Senator Norman Grant (centre) president of the Jamaica Agricultural Society (JAS) in discussion with Roger Clarke (right) Minister of Agriculture and Graham dunkley Director-General Coffee Industry Board (CIB) at the launch of the Jamaica Coffee Festival held at Devon House in September. - NORMAN GRINDLEY/DEPUTY CHIEF PHOTOGRAPHER
GRAHAM DUNKLEY, Director General of the Coffee Industry Board has pushed his organisation to achieve ISO 9001:2000 standard certification.
More than 400,000 companies around the world are now registered to the ISO 9001:2000 series quality standard. The aim for the CIB is that that applying such best practices will lead to job satisfaction, continuous workplace improvement and sustainability of the Jamaican coffee industry.
"We are convinced that our implementation of and registration to ISO 9001:2000 standard will bring tremendous benefits to all stakeholders in the industry," says Mr. Dunkley.
Certification is also expected to bring transparency, improved staff morale, proper documentation, adequate training and a reduction in waste.
The actual certification was granted in July 2004 and the CIB is the only industry in Jamaica to hold this qualification.
When CIB decided to seek ISO certification a few years ago, it didn't' have much choice, according to Mr. Graham. Charged with protecting the brand name of Jamaican coffee and guaranteeing quality, CIB found there was much dissatisfaction with the service quality and consistency of its members.
