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do. So, what happens is that you
get a very cautious business sector
that realizes that you can lose very
big if there’s a re-adjustment of
the exchange rate. So, the larger,
cash-rich companies buy up all the
foreign exchange that they can,
creating a shortage.
“This has happened over the last
year and it has created great dif-
ficulty sourcing raw materials and
being able to pay for them. Hence,
most of us who have been through
a few recessions look towards po-
sitioning ourselves for exports and
this is what the next move of this
company will be. And in our drive
to package products for export, we
are already on the way.” Quesnel
says that for the last year and a
half, he has been attempting to
overcome various trade barriers in
several Latin American countries,
but hopes to enter those new mar-
kets within the next few months.
“It may mean very small margins,
but once you have the foreign
exchange, you can ensure payment
for your raw materials,” he says.
Quesnel also reveals that over
the last year or so, Resin Converters
has embarked upon an extensive
management training regi-
men for its supervisory per-
Preferred vendor
n Pacific, Ltd. Corp.
resin converters limited
sonnel. “I think it was a very good opportunity
to dig deep into this idea with my management
team,” he states. “It was quite rewarding in the
sense of bringing out the best in my team and
re-emphasizing our goals and our vision com-
ing out of a recessionary period. I have a man-
agement team that took the training well and
I think they will be well-conditioned to handle
the change of direction of the company. I stand
behind my team– it’s not a one-man show. I
really believe that with teamwork, we can do
anything.”
Finally, Quesnel says that he is continuing his
long-term goal of trying to get the government
of Trinidad to move forward on implementing
a reasonable, plastic recycling program. Even
though it is a
small country,
between 50
and 60 million
plastic bottles
are disposed of
into its waste
stream, every
month. “I do some recycling on post-industrial,
but I have not been able to go to post-con-
sumer, yet. And we can’t get the government to
get serious about separating recyclables from
waste,” he laments. “But we’re going to keep
fighting. It’s been 17 years I’ve been working on
it and if I have to work another 17, I will. I don’t
give up easy.”
Meanwhile, Quesnel believes that with its
new agenda and its reinvigorated management
team, Resin Converters will continue to rebound
from the darker days of the Great Recession. “I
do feel, very strongly, that a recession is a time
when you don’t curl up and lay low. It’s a time
for you to dig in, explore new opportunities, and
bring the company to better profitability,” he
declares. “And if we continue to do what we’re
doing, we should see a very good return on
investment.”