Company Ownership History Edwards Jamaica Limited (EJL), the parent company of SJHDL was founded in 1994 by Mr. Barry Anthony Edwards, the present Chief Executive Office (CEO), and major shareholder; and Mrs. Patricia Boyde-Edwards. Ms. Denise Maragh, the Sales Manager, joined the organization prior to incorporation, in June 1994, as General Office Clerk. The company started as a small wholesale distributor of doors made by contracted small door manufacturers who were furnished with imported raw materials. Deliveries were carried out using small haulage contractors. Due to the high cost of delivery, sales were confined to the parishes of Kingston & St. Andrew, St. Catherine, Clarendon and Manchester. Most deliveries were made directly from the factories. The product line was gradually increased, starting with door hardware and accessories – locks, hinges bolts, etc. The company’s storage, material handling and delivery capabilities were enhances in 1995 with the acquisition of a 3-ton light-duty truck and a used forklift; and the construction of its first warehouse. The customer base was also expanded to include all parishes. In 1995 a manufacturing subsidiary was incorporated to make wooden doors and windows, and metal roofing. St. John’s Hardware Retail Limited was founded in 2003 to carry out the business of retail. Following the incorporation of these subsidiaries, Edwards Jamaica Limited assumed the primary roles of Importer and Manager. Currently, Edwards Jamaica Limited performs the role of Manager of its subsidiary companies. Current Situation
St. John’s Hardware Limited is the flagship company of a group of companies owned by Edwards Jamaica Limited. The group is structured as follows:
The principal shareholders of the holding company are Mr. Barry Edwards, holding 98% of the paid-up equity share capital and Mrs. Patricia Edwards (spouse) holding 2% of the paid-up equity share capital. St. John’s Hardware Limited is 97% owned by Edwards Jamaica limited, and St. John’s Manufacturing Company Limited is wholly owned by Edwards Jamaica Limited.
St. John’s Hardware Limited is one Jamaica’s well established medium size distributors of building products and hardware. The company was incorporated in 1998 as St. John’s Hardware Distributors Limited (SJHDL), to be the trading subsidiary of Edwards Jamaica Limited. Its primary activities were wholesale distribution of building products and hardware. At the end of 2006 the company’s name was changed to St. John’s Hardware Limited, as a result of management’s decision to merge its wholesale and retail operations, and make St. John’s Hardware Limited the primary operating company of the group of companies.
The St. John’s Hardware group of companies is now firmly established as an importer, hardware. In addition to serving customers at location, deliveries are made to retail outlets and major building contractors island-wide, using haulage contractors and a company-owned fleet of five tractors heads, five flatbed trailers, four heavy-duty flatbed trucks and four light-duty trucks. The location comprises two adjoining lots of land totaling 4-1/2 acres.
Products are imported from the global market place under various trading arrangements. Interior residential doors and Alu-Steel residential roofing are manufactured by the manufacturing subsidiary St. John’s Manufacturing Company Limited (SJMCL).