Coatings manufacturer EdgeChem Jamaica Limited officially launched its 35th anniversary celebrations with a thanksgiving service at St Jude’s Anglican Church in Stony Hill, signalling the start of a milestone year.

The service, officiated by Reverend Khan Honeyghan, brought together staff, leadership, and stakeholders in a spirit of gratitude and reflection, recognising the company’s journey from humble beginnings to national and regional impact.

Managing Director Doreen Frankson founded EdgeChem in 1991. The company began as a small operation in Olympic Gardens, St Andrew, with just two employees. Today, the company employs over 300 individuals across its 25 retail locations islandwide, and supplies more than 400 hardware stores across Jamaica, the Caribbean, and the United States.

In keeping with its commitment to community development, EdgeChem donated $100,000 to the church’s building fund and pledged to support beautification efforts by providing paint and making facility upgrades.

Following the service, a commemorative segment featured reflections from Director McLeod, long-standing team member Dakota Griffiths, and Chief Executive Officer Ockino Petrie, who highlighted the company’s evolution, culture, and future direction. The ceremony concluded with a cake-cutting to mark 35 years of growth, resilience, and contribution to Jamaica’s manufacturing sector.

Petrie explained that the company’s transformation from a manufacturer and distributor to a solutions provider could not be attributed to a simple milestone, but rather a mindset shift. He noted that it required building technical capability, investing in their people, deepening understanding of their customers, and ultimately taking ownership of quality, innovation, and impact.

Looking ahead, the CEO emphasised that “the 35th year is not the celebrations of  the  past, it is a launchpad for the future.” He further highlighted three key areas that will drive the company forward: enhancing operational excellence through technology, strengthening people and culture and expanding the product and service offerings to better serve customers.

EdgeChem, known for its range of automotive, industrial, decorative, and furniture coatings, continues to operate under its guiding philosophy of “One Team, One Goal,” with a strong emphasis on people, partnerships, passion, and product. Petrie

The company’s anniversary activities will continue throughout the year with a series of customer-focused promotions, engagements, and events aimed at strengthening relationships and giving back to the communities that have supported the brand over the decades.

In addition, EdgeChem plans to expand its community outreach through partnerships with corporate organisations, implementing multiple initiatives across the island rather than a single Labour Day project. These efforts are intended to create a wider impact and reinforce the company’s mission of “changing lives one gallon at a time”, explained EdgeChem’s CEO.

As EdgeChem marks its 35th anniversary on April 29, the milestone represents far more than longevity. It stands as a testament to vision and perseverance, enduring partnerships built on trust, and a passion that has remained steadfast over the years—shaping a legacy that continues to touch lives across Jamaica, one colour, one coating, and one community at a time