Building Suppliers 'Cut Off' From Large Projects

Building Suppliers 'Cut Off' From Large Projects BUILDING material and supplies companies say sales continue to remain relatively flat, with one executive claiming that Bahamians are increasingly being completely shut off from big projects. Mr Albury said: "Things are pretty flat. We get some of the big projects to a degree, but most of the projects, like Baha Mar for example, are covered under the Hotel Encouragement Act and they get duty-free exemptions to bring in their materials. Some of these projects that come along, they do not have to do that. Charles Albury, manager of JBR Building Supplies, told Tribune Business that business was relatively flat. Mr Lleida said: "There may be a slight upward trend in sales, but I don't think we are getting a fair share of the construction supply market. "Companies come here, get contracts and purchase their supplies directly from the US. Raymond Collins, Tops Lumber and Plumbing Supplies' general manager, said the company was holding its own with no dramatic increases in sales. It's not good for the economy. I know there's a trickle down effect, but I would rather not have to wait for it to trickle down. That's part of the challenge, but business has been steadily improving over the last six months, yet it's no thanks to these varieties of projects. "Every single project that has come along in the last 10 years has had a skewed playing field. "We have been holding our own but there has not been any drastic increase in sales. The lumber side is doing well as far as the customer base is going, but the store side is still struggling a little bit. I recognise that everyone is in the business to make a profit and protect their own interests, that's fine, but many Bahamian companies aren't even given the chance to participate. "We are constantly competing with the contractors who aspire to got to the US and buy direct. We can't compete with that. We are happy to get the crumbs from the table, pay our bills and keep our staff. People still do not realise we have got a store in the same building, but it's coming together," Mr Collins said. It's a pretty closed shop. Building Suppliers 'Cut Off' From Large Projects Trade News selected by Local Linkup on 01/05/2012