Группа Wisynco планирует потратить до 5 млрд долларов на расширение производственных мощностей и складов

September 9, 2026 Wisynco set for expansion WISYNCO Group Limited is moving to spend up to $5 billion on its operations over the next three years to meet the growing demand for its manufacturing and distribution business lines. That’s the update provided by Wisynco Group Chairman William Mahfood following the release of the company’s audited financials for the June 2026 financial year (FY). The next round of investments is focused on growing the company’s manufacturing capacity and warehouse space for its expanding proprietary and third-party product portfolio. “If you were to lay it out on a map, over the next three years you’d see continued investment in capital in terms of buildings and equipment. We’re looking at even more factory and production [capacity] in the next year,” Mahfood told the Jamaica Observer during a recent phone call. Wisynco spent $3.24 billion in capital expenditure (capex) on its property, plant and equipment for its 2026 FY, which saw $1.26 billion deployed on land and buildings and $1.13 billion for ongoing work. Between the 2023 and 2025 FY, the company spent $14.65 billion in capex which supported its ability to meet domestic demand for its existing products, diversify into new packaging types and launch its alcohol portfolio, including its Legend beer. The company invested US$35 million ($5.47 billion) on its new brewery and manufacturing facility. Mahfood revealed that the company recently acquired additional land at Lakes Pen, St Catherine, and is expected to complete a new 70,000 square foot warehouse by the end of the year which is near completion. This is on top of the new 60,000-square-foot distribution centre to be constructed in Lacovia, St Elizabeth. “We acquired some land for further expansion across the road. So, we’re looking at building a new distribution centre. We’re going to submit the plans in probably six months,” Mahfood explained. Wisynco’s expansion comes at a time when its revenue grew 14 per cent to $65.35 billion, underpinned by a diverse product mix and introduction of new products such as the manufactured alcohol and Stone’s Ginger Wine portfolios which contributed $397 million during the year. However, the company also had to book $454 million related to the new special consumption tax on non-alcoholic sweetened beverages which it must book as revenue and deduct as an expense under cost of sales. “We’re seeing steady growth every month on the new business, so that’s positive. Overall, we’re happy about the turnout. We’re excited about this year,” Mahfood explained on the new alcohol portfolio. While the company is spending significant sums on marketing and promotions for its Legend and alcohol portfolio, it has not begun to significantly push this product in the export market. Wisynco’s exports grew 26 per cent to $1.55 billion for the 2026 FY but represented 2.38 per cent of group revenue. Exports represented $628 million or 1.97 per cent of revenue in 2021, demonstrating how fast domestic sales continue to grow. “Our main focus is still in Europe. We just started in Canada with a new partnership with GraceKennedy,” Mahfood noted while pointing to the USA and Eastern Caribbean as other focus markets. The company’s operating profit climbed 12 per cent to $5.87 billion as it spent more on advertising, staff and property expenses following its recent expansion initiatives. However, earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation (EBITDA) improved 16 per cent to $8.62 billion for 2026. The EBITDA metric is used to remove certain non-cash expenses like depreciation which lowers the company’s operating profit and shows the business’ core profit capacity. Although Wisynco generated $531.26 million in finance income from its cash and investment portfolio, the higher debt balance pushed up its finance costs by 2.5 times to $847.57 million. The company reported $87.16 million in share of profit from its 30 per cent stakes in Ringtail Holdings Limited and JP Snacks Caribbean Limited. Ringtail, the parent company of Select Brands Limited, reported $8.07 billion in revenue and $711.46 million in net profit since the July 2025 acquisition. JP Snacks reported $2.19 billion in revenue and a net loss of $29.23 million for the reported period. While Wisynco reported a two per cent rise in profit before tax to $5.64 billion, its net profit fell seven per cent to $4.12 billion due to the increase in deferred taxes. The earnings per share declined from $1.17 to $1.10. Despite the slightly lower net profit, Mahfood is confident about the new year which will see the company ramping up initiatives to grow its manufacturing and distribution reach. This comes against the backdrop of the western Jamaica rebuild via the National Reconstruction and Resilience Authority, which will see increased spending in the economy. “As long as we have no more hurricanes, I think this is going to be a very vibrant winter season going into next year. We’re very excited,” the Wisynco chairman noted. Wisynco’s asset base improved eight per cent to $47.30 billion as its PP&E stood at $18.37 billion, inventory at $8.53 billion, investments at $5.46 billion and cash at $5.34 billion. Wisynco’s sole stage two investment was restructured in December 2025 while the remaining $4.36 billion in investments are carried at stage one. Total liabilities increased six per cent to $17.09 billion with total debt of $6.52 billion, while equity grew nine per cent to $30.21 billion. Wisynco closed Tuesday at $20.14, leaving the stock up eight per cent in 2026 with a market capitalisation of $76.58 billion. That translates to a price to earnings ratio of 18.18 times. Director Francois Chalifour sold 2,655,000 ordinary shares during the 2026 FY while Chairman William Mahfood and CEO Andrew Mahfood had reduced direct stakes in the business. Executive Lelani Hunt sold 412,937 ordinary shares, but Assistant Corporate Secretary Vanessa Young acquired 3,629 ordinary shares. GraceKennedy Pension Fund Custodian Limited acquired an additional 15,556,346 shares to become the fifth largest shareholder with 48,478,631 ordinary shares or a 1.28 per cent stake. SJIML A/C 3119 and DOMHAD Investments Limited acquired an additional 2,038,856 ordinary shares and 806,949 ordinary shares, respectively. Sagicor Pooled Equity Fund is now the 10th largest shareholder with 26,913,562 ordinary shares or a 0.71 per cent stake. {"xml":"xml"} {"jamaica-observer":"Jamaica Observer"}