BusinessLogistics hub on show to the world in March
By Cheranka Mendis
Sri Lanka, which has been acting as a transhipment hub for long years, should now start showcasing its abilities, potentials and possibilities in the logistics market to the world.
Sri Lanka’s first trilingual guide for SMEs debuts
SMEs, the key driver of Sri Lanka’s industry sector and set to drive country’s future manufacturing growth, have received a new boost. “The majority of the enterprises in Sri Lanka are small and medium scale enterprises and their contribution to the development of national economy is significant. Our aim is to support the small and medium scale entrepreneurs,” said Minister of Industry and Commerce Rishad Bathiudeen.
Dankotuwa Porcelain quality circle convention on 25 Feb.
Dankotuwa Porcelain which was a pioneer in implementing the Japanese style small group activity “Quality Circles” will hold its convention on Saturday, 25 February at the factory premises.
Quality Circles were first introduced to Dankotuwa in 1990 and has been a significant element in their employee involvement program, which has tapped the knowledge and creativity of their entire workforce. Dankotuwa Quality Circles have participated in international conventions in Bangkok, Hong Kong, Sri Lanka, Singapore and Taiwan. Dankotuwa was the second company in Sri Lanka to hold a company Quality Circle convention as far back as 1993.
Quality Circles originated in Japan in the 1960s and is credited with having made an important contribution to the nation’s drive to improve quality of all its products and services, and also make use of the talents and knowledge of its highly educated workforce. Soon after World War Two when Japan introduced American methods of management, they were seen to create many problems as they were dysfunctional in the Japanese culture. Quality Circles commenced when Japan realised that the concept of “you are paid to use your hands and should carry out instructions to the letter without any change by you, and you should keep your lunch box and your brains in the locker before entering the factory”, did not work in the Japanese workplace. The educated Japanese worker was very keen to be involved in the way work was designed.
Therefore workers were trained in problem identification, in problem solving tools and other graphical techniques and were encouraged to voluntarily get together and follow a systematic procedure to solve quality related problems. Quality Circles are essentially formed of non-executive employees, and select problems on their own. The solution is presented to management and if accepted will be implemented. Since 1984 Dankotuwa Porcelain has been very passionate about quality. Dankotuwa is well known for the quality of its products which is accepted by international buyers as one of the best in the world. Dankotuwa is well known for its manual interventions to produce perfect blemish free products and for the high skill in surface decorations.
International buyers have regarded Dankotuwa as a very reliable source of high quality products. All these have been possible due to the passion for quality that you see in the workforce at Dankotuwa Porcelain. This passion has been a result of many Japanese techniques such as Quality Circles, 5S, Kaizen suggestions etc. where Dankotuwa Porcelain was a pioneer.
“We had our ups and downs in the enthusiasm for quality circles,” said Chairman Sunil Wijesinha, adding further, “Enthusiasm declined when the workers got older and were more focused on their grown up children doing their O/Ls and A/Ls. However the more recently recruited younger workers have taken this up with great enthusiasm and would sustain the program for the future.” The Company says that younger workers need more than money to sustain their enthusiasm and Quality Circles is one of the best methods for this, as it provides skill variety, task identity, task significance and feedback.
The Quality Circle convention on Saturday will see twelve Quality Circles from production, accounts and HR presenting their completed projects, and best circle will be rewarded. Although this is an internal convention, the Company is willing to share its experience and General Manager (Technical) Dr. Farook could be contacted on 031 4879704 for further information.
IFC pledges fullest cooperation to Sri Lanka
A high-profile delegation led by Executive Vice President and CEO of International Finance Corporation (IFC) Lars H. Thunell, met Minister of Economic Development Basil Rajapaksa yesterday at the Parliament premises.
Vallibel Power Erathna generates over 21 MW as third plant starts
Vallibel Power Erathana Plc (VPE) said yesterday its third plant has begun commercial operations, bringing the total renewable energy production to over 21 MW.
Sri Lanka Embassy, KITA host trade and investor forum in Seoul
The Embassy of Sri Lanka in Seoul together with the Korea International Trade Association (KITA), one of the largest and leading business organisations in Korea, arranged a Trade and Investor forum dedicated to Sri Lanka on 17 February.
SLIM steps in to assist new inventors
Sri Lanka Institute of Marketing (SLIM) and Sri Lanka Inventors’ Association (SLIA) have recently signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to provide a thorough knowledge on marketing to up and coming inventors who have shown great skill in turning out innovative products.
Fevicol Bangkok Tour – 2012
The Fevicol Bangkok Tour was organised jointly by Pidilite industries Ltd, manufacturers of Fevicol adhesives together with their sole super distributor in Sri Lanka Macbertan Ltd. 25 Fevicol dealers who achieved best sales were rewarded with a complete package to Bangkok inclusive of many interesting tours and dinner cruises.
Caltex unveils ‘Delo Sports Synthetic Blend SAE 10W-30’
Caltex has introduced its Delo Sports Synthetic Blend SAE 10W-30, the first new-generation diesel engine product specifically designed to meet the requirements of sport utility, sport activity, pick up and 4×4 type vehicles.
The product has passed rigorous tests for high-performance standards for diesel lubricants, certified by the American Petroleum Institute, and is now available for diesel engine owners in Sri Lanka.
www.BuyCar.lk to debut at Car Pola on Sunday
www.BuyCar.lkpremier online vehicle sales website is being launched on 26 February with the simple vision of being ‘the one stop, vehicle shop.’
• 
