‘Record Breaking’ Month For Butterfield & Vallis
Butterfield & Vallis said they are “celebrating a record-breaking month of business due to the 35th America’s Cup.”
“The America’s Cup and the Tall Ships Festival have created an exciting atmosphere and driven an appreciable increase in food sales in May, resulting in record sales for the local food distribution company. In preparation, Butterfield & Vallis hired 24 additional Bermudians to support the anticipated increase in demand,” the company said.
“Butterfield & Vallis’ Consumer Products Division, which services grocery stores and other retail outlets, has increased its sales volume by just over 20 per cent. The Food Service Division, which supplies hotels and restaurants saw sales volume increase by 30 per cent.
“Generally, all product categories performed significantly ahead of forecast but most noticeable were perishables such as fresh produce, meats and imported fresh fish. While there was speculation and concern that grocery stores would be running out of food as our needs increased, the cooperation between the Consumer Products Division and the retailers has proven successful.
“The 24 additional staff members have been hired to cover the America’s Cup period. These jobs are in the warehouse, sales, and customer service departments.
“A special operating plan was developed and implemented, which allowed super yacht and Tall Ship requirements to be integrated into the day-to-day operations.
“This included relaxing the employee Time Off in Lieu programme, introduced after the global financial crash in 2008, and reverting to overtime being paid for additional hours worked for the duration of the America’s Cup. More than 2,300 hours of overtime has been paid to its employees to date.
“Encouragingly, trade remains very strong in June with further gains expected due to the momentum of the America’s Cup and other events.”
Spencer Butterfield, Butterfield & Vallis Chief Operating Officer, said: “We are delighted with the boost that the America’s Cup and other summer events have given us.
“We are tremendously appreciative of the hard work carried out by all our team members under demanding circumstances. We believe this goes to show that Bermuda is well equipped to deal with an influx of visitors while continuing to serve our regular local customers.”
And only the rich get richer!
so all those employees that got extra hours of overtime pay and jobs are classified as ‘the rich’ please just stop it.
No they are not rich but the so called success of their employer was predicated upon up to 77 million of tax payers dollars subsidizing this even. Let’s not forget this.
This became not only a taxpayer subsidized party for foreign billionaires and their companies but for their Bermudian millionaire counterparts like Jim Butterfield, Grant Gibbons, Michael Dunkley, Burland, Gosling and the companies they own.
A OBA generated windfall for their support base at our expense.
Lastly, as public policy these types of events usually do not pay off. They never live up to hype and the taxpayers usually get fleeced.
You mean like the PLP hiring thousands of unneeded Civil Servants that we have paid billions and $200,000,000 a year in interest? People are so blind and ignorant….
Shut up…two wrongs dont make a right.
OBA Supporter says look what you did! PLP supporter says look what you did!
Both party’s shafting the common folk…
you shut up, moron
Pure speculation.
1st of all lets look at the 77 million (this works out to about $1500 per resident). The advertising that Bermuda received from this event would have cost at least twice that amount. Have a look at what the PLP spent annually on tourism advertising with 0 return!!
yes, the people with money to invest will tend to make the bigger profit.. Lets look at Butterfield & Vallis, the company will have invested Millions to import the stock required to supply the event (they are NOT the only supplier), they are the ones risking their money. But also loom at their staff, who are no making extra wages as a result… This is called trickle down effect…
Will AC “make money” for the public purse? I don’t know, what I do know is that we couldn’t have afforded to pay for the advertising we have received…
Truth Teller why don’t you open up ya own Wholesale business flapin ya lips for nothing
You know the upset voter isn’t talking about the employees. Don’t be cute…don’t suit you!
If they are not share holders then de couple of extra hundred dollars is a help, other then that de bulk of de hundreds off thousands will be split up with de share holders.
OJ. How many born Bermudians do you employ?
Wow. Even quicker off the mark than OJ
24 additional staff and 2300 hours of overtime negates your claim.
Thats good, but they campaigned 2000 jobs.
Butterfield and Vallis? What a childish remark
How many jobs would $800M buy, OJ?
So they never got overtime pay since 2008?
They weren’t employed back then you moron.
Where the hell is the dislike button/.
Stop replying to this troll @ OJ , he/she/it is addicted to reply`s no matter how stupid its post.
Did you not read the part about 2,300 hours of overtime paid?
Did you not read the part about this being the first time that overtime has been paid since 2008? And that it’s only a temporary relaxing of the no overtime pay policy.
So they worked overtime for straighttime all this time.
wow, oj, I knew you were stupid, but this is painful.
The same people who give more chances to former Westgate prisoners than anyone else one of Bermuda’s biggest employer? Is that the rich get richer?… stupid
And don’t forget their numerous , low key charitable donations throughout the year , especially at Christmas, to others whose events get all the press air time while B/V’s name is rarely if ever mentioned.
Oh , and also a massive supporter of the Spirit of Bda programme .
@Navin
I couldn’t agree more. I believe they have the highest percentage of Bermudians employed than any other major company!
Some people are just thick, what can you do?
Jim Butterfield is one of the most stand up decent men I have ever met. All power to him and his employees.
Union leader will hold a press conference today and call this a lie – im calling it first!
I dont think so, he already caught them in a lie when they said Hotel beds will be full and we would need cruise ships to room de overflow, instead hotel workers are in lay off mood.
cruise ship arriving this week.
Uh…false…
How many times an hour do you lie, oj? You lie in every post you make, why do you think you can call out anyone for lying? Why are you such a racist, OJ?
Just like the unions, putting faith in hearsay and BS, SOOO NOT CLEAVER ARE YOU OJ !
Lets see the spin that comes from the nay-sayers on this one! Great news and great job!
so the spin has begun…..this only helps the rich apparently! lol
No need for a spin, we all know that friends and family ( private enterprise) directly involved would benefit.
But we were told that ALL of Bermuda would benefit. Can you expound specifically on that.
TIC TOC
It seems to me that some people (when they heard that AC would benefit all of Bermuda) expected a representative of AC to knock on their door and personally hand them a 10,000$ cheque. But even then, I am sure there would have been some who would have complained that they deserved more…
Well when you talk about Reperations …………..
OJ, when you say ‘reperations’, you mean handouts, right?
Ok, let me give it a shot. So for years now Bermuda’s economy has being suffering. People have been leaving the island, along with their money. In the last little while, we are beginning to turn the corner. Things are starting to happen. You see more homes being built, hotel breaking ground in St Georges (surprised inna!), more tourists visting our shores. America’s Cup giving us not just a financial injection, but the coverage has been incredible for Bermuda’s tourism product.(have you seen how our island looks on Television?) All of these things create jobs, opportunities. What is good for Bermuda is good for all Bermudians. I have not seen so many tourists here in i dont know how long. Cant wait for the Front street stores to announce their results (bet you they have seen an uptick after years of decline). Sorry that the Americas cup has not gone around to every Bermudian and stuffed a $100 bill into their pocket but can you really be so short sighted or politically motivated to not be able to admit that things are looking up for Bermuda? if nothing else, opportunity is there. We just have to take advantage of that opportunity or continue to sing the same sad song. That song will not get you anywhere in life.
If more taxes are paid by those of us in useful jobs, don’t you think that helps government workers?
If we did’nt let these Billionaires bring in everything tax free then we would’ve had more money in de coffers.
“If we did’nt let these Billionaires bring in everything tax free then we would’ve had more money in de coffers.”
Hey OPJ, why don’t you have a problem with your brothers in the PLP being import tax exempt?
You can’t even spell economics can you?
Onion Juice your so full of Sh1t I need a bigger pit
No spin. I am happy for the 24 additional staff. However, I note that they were hired for the America’s Cup period. I would like to see some concrete plans from the Government detailing what they intend to do after the summer when these jobs disappear. How will they assist the workers and their families when the AC jobs (and the jobs from other short-term projects like the airport) are no longer there? How will they keep unemployment from spiking and what steps will they make to ensure that the economy does not slip back into recession if we have more unemployed and consumer spending drops?
Well for starters we have a new hotel in St Geo being built and a new airport being built… Duh…
24 out off 2000.
Mmmmmmmmmmm
What 2,000? The 2,000 fake news unemployed? There are over 6,000 work permits. Take out the very skilled and that still leaves around 4,000 that Bermudians can fill, which is twice as many “unemployed”. You lose that argument.
And 5,000 jobs lost under Burt’s PLP. If we’re counting.
Contrary to the big (misconception)! It’s not the government’s job to find you one! (A job)
They are busy stabilizing our economy.
Then all I here is the usual noise from the plp. We could do this so much better. What a joke!!
I still haven’t heard an apology from the opposition for putting us (Bermuda) in dept.
If you don’t see the steady increase and profits of Bermuda based business. Well… nothing more to say
“Contrary to the big (misconception)! It’s not the government’s job to find you one! (A job)”
PLP members are charity cases…they expect handouts because they don’t have any of the skills required to fend for themselves.
Well done B&V.
A rising tide lifts all boats. We are proud of your growth.
Bermuda is truly shining and I am a proud Bermudian when I see what we all achieved for this event.
“A rising tide lifts all boats.”
Not really. Trickle down economics does not work – has never worked. BV does a lot of good in the community, and providing someone a job for a few months is a good thing, but it does not provide lasting financial stability to you and your family. An economy that depends on ad-hoc events and short-term projects to thrive is quite frankly, a house of cards.
All boats, more like some boats.
And your solution to a concrete long term employment is…??
OJ Does not have one, like the PLP he is a dumb A$$ he think`s B&V are the Government!!!
The whole tourism industry depends on one event after another, one family or couple after another choosing to come here for some reason or another. Pretending that the AC hasn’t been good for us is ridiculously shortsighted, putting it mildly.
@ OJ. Don’t worry, if the PLP win the election we can look forward to many Black Mayors’ Conferences which will produce zero jobs. How many jobs were created when Bermuda gave $40m to Global Hue? What plans are there in the Vision 2025 to look forward to, and how many jobs?
Congratulations to Butterfield & Vallis for proving the pessimists wrong and providing enough food for everyone on the island, certainly something that San Francisco suppliers got wrong at the last America’s Cup.
And to read that the workers will also benefit from the upswing by giving them overtime pay instead of time in lieu is commendable. I’m sure the 24 additional workers are very appreciative of the work and lets hope that it turns into something more permanent for them in the future. That will depend on whether we can keep up the extra demand and that will depend very much on visitors and additional foreign workers – see the pattern voters??????
What about the small businesses ie Hunts? America Cup did not provide equal opportunity for all. Lets see what the privilage people willl have to say?
Would you agree that the America’s Cup has provided an opportunity to those kids who may never have had the chance to learn how to sail? Some times we have to look beyond the dollars and cents and count other advantages.
I do agree that Bermudians in general got an opportunity to learn more about sailing. But my comment was on the article “record breaking” which relates dirrectly to their “profits” which equals dollars and cents.
Kids are baby goats.
Well thats your language.
Not just learn to sail but receive an education as well. The Endeavor programme includes STEAM as part of the package, and sailing teaches self discipline, responsibility and self esteeem. A win for all who have had the opportunity to participate, and not just “rich white” kids.
Hunts will benefit by having more people on the island with more money in their pocket willing to spend it in places such as Hunts. It’s not rocket science.
Small businesses like Hunts , whose owner just opened the Caroline bay marina at Morgans point , which is now full of boats here for the Americas cup . That Hunt?
Ayanna, you have to be kidding, Hunts a small business? Not sure how you figure that out maybe you could let us know
You talking about the same Hunt thats in a partnership with the rich people of Morgans Point..?
I bet Hunts has made a fortune out of the America’s cup. And if not why not?
All the AC families are living in Warwick and Southampton and have been for years. They have all this new market on their doorstep.
“privilage” …is that the same as “educated”?
This is great for our economy and more jobs been created
24 people being employed from de 2000 that have been layed off is a consulation?
Show the facts and details for the 2,000 layed (sic) off? You can’t so give it up. Even the official PLP have given up on that.
Or we could wait until 2025 for something to happen.
“consulation”…is that the same as “education”?
2300hrs.
That’s well over a million dollars.
Doubt they were paid $8 an hour.
That’s good news…
Quick question tho…Will the 24 new hirees be gainfully employed post AC or was it just a “hustle”
It simply amazes me to hear the negative comments regarding how this local company has succeeded due to the America’s Cup. Well done to all involved and enjoy spending that hard earned overtime pay. Also remember come July 18th that it is the OBA that helped you with this and not the PLP. Simple question, is your personal economy better or not….easy to answer.
They won’t have a job by July 18th unfortunately so their opinion may change…
Yippee …. However , everything got more expensive to buy … Didya notice ?
Example ; one apple from a major grocery chain pre AC $1.09 , today $1.59 .
Milk , in four years the price of milk never dropped ! Mind you fresh milk only is sold by one company . Go figure !
I’m happy for your success , but this success isn’t reflected in the price of your goods to the regular consumer .
The grapes are very sour when the price of food gets inflated because of greed or overwhelming success !
So is it a good thing ?
Why doesn’t the BIU show how they can bring down prices by opening a supermarket? They must have so many dollars in savings accounts to provide the capital and cut prices. Think how many jobs they can create. So why don’t they? It must be easy , and bring in fresh milk to sell at half the price of Dunkley’s , that’ll show him. So much talk and so little substance.
I like my coffee black and my grapes sour. Go figure
Ringmaster’s idea is perfect.
Open a supermarket, using BIU funds collected from its members. Employ only born Bermudians with no relatives who have received Bermuda status. Pay them top wages, give them 70 days sick leave, 33 days vacation. Sell nice healthy food and charge significantly less than everyone else.
Show us all how it’s done. Should make a nice profit for the BIU.
Ringmaster , Pointboy , Zevon , I ask . Is selling cheap overpriced food a good thing for Bermuda ?
Only one union should be interjected in this conversation . Should the Bermuda Chamber of Commerce be held accountable for allowing its members to create a situation whereby food becomes a political weapon ?
Can’t help noticing you’re avoiding the point.
If you think retailers are profiteering, selling “cheap overpriced food”, you’re free to set up in competition and offer lower prices, better service, higher wages, better working conditions, longer vacations, better health benefits, paternity leave, maternity leave, you name it. All the things you think are important.
If you offer better food cheaper, you’ll clean up.
The BIU has the capital, surely, It has collected millions from its members over the years.
Or maybe you’re just full of sh eet.
Don’t be so greedy, coffee.
The PLP could never manage this the hustle truck was there biggest achievement at employment and we hear that’s coming back lawd help us
Jim Butterfield has done more for ALL Bermudians than all the unions and politicians together but never blows his own trumpet preferring to help people under the radar. To think that his concrete company was ” stolen” from him by you know whom beggars belief.
Agreed 100%. An upstanding man and member of society!
For the first time in history private businesses are issuing press releases telling us how well they’re doing, how many people they employ and how much overtime they’re paying. These aren’t publicly traded companies so what gives? Obviously the OBA campaign machine has encouraged this. In the interest of balance why don’t these same businesses tell us how much their profits have been raised since 2009 when they first started getting payroll tax relief and mores from 2013 when they started getting customs duty relief, payroll tax exemptions, duty deferrals, and all sorts of other concessions. Now the value of those tax breaks probably far outstrips the pittance they claim to have paid in overtime. Sorry guys, the underwriting of your improved bottom line on the back of my tax dollars doesn’t win you my applause or my vote.
OK Really, here’s the press release for the public sector. Ten days after receiving no mail, my wife goes to the local PO. Told the postman had been on vacation but came back today and is on his rounds. (Thursday). No mail so Monday I go in. He is still on vacation. Thursday I go in. Still on vacation. Can I collect mail? No, he has to sort it. Friday, wife goes in. The Postman is back next Tuesday. Today I’m getting local mail postmarked 30 May.
The PO staff wouldn’t last a day in the private sector, and rightly so. Supported by the PLP and BIU and loosing $10 million a year. Yup, the public sector is best.
Mail ? In 2017 ? Bet you watch network news and have a land line too.
I bet you watch fox news, on your goldstar tube tv.
” Obviously the OBA campaign machine has encouraged this. ”
Obviously, you’re homophobic and racist. You have no skills and your petty jealousy, of anyone who can do for themselves, is disgusting. Grow up, get a job, stop expecting handouts.
Wow,It’s Election time!!!!
I’d like to hear from a Butterfeild & Vallis employee to get the real story..