The East Caribbean Group of Companies (ECGC) announced on Monday that is has acquired the business assets of Bottlers (St. Vincent) Ltd., makers of the popular soft drink, Ju-C, which has been off the market since Bottlers closed its door and went into receivership some years ago.
(Read earlier story: Gov’t supports ECGC purchase of ‘Ju-C’)
The official signing of documents took place on March 11 at the chambers of lawyer Grahame Bollers in Kingstown by David Holukoff of Grant Thornton, (British Virgin Island) Ltd., receiver of the assets property and undertaking for Bottlers (St. Vincent) Ltd, ECGC said in a release on Monday.
The documents were signed in the presence of Bollers and representatives of ECGC, namely chair of the Board of Directors, Audrey Defreitas; Director, Sylvia Sutherland; Chief Executive Officer, Osmond Davy; Chief Operating Officer, Elvis DeRiggs and lawyer, Douglas Williams.
The acquisition by ECGC includes the rights to the “Ju-C”, “Village Ram”, “Clear” (bottled water) and “Sipz” trademarks, and ownership of the manufacturing and distribution operations at the Campden Park Industrial Estate, the release said.
The Chief Executive Officer, Osmond Davy, said it is a strategic acquisition which would provide the opportunity for ECGC to offer its customers another range of high quality affordable products, re-establish national pride in the Ju-C brand while providing employment and also aid in long-term national development, the release said.
Would former workers get their severance that is due to them ?