TORTUGA (BARBADOS) LTD, formerly Bakers Choice Inc., has announced the decision to discontinue its cake production operations.
The company was engaged in the manufacturing and distribution of rum cakes for Tortuga International Holdings Limited which markets the products in the Caribbean, United Kingdom and North America.
Going forward, Tortuga International will be sourcing cakes from other bakeries across the Caribbean.
According to Marcus Simmonds, CEO of Tortuga International, “Bakers Choice served as a strong partner to Tortuga for almost 20 years. The team not only produced our baked goods, it also influenced our recipes with the flavours, ingredients and baking traditions of Barbados.”
However, Simmonds noted that the most significant growth opportunities for the Tortuga business were in the US markets, and the expectations of major US retailers forced the business to take steps to consolidate its production activities in the Caribbean to improve the company’s competitiveness.
Several weeks ahead of the August 26 closure, management met with its 30 temporary and permanent employees some of whom were with the company for more than ten years, to inform them of the decision.
Additionally, the impacted employees were offered severance packages, counselling, and engaged in resume preparation workshops to help equip them with the tools to get back into the job market.
Twenty-one employees were impacted at the end of last month while eight have stayed on to wind down the remaining operations which are expected to be completed by September 30.
Tortuga International has also announced a strategic relationship with R.L. Seale Limited which will handle distribution of its product in Barbados and will continue to supply the company with rum-based products that are manufactured in Barbados.
About this relationship Simmonds stated: “R.L. Seale is one of several Barbadian companies with which we are working. As our specialty food brands continue to expand internationally and we diversify our range, we look forward to strengthening our partnership with those companies.”
Tortuga International Holdings is a leading purveyor of premium specialty food products across the Caribbean travel retail, cruise and tourism markets. Tortuga branded products include Caribbean rum cake, rum, rum-based confectionary, sauces and spices and Caribbean coffee. (PR)
