Blue Power cobbling new distribution deals outside the region

Amid fluctuating revenue, Blue Power Group Limited is engineering a shift away from Caricom markets, while strengthening local partnerships with key distributors to increase market share in Jamaica, and setting up new arrangements in North America.

The company plans to leverage the growing demand for niche products, such as beauty, natural, and medicated soaps, particularly those made with charcoal and turmeric, to drive higher returns. Blue Power, which is based at Victoria Avenue in Kingston, intends to use recently acquired space for future product development, but remained silent on plans to enter the liquid soap market.

At the company’s annual general meeting on Thursday, Chairman Jeffrey Hall emphasised that growth would come from both organic expansion and acquisitions.

Internationally, Blue Power plans to target the United States and Canadian markets, particularly persons of Jamaican heritage. Distribution partnerships with Iberia in the US and ongoing talks with Canadian distributors in Ontario underscore the company’s international growth strategy.

Despite shifting its focus to non-Caricom markets, Hall reiterated the importance of resolving Caribbean trade issues. “We’re awaiting clarity on the Caricom trading regime and will adjust our strategy accordingly,” he said.

In February, new tariffs on raw material imports from Asia eroded Blue Power’s competitiveness in the Caribbean. The tariff change flowed from a ruling by the Caribbean Court of Justice in relation to a 2021 case regarding brought by Dominica Coconut Products Successors Limited, which makes the raw materials for soap, called noodles. Blue Power was not directly involved in the case but the ruling impacted its business.

Founded in 2001, Blue Power initially focused on its laundry soap line but has since seen faster growth in bath soaps.

At year ending April 2024, Blue Power’s sales revenue dipped three per cent to $846 million.

Hall previously indicated last July that the company believes it can grow its revenue base threefold in five years.

steven.jackson@gleanerjm.com