Lasco Distributors focusing on exports, healthcare business for growth
Published:Wednesday | October 8, 2025 | 12:06 AM
Lasco Distributors Limited will be focusing on its exports, as well as development of its healthcare line, to grow the company over the long term, according to Managing Director John De Silva.
Speaking at the company’s annual general meeting, De Silva underscored that the company’s strong performance in 2024 was achieved by day-to-day cash management and not from mergers and acquisitions.
“I would like to highlight that the main driver of this cash flow has been the disciplined management of our core business, “ he said in his report to shareholder. “It’s not the result of one-off transactions or divestments or asset sales. This is cash flow being generated on a day-to-day basis by the team managing the business.”
For the financial year ending March 2025, Lasco Distributors reported revenue of $30.26 billion, an increase of four per cent over the previous year. Net profit for the year was $1.34 billion, which was down seven per cent compared to the previous year.
The first quarter of the new fiscal year, April-June 2025, was characterised by weakened sales revenue, which dipped slightly by 0.8 per cent to $7.27 billion, and a significant decline in earnings, with net profit falling by 15.3 per cent to $304 million.
Reviewing the performance of Lasco Distributors over the past five years, De Silva noted that the company had been appointed the sole distributor for leading global home and personal care brand Unilever; had entered the snacks category; acquired investment properties; had almost completed the first phase of expansion of its warehouse at White Marl, St Catherine; and graduated into the main market of the Jamaica Stock Exchange.
De Silva said also the development of a strong healthcare business was part of the company’s diversification strategy, and consisted of prescription medication, over-the-counter medication, as well as medical devices.
“In the year under review, the pharmaceutical division delivered a revenue of $5.2 billion, which represents an eight per cent growth over the prior year, which is twice the company’s average. That means this is a division in the business which is significant to the overall success of the company,” the managing director said.
Stating that exports are a key component of the company’s growth strategy, De Silva said exports of products such as Lasco Food Drink, iCool water and flavoured drinks, and Curves sanitary napkins have been performing very well. He said the export focus is split between the United States market, targeted primarily to Jamaicans on the East Coast, and Caricom.
Lasco Distributors is known for distributing pharmaceuticals, consumer goods, and household products. It is one of three main Lasco affiliated companies listed on the stock market.