There's always something new happening at ARC Manufacturing, and a recent visit to Bell Road for its Design in Action showcase did not disappoint. Conceptualised and guided by Novlet Green, general manager, corporate affairs & manufacturing, the afternoon's formalities were blessed by Reverend Dr Stevenson Samuels, lead pastor at the Waltham Park New Testament Churc, ahead of company updates from Devon Brooks, general manager, sales & operations, and design week updates from #DesignWeekJA conceptualiser Novia McDonald-Whyte.

Nailed It!, an interactive session led by Levar Beezer, assistant general manager, manufacturing, was as informative as it was enjoyable for lifestyle curator and entrepreneur Cecile Levee and property manager and retail entrepreneur Eroleen Anderson-Powell who, alongside ARC team members Ajeemah Mellad and David Smith, demonstrated the superiority of ARC nails.

There was more to be gleaned:

• Fabric mesh is made from cold drawn wires.

• ARC produces a variety of gauges and dimensions in both sheets and rolls.

• One of the company's greatest advantages is the ability to customise mesh based on customer request.

• ARC Nails are superior to the imported nails as they are stronger and of quality finish.

• ARC's robust quality check system ensures 100 per cent customer satisfaction: What they say is what they give.

• After thorough research ARC Manufacturing realised that the most suitable galvanised wire for the region is the hot-dipped against the electro-galvanised as this will last longer against corrosion.

• ARC PVC coated fence internal wire is also hot-dipped.

• The company is able to fence in heights from 3ft to 10ft.

• ARC possesses one of the only lumber treatment plants in the English-speaking Caribbean.

• Lumber is treated with MCA (micro copper azule) which is safer for the environment.

• Lumber is treated at a retention value of 0.075 pcf as against AWS of 0.05 pcf.

•The capacity of the plant is 4.5 billion BF per month.

• ARC produces three different profiles of roofing tiles: Classic, Spanish and Shake.

• ARC's based metal is alu-zinc with an ASTM coating which means even if there is a scratch it will not rust easily.

• ARC produces two types of roll form zinc sheets circular and industrial.

• ARC's notable competitive advantage is that customers can choose from a range of colours or textures in these profiles as well. Customers no longer have to settle for plain zinc sheets.

Meeting the staff at ARC manufacturing is a plus! Yes, all 320, one-third of whom are employed to the manufacturing plants and three-quarters of whom live in nearby communities. The ARC brand has been around for 25 years; however, ARC Manufacturing is 12 years old. Interpret this to mean that it ia an expert in building materials and related services.

ARC Quality Management System is ISO 9001:2015-certified and has been since 2018.

One of ARC's distinct competitive advantages is its manufactured products, which is distributed in three categories — wire, roofing and lumber. Unfortunately for them, in recent years, sales of locally produced building materials on the local market have eroded because of the influx of interior imports, such as fabric mesh, nails, and zinc sheets from China, Turkey and DR.

ARC is more than just a manufacturer; it is a socially responsible corporation involved in social projects to ensure sustainability in numerous communities, particularly those that it serves.

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