H&L Connect Issue #19

Dear H&L family,

I want to take a moment to express my deepest appreciation for each and every one of you, and the incredible dedication you showed in 2023. As we reflect on last year as a whole, we can proudly say that it was a year of remarkable milestones for H&L.

One of our proudest achievements was the successful launch of two new brands under the H&L umbrella, Brown Box and Centurion. These endeavours would not have been possible without your unwavering commitment and hard work. It is because of your efforts that we have expanded our reach and strengthened our position in the market.

At H&L, we are more than just a group of companies; we are a community, bound together by a shared vision and a common purpose - Family. Together, we have embraced the principles that define us and make us successful. Trust, communication, respect, and a consistent desire to learn and improve are the cornerstones of our success.

Our unity rests on the foundation of trust, allowing us to depend on each other and work towards a common goal. Communication serves as our lifeline, fostering understanding, transparency, and collaboration. Our interactions reflect a deep respect for each other’s differences and unique perspectives. Our unwavering commitment to learning and improvement is the driving force that propels us forward, with relentless resilience in pursuit of our goals.

As we continue into 2024, it is important to remind ourselves of the purpose each and every one of us holds within this organization. We all play a vital role in the success of H&L, and it is crucial for us to find our individual purpose and align it with the collective purpose of our team. Whether it is through providing excellent customer service, innovating new solutions, or fostering a positive work culture, each of us has the power to contribute to the growth and success of the organisation as a whole.

So as we face the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead, let us never forget these principles that have brought us this far. Let us place them at the very core of our actions, as we continue to grow and navigate the path to greatness. Together, as a team, we will overcome obstacles, celebrate victories, and create a legacy that we can be truly proud of.

With gratitude and excitement for the future, Manners & Respect

Marcus Richards Managing Director

We’ve become a leading force in the concrete industry with a legacy dating back to our beginnings as Shagoury’s Block Factory. Centurion Concrete Products upholds the same core values and commitment to excellence that have guided us since our inception.

4” and 6” Hollow Concrete Blocks available at

MEET YOUR HR TEAM

Meet your H&L Human Resources team – We are a group of passionate professionals dedicated to nurturing the growth and development of our organization’s greatest asset: our people. On your behalf, we work to foster a culture of inclusion and support.

From handling employee relations with empathy to ensuring seamless HR operations, each member plays a crucial role in cultivating an environment where our employees can thrive.

Together, we’re on a mission to empower our workforce, drive excellence, and shape the future of our organization through strategic HR initiatives and a genuine passion for the well-being and success of our H&L family members individually and collectively.

Karla Nembhard

Human Resource Manager (876) 550-9154

karla.nembhard@hardwareandlumber.com

Roxan Long

Jada Clarke

Human Resource Officer (876) 842-7887

roxan.Long@hardwareandlumber.com

Talcia Gillies

Human Resource Associate (876) 851-1786

talcia.gillies@hardwareandlumber.com

Human Resource Associate (876) 851-1786

Nicola Powell Recruitment Officer (876) 470-7827

jada.clarke@hardwareandlumber.com Abena Harvey

nicola.powell@hardwareandlumber.com

Yanique Wauchope

Human Resource Officer (876) 570-2383

yanique.wauchope@hardwareandlumber.com

Resource Associate (876) 851-1786

abena.harvey@hardwareandlumber.com

OUR BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Harry Smith

Christopher Bovell

Henry Reid

Michael Ammar Jr.

Gene M. Douglas Secretary

Karen Gilbert

Patrick Williams

Erwin Burton Chairman

Josef Bogdanovich

Michael Bernard

Marcus Richards Managing Director

HIGHLIGHTS OF A GREAT YEAR!

Seven (7)

The ACCC, Liliendaal, Georgetown.

Design Week

H&L Agro Lick-Six Programme

H&L Featured Employee Rising Stars

Ocho Rios Town Centre Launch

Nine (9)

Expo Jamaica

RJR Cross Country

Expo Jamaica

Pink Run

Eight (8)

Design Week Portrait Session

New Green Primary School paint donation

Marcus Richards visits Voice of Hope Open Bible Church

69th Denbigh Agriculture Trade Show

RJR Cross Country

Reggae Sumfest

Labour Day Initiative

H&L Resellers Programme Page Ten (10)

Regency Blinds 40th Anniversary Service

True Value Trade Show

Regency Blinds 40th Anniversary Service

CALENDAR

Special Days of Recognition

March 18

Global Recycling Day

March 22

Represent your School for Champs Day

April 28

World Day for Safety at Work

April 24

Admin Professionals Week/Day

May 12 Mothers’ Day

Marketing Calendar

March 20

International Day of Happiness

April 21 World Creativity & Innovation Day

May 15

International Day of Families

April 22 World Earth Day

May 23 Labour Day

H&L Rapid True Value has several key categories that we will feature in a new initiative dubbed PROJECT OF THE MONTH to reinforce that we are an essentials destination, and we have all the products customers need for all their building and renovation projects which is why they should START RIGHT. START HERE. Windows & Doors, March | Home Improvement Extravaganza, March | Labour Day Sale, May | Mother’s Day Engagement, May Father’s Day Sale & Engagement, June | Launch Storm Preparedness, June

EVENTS

H&L Rapid True Value will participate in upcoming events targeting key markets:

Montego Bay Chamber of Commerce & Industry Expo, March 22-24

International Real Estate Conference (IREC) & Homeowners Expo, April 18-20

Our network wide H&L Rapid True Value MEET THE EXPERTS event April 20&27

Health, Home & Garden Expo May 3-4

H&L Agro business continues to support and inspire our farmers, gardeners and resellers:

• Stay tuned to our Social Media & YouTube pages for content features on some of our products Touchdown IQ, Solo 442 Battery Sprayer, Onion Production and so much more.

• We partnered with Hillside Coffee Growers Ltd, RADA, SDC, JACRA & the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries & Mining for a Farmers’ Training & Sale Day in Peters Rock, St. Andrew.

• Look out for the 2023 Awards & the 2024 launch of The H&L Agro Reseller Rewards Programme.

NEXT UP:

• Garden Goals Video Feature

• Farmers’ Month Sale & In Store Executions, April

• Bare Root Orchid Sale, April

• Labour Day Sale, May

• Execution at Health, Home & Garden Expo, May

• Tools Sale, June

Hardware & Lumber Wholesale is now on social media!

Follow us @hardwareandlumberwholesale on Facebook and Instagram!

Regency Blinds will continue to leverage H&L activities by participating in events such as the RJRGLEANER Cross Country Invasion.

Pop Up Shops: We will also host Pop-Up Shops at various H&L Rapid True Value stores, look out for details!

H&L Family Exclusive: Staff get 15% OFF all purchases at Regency Blinds. Starting now!

New duty-free allowance USD$100! Now you can shop, save and ship even more items! Staff can enjoy special offers and get packages shipped to your store location! Get your free brown box account at tracking.brown-box.com/staff/register.

Our newest family member to the H&L group turns 1 March 27,2024. Look out for Centurion Concrete Products displays in Rapid True Value Locations.

OUR H&L FOUNDATION

This past year, we partnered with incredible organizations like the Ministry of Health and Wellness Adopt a Clinic programme, Mamby Park Baptist Church, and St Luke’s Anglican Church to make a real difference in our community.

We empowered individuals and families across Jamaica by providing essential medical care to clinic patients, supporting educational initiatives for school children, and promoting environmental sustainability. For example, our partnership with Recycling Partners of Jamaica diverted waste from landfills, creating a cleaner and healthier environment for everyone.

• Ministry of Health and Wellness Adopt a Clinic

- Duhaney Park Health Centre

- Waterford Health Centre

- Lincoln Health Centre

• Food For The Poor

• National Solid Waste Management Authority

• Recycling Partners of Jamaica

• Cambridge Primary School

• Duhaney Park Community Development Committee

• Green Park Primary School

• Hopewell Health Centre

• Mamby Park Baptist Church

• Nuttall Memorial Hospital

• Race Course Primary School

• Rotary Club of Kingston East & Port Royal

• St Luke’s Anglican Church

• Strathmore Gardens Childcare Facility

Painting a Brighter Future in association with the True Value Foundation

• New Day Primary & Junior High School

• Southborough Primary School

• New Green Primary & Infant School

• Esher Primary School

• Aabuthnott Gallimore High School

• Mico Practising Primary & Junior High School

• Golden Valley Primary and Infant School

• Lister MairGilby High School for the Deaf

• Duhaney Park Primary School

• Cross Primary School

FAMILY WORSHIP WITH OUR MD

Our Managing Director makes it a point to regularly worship with our family, across the island.

Mamby Park Baptist Church

January 22, 2023

Host: Erwin Burton

St. Luke’s Anglican Church

February 19, 2023

Event: H&L 95th Anniversary Service

Voice of Hope Open Bible Church

April 2, 2023

Host: Shernet Lunan

Miracle Open Bible Church

June 25, 2023

Host: Christopher Ferguson

Bible Teacher’s International Church

August 20, 2023

Event: Regency Blinds 40th Anniversary

New Testament Church of God, Braeton

December 17, 2023

Host: Pamela Johnson

If you would like to invite Marcus to your church please contact: Tricia Johns Tricia.Johns@hardwareandlumber.com 876-881-9703

REMEMBERING GAVIN ROBINSON

Regrettably, we had to say goodbye to our colleague, Gavin Robinson, who transitioned on December 21, 2023. Our attention turned to the support of his loving family, and we grieve alongside each of them. Gavin was laid to rest in the plains of St. Elizabeth on

January 27, 2024. It was a beautiful service and by the many tributes and expressions of love before and on the day, we know he lived well. We are grateful for the time he spent with us at H&L. He is very dearly missed.

WORD SEARCH

AGRO REGENCY

TRUEVALUE

LUMBER

LOYALTY

COURIER

SHIPPING CONCRETE

SUMMA FIX

OCHO RIOS CENTURION

BROWNBOX PINKRUN

Nuggets of Knowledge TIME MANAGEMENT

Managing your time effectively is crucial in achieving your goals. Effective time management is a skill that takes practice and continuous review. Here are some tips to help you to identify how you can better manage your time:

Set Clear Goals

Define your short-term and long-term goals. Knowing what you want to achieve will help you prioritize your tasks and allocate time accordingly.

Create a To-Do List

“Break larger tasks into smaller manageable steps”.

Make a daily or weekly to-do list. Break down larger tasks into smaller, manageable steps. Prioritize import ant activities and cross off items as you complete them.

Allocate Time and Set Limits

Identify blocks of time to tackle different tasks or cate gories of tasks within a specific time frame. This helps to prevent multitasking, enhances focus and helps to prevent tasks from taking up more time than they should.

Reflect and Adjust

Regularly review your time management strategies. Identify what works well and what doesn’t. Adjust your approach based on your experiences.

Learn to distinguish between urgent and important not all urgent tasks are important, and vice versa. Focus on what truly matters in the grand scheme of your goals.

Here at H&L, there is always an opportunity for career growth, and we thank each of you who have submitted applications of interest in vacant roles.

Internal mobility remains robust, and we congratulate all 55 of our H&L family members who were appointed to new roles during 2023.

Appointments FAMILY MOVEMENTS

December 2023 - February 2024

Heather Plummer

December 1, 2023

New role

Senior Customer Service Center Agent

Department/Location eChannels

Christopher Shand

December 4, 2

New role

Forklift Operator

Department/Location

H&L Rapid True Value Portmore

Belinda Suckrajh

January 1, 2024

New role

Branch Supervisor

Department/Location

H&L Agro Southfield

Christal Davis

February 5, 2024

New role

Inventory Clerk

Department/Location

H&L RTV Spanish Town Road

Georgiana Cohen

February 12, 2

New r

Receiving Clerk

Department/L

H&L RTV Lane

INTRODUCING SUDU RAMANI

H&L’s New Chief Financial Officer

Meet Sudu Ramani, our new Chief Financial Officer. To help you get to know Sudu better, here’s a glimpse into his thoughts and experiences through a candid Q&A:

What is your idea of perfect happiness? Chilling with my wife and sons.

Which living person do you most admire? My father, who, at the age of 91, is sharp of mind, sharp of tongue, has a great sense of humour and is fiercely independent.

What is your greatest extravagance? There are too many to tell.

What is your current state of mind? Calm and excited at the same time.

Which words or phrases do you most overuse? Sure, Absolutely, perfect. When and where were you happiest? Whenever my family gets together.

Which talent would you most like to have? The talent to sing in tune.

What do you consider your greatest achievement? Being a good father and husband.

What is your most treasured possession? There are too many to tell.

What is your most marked characteristic? My beard.

What do you most value in your friends? Being non-judgmental and having a great sense of humour.

What was your first job? Sales accountant at Pepsi India.

Who are your favourite writers? Roald Dahl, John Grisham, Tolkien.

Who is your hero of fiction? The Hobbits. All of them.

Which historical figure do you most identify with? I admire Gandhi a lot. Not sure if I identify with him.

Who are your heroes in real life? Everybody in my life has lived with me and has not gone insane.

What is your motto? A ship in a harbour is safe, but that is not what ships are built for.

As Sudu steps into his role as Chief Financial Officer, let’s give him a warm welcome and show our support as he steers H&L towards even greater success.

Leading with Vision NICOLE CLARKE JOINS REGENCY BLINDS

Regency Blinds proudly welcomes Nicole Clarke as our new General Manager, a seasoned leader with over a decade of experience in the building materials industry. Nicole’s customer-centric approach and collaborative leadership philosophy seamlessly align with our values, promising innovation and growth.

At the core of Nicole’s vision is fostering an inclusive environment that empowers teams, promotes open communication, and drives continuous improvement. Her strategic mindset and deep understanding of employee and customer needs have consistently streamlined operations, enhanced experiences, and boosted profitability.

Nicole’s impressive track record and ability to identify opportunities and implement innovative solutions position Regency Blinds to set new standards of excellence. Her advocacy for work-life balance ensures a motivated workforce. Nicole’s adventurous spirit will foster creativity and progress as we explore new horizons, providing customers with cutting-edge products and services.

Nurturing a Culture of Well-being YOUR TIPS FOR A HEALTHY AND BALANCED WORK LIFE

Dear H&L Family,

As we embark on a new season, it’s the perfect time to reflect on our commitment to fostering a workplace that not only values professional growth but also prioritizes the health and well-being of our incredible team members. In this edition, we’re putting the spotlight on health and wellness, sharing insights, tips, and initiatives to help each one of us lead a balanced and fulfilling life.

"A healthy work-life balance is key to your well-being and productivity and it is important to create a balance that suits your unique needs."

The Power of Movement

Physical activity is not just about staying fit; it is a cornerstone of overall well-being. Take short breaks during the day for a quick stretch or a brisk walk. Many of the devices we have today tracks the number of steps we take each day: set a goal and be sure to hit it consistently!

Work-Life Balance

A healthy work-life balance is key to your well-being and productivity and it is important to create a balance that suits your unique needs. Openly communicate with your managers about workload, deadlines, and personal commitments. Scheduling time for personal “odds and ends” is essential to your success. Schedule

time to attend to personal tasks and brainstorm how to be more effective and efficient in the role you play in our family. Make a list of your daily priorities, including negotiables and non-negotiables. You can place a limit on the time spent on social media each week and dedicate quality time with your family on arrival at home, fun activities like dancing, exercising and very importantly, rest.

Prioritizing Mental Health

In today’s fast-paced world, it is crucial to acknowledge and prioritize mental health. The workplace can be a source of both challenges and support. Let us create an environment where everyone feels comfortable discussing mental health and seeking the support they may need.

Our Counselling programme remains available to provide you with confidential support for personal or professional challenges. Whether it’s counselling or life advice, support is available to help you navigate life’s complexities. The programme facilitates your access to counselling for up to six (6) sessions in each year.

Remember, our journey to a healthier workplace is a collective effort. Let’s support each other in making positive choices, creating a workplace where everyone can thrive both personally and professionally.

Annual Medical Check-ups

You are encouraged to visit your health service provider to check on the status of your physical health on an annual basis. At present, the company facilitates your health checks in Montego Bay and Kingston. Stay tuned for locations in Ocho Rios and Mandeville to come on board later this year.

Think it Through

Take a moment or two to think through your decisions for best results: for example, ‘should I continue watch-

ing this series at 11:30 at night, or should I go to bed to have a good start for tomorrow? Should I proceed to checkout with this online purchase, or should I increase my savings?’ Choose wisely!

Accept that it will not be perfect

Accept that your work-life balance will not always go as planned. This is a process that does not happen overnight and creating the perfect balance for your personal needs and professional requirements is a complex goal to attain. Give yourself grace as you figure out what balance looks like for you and how you can get closer to achieving it in your personal and work life.

Even when you think you have everything figured out, there will always be days that are a little out of balance. Remind yourself that it is OK. There is no one perfect schedule. Tomorrow is a brand new day, with another opportunity to attempt work-life balance again.

Bonus tip: Take it slow

You do not have to achieve everything in one day. Do not let your work-life balance improvement attempts become a failed-by-February New Year’s resolution. Start with one of the techniques from above. Try to change one aspect at a time. If you do not exercise at all, start by exercising once a week. Once that starts to feel normal, work your way up and increasing the frequency to two or three days. Then, incorporate something new. Take things slow, you’ll still get ‘there’!

Stay well!

From your HR team

This isn’t your average suggestion box – use your phone to scan the QR code and give us your suggestions and feedback.

We want to hear from you !

Access our employee feedback platform with this QR CODE.

• Backyard Gardening

• Photography

• Woodworking

• Creative Writing

• Arts and Craft

• Community Involvement, Etc

Send your pictures, videos and articles via WhatsApp to 1-876-851-1786 or email at hlhrd@hardwareandlumber.com by May 15, 2024 to be featured in our next issue of H&L Connect.

HR DEPARTMENT CUG

Phone or WhatsApp:1-876-851-1786