Kamri Investment Ltd: Family business soaring to new heights

Bavina Sookdeo In the dynamic world of business, success often hinges on the ability to adapt, innovate and seize opportunities. For Kamri Investment Ltd, a leading producer of high-quality glass and aluminium doors and windows, participating in trade missions has been a game-changer. Founded in 2002 by Kameel Khan and his wife Rizwana, Kamri Investment Ltd started as a distributor of stretch wrap. Over the years, the company evolved, experimenting with various products before finding its niche in glass and aluminium. "It was over the next few years after trying many products, we moved from bringing in aluminium sheets for signs to buying and reselling glass from local companies and distributing glass as well. This was where it began...we were able to learn, starting at the basic level, on how to cut glass," Khan said. Based at 159 Union Road, Marabella, Khan’s business grew from supplying glass for housing developments to investing in technology and machinery. "What we envisioned turned out to be bigger and more fruitful at every new level we reached," Khan said. Kamri’s journey was marked by continuous innovation and adaptation to market demands. "We were favoured (by clients) in the modern thinking because a lot of people needed that first-world and modern thinking in touch with service and products...in the business of glass and windows, everyone was doing one type of window since 40 years ago. " We started selling that and then we realised people travelled and they liked the frameless showers, they liked the bigger and heavier-framed products and the fancy handles, which then led to the decision to produce tempered glass – and the rest is history," he said. [caption id="attachment_1104024" align="alignnone" width="683"] Kameel Khan, owner of Kamri Investment Ltd, shows off the soft-close bath enclosure. - Photo by Lincoln Holder[/caption] Today, Kamri Investment Ltd offers a wide range of products, including uPVC and aluminium windows, doors and tempered-glass bathroom enclosures. What sets it apart is its commitment to quality and adherence to stringent standards. "We are certified by American standards known as SGCC (Structural Glass Certification Council) in accordance with ANSI Z97.1 and CPSC 16 CFR 1201 Standards. Our UPVC is a brand widely known in China and Canada/USA, CONCH," he added. With its primary customers being homeowners, apartment complexes, hotels, commercial projects, interior designers and architects, the company prides itself on its family values. "Longevity and family values as a family-owned business give more confidence in today’s market," Khan said. A turning point for Kamri came with the company’s participation in trade missions. In response to the economic challenges of the covid19 pandemic, the government allocated $50 million in 2021 to stimulate and strengthen economic growth through overseas market development and export promotion. The Ministry of Trade and Industry, in collaboration with exporTT (now amalgamated into the TT Trade and Investment Promotion Agency Ltd) and TT Manufacturers’ Association (TTMA) subsequently launched the Export Booster Initiative (EBI). This initiative aims to double the value of manufactured goods exports from $2.7 billion in 2019 to $5.4 billion by 2025 through a series of 16 initiatives grouped under three strategic areas: export promotion, capacity-building, and institutional strengthening. Since the inception of the EBI, the ministry has led approximately 39 trade missions and trade shows across various regions, including the Caribbean, North America, Latin America, and Africa. These missions have taken place in countries such as Panama, Cuba, Jamaica, Curacao, and the US. In 2024, TT participated in ten trade missions and six trade shows, benefiting over 100 companies by providing opportunities to showcase their products, hold business-to-business meetings and explore new business relationships. Asked what sparked his interest in participating in the trade missions, Khan explained that the primary motivation was to "fill the gap in production time, as increased production leads to lower costs and (makes it) easier to achieve world market pricing. Forex also played a significant role after the pandemic." Khan’s expectations for the trade missions were rooted in hope and a desire for broader opportunities. "We were simply hopeful that the small business strategies would work to broaden the company’s wings and would create a bigger and better impact as a collective drive with other companies going as a trade mission," he said. [caption id="attachment_1104025" align="alignnone" width="1024"] An employee assembles a window at the company's showroom. - File Photo by Roger Jacob[/caption] The experience, however, exceeded his expectations, offering valuable insights and connections. "We participated in the B2B meetings, and it was well done as they did extensive work to find matching companies to fit our company profile. Also, the cocktail events were well organised, as we met with many governmental personnel and top private organisations to assist with blending into their markets and gaining intelligence on their existing operations and requirements," he added. The trade mission opened doors to new markets, including Jamaica, Grenada, Barbados, St Lucia and Guyana. These new markets hold significant potential for Kamri, fuelling its expansion plans. "There were significant changes that were brought on by these missions which solidified our company focus on expansions and future plans," he said. Asked how the support from the Trade Ministry, TTMA and exporTT assisted his company in participating in the trade mission, Khan said it was instrumental in Kamri’s success. "The support was excellent, as we got closer to learning of these incentives and how to achieve them. Also, the ability to share with the ministry our goals and how they can be aligned with the ministry’s vision," he said. The ministry also provides an airfare assistance grant and other support to eligible businesses participating in trade missions and trade shows by covering airfare costs up to $20,000 per fiscal year. To qualify, the trade mission or trade show must be hosted under the auspices of any TT business support organisation which has support from the TT Trade and Investment Promotion Agency Ltd and the applying company should employ 50 or fewer people, have annual sales under $10 million, and be exporting or export-ready for the target market. "This is a step in the right direction, as it also fosters forward thinking," Khan said. He strongly recommends participating in trade missions to other businesses. "It changes the way most people look at their existing businesses. It opens the vision to not limit ourselves to local only." He expressed gratitude to the organisations that supported Kamri’s participation in the trade mission. "I would like to thank TTMA, the Trade Ministry, Export TT and Exim Bank." Reflecting on the role of the ministry and private-sector organisations, Khan sees them as vital partners. "Excellent and the most rewarding venture," he insisted. As Khan pointed out Kamri Investment Ltd stands as a testament to the power of innovation, resilience and strategic opportunities, and with a strong foundation and a forward-looking approach, the company aims for continued success in the global market. 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