For recently retired Feed Plant Manager, Tony Ricardo Spencer, no single private sector entity has been more vital to the development and sustainability of livestock agriculture in Barbados than Pinnacle Feeds Limited.
Spencer, who marked 45 years of service on December 1st, 2022, is one among a commendable cadre of long-serving employees of Pinnacle and parent Company Roberts Manufacturing Limited, who are capping off noteworthy careers in the period 2022 to 2023.
Looking back at his career from when he started at 19 years old in the post of general worker, Spencer’s tone intermingles with pride and fulfilment as he reflects on his journey with the Company, from its beginnings at Government Hill, to today’s modern facility, located at Lower Estate, St. Michael.
“Pinnacle Feeds has contributed significantly, not just to the agricultural landscape but to all of Barbados, as a responsible corporate citizen. The Company has been at the forefront of developing the livestock industry by providing a consistent quality product and ensuring that the farming community remainsviable and profitable while assisting farmers to feed our nation great-quality meats.”
Along with Tony, other employees of Roberts Manufacturing and Pinnacle Feeds being recognised for their long-standing contributions include: Hallam Cheltenham, Electrician in the Engineering Department, 49 years; Arleigh Gibson, Senior Supervisor Feed Plant, 42 years; John Layne, Micro Scale Operator, Feed Plant, 36 years; Brenda Maloney, General Worker, S&M, 31 years; John Taylor, Assistant Supervisor Extraction Department, 33 years; and Michael Clarke, Senior Supervisor Feed Plant, 21 years.
For their dedication and service excellence over many years, these employees are rightfully recognised and honoured as exemplars of national pride and industry. They can be justifiably proud of being part of a legacy of outstanding contributors who have served Roberts Manufacturing since establishment in 1944, with the Feed Plant beginning a few years later in 1956.
Outgoing Managing Director, Jason Sambrano, in congratulating the long-serving employees, noted that their contributions should be seen not just in the context of the Company’s vision and mission, but also from a national perspective as part of the support structure to the extremely important agriculture and food production sectors.
“Roberts Manufacturing and Pinnacle Feeds sincerely appreciates our long-serving staff who have set an example for others to follow. We are proud of these outstanding employees who are truly deserving of our honour, and of being publicly recognised for their yeoman service and hard work. We are proud to say that they will always be a part of the Roberts and Pinnacle family, and on behalf of the Board of Directors, Management and fellow staff, I wish them long and happy retirements.”
From a Company perspective, there are several points of note regarding the contribution of Pinnacle Feeds, to Barbados as a subsidiary of Roberts Manufacturing Company Limited. These include:
- Improving efficiency through investing in innovation and automation, to grow from a manual to an automated state-of- the-art operation with the appropriate skillsets in each supporting department.
- Providing opportunities for career development for staff members including access to training courses both locally and overseas.
- Currently upgrading Plant to improve feed quality.
- Continuous improvement initiatives
to the plant and feed formulations, to provide the best animal nutrition for all livestock. - Longstanding partner and supporter of key industry stakeholders.
