Eighteen local companies emerged winners for demonstrating their commitment to quality in this year’s edition of the Guyana National Bureau of Standards (GNBS) National Quality Awards (NQA).
Those local businesses entered the categories of services, manufacturing, small business manufacturing, small business services, and agro-processing with specific awards also distributed for customer-focus, continuous improvement, and health & safety and Environmental Initiatives.
During the award ceremony held at the Guyana Marriott Hotel at Kingston, Georgetown, on Wednesday, the Chairperson for the National Standards Council Shannielle Hossein-Outar said the winners were chosen based on assessments, audits and performance that reflect quality principles.
“The GNBS conducts stringent assessments of the operating systems of each business to determine performance to quality principals, safety and environmental requirements,” Hossein-Outar said.
The top awardees are: Massy Distribution received the top award for exemplary service; Massy Gas Group received the overall manufacturing award; Sterling Products Limited took home the top award for continuous improvement manufacturing; Guyana Shore Base Inc. received a top award for its performance in occupational Health and Safety in manufacturing and service; Ramdeholl and Sons Jewellery was the overall winner for small business manufacturing; Doobay- Gafoor Medical and Research Centre Inc. was the overall winner for small business services
Basdeo Dynasty was presented the overall winning award in micro-agro processing.
Occupational Health and Safety in manufacturing award was presented to NAMILCO, Denmore Garments received the top award for Occupational Health and Safety in small business manufacturing; Banks DIH was awarded for its customer focus in manufacturing and small businesses; St Joseph Mercy Hospital was awarded for its customer focus in services, while Industrial Safety Supplies of Guyana was awarded for its customer focus in small business services.
Meanwhile, MACORP received the top award for its continuous improvement in services, Quest Medical Centre was awarded for its continuous improvement in small business services, and Woodlands Lmt. Pathology Laboratories was awarded for occupational, health and safety in small business services. And, New GPC Inc. received the top award for Environmental Initiatives in Manufacturing, Guyana Deep Water received the top award for Environmental Initiatives in Services and ActionINVEST Guyana Inc. received the award for best Environmental Initiatives in Small business.
Though all 106 businesses that applied did not qualify, Safrana Cameron-Baird, the Acting Director of Commerce at the Ministry of Tourism Industry and Commerce, said the level of interest shown by companies to meet critical business standards is encouraging and gives confidence to the development of these businesses.
“The fact that you are recognised is a confirmation of your commitment to standards with your specific organisation.
“The level of interest is an excellent foundation for the expansive growth taking place in our economy,” the Acting Director said.
She added that policymakers can rest assured that the approaches to promote safety and quality are effective given the size of the companies that participated.
The National Quality Awards forms parts of activities for National Quality Week 2023 (October 8th – 14th) to engage and educate stakeholders on the importance of quality and standards.
