BRIEF HISTORY OF LAPARKAN PDF Print E-mail ABOUT LAPARKAN The Laparkan Group of Companies was established in 1983 and is involved in transportation logistics, port operations, retailing and the travel industries. Laparkan Trading Limited (Laparkan) employs over 400 persons in its freight network that spans across the Caribbean, Latin America and North America. Laparkan operates as an NVOCC, which offers FCL, inter-modal and LCL consolidation out of its four gateways and 17 offices in North America. Laparkan Airways Inc. is an IATA certified cargo carrier (LE) and US DOT registered all-cargo carrier that offers weekly schedule and chartered cargo flights (DC10) from MIA into the Caribbean Markets. Laparkan comprehensive services include door-to-door service, customs brokerage, full documentation, imports and exports, warehousing, consolidation, inland distribution and pick-up and deliveries. Laparkan is fully certified in handling dangerous goods and hazardous materials as well as capable of project cargo, oversize shipment and other specialized handling including perishable materials at all its North American Gateways. Laparkan's Network in the Caribbean and Latin American Markets provides a full range of services including sales, customer service, cargo handling, custom clearance and door delivery services through 17 direct sales offices and exclusive agents. Laparkan operates two integrated air and ocean transshipment HUBs for the Region located in Colon, Panama and Port of Spain, Trinidad. Laparkan is a licensed and bonded air and ocean cargo network that owns significant expertise and knowledge of the North American, Caribbean and Latin American Trading Regions. Laparkan Trading is a top tier cargo leader in the Caribbean Region. BRIEF HISTORY OF LAPARKAN In 1983, three young enterprising Guyanese - John La Rose, Terrence Pariaug and Glen Khan, saw a need to reconnect West Indians who were living overseas, with their families and friends in their respective homelands in the Caribbean and Guyana. The Caribbean communities in the United States of America, Canada and the UK needed a reliable channel to send supplies, gifts and various other items to their families 'back home'. Thus was born LAPARKAN which is an acronym from the last names of the three entrepreneurs. Laparkan opened its first office in Toronto, Canada in summer of 1983. The word quickly spread throughout the Caribbean Diaspora and soon there was a demand for offices in other locations. Through hard work and a focused approach, Laparkan quickly established offices in Guyana, New York, Miami and the United Kingdom. The response from the overseas communities was very positive and supportive and within six years, Laparkan had additional offices or agencies opened in Trinidad & Tobago, Jamaica and Barbados. By the early 90's Laparkan fortified and consolidated its markets and planned another push into other Caribbean territories such as Antigua, St. Lucia, Grenada, Surinam and St. Vincent to name a few. With continuous success and growth, Laparkan offered its uniquely Caribbean flavoured business brand into the larger markets of Haiti and the Dominican Republic. As Laparkan developed its Caribbean presence, it simultaneously expanded its North America operations. Laparkan offices flourished within the communities that they served and became an integral part of their customer base. Today Laparkan can be found in the midst of the Caribbean communities in the USA and Canada. With structured growth in place, Laparkan turned its interest to diversification and to the acquisition of major companies in Guyana. It now has ownership of the century old Fogarty's Department Store and is the major shareholder in Guyana's oldest and largest engineering company - the Guyana National Industrial Corporation. Laparkan's diversification also includes the formation of Laparkan Financial Services and the Laparkan Office Equipment & Supplies Division. Laparkan's unique blend of knowledge, expertise and flexibility is deeply rooted in its foundation and structure, offering unparalleled service and products. Laparkan is committed to ensuring total customer satisfaction by providing quality service and making the difference in the lives of its customers, employees and the communities that they serve, thereby ensuring that it can be there for tomorrow, while continuing to serve the Caribbean today. As Laparkan nears its 25th year of service to the Caribbean, they are well positioned to bring the world to the Caribbean while simultaneously offering global opportunities to the Caribbean. Laparkan is prepared for the new global trading patterns and is comfortably seated at the crossroads of tomorrow's economy. The employees of Laparkan in North America and the Caribbean are a vibrant, multi-talented and creative group of more than 1,000 individuals who share a common philosophy..."We Make the Difference!" This inner call to excellence and service drives Laparkan forward and pushes beyond expectations as the company continues to connect families, yesterday, today and tomorrow.