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The Story
Growing up in San Juan, Trinidad, Ricky Raghunanan understood the value of hard work from a very young age. As a teenager, he entered the workforce with one goal in mind — helping to support family expenses. His first job was as a labourer at United Electrical, where he developed discipline, resilience, and a strong work ethic that would later become the foundation of his entrepreneurial journey. Determined to build a better future, Ricky later joined Carillion, where he spent several years working as a scaffold rigger. During this time, he gained extensive hands-on experience within the construction and industrial sectors while developing a deep understanding of scaffolding systems, project execution, and site operations. His first major breakthrough came when he was given the opportunity to execute scaffolding projects independently — a turning point that led to the launch of the scaffolding division that would later evolve into one of the largest operations in the Caribbean. Early projects included major developments such as Nicholas Towers in Trinidad, Speyside High School in Tobago, the St. Kitts National Stadium, and the BIR Building in Trinidad. Through high standards, reliability, efficiency, and quality execution, the company quickly gained the trust and loyalty of clients across the region.
Building an Industry Leader
Recognizing the international trend of scaffolding and formwork operating hand in hand, Ricky later launched the formwork division. Today, Advance Formwork continues to stand as the largest supplier of formwork panels in the Caribbean, supporting countless construction and infrastructure projects throughout the region. A few years later, another major opportunity emerged through Ricky’s close friend, Johnny Soong, who gave the company its first major break into the entertainment and staging industry with the execution of the Ladies First Carnival Fete. Following the success of that event, the company purchased the only staging roof system available in Trinidad at the time from MSI. This investment transformed the local entertainment landscape and elevated the standard of carnival and event production in Trinidad and Tobago. Today, the company is responsible for executing more than 60% of Trinidad’s carnival staging and event infrastructure, becoming a major force within the entertainment and event industry.
Expanding Into Events and Constuction
In 2013, the events division was officially launched under the brand Rickel Services, supplying tents, chairs, tables, portable toilets, air-conditioning systems, and event infrastructure solutions. As the industry evolved, the company continued expanding its offerings to include lighting, LED screens, and modern event solutions to meet the growing demands of clients. Construction soon became another major pillar of the business, with the company executing projects ranging from housing developments to retaining walls, drainage systems, infrastructure works, and roadworks for both public and private sector clients. To support these operations, the heavy equipment division was launched in 2014 and has since grown into a fleet of nearly 100 pieces of heavy equipment, further strengthening the group’s capabilities across construction and infrastructure services.
A Vision Bigger Than Business
At the heart of Ricky Raghunanan’s journey has always been a deeper purpose — creating opportunities for others. His driving force was not only becoming the best and largest scaffolding supplier in the region, but also creating jobs and opportunities for young men seeking a better future through hard work and dedication. Today, the business continues to expand with future plans for both regional and global growth across scaffolding, construction, events, staging, and infrastructure solutions.
Words of Advice to Future Entrepreneurs
According to Ricky: “Always put God first and remember that the sky is the limit. Never allow negative words from others to make you fail. Instead, work hard and prove those words wrong.” His story stands as a powerful example of perseverance, faith, vision, and determination — proving that humble beginnings can lead to extraordinary success when combined with hard work and resilience.
