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Massy Communications Ltd. has signed a Share Purchase Agreement (SPA) with TSTT for the sale of 100% of its shares to the local telecommunications entity, subject to the approval by the Telecommunications Authority of Trinidad & Tobago (TATT).  The signing of the SPA was announced at a jointly-held press conference on Tuesday, May 2, 2017.

Since 2006 Massy Communications, formally Three Sixty Communications, has been quietly building out its telecommunications network and expanding its services, to currently offer a range of services which include:

• Fibre Optic (FTTH) Infrastructure deployment which is utilised to deliver High Speed Internet and IPTV to residential and SME customers.
• Dedicated Internet/IP transit
• Clear Channel Domestic/ Metro Ethernet and International Private Lines
• International Wholesale Termination and Enterprise Voice Solutions

In 2015, the Massy Group made the bold decision to significantly invest in the expansion of the fibre network. Since then, Massy Communications has aggressively deployed next generation FTTH (Fibre To The Home) infrastructure which now covers approximately 34,000 homes passed throughout Trinidad and spans over 900 fibre route kilometers. In 2016, utilising this FTTH network, Massy Communications launched its High Speed Internet and HD IPTV service to residential and SME customers in various parts of Trinidad. By delivering the most technologically advanced broadband and HD TV solution to customers, citizens of Trinidad have access to fast, consistent and reliable internet speeds with the ability to video stream with a stable uncongested network as well as market leading upload speeds.

Given the competitive landscape for high speed broadband and TV services in Trinidad and the intense capital costs of deploying fibre optic networks, some industry participants have been seeking collaborative ways to avoid duplicative capital expenditure. Massy Communications and TSTT initiated collaboration with a network sharing agreement which has quickly advanced to a business combination. Massy Communications and TSTT are both successful locally owned companies with a commitment to the advancement of telecommunications industry in Trinidad and Tobago. We both recognize the importance of deploying high speed telecoms services to the economic growth and entrepreneurial development of the nation. We are both similarly focused on the development of local content and local talent.

This business combination will enable further growth and expansion for the company to better meet our customers’ needs now and in the future. The business combination will also accelerate TSTT’s deployment of its next generation network. The company brings to TSTT a state-of-the-art, all fibre optic network and reputation for reliability and high quality customer service. This transaction is a win for Massy Communications, its employees and its customers as much as it is a win for TSTT, its employees and its customers. Together, the two organizations will be a much stronger and more effective competitor in the high speed broadband and HD TV segment of the sector.

“Massy is proud of what our local employees have achieved in building the company to this point.  Moving into the residential market, into a relatively new, highly competitive telecommunications space was a big leap for us and we’re extremely proud of what we achieved in a short space of time.  We reached a point where it was important to grow this business and we believed that the best path for success was through a partnership with another telecommunications provider who could help realize the potential of what we created.” commented Gervase Warner, President & Group CEO, Massy Group.

All Massy Communications subscribers will continue to access the high-quality products and services and the exceptional customer service support to which they have grown accustomed. All existing and new subscribers will also enjoy the benefit of using their Massy Cards to earn Massy points when they pay their bills or to redeem Massy points to pay their bills

Gallery Description 

Thanks to Massy, the Holetown monument has been restored to its pristine state and once again stands proudly in its place as the icon of the Holetown Festival and its community.

The Holetown monument, which was recently restored with the support of Massy United Insurance, Massy Stores, Massy Distribution and Massy corporate, was officially handed over to the Government and people of Barbados over the weekend during a special ribbon cutting ceremony which preceded the opening ceremony for the 40 ^th anniversary of the Holetown Festival.  

Like the monument, the annual festival also commemorates the landing of the first English settlers on the island; therefore, the double ceremony to mark both occasions, was quite apt.

Before symbolically handing over the monument to the Minister of Tourism and International Transport, The Honourable Richard Sealy, Country Manager for Massy, Frere Delmas noted that this Massy C.A.R.E.S. project was just part of the multi-million dollar investment which the Group was undertaking in that community.

“I hope that this $80,000 community project and the close to $50 million investment which we are spending in the redevelopment of our Massy Stores, Sunset Crest, will greatly improve the value and appreciation that visitors, residents and the wider community have for the Sunset Crest/ Holetown area,” Mr. Delmas said.

He also thanked Managing Director of Massy Distribution, Glenn Taylor for proposing the idea and being the project champion for the monument restoration.

In this earlier remarks, Mr. Taylor pointed out that the landmark was significant to our history. “…It marks the spot of the first landing of Englishmen on the island in 1625 and it also represents the first place of law, order and justice in Barbados as the first Militia was based at the site. It is steeped in history from which we cannot escape,” Mr. Taylor stated.

Minister of Housing & Lands, Denis Kellman, under whose responsibility the monument falls, thanked Massy for restoring the heritage site, noting that the responsibility to conserve and restore our nation’s heritage cannot simply be the sole duty of Government, especially where these physical manifestations of our past are so numerous.

The Holetown restoration project begun in October 2016 and was completed in December of the same year. It involved a thorough cleaning and repainting of the monument; construction of a new platform; the re-lettering on the plaques; removal of the original wall from front of the monument and the building of steps and a wheelchair ramp to allow for full accessibility. Additionally, the two original cannons were fully restored and are now mounted on beautifully handcrafted and historically accurate wooden carriages with intentionally minimalist landscaping undertaken. Massy Distribution has committed to the monthly upkeep of the site.

On February 1, 2017, the Massy Group further delivered on its strategy of regional diversification through the Massy Motors acquisition of two large automobile dealerships in Colombia – Autogalias in Bogotá and the Grupo Automontaña in Medellín, which incorporate four dealerships.  Through this acquisition, Massy Motors will now represent a number of world-class automotive brands, namely Renault, VW, Volvo and Hyundai along with Mazda, Kia and Foton in Cali. 

The acquisition significantly expands Massy Motors’ operations in Colombia, and is expected to double the volume of sales.  According to David O’Brien, Executive Vice President, Massy Group “this means that in 2017, Massy is likely to sell more cars in Colombia than we do in Trinidad.”  Mr. O’Brien is enthusiastic about the caliber of the management team in Colombia citing the fact that the now Massy-owned Renault dealership was “Dealer of the Year 2015” and Automontaña was one of the largest Mazda dealerships in the country.

Alberto Rozo, Massy’s Country Manager – Colombia, welcomed the 300 employees of the Automontaña and Autogalias groups, saying “we welcome you all into this family, where support and collaboration are key pillars for our teams.  When the Massy Group arrived in Colombia in 2014, we were clear that our business vision is long term.”

In 2014, Massy Motors first entered the Colombian market with the purchase of the majority shareholding of Massy DeLima Grupo Automotriz S.A.S. which operates the two dealerships in Cali, representing Kia, Mazda and Foton trucks.  

“Since then we have demonstrated that the values and focus of Massy Motors can deliver positive results in this market.  We built the foundation of the business in Colombia through strong supplier relationships, upgrading the showrooms and employee facilities focusing on customer satisfaction, particularly in after sales services.  That model, which we created, has served us well as a foundation to improve our performance and position us as a strong player in the automotive sector in Colombia,” Mr. O’Brien revealed.

He added that “Over the 2016 Financial Year, we experienced exceptional growth in sales.  Sales in Mazda improved by 61% and Kia sales remain steady and strong.  We are looking forward to applying our values-based model to the newest members of the Massy Motors family in Colombia.”

The Massy Group currently owns and operates Massy DeLima Grupo Automotriz S.A.S., with two dealerships in Cali, as well as Autogalias in Bogotá and the Grupo Automontaña in Medellín.  The Group also acquired Wood Group Colombia in 2014, to form Massy Energy Colombia, which provides production, maintenance and engineering services to clients in the oil & gas and mining sectors in Colombia.

David O’Brien (second from left), Executive Vice President, Massy and Alberto Rozo (third from right), Country Manager – Colombia, Massy, along with other Executives of Autogalias and Grupo Automontaña and other Massy Executives in Colombia.  

Gallery Description 

Massy’s retail locations in St. Lucia, formerly branded as Super J IGA, Mega J and gl foodmarket, have been rebranded to MassyStores.

The change was announced at a public launch on August 4, 2016.St. Lucia is the fourth territory to undergo the re-branding exercise in the region. Eleven stores, nationwide, are now part of the Massy Stores family which includes a total of 46 retail locations across the region.

 To commemorate the occasion, Martin Dorville, Managing Director of Massy Stores St. Lucia said, “Under the Massy Stores brand, we have reinforced our commitment to remaining innovative, competitive and committed to growth while responding effectively to the needs of our customers and valued employees.”

 Massy Stores St. Lucia includes: 

• 9 Massy Stores Supermarkets
• 1 Massy Stores Gourmet and
• 1 Massy Stores Mega

Massy Stores Supermarkets

 The nine Massy Stores Supermarkets are located across the island and offer a wide range of grocery and non-food items as well as many convenience services such as pharmacies, ATM services, customer service desks and bill payment facilities. All but one house an in store deli and bakery, providing an assortment of freshly prepared meals and baked goods daily.

Massy Stores Gourmet

Massy Stores Gourmet, located in the upscale Baywalk Mall in Rodney Bay. The first of its kind in the regional Massy Stores family, the gourmet format features a select range of health,  organic and artisnal products from globally recognized brands. The store offers a yacht restocking service with free delivery to yachts berthed at the Rodney Bay Marina.

Massy Stores Mega

Located in the north of the island is the third store format, “Massy Stores Mega.” The 50,000 square foot “club store” offers value items and savings to customers on bulk grocery, office supplies, home improvement products and more.

Apart from the wide selection of grocery and household items, a range of important convenience services are also housed within Massy Stores Mega, namely: 

• a pharmacy
• Bank of St. Lucia kiosk
• specialty bakery
• eye care center
• ATM service
• post office boxes
• ACE hardware products andan exclusive ACE color matching centre.

Recently Massy Stores Mega expanded its range into large appliances, furniture, home furnishings and small appliances as well as Hire Purchase and free delivery on certain purchases.

The inclusion of eleven stores into the Massy Stores family is a remarkable achievement for the Group overall. In the last year, the Group invested $11 million in the remodeling of 4 stores. “This investment in St. Lucia highlights Massy’s commitment to growth in the region and providing high value, integrated retail offerings to customers,” commented Thomas Pantin, Executive Chairman of Massy’s Retail Line of Business.

Massy Card

A major new development in the rebranding is the introduction of the Massy Card in St. Lucia. The new Massy Card will replace the Mega J, Super J and gl foodmarket loyalty cards. Customers will only need one card to earn points and other rewards as they shop at Massy Stores and Massy Card Partners.

The Massy Card is free and many of the great loyalty card features and benefits remain, such as earning points on every transaction; using points to purchase groceries at your “Home Store”; or redeeming points for Massy gift vouchers to purchase goods and services at the many participating partners. With the new Massy Card customers will be able to keep up-to-date with their Massy Points balance and receive alerts on exclusive offers directly to their phone with the Massy Card Mobile App.

The Plastikeep Recovery Programme, aimed at generating public participation in the practise of recycling, has received financial support from the Massy Group.  Through Massy’s contribution, collection bins will be returned to all Plastikeep collection centres across the country, for recyclable waste to be collected on a regular basis.

“We have a role to play, along with our valued customers, to take some responsibility for disposing of our waste in an environmentally sensitive manner.  Our support is meant to maintain regular collection of the waste, which is a core activity to keep the practise of recycling alive and growing in Trinidad and Tobago,” commented Derek Winford, CEO, Massy Stores (Trinidad).

“The entire Massy Group is behind this initiative, not just Massy Stores, because we understand that our contribution today is an investment in a cleaner, more sustainable country for our children,” added Winford.

In June 2016, the operation of the NGO was halted due to the pending appointment of a Board for the Green Fund.  Plastikeep’s Project Director, Rosanna Farmer, earlier this year lamented the fact that the NGO did not receive any funding for the year from the government, which threatened the continuance of its operation.  Massy has pledged to offset the funding of collection services and is optimistic that government will shortly resume its funding of a project of such great significance.

“I am so grateful to Massy for coming to our rescue and ensuring that we are able to keep the collection effort going.  The success of this programme is based on changing human behaviour and getting our citizens in the habit of recycling.  Without bins and a collection service, we are hindering behavioural change so Massy’s commitment to facilitating this activity is immeasurable,” said Farmer.

About Plastikeep

The Plastikeep project, launched as a pilot project in May 2010, was created to address Trinidad and Tobago’s mounting problem of plastic waste as well as the lack of consciousness in the general population around proper plastic disposal. The pilot project was the first time in Trinidad & Tobago that the general public had been given the opportunity to dispose of its plastic waste in a manner that protects and conserves the environment. It also provided the opportunity to convert that would-be waste into a useful resource.  There are over 67 collection centres around Trinidad and Tobago, including 4 Massy Stores locations.  For more information visit http://www.plastikeep.com/

For the 7^th consecutive year, Massy Guyana hosted its national 10k Road Race and Fitness Walk on Sunday September 4, 2016.  The event, held in conjunction with the Athletics Association of Guyana (AAG) continues to raise the importance of health and wellness on a national scale, attracting close to 200 participants.  The 10K Road Race continues to be a highlight on the national calendar for professional athletes. 

National long distance champion, Cleveland ‘Little Kenyan’ Forde once again demonstrated his dominance in the road racing as he raced his way to his 6th consecutive title for the ten kilometers event. Forde completed the race in 33 minutes 11 seconds; while in the senior female division, Ashanti Scott copped first place in a time of 42 minutes 21 seconds.

Massy Group Guyana employees, key customers and the general public all participated in the fitness walk which covered a distance of over 3 km.  The road race commenced at 6:20 am from Diamond on the East Bank of Demerara and the fitness walk started at 6:35 am from the Demerara Harbour Bridge on the East Bank of Demerara.  The finish line for both races was positioned in front of the offices of Massy Industries Guyana Ltd.

The Massy Group has proudly supported a number of initiatives across the Caribbean to raise the profile of health and wellness among our employees and the wider public.

In Trinidad & Tobago…	In Barbados…	In St. Lucia &St. Vincent…	In Jamaica…
we’re the title sponsor of the annual Massy Rainbow Cup Triathlon and on October 2, an employee team of avid triathletes will be participating in the Barbados Triathlon.  Many female employees will also be ‘walking for the cure’ in the Scotiabank Women Against Breast Cancer 5K Classic next month.	Massy is the platinum sponsor for the Breast Screening Programme of the Barbados Cancer Society:  Walk for the Cure event, which will be held on October 2. Last year, we were the title sponsor for the Unite for Diabetes Fun Walk event, to commemorate World Diabetes Month held in November.	Massy Stores is will be the title sponsor of the Massy Stores/Yoplait Walk for Cancer and an in store product promotion – Yoplait Save Lids to Save Lives.  Funds raised from the walk will be donated to the National Community Foundation and Faces of Cancer (a local cancer support and advocacy group).	on average, 70% of our Jamaica-based employees participate in the Sagicor Sigma Corporate Run – a 5K fun run that is open to participants of all fitness levels. The event starts at Emancipation Park in New Kingston and culminates in a post-run celebration featuring an awards ceremony.

On July 19, 2016, the Massy Foundation (Trinidad and Tobago) welcomed its newest member, Earl Boodasingh.  Earl, or ‘Buddha’, as he’s affectionately known, has had an extensive career with the Massy Group, spanning 37 years.  He retired earlier this year and has been focused on his other personal interests including leadership development, executive coaching, improving organizational performance, mindfulness, yoga, fitness and somatics.

Earl is no stranger to the work of the Massy Foundation.  On many occasions, he has given of his time and talent to coach and develop young men who have participated in the Foundation’s flagship Corporate Social Responsibility Project, the Boys to Men Programme – a community-focused, leadership development programme for young men.

Earl is deeply passionate about mentoring young people and helping them realize their full potential.  He has also mentored many Massy leaders, across the Group.

According to Earl, “I believe in finding ways of encouraging and motivating young people to contribute to their communities.  I am a big believer in the concept of ‘it takes a village to raise a child’ but in reality, the village is now virtual and technology has, in many instances, replaced human contact, connection and community.  The village is vital and we have to find ways to strike a balance so that we don’t lose community spirit.”

About the Massy Foundation

The Massy Foundation is the Corporate Social Responsibility and Philanthropic arm of the Massy Group.  In Trinidad and Tobago it was established in 1979, funded by the contributions of Trinidad and Tobago-based subsidiaries.  The Massy Foundation is committed to social development, through poverty alleviation, youth development as well as the advancement of education, religion, arts and culture and other key areas.  In addition to offering scholarships, awarding disbursements to NGOs and contributing to special social projects, the Massy Foundation has also funded the Rites of Passage: Boys to Men Programme for the past 10 years. 

The Board members are Gaston Aguilera (Chairman), Angela Hamel-Smith, David O’Brien, Gregory Sloane-Seale, Hugh Henderson, Sandra Welch-Farrell, Keith De Freitas, Phillip Hamel-Smith and Earl Boodasingh, all of whom are ably supported by the Board’s secretary, Gem Rowe.

In 2015, the Massy Foundation was also established in Barbados.

On Thursday, March 17, Massy Stores opened its first supermarket in Guyana.  The regional supermarket chain, which currently operates 45 retail locations in Trinidad and Tobago, Barbados, St. Lucia and St. Vincent has now extended its offering into the Guyana market, its 46^th location, to serve consumers.

Massy Stores Guyana will be located in Amazonia Mall, East Bank, Demerara and offers the convenience of one-stop shopping within its 16,000 square feet of retail space, making it the largest supermarket in the country.  The new location will include features such as high quality fresh produce, chilled and frozen meat, prepared foods and a wide variety of local and foreign food and general merchandise items.  Additionally, the Massy Stores Supermarket will offer a number of convenient, value-added services including a deli and bakery, butcher and fresh fish counters, an in-store pharmacy, ATM Machines, MoneyGram and SurePay points of service.

The store’s international design, which incorporates wide aisles to comfortably accommodate shoppers, and automated in-store price checkers, is also complemented by extensive parking facilities to enhance the overall shopping experience.

“Massy Stores is truly excited about opening our doors in the Guyana market.  We are a Caribbean chain and we believe that being in the Guyana market gives us an opportunity to be more authentically Caribbean, as we bring on board 120 Guyanese associates to create something new for this market.  This is about bringing a new shopping experience to Guyanese consumers and sharing our best practises and best models across Caribbean territories,” commented Thomas Pantin, Senior Vice President & Executive Chairman, Retail Line of Business, Massy Group.

 “We have continued to incorporate best practises in the construction of our second store, already in progress, at the East Coast MovieTowne complex, which is scheduled to open in 2017,” he added.

 Deo Persaud, Country Manager, Massy Guyana, also added that “Massy has been operating in Guyana for the past 48 years and our model has been primarily business to business, as we have been operating in the industrial and LPG gases, automotive and industrial equipment, distribution, security services and IT industries locally.  Now we are really moving into a new space, operating in retail and serving a wider customer base which is a new and exciting business for us.  We also have the opportunity to work closely with local suppliers and local producers so that our consumers can find a wide variety of high-quality, local items in one location.”

 Massy Stores Guyana will be open to the public from Monday to Thursday from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., on Fridays and Saturdays from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. and on Sundays from 9 a.m. – 3 p.m.

‘Creating valuable connections’ – that’s what Christopher George and Massy Communications Internet | TV have in common. 

On Tuesday July 26, Massy Communications Internet | TV announced its partnership with Christopher as he prepares to represent Trinidad and Tobago in the sport of Judo.  He is, in fact, the first national of Trinidad and Tobago to qualify in Judo.

‘Christopher is a truly unique athlete.  He is in fact a pioneer and leading the ways for others in this sport and we are truly excited to partner with him on this journey.  Similarly, like Massy, he is a champion born on Caribbean soil and striving for excellence,’ said Fenwick Reid, Senior Vice President and Executive Chairman, ICT Business Unit, Massy Group.

Lisa Agard, Executive Director, Massy Communications further added that ‘his goals are so very aligned to ours and that’s at the root of our partnership.  He aspires to build, connect and develop people and that’s exactly what we do through our product, service and values.’

Christopher expressed his views on the partnership by commenting that ‘I believe we are starting a journey of great value, together.  Massy Communications Internet | TV is a local company, which employs local people like me who are really passionate about investing in and building this country.  I am putting in a lot of hard work and to even be considered to compete on the world stage is a great honour and I am grateful for the support of Massy Communications, for going the distance with me’

Christopher is a Chartered Engineer with the Institute of Chemical Engineers; and a professional with eight years experience delivering multi-million dollar projects in the North Sea, Texas, and Trinidad. He has specific competencies in design of offshore facilities, and management of specialist contractors.

He is a graduate of the Georgia Institute of Technology in Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, and a qualified law professional with a LLB (Hons) from the University of London.

In Photo: Lisa Agard, Executive Director, Massy Communications (right) congratulates Trinidad & Tobago Judo Athlete, Christopher George (left).