Associated Brands CEO reports factory in Colombia nears completion

Associated Brands Industries Ltd (ABIL), a local snack foods and cereals manufacturer, is capturing new markets outside the Caricom region.

The company which manufacturers chocolate confectionery, biscuits, snack foods and breakfast cereals is nearing completion of a manufacturing factory in Bogota, Colombia.

At a tour of one of its factory in on Monday, with Trade and Industry Minister Paula Gopee-Scoon, the group’s deputy chairman and CEO Nicholas Lok Jack said the company’s modernisation and expansion was a natural part of its business growth.

“Despite significant investments in our Trinidad and Tobago factories our group has also been investing heavily outside Caricom and is in the completion phase of a Greenfield manufacturing factory in Bogota, Colombia, he said in a statement on Friday.

“While investment in a physical factory is important, investment in the marketplace in intangible assets like brands is also critical.”

ABIL currently markets and distributes products in over 45 countries which includes Colombia, the Dominican Republic, Panama, Costa Rica, Ireland, Taiwan, the US, the Middle East, the Mediterranean and Caricom countries. It employs over 1,000 people in TT in its four factories locally, ABIL also has two factories in Malta and now one in Colombia. Its headquarters is at Bhagoutie Trace, San Juan.

Gopee-Scoon said she was pleased with the group’s innovation, use of technology and continued investment in their manufacturing and production processes

“The growth and expansion of ABIL over the years is as a direct result of their ongoing drive to penetrate new markets and diversify their product offering. This current expansion will further aid this agenda and increase the global competitiveness of your various product lines," she said.

“The government remains committed to providing the necessary support to businesses seeking to meet international standards and quality, enter new markets and increase their exports.”

Also present at the tour was ABIL’s chairman Arthur Lok Jack.