RA Williams Distributors Ltd expands operation in St Catherine

RA Williams Distributors Limited has unveiled its latest expansion venture in St Catherine with the inauguration of a state-of-the-art office and temperature-controlled storage facility in the New Brunswick Village, Spanish Town.

The new facility, spanning 21,000 square feet, is equipped with cutting-edge technology, including a hybrid solar system generating 132.5 kilowatts of power. This system is designed to fulfil 95 percent of the company’s annual energy requirements, ensuring uninterrupted power supply day and night, thus underscoring the company’s commitment to sustainability and efficiency.

Speaking at the official opening ceremony on Wednesday, company Chairman John Bailey expressed his enthusiasm for the new facility, stating, “Bringing opportunities for growth and innovation, this new building will serve as a catapult towards our mission of enhancing healthcare in our communities by providing innovative solutions that save and improve lives.”

CEO Audley Reid recounted the company’s journey from its inception, highlighting its evolution from a traditional pharmacy service to a pharmaceutical distribution powerhouse. “We experienced first hand the challenges faced by patients who could not afford essential drug treatments,” Reid remarked. “It was this reality that caused us to transcend the confines of traditional pharmacy services and shift gears to pharmaceutical distribution.”

Reflecting on the company’s growth trajectory recording $11 billion in sales this year, Reid noted, “From a single product to now over 130 products spanning eight international pharmaceutical manufacturers, reflects our commitment to providing a wide array of high-quality products to meet the needs of our customers.”

The expansion also marks significant partnerships for the company, including welcoming Fourrts Laboratory from India as their ninth pharmaceutical manufacturer and finalising a deal with Ryvis Pharma as their second distributor in Jamaica.

Senator Aubyn Hill, minister of industry, investment, and commerce, commended RA Williams Distributors Ltd for its remarkable growth, attributing it to the synergy between big and small businesses. “Jamaica’s exports of pharmaceuticals were recorded at US$5.6m in 2022,” Senator Hill highlighted. “This warms my heart, I say that to say we must export more. We, as Jamaicans, must change the way we export and export a lot more.”

Senator Hill also addressed the country’s low per capita gross domestic product (GDP), emphasising the need for change. “We are Jamaicans; nobody is going to change it for us,” he asserted. “We Jamaicans must change the way we export and export a lot.”

The unveiling of the new facility, according to Hill, signals a significant milestone for RA Williams Distributors Ltd as it continues to drive innovation, efficiency, and sustainability in its operations, while also contributing to the growth and development of the healthcare sector in Jamaica.