Former president of the Jamaica Agricultural Society Norman Grant has been appointed managing director and board director of the Mavis Bank Coffee Factory Limited (MBCF), effective January 2022.

In making the announcement, Michael Lee-Chin, chairman of MBCF, Andover Blue Mountain Coffee Estates and Wallenford Coffee Company Limited, said Grant would also join as a direcor of Wallenford Coffee Company, effective May 1.

Grant will be responsible for the merged coffee business of Mavis Bank Coffee Factory and Wallenford Coffee Company, reporting to the board of directors.

Grant, the MBCF said, continues to bring to the board of directors and the company a wealth of knowledge and experience gained from approximately four decades of involvement in the Jamaica Blue Mountain Coffee industry and in the coffee value chain of farming, processing and manufacturing, distributing and marketing in Jamaica and globally.

CERTIFIED COFFEE CUP TASTER

A certified coffee cup taster, Grant started his career in July 1983 with Jablum Jamaica Limited and Mavis Bank Coffee Factory, where he worked in various capacities within the group of companies including farming, manufacturing, production, operations, quality control assurance and administration.

Among the positions he has held in the organisation are production and accounting clerk, administrative manager, financial controller, operations and quality control manager, general manager, chief executive officer, managing director and CEO.

Grant, who is currently president of the Jamaica Coffeee Exporter’s Association, also served as a senator in the Jamaican Parliament from 2001 to 2016, JAS president from 2003 to 2009 and from 2012 to 2018 and chairman of the Jamaica 4H Clubs from 2001 to 2007 and from 2012 to 2016.

A chartered accountant, he also holds an MBA from the University of Manchester and Wales, UK and is currently pursuing DBA studies.

In 2015, he was recognised by the Jamaica Government with the award of membership in the Order of Distinction in the rank of officer (OD) for his contribution to the development of the island’s agricultural sector and the launch of the ‘Grow What We Eat’ campaign in November 2003. 

MBCF HONOURED WITH QUALITY AWARDS

Grant is also a minister of religion and a justice of the peace.

Recently, MBCF copped 10 Quality Awards bestowed by the Jamaica Agricultural Commodities Regulatory Authority (JACRA) at the Jamaica Blue Mountain Coffee Festival held at Devon House in St Andrew.

MBCF owns JABLUM, Wallenford and True Brew brands for Jamaica Blue Mountain Green Bean and Wallenford Coffee Company brands, as well as Jamaica Blue Mountain Roasted Coffee under the JABLUM and True Brew brands.

In receiving the awards, Grant said: “This is a proud moment for the shareholders, management, staff and coffee farmers of the MBCF as the company has focused on establishing a consistent supply of excellent quality coffee to all segments of our markets.”

The Awards won by MBCF were:

●    Gold Standard Award for Green Bean Processor 1 for Crop year 2020/2021

●    Gold Standard Award for Crop year 2021- Roasted Coffee

●    Silver Standard Award for Green Bean Processor 1 for Crop year 2019/2020

●    Silver Standard Award for Roasted Coffee Large Company for Crop year 2020

●    Bronze standard for roasted coffee by Wallenford Coffee

●    Silver Standard with Jablum and True Brew Instant Coffee

Grant noted that the company has “completed Safe Quality Food (SQF) re-certification under SQF Edition 9, scoring an amazing 97 per cent, which is a demonstration of our total commitment to quality as a culture in our organisation”. 

The Mavis Bank Coffee Factory currently purchases coffee from 3,500 local farmers and directly employs more than 300 people in the Mavis Bank area.