1. European Commission, Borschette Centre Brussels
Upgrading to Compete in a Globalized World The Jamaican Experience as told by: Tijule Company Limited Dr. Juliet Newell
Brussels Rural Development Briefing
European Commission, Borschette Centre Brussels
September 23rd, 2009

2. Overview of Tijule Company Ltd.
Company Type - Agro processor
Size Medium sized
- Over 40,000 sq. ft.
Location Rural Jamaica
Number Employed - Permanent 64
- Part time 150
Products - Canned & frozen vegetables, Frozen (convenience meals), Baked Products, Jams Jellies Fruit bars, Jerk seasonings & Jerk Sauces, Condiments, Dips, Pastes and Marinades and dressings
Suppliers - Over 100 farmers supplying raw material

3. The Jamaican Operating Environment
The World Financial Crisis
Drying up of loans for investment
High collateral requirement for companies seeking to access loans
High Interest rates
Lower market demand for products
High Unemployment
Manufacturing slump world wide impacting local employment
Pending cuts in GOJ expenditure will mean more job cuts
High Crime Rate

4. Specific Challenges for Tijule
Finance:
Difficulty in accessing loans at concessionary rates for investment and business development
High levels of raw material inventory
Financing the company’s quality initiatives
Financing Market Research
Market:
Lower market demand for some products
How to maintain a fresh presence in the market place
How to find new or expand current market share with limited resources
Human Resource:
Retaining trained staff as markets dry up and demand slumps
Accessing consultancy to help build capacity of the factory

5. Tijule’s Strategy to Compete
Finance: Challenge
Strategy
1.Difficulty in accessing loans for retooling etc.
2. High levels of raw material inventory
3. Financing the company’s
quality initiatives
4. Financing Market Research
The company uses retained earnings and seek grant funding where possible e.g. PSDP
It is important to be able to fill orders in a timely manner so this gets priority funding
Many donor agencies are willing to provide grants and technical assistance for improving Quality Initiatives – Tijule has been capitalizing on this thru funding from CDE and PSDP for HACCP/EMS(ISO14001) ISO22000
Seek assistance from trade organisations such as JTI/ JEA’s research desks. Use library resource (ITC Trade Map etc)

6. Tijule’s Strategy to Compete
Tijule has a wide variety of products for customers to choose from. Therefore when demand for one falls cheaper substitutes are demanded . Sustain market visibility thru continued presence at trade Expo. - Maintaining constant contact with distributors also help to push the Tijule brands (Juliana and Nel’s Old Time)
Revamped and upgraded collateral material/labels with the help of grant funding (PSDP) – This has helped to Build and enhance brand awareness
3. Tijule has now adopted the use of technology with the establishment of a web presence
This was done with the assistance of grant funds from PSDP. The company is now able to reach new streams of potential buyers.
Market Challenge:
Lower market demand for some products
How to maintain a fresh presence in the market place
How to find new or expand current market share with limited resources

7. Tijule’s Strategy to Compete
Resource Challenge:
Retaining trained staff as markets dry up and demand slumps
Accessing consultancy to help build capacity of the factory
Strategy
The company has adopted a 4 day work week in order to retain employment for all staff during the slow period
Technical Assistance is always appreciated. Retaining overseas experts is only affordable through the assistance of Donor Agencies. Tijule has been the recipient of such assistance through the CDE, PSDP and PUM Senior Expert Service.

8. Thank you!