JMEA welcomes new JPI packaging plant

 

President of the Jamaica Manufacturers and Exporters Association (JMEA), Sydney Thwaites, has welcomed a multi-million dollar injection into the local packaging industry. 

 

This after the Jamaica Packaging Industries (JPI), a subsidiary of the Canadian Overseas Packaging Industries, invested US$12.5 million into the construction of a state-of-the-art packaging plant. 

 

Mr. Thwaites said the move will plug a critical gap in the local manufacturing sector.

 

"We were importing 60% of our packaging. We love our neighbours in Trinidad but we don't want your packaging. We want your carnival," he quipped. "Well as a customer, I can tell you, it takes one more thing off my hands, right? I don't have to import containers of my packaging. I can buy locally. I can rely on my suppliers. I have a relationship. That ecosystem builds our businesses. It makes our job easier. It takes one more variable off the table. When weather is bad, hurricane hits, I don't have to wring my hands about my packaging and I know my partners are here locally." 

 

Mr. Thwaites was speaking at the Jamaica Packaging Industries new factory opening ceremony on Tuesday.