Sol St. Lucia Ltd- Anguilla (part of The Sol/Parkland Group) is a petroleum distribution and supply storage company. A complementary aspect of the business is a retail supply partnership with Lakes Service Station and West End Service Station. Sol provides gasoline, ultra-low Sulphur diesel, LPG (100% Propane or cooking gas) and lubricant oils to consumers in Anguilla.
The Country Manager for this business is Mr. Dexter Ward. Mr. Ward was born and raised in St. Kitts. He later pursued further education in New York and Oklahoma. His extensive 12-year career thus far with Sol Parkland has focused primarily on logistics and operations.
Before transitioning into his current managerial role at Sol St. Lucia Ltd-Anguilla, Mr. Ward was an Operations Supervisor at Sol St. Kitts. His previous responsibilities involved overseeing Sol projects, inventory management, vehicle and equipment maintenance, supply logistics, and managing operations staff (drivers, plant attendance, contractors). The transition from an operations background where everything is hands-on, to responsibilities primarily centered around administration and financials has been challenging but Dexter Ward has risen to the challenge. He has sought to adapt and improve in relevant areas such as delegation to meet deadlines.
In his new role in Anguilla, he is grateful for the experience and knowledge of his staff who have made his transition almost effortless and afforded him the opportunity to focus on doing the best job that he can.
Dexter Ward is team-oriented so not surprisingly his top business tip is that teamwork makes the dream work. He explained further that it is hard for one person to do everything and be successful so creating a proper work environment at a business can determine the level of success achieved.
The best advice he received regarding leading a business is to always be straight with people, even when it may not produce the required outcome, and to be humble. This advice has helped him to avoid inconsistencies and miscommunications with customers and people in general.
This philosophy is at the heart of how he conducts business in Anguilla, He shared, ‘If you provide a good service that is needed, it doesn’t matter where you are; it will work. Anguilla is a very independent-minded place, hence the onus is on companies to always respect the consumers, because if you don’t, one may be surprised to find out how quickly they can be lost.’
In a very competitive petroleum market, Sol seeks to differentiate itself by not only providing the best quality fuels but by maintaining a standard of safety and expertise. Mr. Ward showed how this works in practice when he stated, ‘There are times we may encounter a customer who is steadfast in the way they operate. However, if this is outside the Sol safety standard, there is no compromise. It can be a challenge, but I think customers respect us for sticking to a standard that may save someone’s life.’
His advice for aspiring or up and coming entrepreneurs/business owners is to focus on trust and building networks and relationships. He encourages business owners to believe in their product, their ability, and their vision because without that belief in what they are selling, it will be very difficult to convince others. He added that it is also important to show kindness and respect even to a person who may have rejected what you are selling.
Within the next decade, Mr. Ward aspires to continue to leave a mark on and within the company. He shared his passion for his industry further, ‘I love the fuel industry and everything that comes with it, specifically the learnings. I think the sky is the limit and the opportunities are endless. In 10 years, I hope Sol will continue to cement itself as the premier provider of fuel throughout the Eastern Caribbean and South America.’
Mr. Ward shared these final words with the General Public:
‘I would like to thank the ACOCI for providing a platform to discuss (Sol St. Lucia Ltd – Anguilla) and all it has to offer. I also want to thank the citizens of Anguilla for the continued support and for welcoming me so warmly to the island. Sol is a company that cares. We welcome dialogue from the community on ways to be even better.’
The opening hours at the Sol facility in Corito are from 8:00 am – 4:30 pm. Interested persons can stay connected and updated about Sol St. Lucia Ltd- Anguilla using the contact details below:
Office: 1-264-462-2624
Email: dexter.ward@solpetroleum.com
Website: www.solpetroleum.com
The Anguilla Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ACOCI) continues to offer support and valuable opportunities to its members. The Chamber of Commerce extends an invitation to all businesses and entrepreneurs to become members of ACOCI. Visit the website anguillachamber.com or call the office at 497-2839 for more information.
