Harris Paints Guyana Celebrates Grand Opening of New Manufacturing Plant and Flagship Paint Store

Harris Paints Guyana is proud to announce the official opening of its new state-of-the-art manufacturing facility and flagship retail store in Beterverwagting, marking a major milestone in the company's over 30-year history in Guyana. This significant investment and expansion demonstrates Harris Paints' continued commitment to delivering top-quality products and supporting the economic growth of Guyana, one of the world's fastest-growing economies.

The new facility represents the dawn of an exciting new era for both Harris Paints and the Guyanese market. This 10,000-square-foot, two-story building, set on a 25,000-square-foot plot, is set to enhance local manufacturing capabilities, create new jobs, and serve as a regional hub for the premium paint supplier.

“We are thrilled to open this new Manufacturing Plant and flagship store which will have key focus on continuous improvement to developers and contractors here in Beterverwagting,” said Marguerite Desir, Chief Operating Officer of Harris Paints International. “This investment is a testament to our belief in Guyana’s potential, and our commitment to supporting the country’s remarkable transformation. With this new plant, we aim to enhance our capacity to meet the growing needs of our customers, continue to deliver high-quality products, and contribute to the nation’s economic development.”

The Ribbon cutting ceremony was performed by Mr. Garfield Manasseh, Sales Manager Trade and Mr. Vinroy Johnson of Str8edge Superior Painting

Manufacturing will Boost Supply

The new plant for making paint will house the production process that includes raw material selection, mixing, filling, and packing finished goods in the warehouse.  This plant is also guided by the Company’s Certification from the International Organization for Standardization (ISO 9001) for high-quality management systems for products and services. “The plant will also allow for quicker access to high-quality products made under the highest level of international quality standards right here in Guyana,” explained Victor Price, the Production and Technical Manager and BU Head for Guyana.  “We will also be able to,

• Respond more swiftly to customer demands with increased efficiency.
• Ensure consistent product availability for both local and export markets.
• Customize production to meet the unique requirements of specific projects.
• Offer bespoke solutions, reinforcing the brand’s reputation for innovation and quality.”

The new manufacturing plant has been designed to incorporate eco-friendly practices that protect natural resources.  

The company plans to harvest as much rainwater as possible to be used in the paint making process, potentially up to 48,000 gallons a year, rather than drawing this from public water sources.  Up to 1500 gallons of rainwater will also be used to clean tanks and the wastewater will further be treated allowing much of it to be reused and the remainder to be safely disposed.  These sustainability efforts reflect Harris Paints’ commitment to environmental stewardship, reducing waste, and contributing to a greener future.

Growth Position

Opening its doors in 1992, Harris Paints Guyana has become a highly regarded brand serving both commercial projects as well as home improvers.  Two years ago, the company switched to a new innovative Quantum colour platform which greatly increased operating efficiencies and colour results.  The Caribbean paint company currently serves 15 countries throughout the region and is poised to expand into Latin America.

In addition to the rapid pace of development in Guyana, Harris Paints’ International Chief Operating Officer, Marguerite Desir stated that the Quantum system has been a significant factor in the company’s expansion plans. “Quantum allows us to produce any colour from one master base instead of having to stock four plus different bases of the same product and at the same time we are seeing increased colour accuracy and even better fade resistance which makes us best by test in several categories”, said the COO.  This is a terrific efficiency for retailers that can provide customers very good quality paints and free up considerable space at their stores / warehouses to stock other items. This technology has helped Harris reduce complexity, deliver cost savings and it is opening doors globally for Harris Paints in countries like Bangladesh, Latin American, Europe, North and South America.

After the official opening guests enjoyed a reception and a tour of the new facility.

The new production facility in Guyana is expected to generate employment opportunities and due to the prosperous economy, the paint supplier is planning for exponential growth across all categories.  Harris Paints will be investing in staff resources providing training and development to broaden skill sets.  The company is also currently seeking to fill key roles for Manufacturing, retail and commercial positions, as well as other support functions across the business offering competitive packages and pathways for career advancement both locally and regionally.

New Harris Pro Paint Centre – Flagship Store

B.V. will not only be a centre for manufacturing but it will be the home of a new Harris Paints flagship store and modern retail space offering expert advice, project guidance and a comprehensive selection of high quality paints and supplies suitable for a wide range of purposes include its acclaimed textured finish which is growing in popularity across Guyana.

The Pro Paint Centre is proud to feature Harris Paints’ own quality decorative lines. The company carries out regular testing to ensure consistent high performance product standards. Key products have also been internationally tested and certified by the Master Painters Institute, North America’s premier benchmarking agency, recognizing Harris Paints products in the same class for quality and performance above several other global paint brands.

The Chief Operating Officer of Harris Paints International, Mrs Marguerite Desir was proud to give the Opening Address on this special occasion.

In addition to these decorative solutions, the Pro Paint Centre is poised to serve Guyana’s many growing industries and offers specialty high performance commercial solutions to clients looking for waterproofing, roofing, floor coating and other specific needs.

As the authorized distributor of International Paint, Harris Paints also supplies specialized coatings for the marine, oil, and gas sectors with an expanded line up of stocked items at the Pro Paint Centre, ensuring that this sector has access to world-class protective solutions.

Commitment to Excellence

As throughout the Harris Paints Group, the new factory and Pro Paint Centre will operate to strict high-quality management standards in line with the company’s commitment to continual improvement and excellence. All Harris Paints facilities are proudly accredited to the ISO 9001 international standards.

Speaking at the event were John Edghill, Senior Investment Director, Guyana Office for Investment (pictured) and Mr. Ramsay Ali, President of the Guyana Manufacturers Association

At the official opening of the new business, the COO thanked the staff for their outstanding dedication and recognized the role they played in achieving this tremendous accomplishment for the company. She also heartily thanked partners and customers for their loyal support of the Harris Paints brand, include Wieting and Richter Ltd, Go Invest Guyana, Pest Control of Guyana, Guyana Manufacturers Association and the Government of Guyana

“Guyana’s strategic location presents immense opportunities for growth,” stated Mrs Desir. “We are excited to play a role in the nation’s expanding export market, offering Guyanese-made products that meet the highest international standards.”