London’s new owner of Villamar

Shafia London, Executive Director of the Chamber of Industry and Commerce (CIC), is embarking on a new venture.{{more}}

She is the new owner of Villamar Ltd, a Caribbean Gourmet food processing company. The company was purchased from Simone and Miguele Despointes, who are approaching retirement and were willing to sell. They will, however, stay on for one year here in St. Vincent, to transfer their skills to London.

Persons present at the re-launch of the business at The French Verandah Restaurant (Mariners Hotel), Villa last Thursday, spoke of London’s drive, dynamism and intellect.

The young proprietor, who is a national scholar, holds an Undergraduate Degree in Bio-Chemistry and a Master’s Degree in Bio-Chemical Engineering with Business Management. She said that during the last year, she had been assessing the company and decided to purchase it after recognizing the “huge potential” that it has.

Delivering a captivating presentation, which outlined the company’s goals and vision, London expressed thanks to the large gathering of business executives for the support that they had shown.

She said that she and her staff will be striving to develop the company to unlock its full potential. Plans are also in place to expand production.

The company will also be making changes to packaging, developing its products and setting up a website.

Villamar is the only company here that produces yogurt. On this note, London said her goal is to make it creamier, fruitier and more delicious.

Other general plans include exploring new markets, improving the taste, ensuring consistency, promoting the company, building the staff, improving the production system, moving into a new facility and meeting the needs of customers.

Stating the company’s 2020 vision, London said in 10 years time, she desires to have the company well recognized internationally as a business that consistently offers high quality Caribbean cuisines.

Giving a sneak preview of the company’s website, London said customers now have the opportunity to shop online, and the items purchased will be delivered directly to them.

“Our products are secret and established recipes and processes,” said London, noting that the company has 15 employees. She said there are plans in place to produce bulk juices soon.

In the meantime, the company produces delicacies such as stuffed crab backs, callaloo soups, fish fillets, samosas, balahoo, yogurt, and a wide range of frozen meals.

The company sells its products to supermarkets, hotels, restaurants, caterers, and to anyone interested in savouring the products.

Miguele is said to be gifted with culinary skills. In her address, she spoke of the genesis of the company in 1990 with the first product produced by her husband and her being smoked fish. She recalled having the support of CK Greaves, which was her first supermarket client.

“Because of them we are now all over St.Vincent,” said Miguel.

She also praised her staff, while stating that the time has come for a young entrepreneur to take the company into the modern world. Miguel added that she and her husband are aging and their children have lived their lives elsewhere and are not interested in taking over the company.

Miguele said having seen London’s work, she and her husband are confident that the company is in competent hands.

She wished the company continued growth as well as seeing it grow bigger and better.

London also received the blessings of Erica McIntosh, Proprietor of Erica’s Country Style; Sylvia Sutherland, Accountant; Lennox Bowman, General Manager of GECCU; and Angus Steele, President of the Chamber of Industry and Commerce, who wished her success in her new venture.

It is now uncertain how long London will stay on as the Executive Director of the CIC.

During the evening’s launch, staff at Villamar received certificates of appreciation for their longstanding service.(HN)