Cargills pledges its commitment to serve Sri Lanka

Monday, 7 January 2019 00:00 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

Special Awards Wniner Team Dairy

Winner of Special Agriculture Project

Winner of Sustainability Initiative

Highlights its contibution to agriculture, rural community, youth skills, nutrition, education sector, and overall economy, bridging regional disparities
Recognises top performers and longstanding employees at Chairman’s Awards 2018
Calls on its employees to build on its proud legacy, which marks its 175th anniversary in 2020

By Charumini de Silva

Reiterating its commitment to serving the nation in a holistic manner, Cargills PLC Chairman Louis Page insisted they will consistently strive to approach new paths to build a legacy that all Sri Lankans can be proud of.

“We want to build a legacy of trust, innovation and an unwavering commitment to the people of this country. A legacy of service that places Sri Lanka at the heart of what we stand for. I believe that each of you embody this legacy and for this, we are truly grateful,” he said, addressing at Cargills ‘Chairman’s Awards 2018’ to recognise the best performers of the company in 2018.

Cargills Chairman Louis Page

Cargills Deputy Chairman Ranjit Page

The gala night of awards recognised employees that served Cargills for over 25 years and teams that brought in out-of-the-box business strategies during last year at a colourful event held at the BMICH in Colombo last week.

He also emphasised that Cargills will celebrate its 175th year of excellence next year and commended those who had been part of their success story. “From humble beginnings, we have now grown into a thriving ecosystem across diverse sectors. Along the way, we have remained committed to improving lives and livelihoods — be it reducing the cost of living, enhancing youth skills or bridging regional disparities. All this could not have been done without your untiring effort,” he pointed out.

As everyone looks forward to it, Page urged the employees of Cargills to embrace the New Year with renewed confidence, energy and passion. “Be inspired to build on our proud legacy and leave yet another indelible mark on the trajectory of Cargills and our beautiful country. It is because each of you that we all look ahead with anticipation and excitement. On behalf of the Board of Directors, I wish you all the very best.”

Cargills Ceylon Plc Deputy Chairman Ranjit Page pledged to support all stakeholders of the economy, while believing in what they do best for the past 175 years.

“Cargills is more than what you just see in the shelf of the supermarket, or what you consume as a fan of the brands we produce, or the restaurants you go to, or the bank which serves you – we are more than just a business. We believe in what we do, that is exactly what Cargills is all about. Everyday there are many opportunities and challenges, but if we believe in what we do, you’re certain that you will achieve your goal and your goal is all about our nation, not of the company, or the brand or the business. My colleagues, you have seen what you have achieved and you have devoted your time simply because you believe in what you do,” he stressed.

Noting that it was their responsibility to serve those who we do not see, Page said Cargills had a memorable year with a lot of inspiring stories in serving the farming community, unemployed graduates, environment, education sector as well as in building healthy community.

“There were many challenges in 2018 particularly in the rural area or the farming community. Last April, there was a surplus of pumpkin harvest and I was asked to help the farmers that were suffering without being able to sell their produce. One of my colleagues undertook the challenge, gathered the retail and marketing teams and together we created a program to help those farmers. There have been many incidents like this last year. In all these instances you and I, we went down there again and again. We did not say it is not our job, but took it as it was our responsibility to serve those who we do not see, and to help the nation move forward,” he added.

Citing another instance, Page said how Cargills helped some of the unemployed graduates to believe in themselves to serve the nation that has given them free education to become who they are and how they were recruited to build a strong team that values in caring for its nation and its people.

“As we believe in what we do, we know that when we do the right thing, you never fail. There are challenges, but we continue to believe. You have seen that every day of your life. We stand to serve one another. Whether they come from the right school, or the right college, or the right background doesn’t matter. We have built an institution which is closer to being 175 years; to serve those who we do not see, we do not hear, but we hear it through others who makes us rush to the deal,” he pointed out.

Page also shared how Cargills, through its business practices, have made changes to help reduce the use of plastic and cost of living of the people.

“Profit is important, I’ve been through it over and over again. Profit is needed to be reinvested, but there is a bigger responsibility over the future generations, and this is what we do. One of the purposes of Cargills is to reduce the cost of living. Those who are here for the first time will think, ‘Hey they’re a business and they’re talking about helping the nation spend less on food’. You may think our shareholders have excessive money, but no. It is our responsibility as citizens of this country, in the field of our business, whatever we do that we have the nation save money. Through the business practices we have made changes and built thus far, we are helping to reduce the cost of living,” he explained.

Emphasising that governments and people will come and go when the time is right, he however said the legacy of Cargills should remain. “I have spoken to most of those who are here, it’s not about Cargills celebrating 175 years next year. It is about how Sri Lanka would look like when we celebrate our 175 years. This is Cargills, it is not the red building you see in Colombo Fort. We have looked at every aspect in terms of environment, agriculture, industry, nutrition, education, cost of living of our people because Cargills serve our nation,” he added.

Page also highlighted the fact that they have reduced salt, sugar and fat in all products they manufacture as they believe it is their responsibility. “It is not a gimmick we do to increase our sales, but it is a prime need of the nation and we as Cargills will continue to serve our nation,” he said.

In addition, he stated that Cargills was venturing out to new areas to educate the younger generation in the use of new equipment like iPads as well as to teach English for over 50 schools identified and kindergartens that have children between the ages 2-5 commencing this month.

“This is not a business. We feel that it is our responsibility that Sri Lanka needs to get away from earning its survival through unskilled labour. This company is investing to the future, this company certainly needs to make profit, because this profit has to be reinvested,” he stressed.

Noting that a year ago, it was the first Chairman’s Dinner, he said this year they decided to change the theme to ‘Chairman’s Awards’ and make it a feature in the life of Cargills. While congratulating those that won awards this year for their outstanding performance, Page believes together they can make a difference for Sri Lanka.

“This country needs you. They need people who can make differences. You are the future so please continue to believe in the shareholders of this company. These shareholders are certainly going to support you and so will the Board of Directors who represent them,” he added.

Pix by Sameera Wijesinghe