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Year: 2018

ARC Manufacturing Awarded ISO 9001:2015 Certification

Following a rigorous and extensive series of company-wide audits by the National Certification Body of Jamaica (NCBJ), ARC Manufacturing Limited has been awarded the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) 9001:2015 certificate of conformity for its comprehensive quality management system, the company has announced.

This ISO certification signifies that ARC Manufacturing Limited has demonstrated its ability to consistently provide products and services that meet both customer and regulatory requirements.

In the release, the company said the certification augurs well for consumers’ confidence that ARC’s products and services are safe, qualified and reliable.

Given the company’s burgeoning efforts towards the export markets, Executive Chairman of ARC Manufacturing Limited, Norman Horne, stated that this ISO certification could not have been a more opportune achievement.

“There is tremendous potential in the export market for building materials, and ARC strives to take advantage of this,” Horne stated. “This ISO certification is globally recognised and respected, so we have no doubt that this will enhance the competitiveness of our business, and provide credible proof that the products and services meet acceptable global standards.”

ARC Manufacturing awarded ISO 9001:2015 certificationHorne continued, “This achievement is a testament to the hard work of the team at ARC, and our commitment to providing our customers with product and service consistency. We have been doing business for over twenty years, and throughout that time, we have worked tirelessly on continuously improving our processes, and investing in the most efficient systems for the business. So I’m very excited about the prospects that this brings.”

The certification comes on the heels of ARC’s recent victory at the first annual Jamaica Manufacturers and Exporters Association Awards Gala, where the building materials manufacturer copped the NCBJ Quality and Standards Award.

Over the past 18 months, ARC said it has been focused on reinforcing the company’s culture of quality among its employees with regularly-held awareness trainings and seminars, ISO awareness sessions, internal auditing and other related sensitisation efforts.

Michelle Sturridge, Manager at NCBJ, congratulated the manufacturing company on its achievement, saying: “ARC Manufacturing Company Limited, achieving ISO 9001:2015 Certification, is commendable, as there is a need for more Jamaican Manufacturers to increase their efficiency and productivity while they play a pivotal role as major contributors to wealth creation, employment and sustainable development for the country. The ISO 9001 certification will contribute to the greatness of this organization as it seeks to compete in the local and international sphere.”

Published by Loop News. 

ARC MANUFACTURING OPENS INTERNSHIP PROGRAMME TO CHILDREN OF STAFF

Kingston, Jamaica—Friday, September 7, 2018: A devoted family man, Norman Horne, Executive Chairman at ARC Manufacturing Ltd., has always been committed to developing not just his employees, but their families as well. One of the ways in which Horne does this is through an annual summer internship programme at ARC Manufacturing, which is open primarily to the children of staff members.

The programme, which runs from July to August each year, gives the participants an opportunity to gain invaluable work experience in all areas of the manufacturing business. From Information Technology, Finance and Administration to Sales and Manufacturing, over 20 youngsters this year got the chance to learn and earn during the summer months.

“Children must learn from early to manage their own economies if they’re going to survive in today’s world,” Horne, a father of seven, stated. “This internship programme is not just to help the children of my team members to earn something for themselves; it also gives them the chance to see how their parents make a living and inspire to start doing so for themselves.”

Horne added, “One of the most important things to me in this internship programme is that the children are given actual work to do. I want them to think, solve problems, speak up and contribute, instead of just completing the mundane day-to-day tasks like filing and photocopying. When they leave ARC at the end of the summer, I want to know that they have actually learnt something valuable, and are on their way to discovering their true passions.”

For Choanne Bailey-Kidd, Senior Manager of International Business and Inventory, her 22-year old son Jelani, has been part of the programme for the past five years. Now in first year at the University of Technology, Bailey-Kidd shared that Jelani practically grew up at ARC.

“ARC Manufacturing has given Jelani a lot of exposure to the working world,” Bailey-Kidd said. “He has worked in so many different areas of the business that I’m sure that when it’s time for him to get a full-time job, he will make a seamless transition because of his experience at ARC.”

Similarly, Security Manager, Moses Sutherland, observed that the programme had a positive impact on his 17-year-old daughter, Camille.

“This internship programme is really a great initiative,” Sutherland stated. “The fact that my family benefits in this way shows that I am appreciated by the company, and my daughter has also been able to benefit from her experience here. She has learnt the value of punctuality, finishing her tasks on time and team work, and that will prepare her to excel in school, and later, the working world.”

For Office Attendant, Elaine McKenzie, the internship programme has been a huge help financially. McKenzie shared that her son, Mosiah, was able to pay his entry fee for University from his earnings, and also make a contribution to the household.

“Back-to-school time is usually very stressful, and that’s something all parents can relate to,” said McKenzie. “So, the fact that ARC was willing to hire my son as an intern, and pay him, has really been a big help for us. He is able to learn and get all this work experience, and he’s practising responsibility as he still makes a contribution to the household expenses out of what he earns. I am really grateful for what this programme has done for my family.”

Hanover Hope Foundation Students Tour ARC Manufacturing plant

A visit to ARC Manufacturing Ltd on Bell Road in Kington proved to be a huge source of inspiration for a group of over 50 students from Hanover.

The group toured the ARC Manufacturing plant recently, as part of an initiative by the Hanover Hope Foundation.

Intrigued by the operations they were introduced to on the tour, quite a number of students expressed interest in pursuing careers in the manufacturing industry. Even one young aspiring lawyer shared that she was seriously contemplating making a switch to the sciences so that she could earn the requisite qualifications to become an engineer.

“Normally, a lot of people don’t think about all the careers out there other than the usual doctor, lawyer, teacher and police,” shared Julian Blagrove, a student from Rose Hall High School. “But at ARC, we got to see so many other professionals at work, even in some careers we never knew existed before. I’m definitely inspired and very happy that I got to come and see it for myself.”

Another student, Ovando Bates from Green Island High School, was shocked to see a female forklift operator at work.

“I never knew women did those kinds of jobs,” said Bates. “But it’s really cool to see women doing those things and it just shows you that there really are no limits to what people can do, whether they are men or women.”

Katrin Casserly, a member of the Hanover Hope Foundation, noted: “We wanted to expose the students to manufacturing and other non-traditional careers, and we thought ARC would be perfect for that. The students were able to see first-hand how a manufacturing plant works, and they got the chance to talk to the people who work there, ask them questions and learn how things work.”

Casserly added, “Many of the students have never been to Kingston before, and even those who have may not necessarily have gotten exposure to this side of the town. So I am glad the students got the opportunity to come and see it for themselves, and I am even more happy about how inspired they are to use what they have learnt in their own lives. It really gives us a lot of hope, and that is the kind of experience we want to create for Hanover youths through the Foundation.”

Over 50 students from Rusea’s, Rhodes Hall, Green Island and Hopewell High Schools in Hanover participated in the tour, which started at ARC Manufacturing Ltd. The group also visited several iconic spots in Kingston, including the National Gallery and the Caribbean Maritime Institute.

Published by Loop Jamaica.

Manufacturer Calls for Government to Improve Export Policies for Economic Growth

Kingston, Jamaica—Wednesday, 25th April, 2018: On the heels of the highly successful JMA/JEA Expo Jamaica 2018 event, local manufacturer Norman Horne, executive chairman of ARC Manufacturing Ltd. is calling for the government to improve current export policies and procedures and make it easier for Jamaica’s productive sector to compete and tap into international markets.

Local Manufacturer Impressed by Students’ Interest in Productive Sector

Kingston, Jamaica—20th April, 2018: While buyers explored the aisles of the 2018 JMA/JEA Expo for locally manufactured products, local manufacturer Norman Horne, hosted a group of students from the Ardenne High School Entrepreneurship Club. The visit quickly turned into a mentorship session, as the students engaged Horne with probing questions about his company, the industry and his personal experience as an entrepreneur and manufacturer in Jamaica.

“It’s refreshing to see so many young persons interested in the local manufacturing sector,” Horne observed. “Typically, high school students would lean towards more traditional professions but when you hear youngsters expressing an interest in entrepreneurship and manufacturing, it shows promise for Jamaica’s future.”

Horne was so impressed by the students that he invited them to intern at ARC Manufacturing Ltd where they will be exposed to invaluable hands-on experience.

“As a local manufacturer, I want to play a part in encouraging these students to take advantage of the opportunities that are available locally. There are many under-served industries that could be turned into lucrative ventures for youths who aspire to be entrepreneurs and sometimes, all they need is a little inspiration and guidance from those who are in the sector.”

Grateful for the opportunity to engage a local Managing Director in conversation, Head Girl of Ardenne High, Lori-Ann Grossett said, “Talking to Mr. Horne has really shown me how important it is to think outside of the box. Being able to get his insight on accessing capital and resources as a business owner, as well as managing and mitigating risks was really helpful, and I’m very happy I was able to talk to him this way.”

She added, “When we asked why he changed from working in the banking sector to the manufacturing industry, he said that the potential to sell commodities is unlimited, while services can only be offered within the twenty-four hours of each day. That was something I hadn’t thought of before, so that was also very eye-opening for me.”

Melanie Dwyer, Faculty Coordinator for the Club and Business Teacher at Ardenne High School also noted, “I always appreciate opportunities for our students to interact with top local business leaders and Mr. Horne was able to give the students a good look at the industry. I know this will go a far way for them.”

Horne is Executive Chairman of ARC Manufacturing Ltd, a local manufacturer and distributor of building materials. The company  produces and distributes building materials, including nails, wire products, structural materials, roofing profiles and zinc. ARC Manufacturing also operates the only lumber treatment plant in Jamaica and has a total of seven factories on its Kingston property.