The D'Aguiar Family was 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 showed that the actual purchase of the old Demerara Ice House was made in October 1896 with its possession being effective from November 16 of that 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.
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 operated and located 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 over 14,000 and employees from 300 to over 500 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. Mr. 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 (W.M.P.B.). He believes that business must be undertaken with a sense of urgency and getting quality results is of the utmost importance.

Beverages

The Beverage Products produced include Banks Beer (alcohol content 4.5%), GT Beer (4.3%), Banks Shandy (1.6%) which is produced in five flavours (Lemon, Sorrel Champagne, Honey Lemon and Citrus Punch), Guinness Stout (7.5%), Banks Malta Supreme and Vita Malt (non-alcoholic).

We also produce a wide array of Rums, Spirits and Liqueurs:

RUMS - XM Supreme 15-year Old (70cl/40%), XM Special-12-year-old (70cl/40%), XM Royal 10-Year Old (70cl/40%), VXO 7-year old Rum (70cl/40%), XM Five-Year Old, Xtra Mature (Extra Blend Premium), Extra White Rum, High Wine, R1 Vodka in three flavours (Original, Lemon, Cranberry) Kazak Vodka, Preskov Vodka, D'Aguiar's Demerara Cream Liqueur (in four creamy flavours - (Original, Chocolate, Coffee and Amaretto), Estate Royale Rum Punch (Pineapple, Passion Fruit, Mango) and R1White Ice.

WINES - 6° North (Shiraz, Merlot, Cabernat), Banko (Red & White) and Medium Dry - 700ml, D’Aguiar’s Sherry Brandy, Ryda Hard Wine, Power Wine and D’Aguiar’s Ginger Wine, D’Aguiars Moscato and D’Aguiar’s Port.

WATER - Rain Forest, Aqua Mist and Tropical Mist Artesian Well Water in assorted Pet Sizes: Plain, 1.5Litres and 5 Gallon Institutional Size.

I-CEE SOFT DRINKS – six regular flavours - Cream Soda, Banana, Pineapple, Orange, Big Red, Tangerine, and fusion flavours such as Pear, Green Crush, Pink Grapefruit, Apple Strawberry, Fruit Punch, Ginger Beer (seasonal). In addition, Soda Water, Misty flavoured Water, Ginger Ale and Lemon, Lime and Bitters (LLB) are also produced.

Banks DIH Limited is also a licensed bottler of the Coca-Cola products and Guinness. Vita Malt is also produced and bottled under license.

Foods

Trisco Foods houses the production of Cookies, Crackers, Snacks (Cheese and Onion, Spicy Bar-B-Q, Chicken Tikka, Nacho, Cheddar) It also produces Assorted Bread Products and Rolls, Novelty Ices (Frostee Pop-Cream and Fudge) and Ice Cream in assorted flavours.

Restaurants

The Demico Restaurant Operations include Demico Qik Serv at Croal Street, Stabroek, OMG/Arawak Steak House and Sheriff Street Qik at (Sheriff Street and Campbell Avenue, Campbellville), Idiho at Brickdam, Stabroek, Main Street Qik Serv– Crème Select Ice Cream Lounge (Main and Quamina Streets, Cummingsburg), New Amsterdam Qik Serv (Main Street, New Amsterdam Berbice), the Roof Garden – (Brickdam, Stabroek), the Retail Liquor Store and the Demico Hotel. Camp Site Qik Serv (Camp Street, Lacytown) Timehri Duty Free Shop while Krystal Dry Cleaners formerly located at Camp Street is now housed in a spacious atmosphere at Demico Complex (Brickdam).

Training at all levels within our company is aggressively pursued and employees are encouraged through worker participation, various incentives and benefits to develop their full potential thereby maximizing their contribution to the Company.

The degree of commitment is achieved through the implementation of policies that are fair, non-discriminatory and which provide real opportunities for development. Banks DIH Ltd. is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

STAFF ISSUES

Staff benefits include:

1. Building houses for employees at cost price - this gives employee the chance to acquire a
   home with proper infrastructure at an affordable price. Over one hundred (100) of these
   homes were built in the D’Aguiar’s Park Houston area, in which over five hundred
   residents currently (employees’ family) reside.
2. Paying incentives to positively motivate staff.
   • Bonuses - this monthly incentive is based on punctuality, adherence to deadlines, attire,
     job performance and housekeeping.
   • Performance Incentive - this is a percentage of employees’ basic fortnightly pay. This
     percentage varies from twenty-eight (28), thirty-three (33), and forty-three (43) percent and
     is determined by the profits on beverage case sales, and departmental profit.
   • Condition of Employee (COE) Allowance - this is a monthly allowance received by
     regular or permanent Banks DIH limited employees.
   • Hampers - employees are given an allotment of biscuit every month and a gift of
     beverages at Christmas time.
   • Canteen Facilities - There is a workers’ canteen.
     Subsidized Transportation – Employees residing in rural communities are provided at a
     subsidized cost.
   • Scholarships and Training Programmes - the D’Aguiars Scholarship Programme has
     made it possible for employees with potential to receive sponsorship to pursue higher
     studies at universities locally and abroad.
   • Training - There are also in-house programmes at the Company’s training Centre at
     Thirst Park. Employees at our branches in Berbice, Bartica, Essequibo and Linden are also
     exposed to training by our Training Manager and external tutors.
     Employees are exposed to training in Occupational Health and Safety, Food Safety,
     Customer Relations, Computer studies, sales and marketing etc. thereby enabling the
     company to live up to its motto of ‘Committed to Excellence’.