Mission & Values
Chairman’s Message - Peter Morales, President & CEO
As a young man I set a goal of one day developing an international business. A solid educational foundation, personal mentors, and perseverance helped prepare me for executive responsibilities at some of the world’s leading companies, including Johnson & Johnson, Grand Metropolitan PLC, and Peerless Importers. In this environment, I was able to hone my professional skills and amass a wealth of knowledge and business expertise.
Over a decade ago, I founded Peter Andrew LLC, a global business consulting firm specializing in the international beverage industry. Several years later, I engaged with the agricultural sector of grape farming and wine importation in the Republic of South Africa, and founded 57 Main Street Imports. My journey to the Cape of Good Hope, shortly after the first South Africa’s first Democratic election, was truly a monumental occasion…this was my homecoming to Africa! Being a descendant of West Africans who landed on the Caribbean island of Trinidad and Tobago during the 18th century to tend sugar cane, my journey had indeed come full circle.
I have returned to mother Africa as a trader, to bring forth the fruits of the soil, and to return a gift to the people that work the land - a gift of knowledge and the promise of hope. South Africa is famous for its mineral wealth, natural beauty and many other treasures, but human capital is truly the most valuable resource in the Cape of Good Hope.
We at 57 Main Street Imports are agents of change and believe in our corporate responsibility to the communities with which we trade. Our collaborative efforts with our suppliers, vendors, business friends, and educational institutions like Rutgers University in New Jersey add value to the educational and social experiences of young South Africans and Americans alike. Our commitment adds an important dimension to the fulfillment of our corporate mission – succeeding as a company intrinsically means helping others. The ultimate measure of our initiative will be the number of young people from our benefactor schools that matriculate into the freshman classes of either South African or American universities.
We thank you for taking the time to learn about 57 Main Street Imports and Vision 57. We hope we have enlightened you by sharing our vision for the future. We trust that you will choose a 57 Main Street product for your next occasion, and invite you to visit our benefactor schools at the Cape of Good Hope. If you would like to become involved in our Vision 57 projects please contact us.