Electric Arc (Jamaica) Limited manufacturers of welding electrodes under the ELARC brand name is the premiere manufacturer of its kind in Jamaica and the Caribbean today, with an internationally recognized product.

The company was established in 1972 as a subsidiary of the United Kingdom's multinational firm, British Oxygen Limited. The company established as its main objective the servicing of the growing Jamaican industrial sector. In addition, It also supplied its products to agents in Trinidad and Guyana who were originally product distributors for the parent company.

However, the company has changed ownership three times during its twenty-six years of existence.

In 1975, disappointed with the declining sales caused by deteriorating economical conditions in Jamaica, British Oxygen sold ELARC to a group of Jamaican nationals.

In 1977, the company was again sold to another Jamaican interest and has been with this ownership since then.

Recognizing that the company had potential, the new management embarked on an ambitious plan to:

• re-tool the plant with state of the art equipment
• bring its product quality to international standards
• broaden its range of products
• upgrade the skills of its work force

To accompany its re-tooling exercise, the company upgraded its workforce requirements by employing more qualified staff, competent to handle new and more sophisticated machines. ELARC also embarked on an intensive training and development program for its technical and managerial staff.

In order to produce a high quality, world class product, ELARC adjusted its raw material purchasing program from traditional suppliers inherited from its previous owners, to a program of acquiring "the best from the best ". As such, it was first determined which company had the best product for each electrode category, ELARC would then enter into raw material supply arrangements with these firms, thus condensing some of the world's best welding technology into a single brand.

The company was originally situated in Olympic Gardens, Kingston but now operates in Spanish Town, St. Catherine at the site of its once main competitor, which ELARC acquired in 1986.

Starting out with five product types, ELARC expanded its line to eight in 1973, twenty- seven types by 1984 and to over thirty-six types currently as well as the capability to formulate additional electrode types to meet specific customer requirements.

In 1977 Electric Arc commanded twenty percent of the domestic market and has since moved to its present position as the major domestic supplier as well as being a true regional brand exporting to over twelve Caribbean and Latin American territories.

ELARC'S current standing is a testimony to the success of these strategies.

The company's strategic operational goals are to:

• Supply the best products at competitive prices for its target markets whilst supporting this with good pre and after sales service.
• To be a net earner of foreign exchange by exporting ninety percent of its production while maintaining a dominant position in its domestic market.

We at Electric Arc are well aware, however that achieving quality and success is " a journey, not a destination ". We know that we must be dynamic and innovative to not only maintain our position as domestic market leaders, but also expand our reach into export territories.

We aim to assure our customers' continued satisfaction when they use welding electrodes that bear the ELARC brand.

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