Jamaica Producers Group (JPG) Managing Director Jeffery Hall expressed his support for frontline workers at the start of his presentation at the company’s annual general meeting on Friday, June 19, 2020.
Hall took the opportunity, prior to his presentation of the management report, to acknowledge the most topical issue in the world – COVID-19.
Acknowledging that the usual cadre of shareholders was not present at the AGM, and watching via the secure meeting platform, Hall said the management chose to change the traditional AGM dress code from wearing the usual business suits and opted instead to show support by wearing the uniform of the JP front line team.
“This year, we felt duty bound to change our dress code slightly as a small gesture to show solidarity with our frontline workers all over the world. We just did not think it was the right to present ourselves to you as suit and tie people. The truth is, that everything that we do, every business that we operate is deemed to be an essential service in every country in which we operate,” he said.
“By associating myself firmly with the frontline workers everywhere, and with those of Jamaica Producers Group in particular, I want to thank and salute them for their courage and dedication at this time…”, he said.
Nigel Chambers, partner at KPMG; Jeffrey Hall, managing director of Jamaica Producers Group (JPG); Charles Johnston, chairman of JPG; Simone Pearson, group general counsel and corporate secretary of JPG; and Kathleen Moss, director of JPG settle in to the new normal for the 91st Annual General Meeting for JPG held recently at the JPG Head Office.
Hall reiterated that the core of the Group’s business is providing materials essential to and complimenting everyday life.
“None of [what we do] can be done by a Zoom call. Whether it be sourcing fruit from Egypt, Spain or South Africa to make juice for the Scandinavia[n markets], Belgium or the Netherlands. Or peeling plantain and banana to produce snacks or making Tortuga Rum Cake in Jamaica for sale to Costco in Texas in time for their Father’s Day promotion. The discharging a car ship with 2,000 cars or manning cranes to unload grain or containers of consumer goods or clearing the barrel of personal effects from relatives in London.
“Or harvesting bananas and pineapples in St Mary and making them available for sale every single day without fail on the road side in Half-Way-Tree or in supermarkets across Jamaica. All of it is extremely valuable to us as shareholders and to the communities in which we do business,” as Hall detailed the far-reaches of the Group.
Hall’s presentation set out a detailed plan to navigate the company through the COVID-19 pandemic. He pointed out that the businesses in which the Group was engaged were essential services and were organised to continue to serve their customers. He explained however that the businesses would seek to target channels that were growing during COVID-19 such as ecommerce as well as market trends such as healthy eating. He also indicated that the balance sheet of the Group was strong and the company had identified resources to engage in acquisitions of other businesses.
AGMs and COVID-19
COVID-19 has pushed many familiar processes into new constructs. The JPG AGM, which met quorum through a combination of proxy and attendees, was held utilising the following guidelines. Shareholders were encouraged to vote by proxy. Shareholders who were unable to attend the meeting were encouraged to send any questions ahead of the function by email. In addition, protocols were observed where all attendees had to wear masks, submit to a temperature check and to sanitise hands before entry. Seating was provided in accordance with legal regulations and social distancing best practices. Last, but not least, it was livestreamed for shareholders who chose not to be present.
Simone Pearson, group general counsel and corporate secretary of JPG commented that the AGM was a success and that the shareholders who were present were very satisfied with the meeting.
Attendees of the Jamaica Producers Group (JPG) 91st Annual General Meeting.