News

In another show of dedication to quality and timeliness, QuinnCo successfully completed the Lover’s Lagoon Hideaway suites in record time to expand the resort’s capacity in June of 2016.

The thirty-two suites are located in the Lover's Hideaway Village with romantic views of the resort's freshwater nature lagoon, featuring large patios and balconies. Once again QuinnCo enjoyed the support and involvement of the Sandals team to enable them to rapidly execute the project within the short, six month timeframe.

Quinn Company is proud to have designed and constructed a residence in Fort Jeudy using the best Green Building practises for Grenada. Green building, or sustainable design, is the practice of increasing the efficiency with which buildings and their sites use energy, water, and materials, and reducing building impacts on human health and the environment. 

The home will include solar power and solar hot water which will help with energy efficiency and water and wastewater recycling.  The tiff excavated from the site for foundations was used in making compressed earth blocks with a mechanical press which were used to create some of the exterior walls. Other walls include an energy efficient insulated wall system using light gauge steel with high recycled content. The pex water piping system will be included to control and prevent water loss. 

The growth and development of our communities have a large impact on our natural environment. The manufacturing, design, construction, and operation of the buildings in which we live and work are responsible for the consumption of many of our natural resources.

Quinn Company sponsored the construction and installation of the base of an art piece monument dedicated to John Benjamin, a Grenadian Artist from St. Andrew. The 8 foot high piece, designed and fashioned by Maria McClafferty, has been installed at the Maurice Bishop International airport. It was commissioned by the Grenada Arts Council who partnered with the Grenada Airports Authority to hold a dedication ceremony “Celebrating John Benjamin.” Quinn Company strives to preserve and promote arts and culture and is proud to have sponsored such a great work by Ms. McClafferty remembering a prolific artist in Grenada. 

Chairman of Sandals International Resort, Gordan “Butch” Stewart, accompanied by Grenada’s Prime Minister, Dr. Keith Mitchell, held a ground-breaking ceremony for Sandals LaSource Grenada to unveil plans to expand the resort. The US$10 million expansion will increase the resort’s accommodation from 225 to 257 keys. The all-inclusive resort will feature 32 new lagoon nature reserve suites in four luxury room blocks with eight units in each block. Quinn Company was asked to return as the general contractor to expand Sandals LaSource Grenada Resort and Spa for this project. 

The Prime Minister acknowledged that Sandals has contributed to the tremendous growth the Grenadian economy in tourism especially with its marketing tactics that have launched worldwide. Tourism Minister, Hon. Yolande Bain-Horsford shared similar sentiments praising the benefits to the entire tourism industry of Sandals Resorts.  Quinn Company is proud to be a part of the 150 construction jobs that will be generated as a result of the expansion.

The popular beach bar, Umbrellas, located on Grand Anse beach was renovated by Quinn Company within a three week period schedule. The restaurant owners wanted all the work to be completed before their 5th Anniversary Party so that everyone could come and celebrate the new look along with a successful 5 years. This fast tracked renovation was made possible by the tremendous effort of the Quinn Company staff including working nights and weekends to ensure the work was completed. The main changes included relocation of the bar including a new floor, exterior wall and roof.  The bathroom facilities were expanded.  The floor at the previous bar location was raised and windows and railings were added.  The middle of the exterior stairs was closed and the coffee station was relocated.    

Quinn Company strives to do something positive for our local environment and QuinnCo community while promoting healthy lifestyles and well-being. The enthusiasm of the staff after the 2014 Family Fun Day encouraged Quinn Company to take “plant seedlings to grow health” to a higher level in 2015.  A planting day was organized and staff members went to local nurseries bought seedlings of various vegetables and took them to each work site. The plants were distributed among staff members to take home and plant outside for the rainy season. This new tradition piggy backs off Quinn Company’s Health and Safety policy and adds a new element to the health aspect. 

Compressed earth blocks use a mechanical press to form blocks using the natural environment. Quinn Company was able to create their own earth blocks by utilizing equipment Dr. Burkhardt brought to Grenada and using the earth found on the construction site. It was then mixed with a small amount of cement and lime collected as a waste product of a local oxygen and gas manufacturing company. The compressed blocks were dried and used in the garage area and in the kitchen of a house using green building technology.

Using earth blocks is an environmentally friendly alternative and aligns with Quinn Company’s desire to be a “green company” working towards sustainability and reducing its environmental impact. When on-site materials are used the cost is reduced in several ways such as minimizing shipping or transportation costs for materials, and increases efficiency. It is faster to obtain materials, because after the blocks are pressed they require a short drying period. The uniformity of the blocks simplifies construction, and minimizes or eliminates the need for mortar and plastering, reducing both the labor and materials costs. The blocks are strong, stable, water-resistant and long-lasting. The materials are completely natural, non-toxic, and do not out-gas. They also have excellent thermal performance, reducing heating and cooling costs. Quinn Company will continue to implement new green building techniques and hopefully encourage others to think about their environmental impact when choosing building materials and implementation tactics.

In an effort to promote healthy eating and lifestyles, Quinn Company hosted a Family Fun Day and Health Fair at La Sagesse Playing Field and expanded on previous competitive events by adding a health and wellness component. Quinn Company prides itself on being a leader in sustainability and tries to reduce its environmental footprint in every aspect. A team from the Food and Nutrition Council guided everyone on the benefits of eating local and home-grown foods. St. George’s University Health Services provided medical professionals to perform basic health checks under medical tents. Island Caterers provided a nutritious meal without using plastic plate to minimize environmental waste. Staff volunteers handed out healthy MNIB fruit snacks and beverages throughout the day. Seedlings were given to each family to “plant seedlings to grow good health” and everyone was educated on organic farming techniques to help set up home gardens. Yoga instructor, Malaika Brooks-Smith-Lowe of Spice Harmony Yoga Studio, led the children in fun yoga postures and stretching.

Various activities took place throughout the day including relay races, tug of war, face painting, dominoes and a bouncy castle. The event was a great success and Quinn Company will continue to encourage health and wellness within the company. 

Beginning June 2013 a new group will continue the work of Quinn Company’s Health & Safety Committee.  In recent company-wide elections three field staff members (Glenn Matthew, Jason Guy and Fabian Jeremiah) were elected to represent workers.  They join Julie Quinn, Evan Smith and Brigitte Assing who have been appointed to represent management.  The committee works cooperatively to identify and resolve health and safety issues at work.   The committee’s work is an important component in the company’s health and safety programme which includes weekly toolbox safety talks, an orientation programme for all new employees and regular inspections.

A total of 16 interns started their six week internship in Quinn Company during the months of April and May 2013.  The interns from NEWLO are part of the Caribbean Youth Empowerment Programme (CYEP) and are studying for a National Vocational Qualification (NVQ) in General Construction.  The TAMCC interns came to QuinnCo from both the St. Georges Tanteen Campus as well as the St. Patricks’ Training Centre. 

The students in St. Patricks are also completing the field placement requirements for the NVQ in General Construction while the St. Georges students are fulfilling the requirements for the Associates Degree in Building Technology.  QuinnCo supports the efforts of both these organization in skills development of the nation’s youth and utilizes the opportunity to retain talented individuals based on current job needs.

In an effort to promote and develop the company's Environmental Policy a competition was held amongst the staff to submit suggestions to improve sustainable environmental practice within the workplace.  Under the title "Make Every Day Earth Day" candidates were asked to provide three examples of current best practice as well as three ways the company could improve.  Contestants were able to identify a number of current practices as well as generating some great ideas to be implemented for future use.  Samuel James placed first while Zakiya Mitchell took second place.   Honourable mention also went to Magnola John with Che Alexander and Leslie Charles.  The winners were awarded cash prizes.

As a Health and Safety Specialist for QuinnCo, Graeme Fletcher was asked by Kim James, Grade One  teacher at Westmorland School, to explain basic construction Health & Safety Personal Protective Equipment to her class of six and seven year olds.  The children were able to try various types of PPE including hard hats and safety glasses and were particularly interested in respiratory protection like dust masks.  Mr. Fletcher reported that it was a very interactive session with lots of questions and that the students were able to relate the topics covered to safety practices in their parents’ workplaces.  

Quinn Company’s Managing Director, Mike Quinn, was part of a three person panel that presented on the high growth potential of the Marine and Yachting sector at the recent Private Sector Conference spear-headed by Republic Bank Limited in Grenada on 23 April 2012.   The business summit, themed “Fast Forward Together, Reigniting Growth”, included some of the most influential and respected business leaders in the Caribbean as well as representatives of international development agencies and senior government officials in Grenada.   The one day summit, described as a “regional think tank”, was geared to identify large scale, sustainable, revenue generating projects for private sector development to revitalize and turn around the Grenadian economy.  The conference focused specifically on key drivers of the private sector led growth and included tourism, leisure, marine, agriculture, health and medical services.

At their Annual General Meeting on the 30th of April 2013, Julie Quinn was elected to serve as a Director on the Grenada Chamber of Industry and Commerce Board.  Julie joins the board with her desire to continue to bring together the business community to develop strong networks and to work with government to develop pro-business initiatives for the benefit of Grenada.  She looks forward to continuing advocacy on issues of the business community especially those related to construction.  She brings with her a background in construction and business management with a history of volunteer work and employment in women’s development programmes, sheltered workshops for the disabled, school management, vocational training and environmental education projects.

Excitement grew throughout March and April as the building extension for the Medical Clinic and Cafeteria as well as a new playing field and playground for the children were completed at Grace Lutheran.  The playing field which is unique to Grenada utilizes an artificial grass made from recycled materials.

This surface provides a softer, spongy surface for the children while eliminating impact on water resources, use of chemical fertilizers and pesticides, and fuel powered mowing.  It also eliminates tracking in mud and grass on those rainy days.    

Leading the way in showing confidence that the world is climbing out of economic recession, Grenada’s National Insurance Scheme committed funds to a 28 million dollar commercial office expansion on one acre of reclaimed land owned adjacent to their existing office building.  QuinnCo won the competitive tender to construct the buildings.  The buildings will house the offices of NIS and twelve commercial spaces to be rented to the public.  The cost of expansion project is expected to be recovered through the rental of the new commercial space as well as from the rental of their existing building.

After looking for opportunities to expand to Grenada for more than a decade, Sandals purchased the resort formerly known as LaSource in late 2012.  Located on Pink Gin Beach, the property when fully expanded will offer a variety of 231 rooms and private cottages with concierge and butler level suites including the brand’s signature Rondaval suites.  Known for exceeding expectations and unwavering service, Sandals has selected Quinn Company to construct plunge pool suites, luxury blocks, the Roundaval Suites and Central Facilities.  The project is being fast tracked for opening in December 2013.  

Quinn Company’s plywood construction waste destined for Grenada’s landfill was recently given to local mixed media artist Suelin Low Chew Tung. With QuinnCo’s constant efforts to reduce waste and recycle where possible, this is not the first opportunity to donate construction waste materials to Suelin who is always looking for creative ways to involve recycled materials into her pieces.  On this occasion the artist created a small collection of ShortKnee works now on display at the Grenada National Museum in Saint George’s. Sales of these artworks will help benefit the Museum programmes.

This collection is part of Suelin’s ongoing project casting the Grenada ShortKnee as art object and subject, and moving traditional mas past the ‘carnival-only’ mentality and into the visual art mainstream.

Based on a photograph and a vision for their annual show, Horticultural Society organizers asked Quinn Company to construct the focal point for the 2012 Home and Garden Show.  The red pagoda was the stage for a great centre piece which visitors walked around over the weekend of the 24th and 25th of November in the Convention area of the Grand Beach Hotel.  This popular event showcased the rich diversity of plants, flowers, fruits, vegetables and spices grown on the island by talented horticulturist and gardeners. 

Health and Safety takes on new meaning when your construction site is also an active primary school.  Not only does the team working at Grace Lutheran on the extension have to be concerned about a safe physical environment, they have to try to minimize the construction chatter whether that is verbal or from machinery and equipment.  The teaching staff showed not only their patience with this challenging school environment but they turned it into a teachable moment. Quinn Company Supervisor Evan Smith was asked to teach the students about mixing concrete.  The students created their own concrete blocks with incredible results.  

Graeme Fletcher will represent the Quinn Company on the Project Steering Committee for New Life Organisation (NEWLO) for the second phase of the Caribbean Youth Empowerment Programme.  In an effort to tackle the growing problems of youth unemployment in the Caribbean, the Caribbean Youth Empowerment Program (CYEP) funded by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) was established in October 2008 by the International Youth Foundation (IYF), a Youth Development organization based in Baltimore, United States of America. CYEP is designed to provide youth at-risk, ages 17-25, access to the job market and sustainable livelihood pathways that will prepare them to play positive roles within the workforce, their families and their communities.

The project involves the provision of training in Life Skills, Remedial Education (English and Math), nine Vocational Skill areas, Internship, Job Placement Services and Psychosocial Support on need bases to youth at risk to facilitate employment.

Within days of the completion of the new facility for Grace Lutheran, Quinn Company was pleased to be asked back to begin an extension to the facility.  The new 2,000 square foot addition will house a café/cafeteria and medical clinic.

The children of St. Joseph’s R.C. School in Morne Jaloux now have a safe place to play thanks to the Powell Children’s Fund and numerous local sponsors.  The school’s previous play area was on a very steep slope and had eroded over time exposing rock and rendering it virtually unusable as a playground.  Local parishioner Mary Hardy dreamed that a suitable playground could one day be constructed.

Following her unfortunate passing last year her husband Mark and their friends worked to raise the funds to make Mary’s dream a reality.  Quinn Company was pleased to be able to contribute to the project by providing construction services at a reduced cost.

Mike and Julie Quinn proudly represented Quinn Company at the dedication ceremony for the first Phase of Grace Lutheran’s new facility in Grenada on 23 September 2012.  Pastor Steve Soukup led the activities which included a blessing of the facilities and a dedication worship service.  In the afternoon the facilities were shown to guests during an open house followed by a programme featuring children from the school.   The new facility includes eight classrooms for their school, a multi-purpose assembly area, a music room that opens into the assembly area, bathrooms, office, meeting room, conference room, and a small kitchen.  Classes opened for the new school year on the 4th of September. 

At the Annual General meeting in February Mike Quinn was elected to serve as a floor member of the Grenada Institute of Professional Engineers.  Mike has been a member of GIPE since 1994 and has worked specifically on committees in the past to promote the licensing and registration of engineers. 

The objectives of the organisation include safeguarding the life, health and welfare of the public by ensuring that the practice of engineering is restricted to qualified persons and advancing the status of the engineering profession by the establishment and observance of the high ethical standards of conduct. 

The current board continues to work toward the realisation of licensing and registration of engineers in Grenada and to ensure that the organisation meets international standards to ensure the future reality of reciprocal agreements with other nations. 

Additionally the GIPE Executive is involved in the organisation of Engineer’s Month.  Planned activities scheduled for this event include raising public awareness of the engineering profession through a media campaign, Career Day, workshops, Open Forum, as well as including social activities for its members. 

Mike Quinn accepted recognition “with deep appreciation” on behalf of Quinn Company Limited for the company’s part in the successful completion of the Project for the Improvement of Traditional Fishing Community Infrastructure in Gouyave from the Government of Grenada at an official opening on 29 November 2011. The facility, built with grant funds from the Government of Japan, expects to increase the food security of the people in the area as well as offer opportunities for income generation and poverty reduction.

The official handover ceremony was attended by Prime Minister Tilman Thomas and other government officials as well as Japanese Ambassador Tatsuaki Iwata.  In addition to hearing about the project from both countries’ representatives, attendees were entertained by local cultural groups.

Community members as well as dignitaries were toured through the facilities which include improved berthing and landing facilities, vending booths, fish handling preparation and processing, production and storage for ice, cold storage, repair and maintenance shop, forklift and crane.   Offsite facilities include a 180 foot radio tower in Grand Etang which will improve ship to shore communications.

TOA Corporation of Japan and Quinn Company Limited were commended for completion of the project early despite a delayed start to the project.

A total of twenty-one QuinnCo staff members updated their First Aid Skills during a workshop at nearby St. George’s University in May 2011.  The course designed for the QuinnCo supervisory field staff contained basic first aid instruction as well as training using CPR (cardiopulmonary resuscitation) and AED (automated external defibrillator).  The facilitators provided training utilizing audio/visual aids and students were tested on their practical application of the course materials including the AED.  All participants received their certification from the American Heart Association for all training areas.

Improving customer service and energy efficiency were hallmarks in the design and construction of Grenlec’s new Headquarters which was opened with a week of activities for customers, shareholders and staff.  At the dedication and ceremonial unveiling. Chairman of the Board of Directors, Mr. Robert Blanchard expressed appreciation to the GRENLEC team headed by Mr. Vernon Lawrence as well as the design and construction team at Quinn Company Limited. 

LEED certification, leadership in energy efficiency and environment design, was used as a reference when seeking to improve the building’s energy efficiency.  Factors considered in the selection of materials included water efficiency, energy efficiency, Air Conditioning refrigerate management, optimized energy performance, recycled material content and material performance/efficiency and indoor environmental quality.   Putting energy efficiency and environment design features into practice support the Grenlec’s commitment to providing reliable, renewable and environmentally-friendly energy.

As part of the festivities the building’s art collection and other works on loan from local artists and the Grenada Arts Council (GAC) was displayed and guided tours provided by council members. 

Three field staff members (Alstead Charles, Winston Bishop and Fabian Jeremiah) were elected to represent workers during company-wide elections for the Joint Health and Safety Committee in April 2011.  These three members join three management representatives (Betty Logie, Lincoln Duncan and Julie Quinn) to work together in a cooperative spirit to identify and resolve health and safety issues at work.  The joint committee began its work in support of the company’s health and safety programme in June.  To date the committee has focused on reviewing/updating the company’s Health and Safety Policy and Procedures including Health and Safety Rules, review of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) in particular, as well as reviewing/advising on the company’s health and safety inspection process. 

The work of the committee is just one component in the company’s health and safety programme which includes weekly toolbox safety talks, an orientation programme for all new employees and regular inspections among other components.

A Quinn Company training course conducted at True Blue Bay Resort by David Keller resulted in the training and certification of twenty-eight Quinn Company workers in a new green technology.  At the annual staff party Managing Director Mike Quinn reported Quinn Company is now a Parex Certified Contractor for the EIFS system.  He noted that the system is a green building technology that Quinn Company has modified for our Grenada environment of windblown rain and a possible hurricane.  The system increases the energy efficiency of a building some 15 times over conventional block work.   This gives our clients lower building operating costs over the lifetime of the building.  

The Sickle Cell Association of Grenada office opened their doors officially at a ceremony in early February.  Her Excellency Lady Glean was present to cut the ribbon opening the facility which was refurbished by Quinn Company Limited who assisted with labour and materials for the project.

The new facilities will provide a space for the Association to promote public awareness of sickle cell disorder/disease and to provide education, counseling and welfare for those affected.

In December 2009 Julie Quinn officially joined the Grenada Council for Technical and Vocational Education and Training (GCTVET) as a member representing the Construction Sector. GCTVET provides guidance and support to the National Training Agency (NTA) for the technical and vocational education system in Grenada. 

Prior to serving on the council Julie participated in workshops as a construction sector representative and later served in Industry Lead Groups for the review of construction standards as part of the National Vocational Qualifications (NVQ) system currently being put in place by the NTA which utilizes Competency Based Training (CBT) and assessment.  The introduction of occupational standards is expected to increase the quality and value of vocational training in Grenada by using industry specific performance standards which define the skills, knowledge and attitudes required for a job.  The training and assessment will not focus just on theory but the actual practice of the job competencies in a work place setting. 

During a ceremony at the QuinnCo office, twelve staff members were given Certificates of Completion for the course Read and Interpret Plans.  The class was developed using the Qualification Framework for the Building and Construction Industry Standards and was facilitated by Mr. Peter Joseph.  All the graduates were required to attend classes and were evaluated on their competency to effectively identify types of drawings and functions, recognize commonly used symbols and abbreviations, locate and identify key features on a site plan, identify and locate key features from sections and elevations and read and interpret specifications.

Participants were encouraged to utilize what they have learned on a daily basis by Director responsible for Human Resources, Julie Quinn.  Ms. Quinn noted that understanding and reading drawings was a key to accurate communication of a client’s needs on site.  She stated that by improving their knowledge QuinnCo improves communication, efficiency and accuracy in a project’s execution.  She encouraged participants to pass on their knowledge to those they work with.