Fresh off the heels of announcing a 2-million-dollar expansion to the Bahamian Brewery and Beverage Company, CEO Jimmy Sands hosted members of the media and government officials at the company’s Grand Bahama site to view the work currently being done at the Queens Highway facility; work which is particularly significant in the wake of hurricane Matthew which had far reaching and serious implications for scores of businesses on the island of Grand Bahama.
A veteran of the beverage industry Mr. Sands has long had a soft spot for Grand Bahama – the island of his mother’s birth – and says his decision to invest in GB was driven in part, by the business advantages offered to companies operating in Freeport’s Industrial park; as well as its geographic proximity to a major port.
The upgrades projected to be completed over the next several months, marks the fourth major investment in the Brewery and further represents the company’s commitment to the economy of Grand Bahama. What started as a small operation of only 14 employees and an initial investment of 15 million dollars has, in the past decade, blossomed into a countrywide phenomenon which now boasts 120 employees and which continues to make significant economic impact.
Once completed, the upgrades will include a new 35 thousand ft. warehouse increasing the square footage from approximately 40 thousand square feet to over 100 thousand square feet, improving the facilities while increasing storage capacity.
Taking note of the potential for further economic growth and specifically the encouragement of opportunities for Bahamian entrepreneurs Grand Bahama Minister Michael Darville praised the expansion as an economic catalyst.
“This expansion is a clear indication that Grand Bahama is the industrial capital of the Bahamas” noted the Minister. “it has the ability to produce products and to attract entrepreneurs throughout the country to invest in the island and capitalize on all the duty-free concessions available within the free trade zone”.
True to its mandate The Bahamian Brewery and Beverage Company remains a 100 percent Bahamian-owned and operated company a feat which Mr. Sands says is a credit to his team.
Daily, the brewery facilitates a minimum of 100 tours, giving scores of hotel guests and cruise ship passengers the opportunity to visit the facility, see first-hand how the Award-Winning beers of the Sands brand are made and experience the taste.
Grand Bahamas’ “Truly Bahamian” brewery opened in 2007 with the launch of its first beer SANDS. The 20-acre brewery is located on the intersection on Queen’s Highway and Grand Bahama Way and is a 100% Bahamian owned business. The brewery also produces “Triple B”, a natural malt drink, sold via Asa H Pritchard Distributors as well as STRONG BACK, SANDS LIGHT, HIGH ROCK AND BUSH CRACK. Bahamian Brewery and Beverage team currently employee just over 80 staff and recently expanded its operation into Nassau, opening a capital-based distribution center at Kelly’s Liquor Store on Wulff Rd. All Bahamian Brewery & Beverage products are also available at Bristol Wines & Spirits locations, Simms Brothers and your truly Bahamian outlets.
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