NAME OF FEATURE | THE GLEANER | SUNDAY, MAY 11, 2025 6 said, “I had to get my hands dirty. I did whatever it took to get the business going. It is not unusual for people starting a business to begin on the ground floor, laying a foundation in keeping with their strategic vision. I was no different. I was on a mission, and I had a vision to establish a business that placed value on professionalism, attention to detail, accountability and reliability. I wanted to ensure that clients received value for money.” Manpower began by offering janitorial and related facilities management services to healthcare institutions, including the Tony Thwaites Wing of the University Hospital; followed by Spanish Town Hospital and Life of Jamaica (LOJ), now Sagicor. Manpower continues to serve two of these foundation clients today. It was not long before MMS was recognised as a superior service provider, and a variety of commercial and other enterprises, modern office complexes, entertainment venues, educational and sport facilities, hotels, wharves, shopping malls, the international airports and factories, soon joined the list of clients. Later, the company would launch its Powermaid© service now Power Home Suite of Services® for the cleaning and maintenance of prestige homes. It also offers a range of other services including building care, Pest Management Service (formerly pest control), landscape design and maintenance, plumbing, carpentry and provides washroom and other supplies. Having established its headquarters in Kingston, there was also the opportunity to expand to other areas of the island and an office was opened in Montego Bay 25 years ago to serve the North Coast community. In 2013, MMS also opened its office in Mandeville to benefit mid-island and the South Coast. Always researching and looking for avenues of expansion, the management of the organisation also found other creative ways to contribute to workforce improvement through the establishment of other entities including the Institute for Workforce Education and Development (IWED), which was relaunched on November 30, 2022, at its new location, 17 Eureka Crescent, Kingston 5. The Institute’s transition to a college for workforce development was also announced. A front-runner and constantly ready to seize opportunities for growth whenever and wherever MMS Board of Directors (from left): Leo Williams, Dawn Marie Brown, M. Audrey Stewart-Hinchcliffe, Don Gittens, Velma Brown, Joseph Taffe and Andrew Lee, Faith Williamson and Peter Thompson. PLEASE SEE SERVICE, 8 MMS 35TH ANNIVERSARY FEATURE
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