Georgetown, Guyana – Fernandes Guyana Enterprise has announced to its employees the closure of its bakery division, Demerara Bakery Inc. (Dembake), effective November 30, 2024. The decision to cease operations stems from what they describe as escalating costs and a persistent labor shortage, which have rendered the continuation of the bakery unfeasible. This marks a pivotal change in Guyana’s bakery sector and a significant chapter in the history of Dembake, a business with roots dating back to the acquisition of Doolie’s Bakery in 2018.
Doolie’s Bakery, initially launched in 2014 with a multimillion dollar investment, quickly established itself as a contender in Guyana’s highly competitive bakery market, delivering quality breads, rolls, and pastries to communities across the East Bank Demerara and beyond. In 2018, Doolie’s was acquired and rebranded as Demerara Bakery, or Dembake, with the goal of expanding its presence and product offerings. In 2020, Fernandes Guyana Enterprise, a branch of the Suriname-based Fernandes Group, assumed management of Dembake, bringing its longstanding expertise in food production and community engagement to the Guyanese market.
Founded in 1910 in Paramaribo, Suriname, the Fernandes Group has grown from a small novelty store into one of Suriname’s largest private companies, diversifying into beverages, food, automotive, and distribution sectors. The company’s acquisition of Dembake marked its entry into the Guyanese market, where it has continued its legacy of quality, innovation, and community support. However, the recent economic landscape and resource constraints have posed substantial challenges.
In a letter to employees dated October 31, 2024, Fernandes Guyana Enterprise explained, “The rising costs of resources, materials, labor, and operations, compounded by a continuous labor shortage, have made it impossible for the Company to maintain its bakery operations.”
With its products available in major supermarkets and smaller community outlets, Dembake has been a mainstay for families across Demerara, from Tuschen on the West Bank to Mahaica on the East Coast.
Affected employees will receive redundancy payments in accordance with statutory requirements, including a month’s salary in lieu of notice, accrued leave days, and redundancy allowances based on years of service. Payments will be made in installments, with the final payments issued within seven working days following the closure. Fernandes Guyana Enterprise has also committed to assisting affected staff in finding alternative employment.
