Construction equipment supplier IMCA Jamaica Limited is ushering into a new decade with the Friday (July 9) groundbreaking of what will be a state-of-the-art country headquarters along 443 Spanish Town Road in Kingston. 

The Dominican Republic-based company has enjoyed 14 years of success in Jamaica, as the leading choice in earthmoving and mining. 

IMCA, as of March 2008, is the island’s sole authorised distributor for the Caterpillar, Metso Outotec and John Deere brands, as well as business solutions in marine engines and electrical generators.

Today, IMCA is deepening roots with its US$8 million corporate offices, complete with showrooms, equipment workshops, spare parts storage and an exhibition patio—over a sprawling 32,000 square feet lot along one of the city’s industrial districts.

The project, which Our Today was informed will take 12 months to finish, is wholly funded by Jamaican firm Sygnus Real Estate Financing (SRF), a subsidiary of the Sygnus Group. 

Works on the project will be carried out by Remlac Construction Limited, and will employ some 200 persons as well as 82 permanent jobs on completion.

The location was handpicked by SRF after both companies executed a letter of intent in June 2019, according to David Cummings, Sygnus Group Vice President and head of real estate and project finance.

“Very shortly, when Remlac Construction completes their work, the world-famous Caterpillar brand will have a new home in Jamaica,” he said.

In his brief remarks, Jose Sasso, country director at IMCA Jamaica, hailed the ceremony as a momentous occasion—equally a big as when the subsidiary launched in 2008.

“I’m very happy to be here as we mark the beginning of construction of this new facility. IMCA is a 76-year-old company from the Dominican Republic that has served the market with machinery, equipment and power solutions,” Sasso began. 

“The build-out of this new facility will help us in our mission to provide the best working environment for our employees and deliver solutions that exceed the expectations of our customers and stakeholders. We are grateful for the opportunity to contribute to the sustainable development of the Jamaican economy and will continue to play our role [through] social responsibility and nation-building,” he added.

For her part, Dominican Republic Ambassador to Jamaica, Angie Martínez Tejera said the groundbreaking ceremony was a testament to the strong ties between the two countries.

“It is with a sense of pride and joy that I stand here this morning, not only as we are witnessing the gradual resurgence of life as we knew it, but most importantly, a Dominican investment in Jamaica,” she said.

“In more recent years, we have seen both countries opening borders in a significant way to commercial trade. We have also seen a number of companies taking advantage of these numerous opportunities, with a view to consolidating the relationship,” the stateswoman continued.

In her remarks, Ambassador Martínez said that IMCA has been such a company that sowed the possibility that exists since their arrival in Jamaica in 2008. 

“IMCA has cemented itself in the landscape of the Jamaica construction industry. IMCA is the source of 120 direct and indirect jobs—99 per cent of which are Jamaicans,” she explained.

“This Dominican investment in Jamaica is not an isolated one; we can see that in many sectors such as construction, tourism, transportation, energy and agriculture,” she spoke further.

Ambassador Martínez delivered an impromptu mandate on behalf of President Luis Abinader to Prime Minister Andrew Holness, who was also in attendance, that the Dominican Republic is open for business.

She underscored that while bilateral relations with Jamaica are strong and the Dominican Republic is pleased with its levels of investment, the Spanish-speaking Caribbean neighbour wants fairer and reciprocal foreign trade with the island. 

“I would like to wish for IMCA Jamaica and Sygnus Group all best and God’s richest blessing in the construction phase of this project. I look forward to returning soon for the opening of an impressive, state-of-the-art facility,” Martínez remarked.

In his keynote address, an assured PM Holness argued that groundbreakings, like the IMCA Jamaica event, were a sign of the island’s continued economic resurge.

“Every groundbreaking is a signal of confidence in the future. It is a signal of belief in our strong recovery from the effects of the [coronavirus] pandemic, but for me, above all others, it is a signal of confidence in the Government,” he said. 

“Investors, both local and foreign, will take the risk of putting down their cash and the cash of citizens who are investing in the various instruments mentioned, that the Government will maintain good economic policy to ensure these investments are a success,” Holness argued.

He continued that these events needed to be highlighted to contest public perception that “nothing is happening in the country”.

“This is a major investment in the country and I am pleased that IMCA Jamaica, as sole authorised dealer of Caterpillar, has chosen to deepen its investment in Jamaica. There is good news happening in the country,” he said.