Take a trip with us as we journey through the history of manufacturing in Barbados. Learn about our longstanding manufacturers; those who stood the test of time and some who didn’t. These stories are not just another history lesson but information and knowledge imparted by the visionaries of our bygone days.

Part 1

Take a trip with us as we journey through the history of manufacturing in Barbados. Learn about our longstanding manufacturers; those who stood the test of time and some who didn’t. These stories are not just another history lesson but information and knowledge imparted by the visionaries of During the 17th until the early 20th Century most economic activity was centered around agriculture particularly sugar production so it came as no surprise that most manufacturing that would have taken place during that time was also based on this particular crop production.

From as early as 1637 one witnessed the distillation of Barbadian rum which was done on small scale distilleries around the island. Initially, such distillation was not systematic but with the official opening of Mount Gay in 1703, rum production became organised and regular.

As the 20th Century approached and early into this century many of the manufacturing businesses as we know them today opened their doors. It was at this point that we saw the expansion of manufacturing which was not based solely on agriculture… this marked a shift in manufacturing within Barbados. These businesses included:

• Cole’s Printery (1860)
• The West Indies Rum Distilleries (1893)
• BICO Ltd. (1901)
• Purity Bakeries (1910)
• West India Biscuit Company (1910)
• Zephrin’s Bakeries (1923)
• R.L. Seale and Company (1926)
• Roberts Manufacturing (1944)

Part 2

1950s

During the 1950’s the Barbadian manufacturing sector continued to grow with the creation of:

• Écaf Products (1955)
• TMR (1958)
• Bank Breweries (1958)

In addition, with the expansion of the then Seawell International Airport (now Grantley Adams International Airport) there began an influx of tourists to the island. Craft persons were subsequently given a greater opportunity to sell their hand-made products which resulted in the early formation of a clearly defined handicraft sector. (The first basketry workshop was consequently established in Edgehill, St. Thomas).

1960s
The Government of Barbados, under its Development Plan of 1965-1968, sought the establishment of domestic industries that would have been willing and able to export extra-regionally and intra-regionally specifically to the Eastern Caribbean region. [Additionally, it is worth noting that one of the first Industrial Estates (Grazettes Industrial Estate) had opened its doors to its first clients which included Yankee Garments, Mapp’s Garments and Angelus Furniture in 1961].

Under Sir Arthur Lewis’ strategy of “Industrialisation by Invitation” one observed the further expansion of manufacturing within Barbados by large Multinational Companies such as Berger Paints (in 1964), Tansitor Electronics (1969), among others who would all have been drawn to the country by the aggressive campaign which was promoting Barbados as “an ideal location for doing business.”

Other companies that would have been formed in this decade would have included (but not limited to):

• Carlisle Laboratories (1961)
• Oran Ltd. (1964)
• Mico Garment Factory (1965)
• Barbados Dairy Industries (1966)
• Trowel Plastics (1966)

These companies were formed against the backdrop of a stream of Barbadian-owned companies making their mark on the industrial sector serving as testimony to the favourable economic, infrastructural and legislative climate that prevailed.

1970s
By this time, the manufacturing sector had been employing some 12,000 persons and was continually growing. Companies such as Solar Dynamics, Moore Paragon, Harris Paints, etc. originated within this decade. Furthermore, the policies developed under the theory of “Industrialisation by Invitation” helped in creating a favorable legislative environment for many foreign-owned manufacturing companies such as TRW, Corcom, Playtex International, Standard Memories, among others, to come and set up operations within Barbados.

Part 3

1980s and Onwards

The 1980s saw the further expansion of both the service and manufacturing industries. Manufacturing operations in the business of garment and furniture production also increased.

Such expansion signalled the start of the first Barbados Manufacturers’ Exhibition (BMEX) from July 1 – 4, 1982 at Terminal Two of the Grantley Adams International Airport. This offered the opportunity for Barbadian manufacturers to showcase the exceptional quality of their products to visitors and locals alike, thus gaining an awareness of the wide range of products being produced in the island.

But the 1990s issued in a new era which brought with it the challenges related to trade liberalisation. One, therefore, saw a decrease in the number of persons being employed in the manufacturing sector since many of the manufacturing companies who had set up operations under “Industrialisation by Invitation” had closed such operations and relocated to other markets with lower labour costs.

Surveys conducted quite recently showed that by the end of 2007 there were some 358 manufacturing companies employing some 9,317 persons in the industry. These companies could be categorised in the following sub-sectors:

• Furniture and Wooden Products
• Electronics
• Food and Beverages
• Garments
• Printing and Publishing
• Plastics and Chemicals
• Construction Materials

As we look towards the future, it can be noted that the manufacturing industry has provided growth, quality, livelihood and Barbadian pride. Through the initiatives of the Brands of Barbados (Buy Bajan) Campaign and the innovative pursuits coming out of the BMEX exhibition, our local manufacturers are making their mark alongside international brands and our island is much better for this.

Buy Local Campaign Organised to Boost Local Manufacturing

The Manufacturer, a Journal of the Barbados Manufacturers’ Association September’s 1989 Special 25th Anniversary Issue. In 1965, a standing committee was set up to formulate plans for a “buy local” campaign. The campaign’s main aim was to promote the need for Barbadians to buy locally produced goods, thereby supporting our local manufacturing industry. This campaign ran for the month of June and consisted of radio and television features, shop window displays and an exhibition at Pelican Village. The campaign’s slogan was “Build Barbados, Build Industry”.

Buy Local – An Ongoing BMA Theme

“Buy Local” is an ongoing theme of the BMA. The Association has stressed that not only manufacturers benefit from the buying local concept; but the country benefits as well through the creation of jobs in industry while at the same time avoiding the leakage of foreign exchange.

In 1972, the first Trade Fair organised by the Association was held. It was called “Furniture ‘72” and was the first exposition of its kind to feature locally-made furniture. The opportunity offered Barbadian furniture manufacturers the much welcome chance to display their skill as well as a wide variety of furniture technique and styles to the public.

Industry Week

Another furniture exposition was staged during “Industry Week”. On this occasion the public saw the introduction of a Mobile Exhibition which complimented the annual show window displays. This exhibition visited several rural areas, demonstrating to the public the range and quality of locally made items. This novel presentation met with acceptance wherever it was viewed. “Furniture ‘73” was however, held at the Ursuline Convent.

The “Buy Local” concept has intensified over the years especially around “Industry Week”. This week which took place in 1975 was planned jointly by the BMA and the Industrial Development Corporation (IDC) to replace the two weeks that would have been celebrated otherwise.

Steps were taken in 1981 to boost the buy local theme with the introduction of EXPO ’81. This was a local furniture exhibition during Industry Week which featured activities organised by the IDC. The exhibition itself was a highly successfully venture which was praised by government officials including the Minister of Trade. Attorney General, Henry Forde expressed the opinion that it should become an annual event. Soon BMEX was born and today has become the largest local trade exposition. However, this name was adopted in 1982.