Fraser up to the challenge

TWENTY-FOUR YEARS AGO, Merlene Fraser joined the shipping division team at Berger Paints Barbados Limited as a shipping clerk. This year as the company celebrates 60 years in business, she now holds the position of warehouse manager – a great achievement for her as it is the first time a woman has held the responsibility of leading the warehouse.

In this capacity, Fraser is responsible for inventory management and distribution for both local and export customers. For her, the most rewarding aspect is when the external and internal customers’ expectations have been successfully met.

While Fraser can be hailed as the warehouse authority of the Berger team, the job does not come without its challenges. “As a warehouse manager, the most challenging aspect is ensuring that the customer’s fulfilment is met in full and on time. This is why the most rewarding part relies on surpassing the customer’s expectation; this is our motivation when fulfilling orders, so the team always rallies together to ensure that Berger products reach the customer as per their requirements.”

The Berger legacy fills Fraser with immense pride as she continues to fulfil her role after just one year shy of a quarter century. The working environment, colleagues who are like family and just a love for the role, show why it is possible to celebrate this milestone with such optimism for the future. The spirit of advancement and innovation is another key aspect of the company’s success, and with this, employees are provided with a unique opportunity to learn new things. “Berger gives opportunities for the growth and development of its employees through ongoing training programmes. The Berger brand is also known throughout the Caribbean for its innovations, quality products for lasting beauty and protection that have been tested and proven throughout time. Being able to offer our customers paint recommendations, advice on colours, possible solutions for surface problems and having the ability to customise our paint to get the perfect colour match with the warehouse team in service of the customer are some of the unique skills I have learnt over the years.”

In the true colour and vigour of Berger Paints Barbados Limited, Fraser extended hearty congratulations to the whole team. “I would like to personally say congratulations to the company for continuing to be a leader in the paint industry and continuing to remain competitive in the market through innovation, design, technology, and pricing, despite the challenges faced through the 60 years of existence. I would also like to say a heartfelt thanks to the Berger family for their continued and unwavering support of the business to ensure that we the employees continue to grow our well-known and well-loved brand.” (DT)

THE RESPONSIBILITY OF employee and industrial relations, health, safety, security and facilities management lies in the capable hands of Human Resources Lead Marieta Alleyne.

Starting her journey at Berger Paints Barbados Limited (BPBL) as a sales secretary in October 2001, Alleyne held titles such as executive assistant, human resources assistant, HR & administration supervisor and now the current role of human resources lead.

Alleyne highlights that the most rewarding part of being the human resources lead at Berger is the engagement with staff across all levels of the organisation. “At BPBL, we consider ourselves family and not just co-workers, and as such we have formed close bonds and relationships over time that remain, even if an individual leaves the company.”

As an HR professional, Alleyne states that one of the most challenging aspects of the role is that of change management. “Leading an organisation through a successful change is not easy. Therefore, as HR lead, I partner with the senior management team to drive and implement various business strategies.

“The major things to tackle are employee engagement across all levels of the organisation and the implementation of training strategies, which are essential to help our employees to understand the process and develop the required competencies to deal with change management.”

The role has also paved the way for Alleyne to expand her knowledge way beyond the field of human resources. “I have the opportunity to interact with contractors from various sectors and partner with the facilities team on projects, whether this may be the opening of a new location or upgrades to the plant.

“Thus, my role takes me beyond my desk and what you would normally expect from someone in the human resources field. Most recently, I was a part of the team that led the company through the successful recertification of our ISO 9001:2015 and ISO 14001:2015 Surveillance Audits. This was quite a feat for us, but at the end of the journey I felt a great sense of fulfilment and accomplishment.”

For Alleyne, there is a unique sense of pride and joy which comes with being a part of the 60-year journey at Berger. She said, “As a young girl, I grew up hearing all about Berger Paints and I can still remember the jingle which accompanied the corporate signature – For Lasting Beauty and Protection. This remains an indelible part of the Barbadian landscape even today. I am proud that I have had the opportunity to be a part of Berger’s history, to see the progress of the company that was first to develop low-odour paint, pursuing and achieving our ISO 14001:2015 certification, and now the launch of our new Innovatint Tinting System. I am proud to know that I am part of Berger’s longstanding legacy.”

The rich 60-year history of Berger is one for celebration, and as human resource lead to the people behind the paint, Alleyne extends a hearty congratulations to the entire team. “May you outshine your past achievements and continue to be the pioneer for paint solutions in Barbados.

“To our employees, our customers, and our family at BPBL, without you, these celebrations would not be possible. We attribute these achievements to your dedication, loyalty and commitment. Happy anniversary!!” (DT)