TelEm Group inaugurates
new building, unveils logo
~ Will now focus on enhancing customer service ~
POND ISLAND--The thousands of customers of the TelEm Group can expect a higher level of internet, mobile and landline services and much more comfort, now that the company is operating from a spanking new and more spacious location.
The 14-million-guilder two-storey TelEm building and the warehouse were officially inaugurated on Friday in what many called a milestone finally achieved.
The company’s adapted corporate logo, which now reads “TelEm Group,” was also unveiled in front of a capacity crowd of invited guests and staff members dressed in crisp white shirts bearing the new logo.
Some 200 employees of TelEm, TelNet and TelCell will serve clients from the Soualiga Boulevard #5, Pond Island, location.
“This is your building. Enjoy being in it and take care of it,” TelEm Interim President Director Edward Benjamin said during the opening ceremony. “Our intention is to now strive for good service. There is no excuse now to render poor service. … Our new image is to serve the public.”
He credited former TelEm head Curtis Haynes for his vision and for paving the way for staff to be housed under one roof, when a section of Great Salt Pond was filled in to accommodate the new building under his tenure. He also acknowledged former President Director Dennis Richardson for picking up the project when he joined the company. Several other persons were also thanked for their efforts in the initiative.
New Telecommunications Commissioner Maria Buncamper-Molanus said she was particularly pleased to see that provisions had been made for the disabled and wheelchair-bound persons to access the building via a ramp. She spoke about the rapid pace of development of the telecommunications industry and underscored the importance of TelEm remaining in tune with these developments.
She told employees they could “rest assured” that their questions about the future of the company were being “addressed” and that “new playing fields” would be entered in coming months. “The future is bright for these companies,” she said. “This is quite a construction. It’s a milestone and it should represent good things ahead for St. Maarten.”
Acting Lt. Governor Mathias Voges, in his capacity as Shareholder Representative, said the acquisition of a new building was necessary for the development of the TelEm Group. He said the new building should mean an improved level of service for clients, something he said they deserved. “With this new building, TelEm can now continue to build on its expansion plans.”
He also urged the company to continue to move forward to become the leading telecommunications company in the Caribbean.
St. Maarten Telecommunications Holding Company N.V. Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Joseph Richardson, who co-founded TelEm three decades ago, said that although construction of the building was complete, mechanisms still had to be put in place to make the personnel feel comfortable and at home.
The two-storey structure is built in West Indian style, which can be seen in details such as the high roofing. The whole roof structure is made of steel. The building is designed to resist wind speeds up to 135 mph, as well as earthquakes. On the ground floor there is a kitchen with a porch beside it where employees can have lunch. The complex contains two meeting rooms, and the top floor offers the possibility to make other multifunctional spaces such as conference rooms.
The move into the new building means clients will be able to make one stop for almost all of their telecommunications, Internet and mobile services. The office of sister company international carrier SMITCOMS remains not too far away at Harbour View.
Parking facilities, a problem at some of the previous locations, are not expected to be a big problem at the new location, as some 20-30 parking places will be available to clients. Disabled people will also be able to reach the main entrance via a ramp.
In the building, customers will find 16 counters where services will be provided by TelEm. Each floor contains five sanitary units for the staff as well as four kitchen units.
The personnel moved into the new building in September and have already started serving customers there. Seven of the company’s nine locations have now been closed. The locations at Le Grand Marché and the one in Simpson Bay will remain open.
The money the company paid in rent for the various locations will be used to repay the NAf. 14 million loan. Construction warehouse began in November 2005 and ended in August 2006, while construction of the of the main building began in July 2006 and ended August 2007. (Judy H. Fitzpatrick)
