Richard Pandohie, general manager of IGL Limited - FILE
FOR MORE than four decades, most Jamaicans have known IGL Limited as a distributor of liquefied petroleum gases, LPG-propane and butane gases, commonly called cooking gas. What most don't know is that IGL also manufactures and distributes industrial gases, which have a host of applications and serve a range of businesses from bauxite mining conglomerates, to owner-operated auto repair shops.
"People are generally surprised when they find out how extensively we cover their daily lives," said Richard Pandohie, general manager. "While Super-gas, our LPG brand, is known and used around the country, the other gases we produce are also critical components for a range of businesses. We now want to strengthen the public perception of the company so that it indeed matches our scope."
INVESTED IN RESEARCH
The company has invested extensively in research and technology at its Spanish Town Road headquarters in Kingston. Fuel efficiency is integral in maximising productivity levels and it has been proactive in conservation. IGL has converted much of its diesel equipment to the cheaper LPG, and customer education on the cost-benefits of switching to LPG is progressing.
ALTERNATIVE ENERGY
"We are looking at expanding into alternative energy since energy efficiency stands as a major point on the economic agenda for both businesses and the nation. We have already done LPG conversions for several companies so they can decrease their reliance on electricity and/or diesel," said Mr. Pandohie. An LPG conversion can save businesses as much as 40 per cent in fuel costs.
A multimillion-dollar plant improvement programme is well under way to increase storage and delivery capabilities, while a new marketing campaign has just been rolled out. "We've been very deliberate in embarking upon this transformation on all fronts," said Mr Pandohie. The aim is to offer a superior value-added service that is relevant to customers.
The introduction of a 24-hour help line is the result of customer satisfaction research and the company now guarantees order delivery within 24 hours. This is done from a network of 15 filling plants and with a fleet of delivery trucks.
IGL has also embarked on an extensive programme to increase the technical competence of staff through international professional organisations.
For manufacturers, IGL supplies a broad range of industrial gases - oxygen, acetylene and argon for cutting and welding; nitrogen and carbon dioxide for freezing and carbonation; as well as hydrogen, ammonia, ethylene and helium.
In 2002 a consortium of regional investors former Caribbean Petro-leum Marketing (CPM), the company which acquired IGL from Enron Caribbean Holdings.
The IGL business strategy involves offering technical consultancy and service to manufacturers.
"We are creating a full service company that can respond to the manufacturing sector with first-class technical competency," noted Mr. Pandohie.
