HELEN Bhagwansingh’s brother Jack Ramoutarsingh built the first downstream and privately owned industrial plant at Point Lisas, in the mid-1980s.
It was a modern rolling mill close to State-owned ISCOTT on the industrial estate, which turned billet feedstock into construction iron and steel for domestic and international markets.
Central Trinidad Steel Company (CENTRIN) was a leading-edge project in keeping with the vision of the architects of Point Lisas.
In the same decade, Ramoutarsingh constructed the ultra-modern Gulf City Shopping Complex, in a partnership with businessman Albert “Ben” Battoo, who had developed the adjoining Gulf View residential community.
His pet project, Dansteel, was the most in-demand hardware chain of that era, and he had another steel manufacturing concern and an oil servicing firm during the first energy boom.
Jack was only in his thirties!
He was a gifted entrepreneur, whose parents grew a Marabella bicycle shop into an industrial complex, which Jack and Helen boosted through courageous investments, avant-garde marketing and a distinctive people’s touch.
Adverse developments in the steel sector and financial challenges lowered Jack’s success route, although he kept faith with the community through philanthropy, boxing promotions, and other activities.
Helen was cut from the same business cloth and, from her base along the East-West Corridor, rapidly expanded retail operations even as she ventured into manufacturing.
Jack died prematurely at age 61, but Helen powered on with shrewd investments while keeping her amiable manner.
She became singularly successful and an industrial icon, which she matched with her friendly disposition and hands-on relationship with customers and business associates.
In a private sector littered with failed family businesses, Jack and Helen were pioneering achievers.
That was attained not only as a result of their commercial acumen and fortitude but also because they kept faith with their employees, associates, and friends.
They stayed grounded.
They walked the floor, taking counsel from workers and shoppers, and solving problems while envisioning new business plans.
Helen embodied those attributes and competencies throughout her decades in industry and commerce.
Prime Minister Dr. Keith Rowley captured the essence of the trailblazer in noting that the “great lady … made us proud when we needed a heroine.”
Jack’s earlier passing and Helen’s death close a fascinating chapter in Trinidad and Tobago’s modern era, in which they proved that family businesses could flourish in heavy-duty manufacturing and the competitive retail sector.
They shattered that so-called glass ceiling.
Helen would be remembered for her unparalleled entrepreneurial success as much as her attention and care for the poor and ailing.
She exemplified both the Midas and the common touch.
We are poorer with her passing.
