Demerara Distillers Limited’s expansion at Bird Rock in St Kitts-Nevis which was reported in yesterday’s Kiskadee Watch is valued at US$10m ($2b).
A statement yesterday from DDL said that the modernisation project is designed to substantially increase its operational footprint in the region.
The new multi-purpose complex, it said, will feature expanded bottling, packaging, and state-of-the-art warehousing capacity, positioning the facility as a pivotal hub to serve St. Kitts & Nevis, as well as surrounding island markets across the Eastern Caribbean.
“Beyond enhancing core manufacturing and logistics, the development will feature dedicated retail and commercial spaces, along with an interactive Heritage Centre modelled after DDL’s renowned Heritage Centre at its corporate headquarters in Diamond, Guyana. The St. Kitts Heritage Centre will curate and celebrate the rich history and cultural legacy of rum in the Federation, offering curated tours and immersive experiences for local visitors and international tourists alike”, DDL said.
DDL Executive Chairman Komal Samaroo said that the expansion reflects the company’s commitment to deepening its investments in the region and driving
sustainable economic integration within CARICOM.
“Demerara Distillers has been an integral part of the business landscape in St. Kitts and Nevis for 31 years. This … expansion is not merely an investment in infrastructure; it is an investment in our people, our heritage, and the future of regional trade. By expanding our bottling, packaging, and distribution capabilities, we are better positioned to supply regional markets while celebrating the shared historical craftsmanship of Caribbean rum through our new Heritage Centre”.
While in St. Kitts, the DDL executive team, led by Samaroo, met with the project’s supervising consultancy firm to finalize key timelines and milestones for
completion.
The release said that the redevelopment project will also integrate modern laboratory and quality-control infrastructure, administrative offices and energy-efficient building technologies, including renewable energy options where practical. Construction is set to create employment in St Kitts, skill-development opportunities, and commercial linkages for local contractors and suppliers
across the twin-island Federation.
The investment marks a significant milestone in DDL’s longstanding history in the
Federation, where the company has operated successfully for more than three decades, having first set up its operations in 1996.
In a statement on his Facebook page, St Kitts and Nevis Prime Minister Dr Terrance Drew said: “For three decades, DDL has been part of our economic landscape, and this continued investment represents confidence in our country, confidence in our people, and confidence in the opportunities that lie ahead.
“As a Government, we want investment that does more than expand businesses. We want investment that creates jobs, builds skills, supports local entrepreneurs and suppliers, strengthens manufacturing, expands exports and ensures that the benefits of growth reach households and communities across our Federation.
“This is also Caribbean integration in action, a Guyanese company investing and expanding in St. Kitts and Nevis, creating opportunities that strengthen our shared regional future”.
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