THE sixteen year old St.Luciacompany, Caribbean Awning Production Company Ltd, located at Goodlands, is revelling in its success at the recent St.Lucia Manufacturing Association awards.
The company which is no stranger to awards and led by its Managing Director Paula Calderon received the coveted President’s Award Excellence.
The awards are based on international standards for product and customer service, implementation of standards and best practices, human resource development, social responsibility, leadership, which are audited by the Bureau of Standards.
While the awards are highly competitive they provide the opportunity for manufacturers to implement and maintain international standards.
Calderon who was extremely pleased to receive the Award of Excellence, said it highlights the fact that small companies can achieve the same standards as larger companies, and that this was primarily due to the commitment, dedication, integrity of her well trained staff.
“They truly deserved the award for consistently paying close attention to the quality of the products, the promise of on time delivery and the pre to post service care for our customers,” Calderon said.
Caribbean Awning Production Company Ltd specializes in the manufacture, distribution, installation and maintenance of products that provide shade, shelter and security.
These products include; canopies, awnings (fixed and retractable), blinds (vertical, horizontal faux wood blinds, aluminum blinds) roller shades, Roman blinds, sliding panels, rolling shutters, accordion shutters, storm panels, marine products, upholstery and outdoor accessory covers (cushions, pc covers, pool covers, gazebo covers, etc).
The company which is nearing its seventeenth year of production has built a reputation throughout the Caribbean for introducing new and innovative products.
Aluminum railings and PVC cladding are two of the new innovative products added to the extensive line of products produced.
Calderon says that with climate change being such a sensitive and important issue many of their products are well suited to protect homes, commercial buildings, and institutions.
Caribbean Awning Production Company Ltd also exports products throughout the OECS.
“Given the unique features, designs and sizes of construction projects in the region, we are able to customize every order to meet the demand of any customer’s taste no matter how intricate the design,” Calderon said, adding that the company is cognizant of wastage in the production process and searches for ways to improve the efficiency of its manufacturing process on a daily basis.
As a result utilizing raw materials that would have otherwise been discarded, it has created a number of by-products such as bags, pencil cases, jazz seats, hats, aprons, passport holders. “We see this as an an effort to be more environmentally friendly by producing less waste, she said”
Calderon says she has been able to provide a level of stability to the organization, by promoting the interest of the company through the fostering of strategic linkages both in St. Lucia and abroad, and maintaining a very strong supply relationship with the foreign and local raw material suppliers.
Her advocacy has secured the business interests of the company and has contributed to the survival of the business in difficult times.
As a member of the Industrial Fabric Association International, Caribbean Awning has won two international awards in 2004 and 2007 for outstanding production of awnings.
“We remain dedicated to quality assurance and excellent customer service,” Calderon quipped.