Matthews & Clarke Ltd striving to cover Jamaica and beyond

ONE OF the first-time exhibitors at the recent Jamaica Manufacturers and Exporters Association (JMEA) Expo Jamaica 2025 event, was Matthews & Clarke Limited, but the roofing company has been around for 50 years.

Sales manager and co-owner of Matthews & Clarke Limited, Gordon Matthews, said that Matthews and Clarke is a three-generation family business, which was established by Leon Matthews, who was a civil servant working with the Manchester Parish Council, and his late wife, Rita Clarke.

The story goes that, on a trip to Barbados, a friend handed Leon Matthews an advertisement seeking distributors for Decramastic, a premium stone-coated roofing tile. Having done roofing projects on the side to help support his family, “and driven by ambition and persistence”, he successfully became the first distributor of the Decramastic roofing tile for Jamaica, and the rest they say, is history. The company also regards its debut at Expo Jamaica as “historic”.

“Expo Jamaica was a landmark moment for Matthews and Clarke. For 50 years, we have been a trusted roofing provider in Jamaica, and Expo Jamaica gave us the perfect platform to demonstrate the quality and innovation behind our brand,” said Martin Matthews, co-owner and general manager at Matthews & Clarke Limited.

As a new member of the JMEA, the company is embracing new opportunities to connect with customers, partners, and industry leaders. “As Matthews & Clarke Limited celebrates 50 years of excellence in roofing, we remain focused on strategic growth that strengthens our impact locally while extending our reach across the region and beyond. Our expansion is guided by a deep commitment to quality, innovation, and service,” the company said.

Visitors at Expo Jamaica 2025’s Matthews & Clarke booth got a chance to see five of its metal roofing brands: Standing Seam, Supertile, Industrial Sheetings, Super Classic Tiles and Zinc. Their flagship product, the amazing Supertile, a metal roofing tile featuring a weather stripe that interlocks, is said to have“successfully endured all major hurricanes facing Jamaica since 2008”. The company also showcased its roofing expertise and innovative solutions, such as their cool roof colour options and solar roof, to combat climate change.

Some of its major commercial roofing projects over the years include the Mandeville Parish Church (first roofed by the company 50 years ago, when the church was approximately 157 years old and now undergoing reroofing), the Sandown Palms Housing Project in Portmore, St Catherine, and the villas at Royal Decameron Hotel.

“Locally, our growth will continue to create opportunities in areas such as manufacturing, sales, customer service, logistics, and technical support. We are also exploring collaborations with educational institutions to help develop the next generation of skilled professionals in the construction industry,” said Sandie Saunders, marketing manager for Matthews & Clarke Limited.

“Internationally, as demand for high-quality roofing solutions grows, we are positioning ourselves to serve wider markets through export initiatives and key partnerships. At the heart of our growth is our people, and as we expand, so too will the roles, skills, and futures we are proud to help build.”

The Hatfield main road, Manchester-based company, whose motto say, ‘We Keep The Weather Outside’, won the Family Business Award from the Manchester Chamber of Commerce, which was handed out by the Prime Minister Dr Andrew Holness, on Saturday, March 29. The following day, Matthews & Clarke Ltd was also recognised as a “giant” in Manchester at the Made In Manchester event.

“As a Jamaican-owned company, we take pride in our local roots and aim to contribute to the growth and development of the Jamaican economy,” the company says on its website. It provides roofing solutions for residential, commercial and industrial clients.