarch Karl Hendrickson, on the investment and the company’s contribution in enhancing Jamaica’s productivity.
“I think you would all agree with me that Karl is one of our foremost industrialists. He has taken, along with his family, a simple, but one of the most important manufacturing processes – the creation of bread – and he has turned it into a major industry in Jamaica,” Mr. Holness noted.
The Prime Minister said Mr. Hendrickson, who was also celebrating his 94th birthday, can be proud of his contribution to national development.
“Ninety-four years is significant in the lifetime of anything, but you have lived it well and you can reflect on your years as being productive years when you consider the industries that you have added.
“All of Jamaica owes you a debt of gratitude, and I stand here on behalf of Jamaica on your 94th birthday to express our gratitude,” Mr. Holness said.
The company’s Chairman, Butch Hendrickson, in reflecting on his father’s commitment to Jamaica, said the mantra has always been “service to country”.
“Today’s announcement is of great significance and is a moment where the vision of our family has come full circle. My father, Karl, has always insisted that our business decisions must be led by the needs of our customers and this plant underscores that passion as our driving force,” he said.
Mr. Hendrickson noted that the forthcoming 120,000-square-foot plant, to be built in Catherine Hall, will be a modern facility, designed to increase efficiency and boost exports.
He said it will enhance operations, addressing the growing demand in the west for National’s products.
“This investment will enable us to produce over 3,600 loaves of bread per hour, meeting our commitment to deliver fresh products faster,” he pointed out.
The plant’s completion is scheduled for 2025, and will include new distribution centres across the island, with the first nearing completion in Mandeville.