Demerara Distillers Limited (DDL), through its subsidiary Demerara Distillers (St. Kitts and Nevis) Limited, officially turned the sod on Thursday, August 6, for a major US$10 million redevelopment and expansion of its facilities at Bird Rock, St. Kitts.
The landmark investment marks a significant milestone in DDL’s longstanding history in the Federation, where the company has operated successfully for more than three decades, having first established its operations in 1996.
The modernisation project is designed to substantially increase DDL’s operational footprint in the region. The new multi-purpose complex will feature expanded bottling, packaging, and state-of-the-art warehousing capacity, positioning the facility as a pivotal hub to serve St. Kitts & Nevis, as well as surrounding island markets across the Eastern Caribbean.
Beyond enhancing core manufacturing and logistics, the development will feature dedicated retail and commercial spaces, along with an interactive Heritage Centre modelled after DDL’s renowned Heritage Centre at its corporate headquarters in Diamond, Guyana. The St. Kitts Heritage Centre will curate and celebrate the rich history and cultural legacy of rum in the Federation, offering curated tours and immersive experiences for local visitors and international tourists alike.
Speaking at the sod-turning ceremony, Prime Minister of St. Kitts and Nevis, the Honourable Dr Terrance Drew, welcomed the investment as a powerful testament to economic confidence and intra-regional partnership saying
“Your decision to invest here sends an important message that our federation remains a jurisdiction in which serious investors can establish roots, expand their operations, and build enduring partnerships with our people,” Prime Minister Drew stated. “The ultimate measure of development must always be its impact. Its impact on people.”
DDL Executive Chairman Komal Samaroo emphasised that the expansion reflects DDL’s unwavering, long-term commitment to deepening its investments in the region and driving sustainable economic integration within CARICOM,
“Demerara Distillers has been an integral part of the business landscape in St. Kitts and Nevis for 31 years. This US$10 million expansion is not merely an investment in infrastructure; it is an investment in our people, our heritage, and the future of regional trade. By expanding our bottling, packaging, and distribution capabilities, we are better positioned to supply regional markets while celebrating the shared historical craftsmanship of Caribbean rum through our new Heritage Centre.”
While in St. Kitts, the DDL executive team, led by Executive Chairman Komal Samaroo, met with the project’s supervising consultancy firm to finalize key timelines and milestones for completion.
The redevelopment project will also integrate modern laboratory and quality-control infrastructure, administrative offices, and energy-efficient building technologies, including renewable energy solutions where practical. Construction is set to create local employment, skill-development opportunities, and commercial linkages for local contractors and suppliers across the Federation.
