Gibsons Building Supplies longest serving employees

As Gibsons Building Supplies celebrates its 30th anniversary, some of the company’s longstanding employees, reflecting on their tenure with the company, have credited it for their personal development, but more so, for giving them an opportunity to serve Vincentians.{{more}}

Noel Simon, the company’s longest serving employee, who has served for a period spanning 29 years, said he started working with the company as a porter, but today has risen to the position of supervisor at the Victoria Park Road branch.

“The way I work with Gibson, I know that I am working with a family, so I put myself into the family,” said Simon, noting that it is a joy working at Gibsons Building Supplies.

Simon said while customers sometimes converse among themselves about being unable to meet the cost of items, he would listening to their problems and would consult them as to how he could assist. He said by the time they leave Gibsons Building Supplies Ltd. they are satisfied.

Brenton Nichols, another longstanding employee, who has been with the company for the past 21 years, also at the Victoria Park Road branch, said unlike some persons who have problems with customers, he enjoys working with them.

Nichols, a supervisor, said one of the high points of his tenure at Gibsons Building Supplies Ltd. was taking on the responsibility of having the business computerized.

He said that although the company has attained the 30th anniversary, he would like to see it achieve greater things by expanding its branches.

For the past 11 years, Amanda Harry-Ollivierre has been employed with Gibsons Building Supplies Ltd. She said working in Accounts has been an educating experience for her, but also challenging.

“I came at Gibsons Building Supplies Ltd. as a baby, because it was my first job. It has helped to mature me. When I came here, I didn’t know what to expect from the job market and Mrs. [Vendolle] Williams, she taught me everything,” said Harry-Ollivierre, adding that she now understands how to weigh the pros and cons of every decision that is to be made.

Edward Gibson, the Manager of Gibsons Building Supplies Bay Street branch, said he is elated that the company is celebrating its 30th anniversary. He has been with the company for 20 years.

“We always deal with a customer properly and try to give them extra discounts. We also provide transportation for customers’ items and have them delivered on time,” said Gibson.

Amidst the challenges the company faces, stemming mainly from the global recession, Gibson said he is confident that Gibsons Building Supplies Ltd., is the number one business supplier in St.Vincent and the Grenadines.

“Looking at what we are in today, to what we were in, I think we have made massive strides,” said Gibson.

Similar sentiments were expressed by Leslie Daize, a supervisor at the Gibsons Building Supplies Bay Street branch, who has been with the company for 21 years. He started with the company as an attendant and grew with it.

“Over the years, we have been providing for poor people with the better prices around, because as you know, some of our competitors cannot come up with prices. Also, we are known for supplying goods to people that they cannot access at other places,” said Daize, adding that he is confident the company will make more progress in the future.