A Look Back: When Puerto Barrios Saved the Day for Bowen & Bowen

By: Nick Pollard Jr.

There’s a story from the 90s that still resonates deeply with me—a reminder of resilience, collaboration, and the shared commitment to delivering excellence. It was one of those days that tested the mettle of our operations and the strength of our partnerships. 

I got a call from John Armstrong, our Plant Manager at the time, letting me know that the expected shipment of concentrate from our supplier in Costa Rica had been delayed. Panic spread quickly—telephones buzzed non-stop as calls were made across Central America and the Caribbean to see which Coca-Cola bottler might be able to lend us a hand. 

Only one bottler responded with an offer to help: Puerto Barrios in Guatemala. With their agreement secured, we sprang into action. Documents were quickly prepared, and our Customs Broker worked with Belize Customs to ensure the shipment’s expedited release. But there was another hurdle—how to retrieve the shipment quickly enough to meet our production schedule. That’s when Bowen & Bowen chartered a small local plane for me to personally collect the concentrate. 

The flight over the Gulf of Honduras felt both endless and unnerving. As the plane touched down in Puerto Barrios about an hour later, the concentrate was thoroughly checked, loaded up, and we took off again for the return journey. I’ll always remember the pilot’s kindness during that long and quiet flight, as well as the moment we flew over Ladyville. The pilot circled above our Coca-Cola Plant, where John Armstrong and the team waved up at us from the ground—a simple gesture that carried so much camaraderie and anticipation. 

We landed, and true to plan, our broker cleared the shipment without delay. John was there to meet me, and we drove straight back to the Plant. That same night, Coca-Cola was produced and bottled. 

Looking back, this story is a testament to Bowen & Bowen’s spirit of persistence and problem-solving, but it also highlights the value of the relationships we’ve built across the region. It’s a reminder that, even in moments of uncertainty, teamwork and goodwill can keep the wheels of progress—and production—turning.