TDC Group of Companies – 40 Years of Pioneering Service, a Perspective
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| TDC Chairman Michael Morton |
Basseterre, St. Kitts – The St. Kitts-Nevis Anguilla Trading and Development Company Limited (TDC) will celebrate its fortieth Anniversary on February 1st 2013.
The parent entity of an umbrella of diversified companies acquired the trading and other assets of J.W. Thurston and Company Limited and H. F. Wildy and Company Limited inheriting a long and enviable tradition of service to the people of St. Kitts and Nevis.
Guided by its mission statement, ‘to be fully committed to total customer satisfaction, employee excellence through participation and training to provide maximum benefits for shareholders, while contributing meaningfully to the economic, social and cultural advancement of the nation’, the local enterprise was managed by locals and headed by Mr. Warren C. Tyson, as its first chairman.
In the ensuring years, backed by investor confidence, the company’s activities have expanded from just general trading and light manufacturing to include auto and equipment rental, insurance, finance, airline agencies, tour operations, real estate development, hotel operations and shipping.
According to Group Chairman, Mr. Michael Morton, the company in retrospect is a pillar in the Community and over the years broadened its portfolio of goods and services to positively impact the lives in St. Kitts and Nevis.
“With a determined and consistent policy of responding to the needs of the people, TDC introduced a number of initiatives and programmes that significantly improved the way of life for a wide cross-section of the public.”
He also noted that very early the Company saw it fit to establish relations with other with businesses and government to achieve its mandate.
Recognizing the value of public and private sector partnership, TDC has always supported and supplemented government’s initiatives to stimulate growth and expansion in the economy. Some examples of this include, the establishment of Dan Dan Garments in the 1970’s, the building of middle income homes in the early 1980’s, Sandy Point, Frigate Bay and Bird Rock Extension.
In the 1990’s, it broke ground by constructing the high-end residential condominium complex at Leeward Cove (Frigate Bay), the mixed use Sands Development (Newtown Bay Road), the construction and redevelopment of the commercial properties, in Fortlands (Ocean Terrace Inn), Fort and Central Streets, the Frigate Bay Road in St Kitts, and in Charlestown and Pinneys in Nevis, are now well recognized.
Today, it forges ahead with the developments at the Atlantic View Residences in Conaree, and Sunrise Hills and Ocean’s Edge in Frigate Bay.
The National effort continues with the provision direct and indirect employment opportunities to thousands of citizens over the last four (4) decades. TDC currently employs six hundred (600) persons throughout the Group, which accounts for well over EC$20 million dollars annually. This represents a significant, direct input into the economy for persons to be able to spend and meet their commitments.
Corporate Social Responsibility is one of the hallmarks on which the company thrives. Social and Cultural advancement has long been established, even despite the global economic climate. National Carnival, the St. Kitts Music Festival, Culturama, and Annual subventions to Organizations like Rotary’s Advancement of Children Foundation (AFC) are just a few examples of the ongoing participation of the Company in the everyday life of our Community.
In the Sporting arena, TDC’s sponsorship of the Inter High School Athletic Championships began back in 1978, and today stands as one of the longest, if not the longest, running sponsorship in the area of Games.
The TDC Warren C. Tyson Memorial Scholarship Program has assisted approximately two hundred and ten (210) needy high school and local college students since 1981. The program provides financial assistance, business and personal development training and mentoring for these students during their secondary and tertiary school careers. It has yielded teachers, doctors, lawyers, economists, accountants, IT specialists and business entrepreneurs among many other fields of endeavour.
Inside the Company the TDC Jacques Cramer Awards reward employees for outstanding performance on an yearly basis while the Michael King Advanced Education Scholarship Program has enabled employees to continue schooling at local institutions and to pursue higher education at universities and colleges in the region and around the world, utilizing both distance and residential programs on a full-time or part-time basis. Scores of employees have attained qualifications at certificate, diploma, associates, bachelors and master’s levels, as well as, professional certification using this assistance.
Augmenting these programs is the TDC Michael King Scholarship Grant which is an annual bursary of US$ 5000.00 each, to four university students across the Federation – two in St. Kitts and two in Nevis, who cannot be employees of the Company. It was implemented on the belief that if our nation is to develop and prosper, investment in the development of people must take place.
In retrospect, TDC is keenly aware that all this could not have been possible without the commitment of its shareholders and the important support and patronage of its many loyal and devoted customers.
During the ruby year of celebrations, which commences 1st February 2013, the Company will have a full calendar of events such as, Customer and Staff Appreciation activities and exciting benefits for the general public.
To kick start the celebrations, there will be a Customer Appreciation Raffle where lucky customers can win a variety of prizes including a 2013 SUZUKI Jeep. This will be complemented by the introduction of the Hire Purchase “VAT FREE Days” promotion, the launch of the 2013Toyota RAV4 at the new TDC Automotive Division in St. Kitts, as well as, a Community Outreach Programme to benefit some 100 persons across both islands.
The public is invited to join the TDC family for its first formal event, a Service of Thanksgiving at the Wesley Methodist Church on Seaton Street at 9:00 a.m. on Sunday 3rd February 2013.
As the Group embarks on a new chapter in the its existence, it has already developed a “road map” comprising a body of policies, plans and programs to ensure the growth, strength and viability of our company given the present and future realities.
In the future, there is hope for the company and the Federation of St. Kitts and Nevis, hope that can be realized only if stronger and more meaningful relationships and partnerships are strengthened to continue to shout the mantra, TDC for Service, TDC for Quality, TDC your Company.”