Jamaica has long cemented its name as a top business process outsourcing (BPO) destination. The country has garnered a base of 62,000 employees who support the $1 billion sector annually, according to Minister of Industry, Investment and Commerce Senator Aubyn Hill.
The country’s location, just over an hour’s flight from Miami, has made it a hotspot for over 70 companies such as Alorica, Teleperformance, Xerox, Startek and Sutherland Global Services to nearshore operations and connect to the North American market. Since the COVID-19 pandemic the sector has added over 20,000 jobs, with a goal of expanding to 70,000 by 2025.
Teleperformance unveiled its new location in Savanna-la-Mar in August 2024, with the promise of creating 800 new jobs. The site is the second page in the company’s Jamaica portfolio, as the BPO giant currently employs more than 3,700 residents at its over-20-year-old Montego Bay facility.
The decision to grow its base by investing in the capital of Westmoreland Parish was geared toward improving the day-to-day of its staff, half of whom are based in the region and often travel over an hour northeast to work in Montego Bay. At the opening ceremony, Teleperformance Jamaica Country Manager and Senior Vice President Jake Becker said the move is the company’s way of making its employees more comfortable and productive.
Here to Stay
Almost 100 years since the Hendrickson family began a small bakery in Jamaica’s Saint Elizabeth Parish, a new $6.7 billion bakery is on its way to aid the company in expanding its international reach by 2025.
National Baking made the decision to locate the facility in the neighborhood of Catherine Hall in Montego Bay to benefit regional growth throughout parishes on Jamaica’s west coast. The location will additionally support future export needs from Montego Freeport.
International companies look to increase capacity in Jamaica and Puerto Rico.
The planned 120,000-sq.-ft. plant has been designed to be the company’s most modern, integrating advanced technology capable of producing 3,600 loaves an hour. Once construction is complete, National Baking will look to add 75 new members to its team.
“We’ll incorporate the use of robotics for the first time in our businesses and these will go into our repetitive processes that human beings just can’t do anymore,” said National Baking Company Chairman Gary Hendrickson at the media launch for the project. “This will allow our management to focus on quality, plant efficiency and, most important, the well-being of our team.”
The Deal’s Been Sealed
About 700 miles east of Jamaica, Lanco Paints — the Caribbean’s only silicone manufacturer — will now expand its home base in San Lorenzo, Puerto Rico. The manufacturer considered offers from several countries including the Dominican Republic, Panama, Guatemala and Chile before ultimately deciding to continue its growth in Puerto Rico. The $42 million expansion will double current production of 100% silicone products such as roof sealants.
In total, the project will create 20 new jobs for a total of 350 employees on site. The Puerto Rico Department of Economic Development and Commerce will provide the company with $4 million from its Economic Incentive Fund.
