The $1B Farfan and Mendes Limited (FML) headquarters at Providence, East Bank Demerara was commissioned last evening and promises more space and security for customers.
There are also plans to implement measures to assist the timber industry.
Various past and current government officials such as Minister in the Ministry of Social Protection, Simona Broomes, Minister of Public Infrastructure, David Patterson, Minister of Tourism, Cathy Hughes and former Prime Minister Sam Hinds were present at the grand opening ceremony and launch of the new headquarters.
The new facility will be the main hub for FML customers and there will be more space for customers and room for more than 60 vehicles to park. There is also additional space for heavy-duty vehicles to load equipment and other items comfortably.
Andrew Mendes, Managing Director of FML, said that the entire construction of the building and the preparation of the land cost around $1B in total, with the building amounting to approximately $850M.
Mendes pointed out that business was slightly hindered at the previous Georgetown headquarters on Urquhart Street due to traffic congestion and parking issues. Mendes said it was difficult to reach out to new customers and bring them to the previous location.
“We are agents of change,” Mendes stated as he highlighted the growth FML has had since its 1967 launch in Guyana.
Mendes said that while FML is built on the foundation of integrity and supplying quality equipment, he hopes that the new building will rubbish the idea many people have that “Guyana doesn’t produce quality products and services”.
“We don’t provide the cheapest products but we provide the cheapest solutions,” Mendes said, stating that the company aims to help create sustainable development of Guyana. He cited the impact the introduction of chainsaws had in 1987 on the timber industry.
While FML will aim to supply Guyana with the
highest quality of equipment and “solutions”, Mendes said that there will be a grand effort in trying to improve the sawing and logging practices in the timber industry which have not changed since the inception. “We need to be part of it,” he said, explaining that FML will be investing in the logging and sawmilling operations of the Iwokrama conservation concession. He also said that they will be applying for Forestry Stewardship Council certification to show that the wood that comes from Guyana is from sustainable sources.
Mendes said that FML’s future plans will focus heavily on working alongside with the new government in preparing a fair and level playing field where FML can continue to operate so they can achieve their goal of reinventing and reinvigorating the timber industry to benefit the entire country. (Dhanash Ramroop)
