THIRD QUARTER
JULY - SEPTEMBER 2020
ISSUE # 3
SEPROD AGM2020
Seprod forges ahead! Seprod Limited was proud to highlight profit, maintenance and expansion in new markets and opportunities arising through further acquisitions and e-commerce. “We will be coming out of this pandemic more agile and resilient than ever before!”, declared Richard Pandohie, CEO of Seprod Limited.
PB Scott, Chairman We will be coming out of this pandemic more agile and resilient than ever before!
Richard Pandohie, CEO
On Monday, September 21, 2020, Seprod Limited seamlessly executed the 81st Annual General Meeting. The AGM was held at the Jamaica Pegasus Hotel, 81 Knutsford Boulevard, Kingston 5. Due to the coronavirus, Ministry of Health and Wellness’ safety protocols and strict enforcement of social distancing guidelines were adhered to. Shareholders were invited to attend in person or virtually.
Highlight of the Seprod AGM 2020
Strict health and safety protocols were observed to keep directors, shareholders and workers safe during the 81st Annual General Meeting of Seprod Limited held at the Jamaica Pegasus Hotel on Monday, September 21.
Richard Pandohie, CEO of Seprod Limited, stops to have a chitchat with long standing shareholder, Winston Staples before the start of the 81st AGM of Seprod Limited on Monday, September 21.
Members of the board and Damion Dodd, Corporate Secretary (3rd left) were captured in light conversations before the start of the Seprod AGM held on Monday, September 21. L-R: Christopher Gentles, P.B. Scott (Chairman), Damion Dodd (Corporate Secretary) and Richard Pandohie (CEO).
Safeguarding the integrity of the business
Directors informed of crisis development, recovery and resolution. The Group Crisis Committee (GCC) is directly linked to Local Crisis Committees (LCC) at all facilities within the Seprod Group. The GCC strategically utilises internal and external resources (MOHW, WHO, etc.) to develop and maintain the plan before a crisis; initiate response during such events; and ensures full recovery and business continuity.
Group Crisis Committee’s (GCC) Mission
GCC Infection and Prevention Controls
The mission of the GCC is to ensure Employees’ Health and Business Continuity at Seprod.
The Infection and Prevention Controls for COVID-19 that have been developed and implemented by the GCC are:
At Seprod our primary concerns in managing any crisis are: Assuring the safety and health of employees, the public and other stakeholders, Protecting the Company’s property and resources
Global Pandemic
• Screening at entrance by way of temperature checks and questionnaire completion • Promotion of Hand Hygiene (Hand washing and sanitising) • Promotion of Respiratory Hygiene (Covering of sneezing and coughing) • Mandatory mask wearing • Social distancing (6 feet distance) • Declaring illnesses and staying at home if one is sick • GCC weekly updates • Continuous Training
Currently, the world is experiencing the Global Influenza Pandemic COVID-19. This reached our shores in Jamaica in March 2020 and consequently, our CEO activated the Group Crisis Committee (GCC) to lead the response to this crisis. Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) is an infectious disease caused by a newly discovered strain of the coronavirus that affects the respiratory tract. Most people infected with the COVID-19 virus will experience mild to moderate respiratory illness and recover without requiring special treatment. However, older people and those with comorbidities are more likely to develop serious illness which could be fatal. Management of COVID at Seprod is important as we strive to reduce the impact of workplace cluster which can cause the shutdown/ closing of our facilities for extended periods. As Seprod is a major food manufacturing entity, such a closure could affect us both internally and externally. As a consequence, the GCC mandate is to limit the possibility of this occurrence.
GCC Members
GCC Responsibilities The GCC is designated as the primary decision-making unit and is tasked with the overall management of events declared as a crisis. The group keeps the CEO and Board of
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Name
Title
Richard Pandohie
CEO
Dave Virtue
Group SHE and Security Manger
Patrick Sterling
Group HR & IR Manager
Odette Barrett
Health Supervisor
Gavin Bellamy
Liaison between Seprod and MOH
Carol Andrade
Group Quality Manager
Coping with Stress
DURING A PANDEMIC It is normal to feel sad, stressed, confused, scared or angry during a crisis. Talking to people you trust can help - like your friends and family. If you must stay at home, maintain a healthy lifestyle, including proper diet, sleep, exercise and social contacts with loved ones at home and by email and phone with other family and friends. Don’t use smoking, alcohol or other drugs to deal with emotions. If you feel overwhelmed, talk to a health worker or counselor. Have a plan, where to go to and how to seek help for physical and mental health needs if required. Get the facts. Gather information that will help you accurately determine your risk so that you can take the reasonable precautions. Rely only on credible sources you can trust such as WHO website or MOH. Limit worry and agitation by lessening the time you and your family spend watching or listening to media coverage that you perceive as upsetting. Draw on skills that you have used in the past that have helped you to manage previous life’s adversities and use those skills to help you manage your emotions during the challenging time of this outbreak.
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IBL
Staff engagements
On August 5, 2020, International Biscuits Limited (IBL) hosted a Pre-Independence Day activity. The IBL gang was adorned in the Jamaican colours to commemorate 58 years of Independence. The display, dress and food encouraged the staff to demonstrate their patriotic pride. Special thanks are in order for our staff members who contributed items for the display.
IBL OUTSTANDING TEAM MEMBERS FOR AUGUST 2020 These team members were awarded for outstanding work in their respective areas - Production, Accounts and Engineering. A token of appreciation was given by Roger Drinkall, General Manager. Congratulations to the others who were awarded but not photographed.
Ava Bennett
Cynthia McNally
Shanice Nolan
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Shauna Raffington
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Seprod
FOUNDATION PREPARING FOOD PACKAGES WITH OUR VOLUNTEERS On July 1, Seprod and Seprod Foundation volunteers joined other volunteers from the C.B. Facey Foundation to assist in putting together food packages for communities in St. Catherine at the PSOJ COVID-19 Response Warehouse. I,750 packages provided by volunteers on the morning shift contributed to a total of 2,939 packages put together for the day – the most that has ever been done in a day! We are grateful to our volunteers for giving their time to contribute to this nationally coordinated effort.
TABLET IN SCHOOLS PROGRAMME Many children living in inner city communities do not have access to a computer, a tablet or internet connection. Seprod Foundation remains committed to bringing innovative learning experiences to our children. Alongside our partners, the American Friends of Jamaica, Seprod Foundation is preparing to embark on a Tablets in Schools Programme, aimed at ensuring that children have the technology required to continue their education in these unprecedented and uncertain times. DONATE HERE: https://theafj.org/causes/digital-learning-resources-and-experie nces-for-children/
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SEPROD FOUNDATION
cont’d
SEPROD FOUNDATION SUMMER PODS WITH HALLS OF LEARNING Seprod Foundation hosted the Halls of Learning Summer Pods for a group of 11-12 year olds from North Street Primary School, over the week of July 27 - 31. In the absence of traditional summer camps this summer, the Halls of Learning Summer Pod, held at our Foundation office, was specifically designed to ensure that there was fun and learning in an environment where all safety protocols and government guidelines were being followed. Seprod Foundation has supported North Street Primary over the years with various coding workshops for Scratch Day and the Hour of Code. The workshops inspired the principal to start a coding and robotics club and entered a team in the World Robot Olympiad (Jamaica) in 2018. They placed second in the elementary section! This was a big achievement! North Street Primary was therefore a great team to participate in the Summer Pods as we aim to continue to encourage and provide them with the opportunities to develop their coding skills. In addition to building on their coding skills with the added exciting element of Robotics, the Summer Pods provided the students with a well needed social and educational interaction. The students were challenged to build and programme their robots to tackle various tasks, all using code. The North Street Primary Robotics Squad had an unforgettable summer experience with the Seprod Foundation! We were happy to be a part of it!
THE EDUSKATE PROGRAMME AT FREEDOM SKATEPARK We are so excited that the Edu-Skate Programme at Freedom Skatepark has started! Informed by the Self-Determination Theory, the Edu-Skate Programme uses skateboarding as a tool to promote personal development through life-skills related to autonomy, competence and relatedness in the social world. The season started out with a focus on the importance of a positive mentality. Children are encouraged to think positively, ‘I can do it!,’ as they learn the basics of the sport. 35 kids have participated in the programme so far. The Edu-Skate Programme is designed and implemented by our partners in this project, the Concrete Jungle Foundation.
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Ingredients
Recipe 2 cups Gold Seal All Purpose Flour 2 eggs 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened ½ teaspoon salt
4 to 5 tablespoons water 1 medium onion, finely chopped 2 cups cheddar cheese, grated (about 4 cups) 1 teaspoon PeppaTree Jamaican All Things Spice
Method
• In a large bowl, combine flour, eggs, butter, salt and water, mixing until you get a workable dough.
• Transfer the dough to a lightly floured surface and knead until smooth, about 2 minutes. Place in a bowl and cover with a damp, cotton towel or plastic wrap and let rest for 30 minutes.
• Cook onions in a buttered skillet until softened, about 5 or 6 minutes. • Remove from the heat and let cool slightly. Place the onions in a mixing bowl and add the cheese, and PeppaTree Jamaican All Things Spice seasoning to taste, and mix until it is well blended. Set aside.
• Form dough into thin, 3” circles and place two or
three teaspoons of the cheese filling in the center of the circle. Fold one side of the dough over the filling to form a half circle. Seal them by pressing the edges together with your fingers or a fork.
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Deep fry each dumpling for about 5 minutes, or until golden brown. Remove and drain on absorbent paper.
Honouring
YEARS OF SERVICE
18
19
Years
22
Years
Years
Fitz- Albert Farquarson
Patrick Thompson
Mahalia Richards
Merchandise Division
Merchandise Division
Pharmaceutical Division
Earle McDonald says goodbye to Serge Dairies on Monday, August 31, 2020 after serving four and a half (4½) years with Serge Dairies and nearly Thirty-Nine (39) years of working in a milk manufacturing factory. Earle began his professional life'on March 23, 1981 at the age of 20, he was employed to Jamaica Milk Products as a casual worker carrying out the functions of a Filter man in the Processing Section. Within five (5) years on August 4, 1986 Earl was appointed to permanent Register in the position of MSK Mixer. Earle, being the ardent worker that he has displayed, has been promoted to several positions thought the years such as: Connecting Man in March 23, 1987, Junior Operator in March 19, 2001 and Senior Operator-UHT in November 12, 2001. On February 1, 2016 as a result of the takeover of the Nestle operations by Musson International Dairies Limited (MIDL), Earle was employed in the category of Operator 3 and then later employed to Serge Island Dairies on March 6, 2017 in the capacity of Production Operator.
as a Certificate of Achievement from HEART Trust/NTA for “Efficient Operation of Industrial Machines” in March 2002, being part of 1+5S and GMP Implementation Teams in August 2011. He was recognized in for his 25 years of service to Nestle Jamaica Limited August 2011.
Not only has Earle been an exceptional employee but he has also accomplished several achievements such
We thank Mr. McDonald
We thank you for your dedication and outstanding service. May your years ahead be filled with the joy and fulfillment you so greatly deserve. Best Wishes
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FACEY Commodity Pharmaceutical Salutes UHWI Nurses Long before COVID-19, Facey Commodity has been supporting the nurses of the Accident & Emergency Unit of the University Hospital of the West Indies by providing gift packages to deserving nurses through its Staff of the Quarter Function. During COVID-19, as frontline heroes in the fight against the coronavirus, healthcare workers like nurses often sacrifice their own physical and mental well-being in order to take care of others. The recognition of the hard work and strong work ethic displayed during this pandemic period did not go unnoticed when the company through Seven Seas, one of the brands it represents, gifted the nurses with Multivitamins and Cod Liver Oil to assist the nurses to boost their immune health. At the core of the Seven Seas' philosophy, is the belief that a healthy life begins with great nutrition and as such, they
provided among the gifts, Cod Liver Oil, one of the richest sources of effective Omega 3 fatty acids, which are essential to good health and brain function which will certainly assist the nurses at this time. Director Of Nursing Mrs. Dion Murphy Nedrick welcomed the support and expressed gratitude to Facey Commodity which she described as a solid supporter of the Staff of the Quarter Programme, for over a year. "Facey Commodity has always shown us their support; they have been a company that the nurses look forward to receiving rewards from as they always provide meaningful and relevant gift baskets." Suzette Townsend, Brand Manager of Seven Seas mentioned that the opportunity to support healthcare workers at this time was in tandem with Seven Seas' philosophy and found it fitting to supply the nurses with supplements including Multibionta, a probiotic and multivitamin supplement that she thinks will assist in supporting their energy metab-
olism for long-term health and vitality. Facey Commodity is a member of the Seprod Group of Companies. It is a leading distributor of Consumer and Pharmaceutical products with a proven track record for long-standing and successful relationships with renowned multinational brands. They boast a distribution network of over 8,000 locations Island wide, inclusive of pharmacies, hospitals, supermarkets, wholesales and convenience stores.
new formula
Your Daily Dose More than just an ordinary Multivitamin
Unlike ordinary multivitamins, Multibionta contains a unique blend of biotic cultures combined with essential vitamins and minerals
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We have all grown weary of the coronavirus; though it is no joke, let us free our minds a little with this little brain game.
BRAIN TRIVIA: Word Maker CORONAVIRUS
How many words can you get from coronavirus? 11 letters _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ 8 letters _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ 5 letters _ _ _ _ _ OR _ _ _ _ _ OR _ _ _ _ _ 3 letters _ _ _ OR _ _ _ OR _ _ _ OR _ _ _ OR _ _ _ 2 letters _ _ OR _ _ OR _ _ OR _ _ OR _ _
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HR SUPPORT HOTLINE Your HR Department is here to support you through this crisis. Call/ Text/ WhatsApp the HR Support Help Line for information and advice, at:
876-395-5910 • 876-360-1812 • 876-410-7807 876-551-9193 • 876-447-7091 • 876-429-2658 876-388-3919 Call/ Text/ WhatsApp between 8:00 am and 8:00 pm and Text/ WhatsApp after 8:00pm - Monday to Saturday
Notice Policy on payment for unused sick leave has been discontinued effective Sept. 1. No payment will be made in Jan. 2021 for unused sick leave. Employees who are sick encouraged to take their annual allotted leave and stay at home, returning when medically certified fit.
Stay in The Know!
Stay in the Know with Seprod Group Communications! You are being encouraged to send your current telephone numbers to groupcommunications@seprod.com to receive company updates via SMS message.
Want to contribute to the next edition of The Buzz Newsletter? Feel free to submit suggestions to groupcommunications@seprod.com