Master of my own destiny - Harry Maragh (Pt II)

This is the second of a two-part series

Harriat "Harry" Maragh, Chairman and CEO of Lannaman and Morris (Shipping) Ltd, became a partner in the company that is headquartered in Florida, and of which he is now Chairman.

He surmised that many of his competitors could have taken the same step, had they chosen to do so at the time. He supposes that several have likely regretted not doing so.

However, the man who often reads a very simple quote, "The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams," leaves little to fear and regret. He manages the first and has little patience for the other.

Maragh is able to cite many examples where his dreamer sensibilities may have made many of his compatriots a little wary over the last 40 years. However, he remembers very clearly Lannaman and Morris' early acquisition of several warehouses at Newport West.

"When I started, people said I must have been crazy. 'Why is he buying up these things?'." However, the company adopted a value-added approach to its cargo business and was now in a position to add value to incoming cargo, with the stripping of containers and repackaging of goods for trans-shipment to nearby Caribbean islands and territories via Seafreight.

Maragh also remarked that Lannaman and Morris today boasts one of the largest inventories of chassis in Jamaica. The company's initial investment in 16 chassis was driven by a shortage of rented chassis for its own utilisation several years ago.

Maragh is an enthusiastic proponent of the ideology that great business decisions are often born of simple circumstances where motive meets opportunity.

The first to quiet any talk of his success in shipping and business, Harry Maragh attributed the loyalty of Lannaman and Morris' principals and clients to his dedicated, talented team of shipping and logistics professionals, many of whom have been with the company for much of their professional lives.

Evergreen and Carnival Cruise Lines have also maintained an unbroken relationship with the company since its inception in 1973.

"The different opportunities kept coming and we have never said no. Challenges come so we find the solutions. That's what we do."

Maragh proudly affirms that his staff never leaves, except the noted few who have gone overseas.

When asked whether he viewed this high level of commitment, particularly within Jamaica's private sector, as a testament to his leadership style and loyalty to his team, Maragh is at once self-effacing.

"I have nothing special about me! I'm just frank."

His smile, however, betrays the obvious sense of pride he feels when he thinks about the people who have shared and been instrumental in his attaining his dreams.

When pressed on the matter of the extent of the impact Jamaica's development as a logistics hub will have on economic recovery, Maragh is cautious. He noted that recent port developments in North Carolina, Texas, Atlanta and Florida, for example, make him wary.

"Everybody is getting ready but us. If we don't move soon we will get left behind."

Reduced rates

He also spoke to the reduced rates being offered by inland rail operators in anticipation of the opening of an expanded Panama Canal, and shippers' interest in pursuing all-water passage for their cargo through transshipment points and ports such as Kingston.

However, Maragh's message to other members of the shipping and logistics industry and young Jamaican entrepreneurs is, "You have to be bold and have the confidence to make that first step."

He, himself, is now focused on exploring relationships with international partners. He proposes that there is consideration of joint-ventures which will include the rental of Lannaman and Morris' warehouses for packaging and repackaging of goods, supply of skilled labour and development of turn key transportation solutions to facilitate trans-shipment of finished goods.

Maragh envisions Lannaman and Morris becoming a "one-stop shop" for logistics in this region. However, he urges business people to adopt a scientific approach to conceptualising new activities and projects.

"Always do your homework and always get the information from those people who know. You will need it."

Spoken like a natural scientist at the core.

It is this innate and trained ability, methodically and logically, to tackle new challenges that forces Maragh to acknowledge but a single regret. When he considers the frequency of natural disasters which often affect the people of this region he is transported to his university days.

"I wish I could help with my own hands, you know? If I had become a scientist I could help."

His wife, Charmaine, however, was quick to admonish him, "Sometimes it's divine intervention. Look towards the future and not what was, as you can always plan, but somewhere in there what it is that you perceive that you are to do may just not be it."

She went on to remind her husband, "Some people just have a natural ability to do some things. No university can do the same things for you, not when it comes from within."

Maragh has dreamed too many great dreams, and worked steadfastly in achieving many of them, for his path to be called into question.