and much more... - TCL Group

TRINIDAD CEMENT LIMITED • TCL PACKAGING LIMITED • TCL PONSA MANUFACTURING LIMITED • ARAWAK CEMENT COMPANY 

LIMITED • READYMIX (WEST INDIES) LIMITED • TCL TRADING LIMITED • CARIBBEAN CEMENT COMPANY LIMITED • TCL GUYANA INC. 

C A R I B B E A N 

CONVEYOR 

THE MAGAZINE OF THE TCL GROUP 

ISSUE 1 2011 | www.tclgroup.com 

Message from the C.E.O. 

Dr. Rollin Bertrand 

Developments in 

Anti - Dumping 

Global Firms Go Green 

With Carbon Trading 

McIIvaine Report 

Cement Industry Investment in 

Air Pollution Control 

and much more...

03 

simultaneously investing in low-carbon 

economic infrastructure such as hydropower, 

drainage, irrigation and road development 

to access unused non-forested 

land. Trinidad and Tobago, Guyana and 

other CARICOM countries including 

Jamaica and Barbados are signatories to the 

United Nations Framework Convention on 

Climate Change and the Kyoto Protocol. 

Industry groups likewise, such as the 

Portland Cement Association, U.S.A., and 

CEMBUREAU and the European Cement 

Association based in Brussels, Belgium, have 

developed sectoral programmes to address 

the issues related to climate change. In 

addition, the World Business Council for 

Sustainable Development has established 

the Cement Sustainability Initiative (CSI), a 

global effort by 23 major cement producers 

with operations in more than 100 countries 

and which account for over forty percent 

(40%) of the world’s cement production. 

The CSI has developed its ‘Agenda for 

Action’ to promote a sustainable cement 

industry, with focus on key climate change 

issues such as climate protection, responsible 

use of fuels and raw materials, and 

emissions reduction, as well as other 

sustainability issues such as employee 

health and safety and social impact assessments. 

The TCL Group, while not a 

member of the CSI, has voluntarily adopted 

the key principles of the CSI as internal 

guidance for the formulation of its climate 

change policies. 

In keeping with the various Climate 

Change Policies, which call for reduction of 

greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions as the 

principal strategy for combatting climate 

change, the TCL Group has embarked on 

several programmes to reduce the level of 

emissions of carbon dioxide, the main GHG 

contributing to global warming and climate 

change. The Group’s strategies are primarily 

three-fold: reduce emissions of carbon 

dioxide from kiln fossil fuel combustion 

including use of sources of alternative 

energy, reduce demand for electricity, and 

substitution of clinker with other suitable 

materials with cementitious properties in 

the production of cement. These strategies 

are supported by the Group’s internal 

system of CO2 accounting, which enables 

key decision-makers to track our CO2 

emissions from our major sources as well as 

the energy efficiencies of our plants. 

Already, through these strategies, the Group 

has recorded a 20% decrease in CO2 

emissions associated with production. 

Further, to supplement these productionrelated 

strategies, the member companies 

of the TCL Group engage in ‘green’ projects, 

such as the planting of trees, which have the 

capacity to serve as ‘sinks’ for absorption of 

carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. 

Details on the TCL Group’s low-carbon 

strategies are provided in the article by the 

Group HSE Manager, Hannah 

Wei-Muddeen on pages 17 - 21. 

While the success of industrial corporations 

has traditionally been assessed on 

‘economic success’, the issue of climate 

change has radically changed this singular 

focus towards the more wholesome 

concept of ‘sustainable development’ with 

its triple bottom line values of economic, 

social and environmental success. As a 

Caribbean Corporation, TCL Group has 

recognized its responsibility to conduct its 

operations in a carbon-responsible manner 

beyond any legal requirements and so 

contribute voluntarily to the global efforts to 

mitigate the adverse effects of climate 

change. 

CARIBBEAN CONVEYOR

04 

Developments 

In Anti - Dumping 

By Beverly Charles-Mahabir: 

Senior Investigator, Ministry of Trade and Industry, 

Trinidad & Tobago 

Part 1 of this Article 

(Conducting Anti-Dumping Investigations in T&T) 

was featured in Issue 2:2009 

Beverly Charles-Mahabir – 

Senior Investigator, MTI, Trinidad & Tobago 

CARIBBEAN CONVEYOR

05 

The Caribbean Community 

(CARICOM) 

The CARICOM Single Market and 

Economy (CSME) Unit hired a consultant in 

2009 to develop and implement transparent, 

harmonized anti-dumping legislation, 

consistent with the Revised Treaty and 

relevant WTO Agreements for the Member 

States of CARICOM. Presently, Jamaica and 

Trinidad and Tobago are the only countries 

with Anti-Dumping and Countervailing 

Authorities in the CARICOM Region. It is 

hoped that a Regional Anti-dumping Body 

would oversee Anti-dumping matters for 

CARICOM Member States, therefore, countries 

with or without national Anti-dumping 

Authorities may submit complaints to this 

Body. Consequently, if dumped cement 

from a country outside of CARICOM enters 

the region, a producer of cement in a CARI- 

COM country may submit a complaint to 

the Body and if dumping is found, the duty 

will be imposed on cement entering any 

Member States of CARICOM. If dumped 

cement from Thailand enters Barbados, for 

example and the cement industry in Barbados 

submits a complaint to the Body, the 

Body will impose the duty for cement from 

Thailand entering CARICOM. Thus, if 

cement from Thailand enters the region via 

Grenada, the anti-dumping duty on cement 

from Thailand will be applied. The European 

Community has examples of applying 

anti-dumping duties in this manner. The 

consultant has recommended that 

Anti-Dumping issues among States in the 

CSME reside with the Council for Trade and 

Economic Development (COTED), 

however, this forum may not be considered 

appropriate given the complexity in 

conducting Anti-Dumping investigations. 

CARICOM – Canada Negotiations 

CARICOM as part of CARIFORUM has 

negotiated a Trade Defence Chapter in the 

Economic Partnership Agreement with the 

European Union. Work is currently being 

undertaken on CARICOM - Canada negotiations. 

It is envisaged that the FTA would 

be similar to the Canada – Costa Rica Free 

Trade Agreement. The chapter on 

Anti-Dumping measures in the Canada- 

Costa Rica FTA addresses issues of public 

interest, the possibility of applying duties 

less than the full margin of dumping, transparent 

and predictable methods of imposition 

and collection of duty that provides for 

the expeditious assessment of definitive 

antidumping duties and cumulation. The 

chapter also reaffirms the obligations under 

the relevant provisions of the WTO Agreement 

in the areas of notifications, rights of 

interested parties, treatment of confidential 

information and dispute settlement. It is 

imperative for CARICOM to analyze the 

Canada – Costa Rica Free Trade Agreement 

to ensure that the Anti-dumping provisions 

are consistent with the Member States’ 

interests. 

The World Trade Organisation (WTO) 

The WTO’s first Anti-Dumping case before 

the Dispute Settlement Body (DSB) & 

Appellate Body was a Cement case brought 

by Mexico. In 1995, Guatemala (Cementos 

Progreso) alleged that Mexican cement 

(Cruz Azul) was being dumped in Guatemala. 

The DSB and Appellate Body found 

that Guatemala failed to notify Mexico of 

the initiation of the investigation and other 

substantive errors. In 2000, Guatemala 

withdrew the duties on Mexican cement. 

CARIBBEAN CONVEYOR

06 

Negotiations at the WTO Group on Rules 

The Anti-dumping, Subsidies, Countervailing 

Measures and Fisheries Subsidies are 

presently being negotiated under the Group 

of Rules. The Chair for the Group drafted 

text, in hope that consensus would be 

reached by all countries on the articles, 

however, most countries felt that the WTO 

Secretariat, through the Chair was imposing 

text that did not reflect those of member 

countries. As such, the Chair’s text was 

rejected and a bottom-up approach has 

been adopted, that is, countries will come to 

consensus on a particular article and legal 

text will then be drafted. With respect to 

Fisheries Subsidies, the situation is more 

complex since it is a new area with no 

pre-existing agreement to follow. Progress 

has therefore, been slow. 

The African, Caribbean, Pacific Group of 

States (ACP) submitted a paper identifying 

Special and Differential Treatment for its 

members. The paper refers to holding 

consultations prior to initiating an 

Anti-Dumping investigation. T&T has 

submitted comments on this paper as well 

as the country’s position on the WTO 

Anti-Dumping text. The areas addressed 

were: determination of dumping, fair 

comparison, margin of dumping, determination 

of injury, duration of duties and best 

information available. 

Areas of Interest for Countries 

Linking Trade Rules to Climate 

Change 

The Obama Administration has provided 

new leadership on tackling climate change. 

That is, 100% auctioning of emissions allowances 

as part of a comprehensive program to 

reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 83% 

below 2005 levels by 2020. Producers in the 

USA therefore, are placed at a disadvantage 

compared to countries that are not subject 

to climate change regulations. As a result, 

producers from countries that have not 

taken action to reduce emissions would 

have to purchase allowances in order to 

enter the USA. Most of the developed world 

is adopting similar positions with respect to 

climate change. 

Within the Cement World, members of the 

Portland Cement Association have adopted 

the goal of reducing carbon dioxide 

emissions per ton of product by 10% (from 

1990 levels) by the year 2020. What cement 

producers will have to do is reduce 

emissions through increased efficiency, 

decrease fuel use, and have greater use of 

alternative fuels. They also need to formulate 

cement using a lower portion of 

calcinated material, thereby reducing 

carbon dioxide emissions per unit of 

product. The production process and costs 

will therefore be affected. It is worthy to 

mention that green house gas emissions 

was an issue under consideration in the 

Mexico (CEMEX) US Cement Anti-dumping 

case which came to an end after a sunset 

review in 2006. 

The so called “Climate free riders” such as 

the cement industry of China, are not faced 

with mandatory climate change laws therefore, 

their cost of production is lower. As a 

result, cement producers in the USA cannot 

compete with the Chinese cement. The 

USA firms may opt to establish plants in 

countries that are ‘free riders’. In this regard, 

countries of the Caribbean may become 

attractive to USA cement producers since 

CARIBBEAN CONVEYOR

07 

change regulations may not exist in all the 

countries of the region. 

The Global Economic Crisis 

Cement Americas reported that the global 

financial crisis impacted on the construction 

industry and that during 2009 to 2011, 

production and consumption of cement 

would contract. If there is excess production 

and low domestic demand, there is a 

tendency to dump excess stocks on export 

markets. The cement industry in T&T has to 

be aware of countries in such a predicament 

and gauge what will happen in 2011 when 

the Anti-dumping duty on Portland grey 

cement from Thailand expires. 

CARIBBEAN CONVEYOR

08 

Global Firms 

Go Green with Carbon Trading 

By Kimberly Thelwell – Research Analyst, 

Stocks & Securities Limited (SSL), Jamaica 

Kimberly Thelwell – 

Research Analyst, SSL, Jamaica 

CARIBBEAN CONVEYOR

09 

No summit of global leaders would be 

complete without a debate on climate 

change – the biggest obstacle facing 

modern man. As Countries and Companies 

have no choice but to “go green”, carbon 

markets will play an increasingly vital role as 

environmental regulators tackle the global 

warming crisis. Some analysts have labeled 

carbon markets as the next big thing for 

commodities trading and derivatives 

markets. However, these markets are still 

developing, as the World’s two biggest 

players – the US and China have yet to join 

the fight against climate change. 

Carbon markets originated under the Kyoto 

Protocol, the world’s biggest international 

environmental treaty, which aims to cap the 

emissions of greenhouse gases by industrialized 

Countries. The Protocol allows for 

international emissions trading as a flexible 

way for these Countries to meet their 

commitments under the treaty. As it stands, 

the majority of the 187 member states of the 

Protocol, delegate their emissions targets to 

individual industrial firms, such as a power 

plant or paper factory. 

Under a system known as a “cap-and-trade” 

scheme, firms that expect to exceed their 

quota of emissions can buy carbon credits 

from another party, which has successfully 

reduced its carbon emissions to a level 

below its limit. These credits can be bought 

from a broker (such as a bank), a United 

Nations Clean Development Mechanism 

(CDM) or Joint Implementation developer 

or through an exchange such as the EU 

Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS). 

While carbon markets have been expanding 

globally particularly in the past five years, 

carbon trading still remains relatively limited 

in the US and China, the world’s biggest 

emitters of carbon dioxide, who interestingly 

have not signed the Kyoto Protocol. The US 

has yet to develop a mandatory trading 

programme for greenhouse gas emissions, 

though environmentalists have been lobbying 

for the approval of a clean-energy bill for 

some time. Environmentalists hope to transform 

US industry with the introduction of a 

cap-and-trade system - forcing the biggest 

Companies to calculate the amounts of 

greenhouse gases they emit and then pay 

for them. However, many US Firms like Ford 

Motor Co (NYSE: F) and DuPont Co (NYSE: 

DD) have begun to voluntarily reduce their 

carbon emissions – bearing in mind that 

changes in regulatory environmental regula- 

CARIBBEAN CONVEYOR

10 

tions are inevitable and that sustainable 

development and good corporate citizenship 

make good business sense. Currently, 

the Chicago Climate Exchange (CCX) is the 

biggest voluntary exchange that trades 

carbon emission credits in the US. 

Apart from carbon credits, a “greener” 

environment can also be achieved through 

carbon offsetting, whereby Companies 

counterbalance the effects of carbon dioxide 

emissions by investing in renewable energy 

projects, typically in developing countries. In 

this market, financial institutions play a 

similar role as in the market for carbon 

credits, setting a platform for a brand new 

revenue stream for financial institutions. 

With carbon offsetting, financial institutions 

invest in alternative energy such as wind and 

solar power, and lend these energy sources 

to environmentally conscious firms who find 

it more cost-effective to “go green” in this 

way. With its recent acquisitions of renewable 

energy Companies, ClimateCare and 

EcoSecurities Plc, JPMorgan Chase & Co 

(NYSE: JPM) is well-positioned to be a leader 

in the carbon offset markets. JPM joins other 

global investment banks like Barclays Plc 

(NYSE: BCS), Citigroup (NYSE: C) and Goldman 

Sachs Group Inc (NYSE: GS) which 

have also entered carbon finance. 

JPM is currently testing the waters by supplying 

Ugandan villages with energy efficient 

stoves and reaping the benefits in the form 

of carbon credits. According to the head of 

the Bank’s credit origination in Africa, Tom 

Morton, “the stoves reduce demand for 

non-renewable wood, as well as reducing 

greenhouse gas emissions from the charcoal 

making process, which is why they attract 

credits”. The credits will be sold mostly to 

Tata Motors Ltd’s Land Rover, which boasts 

one of the most impressive carbon offsetting 

programmes in the auto industry. 

In the case of Jamaica, which has an unsustainable 

dependence on imported petroleum 

to satisfy more than 90 per cent of its 

energy requirements, the potential to 

benefit from carbon markets is huge. 

Already, the Government of Jamaica (GOJ) 

has made strides with regard to renewable 

energy and energy-efficiency projects. The 

most notable of these, is the creation of the 

Wigton Wind Farm Ltd, a subsidiary of statutory 

organization of the Ministry of Energy, 

the Petroleum Corporation of Jamaica. 

Wigton is registered by the United Nations' 

Framework Convention on Climate 

Change, and has been trading carbon 

credits under an Emissions Reduction 

Purchase Agreement with the Dutch 

Government since 2005. 

Just last month, ground broke in Manchester 

for Wigton Wind Farm Ltd’s US$50 million 

expansion project, that will further reduce 

carbon emissions, significantly increase 

electricity production and save the country 

millions of dollars. The expansion of the 

wind farm will also assist the Country in 

meeting its renewable energy target of 15 

per cent by 2020. Currently, only 5 per cent 

of Jamaica's energy comes from renewable 

sources. 

Apart from the efforts of the GOJ, privatesector 

organizations have begun to step up 

to the plate, contributing to energy sustainability. 

Jamaica Broilers Group Ltd’s (JBG) 

recent foray into ethanol production, not 

only provides the Firm with a diverse 

revenue stream, but has also resulted in cost 

CARIBBEAN CONVEYOR

12 

savings and the generation of fewer greenhouse 

gases. The Jamaica Public Service Co 

(JPS) has also partnered with the PCJ, in an 

effort to utilize Renewable Energy Technologies 

(RET). JPS purchases in excess of 20 

megawatts of energy from the Wigton Wind 

Farm, an amount that is expected to 

increase to 38.7 megawatts with the completion 

of the wind farm’s expansion this July. 

Additionally, Caribbean Cement Co Ltd 

(CCCL) has recognized the importance of 

reducing the pollution that arises from its 

manufacture of cement. When the firm 

undertook its recently completed expansion 

and modernization programme it focused 

on installing energy efficient equipment, not 

only to save costs but also to contribute to a 

safer, cleaner environment for the community 

in which it operates. 

Certainly, as the pressure mounts for the US 

and China to implement a mandatory 

programme for reducing emissions, real 

opportunities exist for global businesses and 

financial institutions to enter the carbon 

market. Therefore, it is worthwhile for Companies 

to position themselves now in order 

to reap future gains. 

This article was originally written for the 

Jamaica Observer and was published in the 

newspaper on April 07, 2010. 

In her capacity as a Research Analyst at 

Stocks & Securities Ltd (SSL), Ms. Thelwell 

provides clients and the wider investor 

community with information about local, 

regional and international financial markets 

and investment solutions. She is also one of 

the SSL team of Contributors for SSL In The 

Money, a weekly column featured in the 

Jamaica Observer. 

CARIBBEAN CONVEYOR

13 

McIlvaine: 

Cement Industry Investment in 

Air Pollution Control 

CARIBBEAN CONVEYOR

14 

According to the McIlvaine Company, 

with China leading the way, the global 

cement industry was to invest more than 

$3.5 billion for air pollution control 

systems in 2010. Nearly 50% of this 

investment would have been for fabric 

filters. These were the forecasts from the 

McIlvaine Company reports: World 

Fabric Filter and Element Markets, 

Scrubber/Adsorber/Biofilter World Markets, 

NOx Control World Markets and 

Electrostatic Precipitator World Markets, 

in early 2010. 

The report also stated that by 2015, expenditures 

will rise to just under $5 billion annually. 

Part of this increase will be due to new 

hazardous air pollutant standards slated to 

be issued in the United States in June 2010. 

These standards are likely to result in more 

than 100 scrubbers for hydrochloric acid 

(HCl) removal. An equal number of new 

baghouses will be needed to meet the toxic 

metal and particulate limits. 

The rules could force most plants to install 

regenerative thermal oxidizers to meet the 

total hydrocarbon limits. Settlements of 

lawsuits are also resulting in the first selective 

catalytic reduction (SCR) units for 

nitrogen oxide (NOx) control. This approach 

is much more capital intensive than the 

selective, non-catalytic approach (SNCR), 

which involves only injection of urea or 

ammonia into the hot zones of the system. 

SNCR is being used on a number of plants 

around the world. SCR has been applied 

only to a few plants. 

Fabric filters have become the choice for 

new cement plants to control emissions 

from the kiln as well as the various transfer 

and grinding operations. With 50 percent of 

the world's production of cement and 

continuous expansion of infrastructure, 

China has become a very large market for 

fabric filters. 

Europe continues to steadily reduce allowable 

emissions of acid gases and NOx. As a 

result, there are more HCl removal systems 

on cement plants in Europe than in any 

other continent. This is despite the relatively 

small cement production. Germany 

produces only 1.3 percent of the world's 

cement compared to 1.9 percent in Italy and 

2.1 percent in Spain. 

The location of the cement production will 

be shaped by the regulations. The Portland 

Cement Association predicts that without 

the new toxic standards, cement imports to 

the United States will be 18 percent of the 

total in 2020. With the regulations, the 

imports will rise to 33 percent. 

Mercury control expenditures are likely to 

rise. It is estimated that Chinese mercury 

emissions from cement plants are 75 tons 

per year. Chinese coal-fired power plants 

emit close to 100 tons/yr of mercury. This 

contrasts to U.S. cement plants that emit 

approximately 15 tons and U.S. coal plants 

with emissions of 50 tons. Elemental 

mercury represents a significant portion of 

total cement plant mercury emissions. In 

the elemental state, mercury travels on an 

intercontinental basis making it a global 

problem. 

A number of cement plants operate electrostatic 

precipitators for particulate removal. 

With the passage of more stringent emission 

CARIBBEAN CONVEYOR

16 

limits, these plants are investing in upgrades. 

One such upgrade involves replacing the 

conventional transformer-rectifiers with 

switch mode power supplies. In addition to 

the upgrades, the supply of replacement 

rappers and other components is a significant 

business for the pollution control industry. 

The trend to replace electrostatic precipitators 

with baghouses is continuing with 

substantial activity in the Ukraine and other 

former Soviet countries as well as in Asia. 

There is a big opportunity for innovative 

technology. The variation, in the level of 

pollutants from one plant to another, 

dictates that solutions be tailored to 

individual plant needs. One plant may need 

to remove 99 percent of the mercury due to 

the fact that the local limestone has unusually 

high mercury content. Importing 

limestone from some distance would not be 

economical. Therefore a new approach will 

be needed. One may be the two-stage 

scrubber system. The first stage is the HCl 

scrubber and the second stage is the sulfur 

dioxide scrubber. Incinerators in Europe are 

making commercial HCl with this technology. 

At the same time, they are achieving 

very high mercury removal. 

With the climate change initiatives there is 

interest in alternative fuels for cement 

plants. European cement producers are 

pursuing renewable biomass sources such 

as switchgrass. The fuel selection will impact 

the cost and performance of the air pollution 

control equipment. 

The article, “McIlvaine: Cement Industry Will 

Spend $3.5 B for Air Pollution Control,” first 

appeared on March 15, 2010 on the Environmental 

Protection Website, 

www.eponline.com. 

The McIlvaine Company is a market 

research organisation that operates from 

Illinois, USA. 

CARIBBEAN CONVEYOR

17 

TCL Group 

Takes Action on Climate Change 

Mitigation and Adaptation 

By Hannah Wei – Muddeen – Group HSE Manager, TCL Group 

By Hannah Wei – Muddeen – 

Group HSE Manager, TCL Group 

CARIBBEAN CONVEYOR

18 

In keeping with the various Climate 

Change Policy documents call for reduction 

of greenhouse gas emissions through energy 

reduction and conservation, the TCL Group 

has embarked on several projects to reduce 

the level of emissions of carbon dioxide, the 

main greenhouse gas (GHG) contributing 

to global warming and climate change. 

In the production of cement, the generation 

of carbon dioxide is directly attributed to 

two activities - combustion of fossil fuels by 

the kilns for pyro-processing of the raw 

materials and calcination of the limestone, 

and indirectly to the consumption of electrical 

energy in the cement mills. 

The production of clinker (the intermediate 

product in the manufacture of cement) is 

very energy-intensive so as to achieve the 

high temperatures necessary for the pyroprocessing 

of the raw materials. At Trinidad 

Cement Ltd. in Claxton Bay, Trinidad, 

natural gas – a low CO2 emission fuel – is 

used to fire the kilns, while at Caribbean 

Cement Co. Ltd. in Jamaica and Arawak 

Cement Co. Ltd. in Barbados, several fuels 

such as coal and petcoke are imported into 

the country for use. The very high calorific 

content of these fuels leads to fewer 

shipments needed per year (as compared to 

other solid fuels), resulting in the generation 

of lower indirect CO2 emissions from transportation 

(shipment) of these fuels. To 

minimize the amount of CO2 generated, 

strict process control is applied to the kiln 

operations so as to reduce fuel combustion. 

This also results in cost savings - a complimentary 

benefit for pursuing the low carbon 

development strategy. 

Also, in 2007, the Group’s subsidiary in 

New, energy efficient dry process kiln 

at Caribbean Cement Co. Ltd. 

Jamaica, Caribbean Cement Co. Ltd., 

replaced its older wet process kiln that 

utilized technology which inherently 

required more fuel, with a new dry process 

kiln. Studies are underway to implement 

the newer more fuel efficient kiln technology 

at Trinidad Cement Ltd. in Claxton Bay, 

Trinidad. 

To reduce the carbon dioxide emissions 

from the calcination process, the Group 

expanded its product range to include a 

blended cement, Portland Pozzolan 

Cement. The production of this type of 

cement can result in up to 20% reduction in 

the CO2 generated as compared to the 

production of Ordinary Portland Cement. 

Both products comply with the applicable 

product standards established by ASTM, BSI, 

TTBS and other quality standards. 

The indirect CO2 emissions from electricity 

consumption by the cement mills are 

controlled largely through strict process 

control and upgrade of the milling technology. 

CARIBBEAN CONVEYOR

WE DON’T LET IT HAPPEN, WE MAKE IT HAPPEN 

A.P.I. PIPELINE 

CONSTRUCTION CO. LTD. 

E-mail: apipipeline@tstt.net.tt • s.ali@api.co.tt 

www.apitrinidad.com 

About us... 

API Pipeline Construction Company Limited is 

the leading locally owned pipeline construction 

company in Trinidad and operating in all sectors 

of the economy. It has been a major local 

contractor involved in the Construction of 36” & 

56” Cross Island Pipeline in Trinidad in 

1997/1998 and 2004/2005 respectively. API as 

it is commonly referred to, is South based, with 

its main office located in Fyzabad. API also has 

other areas of operation in Point Lisas Industrial 

Estate and LaBrea Industrial Estate. 

API has been in operation in excess of twenty 

(20) years, providing a wide range of services to 

many companies, both locally and internationally. 

API is also involved in the exploitation of 

hydrocarbons (Petroleum). API has its own Concrete 

Block Factory and Concrete Batching 

Plants located in Fyzabad. We have a fullyoutfitted, 

covered and 24 hour lit fabrication 

shop of over 60,000 square foot of floor space. 

API has a team of highly skilled and competent 

employees and state of the art equipment to 

provide quality services without compromising 

safety. API, as a corporate citizen, has always 

supported community efforts through sponsorship 

as well as participation in activities and 

maintenance of facilities thereby sustaining 

growth and development of our citizens. 

Our motto is “we don’t let it happen, 

we MAKE it happen”. 

51A, Siparia Old Road, Fyzabad, Trinidad, W.I. 

Tel: 1 868 649 1477 / 1636 • Fax: 1 868 649 9221 

CONSTRUCTION & 

PROJECT SERVICES 

Our Diverse range of services 

include: 

• Tank Construction 

• Pipeline Construction 

• Structural Steel Fabrication 

• Mechanical Engineering 

• Hydro Testing Services 

• Horizontal Directional 

Drilling Services 

• Civil & Structural Design 

• Civil Construction 

• Process piping 

• Sand Blasting / Painting 

We also offer QA / QC Services 

& Procurement Support!

20 

Production of Blended cement results in less 

CO2 emissions. 

To be able to monitor its climate change 

protection strategies, the TCL Group maintains 

a system of ‘carbon accounting’, in 

which the amount of carbon dioxide generated 

through the cement production 

process is calculated and tracked monthly 

and compared with the established cement 

industry benchmark of 0.8 tonnes of CO2 

per tonne of cement. This ‘carbon accounting’ 

not only supports the climate and 

environmental protection objective, but also 

ensures that operational efficiencies in kiln 

fuel consumption and milling electricity 

consumption are optimized, and so result in 

cost savings to the companies. 

Responsible use of fuels and 

resources 

The world’s reserve of fossil fuels is now 

recognized as a finite resource and this is 

driving energy reduction and conservation, 

and the call to 4 Rs – Reduce-Reuse- 

Recycle-Recover – going beyond the 

traditional 3Rs! The TCL Group is promoting 

‘energy recovery’ from selected ‘waste’ 

materials and the valuable role cement kilns 

can play in national and even regional, waste 

management. ‘Waste’ materials such as used 

pneumatic tyres and discarded water bottles 

(made of PET - polyethylene terephthalate) 

can be diverted from the municipal waste 

streams and landfills to the cement kilns, 

where they can be efficiently disposed of in 

an environmentally safe manner. The 

combustion of the waste materials in the 

kilns (as ‘WDF’ i.e. waste-derived fuels) 

enables the energy content of the waste 

materials to be beneficially used and with no 

resultant material that will need to be 

buried, put in a landfill, or otherwise 

disposed. The method of disposal of waste 

materials in cement kilns has been specifically 

cited as “Environmentally Sound 

Management’ under the Technical Guidelines 

(draft) of the Basel Convention on the 

Control of Transboundary Movements of 

Hazardous Wastes and Their Disposal. 

At this time, TCL Group has identified ‘end 

of life’ vehicular tyres, and PET bottles (e.g. 

bottles in which drinking water and 

soft-drinks are sold). This will result in reduction 

in the national demand for fossil fuels, 

conservation of the world’s hydrocarbon 

reserves, less demand on landfill space, and 

a cleaner environment. More importantly, 

the use of cement kilns in this manner will 

set the foundation for a sustainable national 

waste management system based on the 

concept of ‘industrial ecology’ in which 

economic development can proceed and 

associated ‘waste’ materials are then 

effectively utilized by another entity. 

CARIBBEAN CONVEYOR

21 

GHG Reduction through ‘Green’ 

Buildings – concept of ‘Sustainable 

Construction’ 

Many countries are promoting ‘Green Buildings’ 

and ‘Sustainable Construction’ as 

means of reducing greenhouse gases; these 

strategies involve the development of Green 

Building Codes and energy efficiency 

standards. Concrete (derived from hydraulic 

cement) has long been recognized as an 

environmentally superior choice of building 

material based primarily on its features of 

strength, durability, resistance to pests and 

ease of construction, and now, from a 

low-carbon perspective, its ability to 

continually absorb carbon dioxide from the 

environment. Concrete supports the green 

building move, because of its light reflection 

properties, cooling during the day, and 

warming during the night; light reflectivity 

makes it superior for choice, as pavements 

require reduced lighting requirements; Also, 

structures made of concrete (over other 

materials) are more amenable to retrofitting 

and repair, thus resulting in reduced 

demand and consumption for new 

construction materials. 

Properly built concrete structures are 

fire-resistant, flood-resistant and because of 

their robustness and strength, they offer a 

high degree of protection from flying debris 

as may occur during hurricanes and tornados. 

Building with concrete in accordance 

with relevant authoritative building codes is 

a key component of any strategy for mitigation 

and adaptation to climate change. 

The TCL Group is aware of the role the 

company and its cement and concrete 

products can play in combating climate 

change, and we remain committed to ensuring 

that our operations continue to comply 

with standard industry practice – all towards 

protecting our environment for present and 

future generations. 

Concrete Structures in Climate 

Change Mitigation and Adaptation 

Strategies 

The use of concrete in structures plays a 

major role in adaptation to the adverse 

effects of global climate change such as 

rising sea level, coastal erosion, higher 

frequency and intensity of storms, increased 

temperatures resulting in drought and 

impacts on water supplies, and adverse 

health effects. 

CARIBBEAN CONVEYOR

22 

JCC’s Proposals for a National Infrastructure Bank 

Winston Riley (President) 

In Trinidad and Tobago the whole scale introduction of the 

design-build-finance approach has compromised the participation 

of local professionals (labour, contractors, manufacturers) 

and financial institutions particularly with respect to 

the involvement of foreign construction firms notably those 

from China. The JCC proposes the establishment of a 

National Infrastructure Bank of Trinidad and Tobago (NIBTT). 

A NIBTT will allow for proper sustained development of 

skilled labour, contractors, consultants and manufacturers. A 

NIBTT will also allow for the local financial institutions to play 

a meaningful role and reduce the boom and bust scenario 

associated with the construction industry. 

Private Finance Initiatives (PFI) were introduced by Margaret 

Thatcher’s regime when public funding alone could not 

effectively impact on infrastructure delivery. Several projects 

were undertaken off balance sheet. These approaches which 

utilized design-build delivery systems are now being 

questioned. A study undertaken by the Manchester Business 

School concluded that the underlying principle of PFI risk 

transfer from the public to private sector locks the owner into 

inflexible contractual arrangements. The owner is saddled 

with the corrosive effect of huge cost relative to other forms 

of delivery and financing, leading to affordability gaps to be 

met by the public purse. 

At present, locally and internationally there is a lot of cash 

around (at low interest rates) looking for investment opportunities. 

Small island states like Trinidad and Tobago are ideal 

places for such private investment in infrastructure if such 

investment can be off balance sheet. The clear and present 

danger for Trinidad and Tobago is that we lack the legislative 

and organisational requirements to take advantage of the 

present situation. Carpetbaggers will come aplenty with all 

the implications for corruption and loss of control of the 

procurement and delivery process. 

NIBTT-A Possible Model. 

The NIBTT as proposed by the JCC utilises the private sector 

for funding and delinks the contractor, construction manager, 

and consultant and project manager from the funding source. 

The NIBTT, by its very formation will have total responsibility 

for projects. Cost control must be its corner stone performance. 

Through the utilisation of significant share capital, 

and yearly revenue flows from Government, NIBTT will be a 

mechanism for easing budgetary constraints as projects can 

be developed without increasing debt exposure or over 

extending the national budget. 

Economic and Social benefits 

The activities of the NIBTT will require effective planning and 

streamlining of construction schedules and project implementation 

so that there is continuous activity in the construction 

sector, the spin-offs being, reduced unemployment with 

significant benefit for overall economic development. 

NIBTT can have a major impact in creating a sustainable 

approach to road, housing and utility infrastructure development 

which require sizable capital expenditure. Above all the 

operations of a properly established NIBTT would have a 

significant impact on project stability and the country’s 

economic and social stability as the Government refocuses on 

its regulatory functions. 

A strong legal structure is necessary to ensure that the NIBTT 

is insulated from political interference.(The structures of 

Caisse des Dépôts of France and the Green Infrastructure 

Bank in the U.K. provide useful examples for the design of the 

NIBTT). 

The NIBTT should be established through Act of Parliament 

as a Special Purpose Company for raising capital, holding 

funds and stipulating the type of projects in which investments 

can be made. The Act should also establish the share 

structure and the rights and privileges of the shares with at 

70% of the initial share capital set aside in a Bond Redemption 

Fund. 

The role and function of the Government as a Class shareholder 

and provider of a defined yearly revenue stream must 

be stated along with all rights, privileges and exemptions of 

the NIBTT based on the provisions of its mode of governance, 

autonomy and ability to manage private funds. 

The role, function, powers and structure of the Board should 

embrace the professional sectors from which the Board 

Members should be chosen. The NIBTT should consist of two 

divisions, the Financial Division and the Technical Division 

with the roles and functions of both divisions defined in the 

Act. 

Since the establishment of the NIBTT could be time consuming, 

it is proposed that in the interim, a Shadow Board 

operates as was done in the case of the Green Infrastructure 

Bank until the legislative process is finalized. 

CARIBBEAN CONVEYOR

CARIBBEAN CONVEYOR 

23

24 

TCL Group 

One Caribbean...One Company 

The completed project – the transformed entrance 

to the St. Andrew’s Anglican Secondary School in Grenada. 

CARIBBEAN CONVEYOR

25 

Arawak Donates Cement 

to School in Grenada 

The TCL Group, through its subsidiary 

Arawak Cement Company Limited and 

local distributor L. L. Ramdhanny & Co. Ltd., 

donated 175 bags of cement to the St 

Andrew’s Anglican Secondary School. 

This donation was in response to The Taylor 

Family Trust for Grenada Inc.’s request for 

material assistance to a project aimed at 

enhancing the entrance to the school. It was 

made to the students, staff and parents of 

students of the school for the purpose of 

paving the dirt entrance to the classrooms, 

in order to safeguard the lives of over forty 

asthmatic students and others who suffer 

from sinusitis and dust allergies, and to 

create a generally safe, healthy and welcoming 

environment at that learning institution. 

The school is home to over seven hundred 

students, most of whom are from a low 

socio economic background. 

Work”, when he collected the award on its 

behalf. 

Carib Cement was presented with this 

accolade, having achieved a record 482% 

increase in exports in 2009. This upswing in 

exports, was a direct result of the increase in 

clinker production capacity, brought about 

by the commissioning of the company’s 

state - of - the - art Kiln 5. 

The company further increased its exports 

in 2010. Carib Cement has also successfully 

entered the Dominican Republic and 

Haitian markets. Its distributor for these 

markets has even branded a vessel “Carib 

Plus”, in recognition and promotion of the 

product being shipped from Kingston, 

Jamaica. 

Carib Cement - 

“Champion Large 

Exporter” 

At the Jamaica Manufacturers’ 

Association’s 42nd Annual Awards Banquet 

held on October 27, Carib Cement was 

awarded the Prime Minister's Cup in the 

Large Exporter Category. Gary Ferguson - 

Marketing Representative, Carib Cement, 

described the company’s feat as “Hard 

Gary Ferguson ( L) of Carib Cement, accepts 

the Prime Minister's Cup for large exporter 

from the Hon. Karl Samuda - Minister of Trade, 

Industry & Commerce, Jamaica 

CARIBBEAN CONVEYOR

26 

Carib Plus - the vessel being used to ship Carib 

Cement Plus from Jamaica to Dominican 

Republic and Haiti. Inset: Carib Cement Plus 

being loaded for shipment. 

Carib’s Kiln 5 Community 

Paving Project 

In 2010, Carib Cement launched its Kiln 5 

Community Paving Project, which aims to 

pave the area surrounding the new Kiln 4, to 

ensure a safer work environment for 

employees. Twenty – one (21) persons from 

the community were trained by concrete 

expert, Dr. Robin Osborne, to provide the 

labour required for this $35 million project. 

Dr. Osborne is a former senior lecturer in 

civil engineering at the University of the 

West Indies and has trained many of the 

region’s civil engineers. He has been a major 

contributor to numerous conferences, 

seminars, and workshops within the Commonwealth 

Caribbean and beyond regarding 

concrete and other materials. 

Dr. Robin Osborne conducts training sessions 

for members of the community before working 

on Carib Cement’s Kiln 5 Community Paving 

Project 

According to Ken Wiltshire – Kiln 5 Project 

Manager the Kiln 5 project was “Never 

simply about erecting concrete and steel” 

and thus, the company recognised the 

importance of including the community in 

the Kiln 5 project. 

CARIBBEAN CONVEYOR

28 

Readymix Donates Quarry 

Material for River Bank 

Projects 

Readymix (W.I.) Ltd donated over two 

thousand (2,000) truckloads of material 

from its Melajo Quarry for remedial work at 

a river bank in Guanapo, the first of several 

like projects initiated by the Drainage 

Division of the Ministry of Works and Transport. 

This was agreed to in a signed Memorandum 

of Understanding between both 

parties. 

The material produced by Readymix’s 

Melajo Quarry was certified by the Ministry 

as being compatible and fit for use in 

upcoming river bank projects throughout 

North Eastern Trinidad. The long term plan 

of the Ministry is to build retention ponds at 

the base of the Northern Range to control 

the river flows, and the intermediate action 

being pursued involves the construction and 

re-enforcement of river banks in that region. 

This initial project undertaken pertained to 

river bank works at the main access bridge 

of Readymix’s Head Office and Main Batching 

Plant location in Guanapo. The 

company relies heavily on this bridge to 

ensure timely and efficient delivery of its 

product to clients. RML supplied all of the 

quarry material required for this project, the 

embankment works of which was 

completed in November. 

Madho Balroop (L) - Engineer, Drainage 

Division, Ministry of Works and Transport and 

Dexter East - Operations Manager, Readymix 

(WI) Limited discuss the remedial work required 

on the river bank at RML’s main access bridge 

in Guanapo 

Ministry and Readymix and what that has 

been able to achieve. 

Commenting on the collaboration between 

Readymix and the Ministry of Works and 

Transport, Mr. Manan Deo – General 

Manager, Readymix (West Indies) Limited 

indicated “Readymix is pleased to be able to 

assist the government with these projects, 

which will improve the nation’s river bank 

systems, particularly as the erosion of these 

banks have many ill effects including 

widespread flooding. It is, therefore, critical 

to ensure the stabilization of our river banks 

and Readymix is committed to providing 

support in any way it can". 

Mr. Madho Balroop, Engineer at the Drainage 

Division of the Ministry of Works and 

Transport lauded Readymix for its valuable 

contribution, stating that the role of 

Readymix Limited is very vital, particularly 

now when the material is necessary to build 

the embankment. Mr. Balroop also spoke of 

the strong communication between the 

CARIBBEAN CONVEYOR

30 

“A Sustainable Approach 

to Road Construction” 

Trinidad Cement Limited (TCL), in 

conjunction with Lake Asphalt of Trinidad & 

Tobago and Danny’s Enterprises Co. Ltd. 

hosted a one – day seminar on sustainable 

road construction in October 2010 at the 

Port of Spain Room, Hyatt Regency, Trinidad. 

The seminar - “Concrete Roads, Soil 

Cement and Asphalt – A Sustainable 

Approach to Road Construction” was 

geared towards highlighting sustainable 

methods of road construction used globally, 

including soil cement stabilization, cold in 

place recycling and concrete roads. 

Jose Luis Matallana – Resansil, Inc. Miami (part 

of the Wirtgen Group), Hayden Phillip – 

Programme Manager P.U.R.E , Ministry of Works 

& Transport, Joachim Kemp – Engineer, 

Wirtgen Group (Germany) and David C. 

Collings – Engineer, Louden & Partners (South 

Africa). 

The Hon. Jack Warner - Minister of Works & 

Transport in discussion with Danny Gokool - 

Managing Director, Danny’s Enterprises Ltd. 

and Satnarine Bachew - General Manager, 

TCL. 

The Hon. Hack Warner – Minister of Works & 

Transport delivered the Feature Address, 

while other presentations were conducted 

by several experts in the field, such as David 

Collings and Cecil Chin. Mr. Collings is a 

world renowned Civil Engineer who specialises 

in road rehabilitation and has been 

actively involved in numerous road rehabilitation 

and upgrading projects worldwide, 

Rodney Cowan – Marketing Manager, TCL 

chats with Ambassador Arline Gonzales Costas 

of the Embassy Republic of Panama. 

while Mr. Chin is a local/regional concrete 

roads technology advocate. 

“Concrete Roads, Soil Cement and Asphalt 

– A Sustainable Approach to Road 

Construction” was also facilitated by consultants 

from Danny’s Enterprises and the 

Wirtgen Group (Germany). Seminar participants 

included civil engineers, road contractors 

and soil consultants. 

CARIBBEAN CONVEYOR

31 

TCL Co-Hosts Seminar on 

‘Blended Cements for 

Sustainable and Durable 

Construction’ 

Karthikeyan Obla (Ph.D., P.E) – Managing 

Director of Research and Materials 

Engineering at the National Ready Mixed 

Concrete Association (NRMCA), USA 

publicly endorsed blended cement as a 

fundamental component for sustainable 

development. He was speaking at a 2-day 

seminar hosted by Trinidad Cement 

Limited (TCL) and the Engineering Institute 

of the University of the West Indies held at 

the St. Augustine Campus. 

of infrastructural development, particularly 

in these times of dwindling resources and 

environmental degradation. Sustainable 

development is essential to protect our 

planet from further damage and at the 

same time, ensure that resources are 

available for future generations. The use of 

blended cements results in more durable 

structures, with higher long term strengths, 

lower permeability and are more environmentally 

friendly as less carbon dioxide is 

released during the manufacturing process. 

These attributes contribute to sustainable 

development. 

Blended cements are produced by intergrinding 

or intimately blending portland 

cement with complementary cementitious 

materials such as pozzolan, burnt clay, burnt 

shale, limestone or fly ash to enhance the 

physical and chemical properties of the 

resulting concrete, mortar, stucco, etc. 

Sustainability is an important consideration 

A cross section of participants at the TCL/UWI 

‘Blended Cements for Sustainable and 

Durable Construction.’. 

CARIBBEAN CONVEYOR

32 

CO2 being released into the atmosphere. 

Hence, by producing blended cement, TCL 

can realize a 1% reduction in CO2, by mass, 

emitted for each 1% replacement of clinker 

by pozzolan. Additionally, as a result of the 

above, fuel consumption decreases, resulting 

in less CO2 emissions from the combustion 

of the fuel. This overall impact results in 

reduced greenhouse gas emissions. 

(L-R): Ian Matthews – then Planning and Development 

Manager, TCL presents Karthikeyan 

Obla – Managing Director of Research and 

Materials Engineering at the National Ready 

Mixed Concrete Association (NRMCA), USA 

with a token of appreciation for his valuable 

and informative presentation. 

In 2009, TCL introduced its own blended 

cement - TCL Premium Plus, the use of 

which results in construction advantages 

such as reduced heat of hydration, higher 

short and long term strengths, protection 

against alkali aggregate reaction, decreased 

permeability of concrete and increased 

durability. 

TCL Premium Plus is also a more environmentally 

friendly product. With this blended 

cement, the company is able to reduce its 

carbon footprint by as much as 20%. One of 

the main processes in cement production is 

clinker manufacturing, in which Carbon 

Dioxide (CO2) is a by-product. In TCL 

Premium Plus, a percentage of clinker has 

been replaced with pozzolan, resulting in 

blended cement. The manufacturing 

process for TCL Premium Plus, therefore, 

uses less clinker, which translates into less 

The use of blended cements for sustainable 

and durable construction was also 

promoted by Mr. Danny Jairam – Concrete 

Technologist, Etercnoc Limited. He offered a 

user’s perspective of pozzolanic cement in 

the local and regional industries and related 

the “hands on” experience of the superior 

attributes of TCL Premium Plus as a 

blended cement that provides more long 

term benefits. Other facilitators were D.S. 

Prakash Rao (Ph.D.) – Professor of Structural 

Engineering and Abrahams Mwasha (Ph.D.) 

– Lecturer, Civil and Environmental 

Engineering, both of UWI, St. Augustine 

Campus while the interactive sessions 

included technical expertise from Wayne 

Benjamin, Chemist at Trinidad Cement 

Limited. 

The seminar attracted professional 

engineers from both private and public 

institutions, project managers, construction 

companies and other technical professionals. 

CARIBBEAN CONVEYOR

33 

TCL’s “Stepping Stones 

& Garden Walkways” 

Seminars Receive Positive 

Feedback from 

Community Members 

Trinidad Cement Limited (TCL) recently 

launched a series of seminars on the 

construction of stepping stones and garden 

walkways in local communities, as part of a 

partnership with the Ministry of Community 

Development’s “Skills Training 2010 

Program”. Approximately thirteen (13) three 

- hour sessions were were held during a 

segment of the Ministry’s Landscaping Class 

across Trinidad & Tobago. 

The seminars aimed to educate participants 

on how they should go about making their 

own stepping stones and garden walkways. 

TCL’s expertise provided valuable insight on 

making the moulds, colouring and mixing 

techniques, placing the concrete, curing 

methods and maintenance of the stones 

and walkways. 

Franklyn Deomansingh – Senior Lab Attendant, 

TCL demonstrates mixing decorative stepping 

stones at the Fonrose Community Centre, Rio 

Claro seminar. Inset: A stepping stone being 

decorated. 

Fitzalbert Rawlins – then Operations Manager, 

TCL presents Roseann Blake with the door prize 

at the North Manzanilla Government School 

seminar. 

Community members expressed their 

gratitude to TCL for providing them with the 

opportunity to learn about preparing 

stepping stones and garden walkways, and 

also for the face to face insight on proper 

Stephen Bachan – Assistant Chemist, TCL 

concrete mixing and curing techniques. 

explains the fundamentals of constructing 

stepping stones to participants at the Warrenville 

Regional Complex, Cunupia seminar. 

Seminars were held at the North Manzanilla 

Mixing the concrete is Rasheed Ali, also of 

Government TCL’s Laboratory. School, Boos Community in 

Rio Claro, Rambert Village in La Romain, 

CARIBBEAN CONVEYOR

34 

Remembering Naz – 

Paying Tribute to a Media 

and Cricket Stalwart 

Participants at the Rambert Village, La Romain 

seminar observe the concrete mixing process 

for making stepping stones and garden 

walkways. 

Community members expressed their 

gratitude to TCL for providing them with the 

opportunity to learn about preparing 

stepping stones and garden walkways, and 

also for the face to face insight on proper 

concrete mixing and curing techniques. 

Seminars were held at the North Manzanilla 

Government School, Boos Community in 

Rio Claro, Rambert Village in La Romain, 

Fonrose Village in Tableland, Plaisance Park, 

Tabaquite, Siparia, Warrenville, Cunupia, 

Princes Town, Moruga, Debe and South 

Oropouche. Arrangements are also being 

made to host the ‘Stepping Stones and 

Garden Walkways’ seminars in the sister isle 

of Tobago. 

In August 2010, the journalism industry lost 

a very experienced and popular colleague 

-Nazrudeen (Naz) Yacoob, to illness. A senior 

cricket reporter attached with the Trinidad 

Guardian newspaper, Naz covered the TCL 

Group W.I. U-19 Cricket Challenge for the 

past seven (7) years. He did this with as 

much passion and enthusiasm as when he 

first started his career in journalism fifteen 

(15) years ago. 

An avid cricket fan, particularly of local 

cricket, Naz received most of the titles at 

stake in cricket journalism in Trinidad & 

Tobago. He was well respected and admired 

by his fraternity. Guardian Sports Editor 

Valentino Singh, in offering condolences to 

his family, said Naz’s absence from the 

national sports media would leave a void 

that would be difficult to fill. “He was by far 

Naz Yacoob (R) collects the Carib media 

award for coverage of local cricket from Colin 

Murray, public relations manager of the 

company. 

CARIBBEAN CONVEYOR

35 

the most dedicated and accomplished local 

cricket reporter in the country. He guarded 

the territory jealously and it will be impossible 

to fill his post,” he said. Naz continuously 

sought to promote T&T’s cricket, by 

paying as much attention to the minor 

leagues and village clubs cricket development, 

as he did to the major league competitions. 

His articles frequently featured 

highlights from various matches played 

throughout the country, showcasing the 

young, talented upcoming players to the 

sport. Many times he would forego covering 

international cricket to remain faithful to his 

love for covering youth cricket. 

Naz fell ill during his coverage of the TCL 

Group W.I. U-19 Cricket Challenge 2010, in 

St. Lucia and had to be rushed home. This 

demonstrated his unwavering devotion to 

youth cricket, despite him not being in the 

best health. The TCL Group pays tribute to 

Naz, for his commitment and dedication. 

The U-19 regional competition will certainly 

not be the same without him. He will be 

dearly missed. 

With over 40 years of knowledge and experience in Professional Electrical 

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Our capabilities range from commercial and industrial to land and marine 

and everything in between. 

Jamcal Company Limited 

#7 Eligon Ave Ext 

Diego Martin 

Trinidad, West Indies 

Tel: (868) 633-9441 

Fax: (868) 633-7375 

email: jamcalcompany@gmail.com 

CARIBBEAN CONVEYOR

36 

TCL Group Employees 

Donate Towards 

Rebuilding Haiti 

Employees of the TCL Group recently 

contributed TT$ 62,666.87 towards the 

Group’s Haiti Relief Programme. The 

monetary donations from employees of 

Trinidad Cement Limited, TCL Guyana Inc. 

and the TCL Group Corporate Office were 

presented to Habitat for Humanity to assist 

in that organization's rebuilding of earthquake 

devastated Haiti. 

In the aftermath of the January 12 2010 

earthquake in Haiti, Habitat for Humanity 

has been working to meet the needs of 

Haitians left homeless by this disaster. The 

organization is addressing 20,000 shelter 

solutions as part of its contribution to the 

rebuilding efforts of Haiti. 

In addition to the monetary donations by 

employees, the TCL Group also embarked 

on a donations drive, where food items, 

clothing, mattresses and other non – perishable 

supplies were collected and shipped to 

Haiti, over the February – May 2010 period. 

In the longer term, as the reconstruction 

programme continues in Haiti, the TCL 

Group is focusing on providing the relevant 

technical and social support. 

The TCL Group decided to give the funds 

donated to Habitat for Humanity as the 

Group has an alliance with this organization 

since 2004. For the past six years, the TCL 

Group has donated cement to Habitat for 

Humanity projects not only in Trinidad & 

Tobago but also in Guyana, Jamaica and 

Suriname, with the aim of eradicating 

Hannah Wei Muddeen - Group HSE Manager, 

TCL Group and Co-ordinator of the TCL 

Group’s Haiti Relief Programme presented the 

cheque to Jennifer Massiah – National 

Co-ordinator, Habitat for Humanity at a 

recently held fundraising tea party. 

substandard housing, as well as developing 

lives across the region. 

Another Successful Year 

for the TCL Group W.I 

U-19 Cricket Challenge! 

The TCL Group prides itself in being a 

regional company with operations throughout 

the Caribbean, from Jamaica in the 

North to Guyana and Suriname in the 

South. In fulfilling its duty of being a responsible 

corporate citizen and in knowing that 

its achievements are ultimately bound to 

the success of the region in which it 

operates, the company readily sponsors the 

annual West Indies Under 19 Cricket 

Challenge. Now in the eighth consecutive 

year of sponsorship, this tournament is just 

one of the many ways the Group contrib- 

CARIBBEAN CONVEYOR

37 

utes to the development of the Caribbean, 

through the sport that is a favourite pastime 

and the passion of Caribbean people – 

cricket, oh lovely cricket! 

West Indian Cricket is an integral part of 

history and culture, and has the ability to 

bridge the distance between the islands and 

connect all as one people. The TCL Group 

willingly commits to this annual competition, 

as it acknowledges that its investment 

at this level of the game not only ensures a 

bright and positive future for West Indies 

cricket, but also fosters the growth of the 

region’s youth. 

In 2010, the tournament was held in St. 

Lucia from July 8 – August 4 and included 

teams from Jamaica, Windward Islands, 

Barbados, Leeward Islands, Trinidad & 

CARIBBEAN CONVEYOR

38 

Tobago and Guyana. The Windwards Team 

captured the 3 – Day (Test) competition title 

for the first time in the history of this tournament, 

while the Trinidad & Tobago Team 

emerged victorious in the 1-Day (Limited 

Overs) competition segment. 

TCL Group W.I. U-19 Cricket Challenge 2010 

Honour Roll 

Three – Day Competition 

Most Outstanding Batsman 

Kieron Joseph (T&T) 

Most Outstanding Fieldsman 

Haydn Walsh (Leewards) 

Most Outstanding Bowler 

Amir Khan (Guyana) 

Most Outstanding Wicket Keeper 

Denis Smith (Windwards) 

Best Allrounder 

Kavem Hodge (Windwards) 

One – Day Competition 

Most Outstanding Batsman 

The Captains of the teams competing in the 

TCL Group W.I. U-19 Cricket Challenge 2010 

seen here with the flags of their countries. 

T&T’s U19 Team upon its return home, at the 

Piarco International Airport, after securing the 

One - Day Competition title. At far right is 

Michelle Langton – Group PR Manager, TCL 

Group. 

Shane Burton (Leewards) 

Most Outstanding Fieldsman 

Derome Davis (T&T) 

Most Outstanding Bowler 

Donavan Nelson (Jamaica) 

Most Outstanding Wicket Keeper 

Stephen Catwaroo (T&T) 

Best Allrounder 

Roston Chase (Barbados) 

Previous TCL Group W.I. U-19 Three Day 

Winners 

2003 – Trinidad & Tobago 

2004 – Jamaica 


2006 – Guyana 

2007 – Guyana 

2008 – Barbados 



CARIBBEAN CONVEYOR

40 

Previous TCL Group W.I. U-19 Three Day 

Winners 

2004 – Barbados 


2006 – Limited Overs Matches Not Played 




2010 – Windward Islands 

Leeward Islands’ Haydn Walsh received the 

Most Outstanding Fieldsman award from Alan 

Nobie - Manager, Investor Relations & Corporate 

Communications, TCL Group. 

Cheryl Renwick of Renwick & Co. (TCL’s 

distributor in St. Lucia) presented Amir Khan of 

Guyana with the Most Outstanding Bowler 

award. 

Members of the Windwards Team proudly 

display their medals and trophy, after securing 

the Three – Day Competition title. At far right is 

Julian Charles - President, St. Lucia Cricket 

Association and in the middle is Julian Hunte – 

CEO, WICB. 

TGI at Guyana’s 

International Building 

Exposition 2010… 

“Building Businesses and 

Communities” 

TCL Guyana Inc. (TGI) participated in 

Guyana’s first ever International Building 

Exposition, hosted by the Ministry of Housing 

and Water at the Guyana National 

Stadium, Providence, East Bank Demerara. 

The Expo, held under the theme “Building 

Businesses and Communities,” aimed to 

respond to the housing and construction 

needs of the Guyanese people, fostering 

home ownership and catapulting the 

construction sector, creating and advancing 

linkages among local, regional and international 

stakeholders in the construction 

sector. 

TGI’s participation at the event included a 

Cement Tent with live demonstrations 

conducted by Cement Technologist, 

Danny Jairam. These sessions attracted 

CARIBBEAN CONVEYOR

41 

several hundred visitors over the duration of 

the expo. A presentation was also hosted at 

the event, and a workshop was held at the 

Ministry of Housing and Water, where 

government engineers were educated on 

the use and application of TCL/TGI’s Pozzolan 

Cement. 

20% cement discount announced for 

low income home owners 

At the start of the Expo on August 6, TGI 

announced its decision to provide a 20% 

discount on cement purchased by anyone 

qualifying for a house lot, as part of the 

Government of Guyana’s new housing 

initiative, during 2010. 

In making the groundbreaking announcement 

minutes after the official opening 

ceremony for the event, Minister of Housing 

and Water, Irfaan Ali, said, “We have come to 

an agreement with TCL (TGI ), that every 

person allocated a low income house lot 

would get up to eight slings of cement at a 

20% reduction in cost.” 

TGI’s collaboration with the Housing Ministry 

will see in excess of 500 new landowners 

under the Government of Guyana’s initiative 

benefiting from reduction in costs for 

A cement mixing demonstration being 

conducted at the TGI Cement Tent at 

Guyana’s International Building Expo 2010 . 

A workshop being conducted by Cement 

Technologist, Danny Jairam, for Guyana's 

Ministry of Housing Engineers, following the 

International Building Expo 2010. 

cement being used to construct their 

homes. The Guyana Bank for Industry and 

Commerce (GBTI) is also a partner in this 

drive, which will continue for the duration of 

this year, after which a review will be done to 

assess its success, and guide future initiatives. 

Commenting on the announcement, TGI’s 

Plant Manager, Mark Bender, said the 

proposal to undertake such a programme 

was made in 2009. Outlining the framework 

in which this initiative will be implemented 

was recently concluded and the 

decision made regarding the percentage 

discount, and qualifying factors. 

“TGI is very pleased to be collaborating with 

the government to provide low income 

landowners who are ready to begin 

construction of their homes with this great 

offer of 20% off our Pozzolan cement. This 

cement, arguably the best in the region, will 

no doubt provide them with a quality and 

CARIBBEAN CONVEYOR

42 

environmentally and socially responsible 

manner. And it is about a company’s 

commitment to being a fair and equitable 

employer. And it is about strategic social 

investment.” (The Conference Board of 

Canada, 1999). CSR is a trend that reflects 

changing social attitudes regarding the 

responsibilities that firms have towards the 

contexts and societies in which they 

operate. 

A cement mixing demonstration being 

conducted at the TGI Cement Tent at 

the first ever International Building 

Expo in Guyana. 

long lasting structure and home,” Bender 

stated. 

Since then, the company has embarked 

upon several CSR initiatives with a new 

structure and focus on compliance with the 

principles of the UN Global Compact. 

A brief overview of TCL’s targets include:- 

Employees - Increased engagement and 

participation of employees in relevant initiatives. 

Dissemination of internally good 

practices and employee voluntary. 

Contractors/Suppliers - Support for 

responsible and sustainable supply chain 

management. 

Corporate Social 

Responsibility at TCL 

“Towards a Sustainable Future” 

Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) is 

increasingly considered to be an important 

development in society, requiring a new way 

of thinking about the internal and external 

issues of organisations. 

CSR can be described as “... the overall 

relationship of the corporation with all of its 

stakeholders. Elements of social responsibility 

include investment in community 

outreach, employee relations, creation and 

maintenance of employment, environmental 

responsibility, human rights and financial 

performance. It is about producing and/ or 

delivering socially and environmentally 

responsible products and/ or services in an 

Customers - Exchange of information, 

know-how and experiences to create synergies 

and joint initiatives. 

Safety - Our philosophy of ‘zero accident, 

zero incident’ commits to providing and 

maintaining a safe and healthy working 

environment for all Employees inclusive of 

Contractors, Suppliers, Visitors, and The 

Community. 

External Communities – Continued 

consultation with local authorities and 

communities to coordinate plant tours, help 

to stimulate sustainable development for 

the neighbouring communities, respond to 

complaints, recommend support for donation 

requests. Improve understanding and 

benefits from social and environmental 

achievements and provide philanthropic 

CARIBBEAN CONVEYOR

43 

support in accordance with TCL's Policy and 

the principles of the UNGC. 

Copenhagen Climate Change Conference. 

NGOs - Collaboration in response to issues 

of social concern. To provide philanthropic 

support. To focus on doing more good and 

explore further opportunities for TCL 

Government - Support for activities and 

partnership efforts at national and regional 

levels 

International Organisations - Continued 

membership in UN Global Compact and 

support for Cement Sustainability Initiatives. 

To seek good practices in reporting 

and engagement efforts. 

Investors – Preparation of annual CSR 

reports with social and environmental 

issues and achievements. 

Youths - Facilitation of School Based Assessment 

(SBA) to assist students with the 

compilation of information for their related 

SBA project. Sponsorship of community 

schools sports day. Annual sponsorship of 

Under 19 T&T Cricket Challenge. Employee 

volunteers as advisors to Junior Achievement 

annual programme. 

Environment - At TCL the environment 

has become more focused and robust with 

continuing opportunities to further improve 

our target that go beyond regulatory 

compliance. Some of the initiatives 

include:- 

Launch of ‘Grey to Green’ campaign - to 

reduce the company’s carbon footprint, 

dust emissions and improve its waste 

management systems for the benefit of all 

Establishment of two internal environment 

committees – at Claxton Bay and Mayo to 

lead the way to new solutions and actions 

Support for the United Nations Secretary- 

General ‘seal the deal’ petition cloth at the 

TCL’s ‘Seal the Deal’ petition cloth banner, 

bearing over 500 signatures was sent along 

with the T&T contingent to the Copenhagen 

Climate Change Conference. 

Clean up of Claxton May Mangrove in an 

effort to reverse the degradation and loss of 

mangrove forest ecosystem. 

Launch of ‘Reduce, Reuse, Recycle’ 

programme 

Observance of World Environment Day 

annually at TCL, with tree plantings at Mayo 

and Claxton Bay communities. 

TCL supports World’s Largest Volunteer 

Effort – International Coastal Clean Up. 

Employees and their families involvement 

and participation in the national drive to 

“Clean and Beautify our communities” 

Recognition of our efforts encourages 

us to be more focused - 

2009 - TCL inducted into the Prime 

Minister’s Exporter of the Year Hall of Fame 

(PM Award Photo to be included here) 

2009 - Finalist in the South Trinidad Chamber 

CSR Leadership Awards in the category 

“Sustaining the Environment: Making the 

most of green opportunities” 

Receipt of 2009 award for Employers’ 

Consultative Association “Champion 

Employer of the Year” 

Clear skies over TCL’s 

Electrostatic Precipitator 

(ESP) at Claxton Bay. 

Bus Shelter donated by 

TCL to the community at 

St. Margaret’s Village, 

Claxton Bay. 

CARIBBEAN CONVEYOR

44 

Gordon Square Park at 

Mayo Village - environmental 

project 

maintained by TCL’s 

Mayo Quarry. 

TCL employees, their families and 

friends during the Claxton BAY 

Mangrove Clean –Up Project. 

More companies are recognising that 

paying insufficient attention to its CSR can 

be very costly. Errors made on the environmental 

front, social front, and in the workplace, 

can result in substantial legal costs 

and reputational damage. It is therefore 

vital that companies protect themselves, 

and the issue of CSR now concerns protecting 

against damage and proactively managing 

risks. 

A study by Price Waterhouse, states that 

CSR will be one of the top business drivers 

on which companies compete; distinguishable 

by those companies through improved 

President of the Republic of Trinidad & Tobago, 

George Maxwell Richards presents TCL's 

General Manager, Satnarine Bachew with the 

Award for Champion Employer of the Year 

2009. 

efficiencies and reduced cost, increase 

brand image and reputation, building 

innovative capacity, good relations and risk 

management, as well as employee retention, 

customer satisfaction and supply chain 

management. 

At TCL, corporate social responsibility is not 

a simple goodwill motivation but it is a way 

of doing business. Increased voluntary 

involvement by employees in CSR initiatives 

helps to ensure that support is 

provided to the most credible and reliable 

projects and that TCL earns a greater social 

return on its investment. 

Article submitted by Anne Phillip – Community 

Relations Officer, TCL 

References: 

University of Nottingham, International Centre 

for Corporate Social Responsibility Research 

Paper - Developing Meaning in Action: (Re) 

constructing the Process of Embedding Corporate 

Social Responsibility (CSR) in Companies 

The Practical Guide to the United Nations 

Global Compact Communication on Progress 

TCL has received the Prime Minister’s Exporter 

of the Year Hall of Fame Award. 

CARIBBEAN CONVEYOR

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