Diasporic Entrepreneurship in the Caribbean - Firm Profiles.pdf Vol 2 | Page 56

Annex 2: Selected SWOT Analyses 4. DEMERARA DISTILLERIES LTD STRENGTHS WEAKNESSES • Experience: DDL has many years of experience in rum production. • National Brain Drain- leading to skills shortages, mainly due to the high migration rates of skilled locals out of Guyana. In an industry which relies on ongoing research and development for competitiveness, DDL is unable to access well trained, high caliber, technical personnel. • Traditional rum-making methods: which make DDL products unique and give the company a bigger marketing advantage. • Local supply of molasses: DDL purchases molasses locally (from Guyanese suppliers), which is an advantage in comparison to other rum companies that source their molasses from overseas. • High cost of energy in Guyana. OPPORTUNITIES THREATS • Global market demand for premium rum is the preferred choice, Demand for premium brown spirits are increasing internationally. • Subsidies that are granted to competitors. For example subsidies granted to rum producers in Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands granted by the US Government. • Gin consumption is now becoming popular again internationally, after years of declining consumption. • Comparatively, DDL has a small domestic market when compared to large populations such as India and the Philippines. • Low