About UsThe D'Aguiar Family has been in business in Guyana for over 150 years. In the 1840's Mr. Jose Gomes D'Aguiar, the founder, started a Rum Business which developed into a chain of Retail Spirit Shops. In 1885 the business was expanded to include a Cocoa and Chocolate Factory and a Schooner Shipping Agency. Mr. Peter Stanislaus D'Aguiar felt, however, that the date of historic importance was in 1896 when the four sons, Jose Jnr, Manoel, Francisco and John formed the partnership of D'Aguiar Bros. after the death of Mr. J.G. D'Aguiar in 1893. In the same year the brothers purchased the Demerara Ice House which then consisted of a hotel, liquor bars and an aerated soft drink plant. The name 'Ice House' was derived from the fact that ice was imported in schooners from Canada, hence the initials D.I.H. Papers concerning D'Aguiar Bros. dating back to the beginning of the century show that the actual purchase of the old Demerara Ice House was made in October 1896 with its possession effective from November 16 of the same year. The purchase was arranged through the Hon. J.H. de Jonge, auctioneer. The price, $50,000.00, a substantial sum in those days was for buildings only. Eventually, a twenty-one year lease was negotiated from the Crown in whose title all lands were vested in those days. It was not until 1929 that the land was bought outright from the Government. In that year Dr. J.G. D'Aguiar (Mr. Peter d'Aguiar's father) then the sole proprietor following the death of his brothers, formed the company of D'Aguiar Bros. Limited. Mrs. P.M. D'Aguiar became the principal shareholder on the death of her husband, Dr. J.G. D'Aguiar. The business faltered and was at a point of bankruptcy. She was offered the paltry sum of $100,000.00 for the business as a going concern, but she refused to sell, as she was convinced that her youngest son, Peter D'Aguiar, should be given the opportunity as he appeared to have the business acumen to salvage the company and to build it into a thriving concern. In 1934 at the age of twenty-two, Peter took over as Managing Director of D'Aguiar Bros. Ltd. Peter concentrated on the manufacturing side, especially soft drinks and rum. He borrowed heavily to re-finance the business. Gradually old debts were paid off and the business began to flourish again. By 1938 he was able to install the most modern machinery in the country. In 1942 Peter acquired the franchise for Pepsi-Cola making British Guiana (as it was named) the first country in South America to bottle this beverage. The popular range of I-Cee flavours was introduced in 1952. The production of XM Rum was expanded and became the No.1 Rum in 1959. Long before Peter took over, the Cocoa and Chocolate business and the Shipping Agency had been relinquished. The range of interests was still fairly wide and included a soft drink factory, rum bond, bottling plant, liquor store, retail bars, hotel and pawnbrokery most of which had been carried on and centred at D'Aguiar Bros. Ltd. in Brickdam, Stabroek since 1896. In 1955, Peter D'Aguiar promoted Banks Breweries Limited, the first public company with a widespread ownership. In 1966 the Private Family Company (D'Aguiar Bros. Ltd.) was converted into a public company, D'Aguiar Bros. (D.I.H.) Limited with a share capital of $1.0 M (one million dollars). 1969 saw the merger of D'Aguiar Bros. (DIH) Ltd. with Banks Breweries Ltd. into a new company called Banks DIH Limited with a Share Capital of G$4,140,000.00. The Company's headquarters was moved to Thirst Park where the production complex and the head office, known as the Rotunda, were built in 1969. The cost of the modern complex on 13.2 acres of land designed by a young Polish Architect, Marian Dorr-Dorynek at that time, was valued $7,000,000.00. Since then the number of shareholders has increased from 5,000 to 13,675 and employees from 300 to 1,253 with most of the company's regular employees becoming shareholders. On Thursday, 30th March, 1989 at 5.00 a.m., London time, Peter S. D'Aguiar , age 76, died at the London Hospital, England where he had travelled to obtain medical attention. During his tenure of service (1934 - 1989) the company showed a record of rapid development and continued progress and has emerged as one of the most dynamic, efficient and profitable businesses in the Caribbean. Banks DIH Limited is now a multi-billion dollar company and is headed by Mr. Clifford Barrington Reis, CCH, who was appointed Chairman/Managing Director after the death of Mr. Peter S. D'Aguiar thereby heralding the dawn of a new era in the company's history. Undaunted by the magnitude of the added responsibilities, the new Chairman immediately got down to the job of keeping Banks DIH Limited on its chartered course of continued development. Clifford Reis' management style could be described as 'hands-on' and manages through consultation, help and advice from the Directors, Executive Board Members and the Worker Management Participation Board. He believes that business must be done with a sense of urgency and getting quality results is of the utmost importance.
The business is now very diversified and is comprised of three (3) major divisions viz the BEVERAGE, DEMICO AND TRISCO DIVISIONS.
The Products within the Beverage Division include Banks Beer (alcohol content 4.5%), Banks Milk Stout (alcohol content 7.5%), Banks Shandy (1.6%), which is produced in four (4) flavours (Ginger, Lemon, Sorrel and Champagne), Guinness Stout, Banks Malta, Vita Malt and Banks Mini Malt which is produced in three (3) flavours (peanut,toffee and chocolate)and is a Non Alcoholic Beverage.
Rum - High Wine - 700ml - - Alcohol Content 69%. VODKA - Kazak - 700ml & 375ml...Alcoholic content 40%. D'AGUIAR'S CREAM LIQUEUR - three (3) flavours - Cream, Coffee and Amaretto - 750ml and 200ml - Alcohol Content 17%. WINE - Banko (Red & White) and Medium Dry - 700ml.
WATER-Tropical Mist Artesian Well Water in assorted Pet Sizes: Plain and Sports Cap, 1.5Litres and 5Gln Institutional Size. I-CEE SOFT DRINKS - (Thirteen Flavours):Cream Soda, Bubble Gum, Banana, Pineapple, Green Crush, Pink Grapefruit, Tangerine, Big Red, Passion, Fruit Punch, Ginger Beer, Pear and Orange. Soda Water and Quinine Tonic. Our Company is also a licenced Bottler of the Coca-Cola and Diageo Companies. Vita malt is also produced and bottled under licence. The Demico Division is comprised of Demico Qik Serv, Idiho, Main Street Qik Serv, Kitty Qik Serv, New Amsderdam Qik Serv, The Roof Garden, The Retail Liquor Store and The Demico Hotel. The Camp Site Qik Serv was opened in 1993 and houses The Patisserie, The Creole Garden Restaraunt, The Processing Centre and Krystal Dry Cleaners. The Trisco Division which is the Company's Food Manfacturing Division, produces a range of
The product range carried by the company reaches the homes of all Guyanese as the Company has a fleet of over two hundred and eighty vehicles and has branches in Linden, Bartica, Berbice, Essequibo and has Distributors and Agents in all three counties.
Our Manufactuirng , Sales and Distribution Functions have been strengthened through linkages with several established companies. QUALITY AND STANDARDS
Diageo International recently presented Banks DIH Limited with the following awards:
The Company was presented with awards for producing the best Coca-Cola in the region for three consecutive years. TRAINING The degree of commitment is achieved through the Implemenation of policies that are fair, non-discriminatory and which provide real opportunities for development. Banks DIH Ltd. is an Equal Opportunity Employer. HOUSING The excellent results over the years reflect the benefits from past and present investment. |
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