CBL’s Socially Responsible Model, an example to others – Dr . P.B Jayasundara

The annual Distributor Convention and Star Awards Presentation ceremony of the Ceylon Biscuits Limited (CBL) was held last Sunday at the Water’s Edge, Battaramulla amidst a large gathering including the board of directors, overseas representatives, field sales personnel and distributors.

Ministry of Finance Secretary Dr. P.B Jayasundare who was the guest of honour on the occasion addressing the gathering said that CBL’s socially responsible model is an example to other corporates. He also commended the CSR initiatives of the company which has brought tremendous benefits specially to rural masses. Dr. Jayasundara pointed out 2000 per cent growth achieved in the in the exports of the company  during the past ten years was remarkable and even CBL’s International Distributors have become the partners of its community oriented business practices.

At this event the performances of the last financial year was reviewed and it was revealed that CBL as a group had achieved a growth of over 17% during the financial year 2011/12.

All product ranges marketed by CBL have recorded a substantial growth during the last financial year as illustrated in respective National Sales Mangers’ presentations. They emphasised that the growths were impressive due to the fact that fierce competition from both local and imported products prevailed in a turbulent time.

A prominent feature of the CBL distributor convention was featuring those students who have pursued higher studies with the educational assistance given by the company under Munchee Tikire Shishyadara program. One such student, Kalpana Piyumali of Badulla was there to present her achievement personally to the audience and received the letter to the effect of additional support from the company for her university education from CBL Chairman Mineka Wickramasingha

The company’s Kurunegala Territory Sales Officer Sanjaya Ratnayaka bagged the prestigious CBL Star award as the most outstanding sales person of the company for the year 2011/12 at the Annual Distribution convention. He received his award from Ceylon Biscuits Limited Chairman Mineka Wickramasingha. Sanjaya also won the Senior Star Award of the A range which comprises Sales Team handling Chocolates and Cakes Sales. Meanwhile the Senior Star award of the B range was awarded to Lal Kumara Liyanage, Territory Sales Officer of Hanwella for his outstanding performance in Munchee Biscuit sales. Dilshan Fernando, Lankasoy and Samaposha Territory Sales Officer in Gampola was the recipient of Senior Star Award of the C range.

‘Operation Double S’ was launched as the theme for the financial year 2012/13. It is customary for the CBL to declare a theme for every financial year and everybody in the organisation ensures the achievement of it. For instance, our theme for 2000/01 was to be number one and we became the market leader during that year said Group Director and Head of Marketing and Sales Nandana Wickramage announcing the theme for the new financial year.

Adding more clour to the event, several new products were also launched under Munchee, Ritzbury, Samaposha and Lankasoy brands. Another significant event was the selection of the star cricketer in the national team Dinesh Chandimal to be the Brand Ambassador of the Samaposha Four Grain Bar (4GB) which is a nutritious, convenient cereal bar.   CBL also launched a new range of snacks at the distributor convention targeting the young adult market. These products are expected to contribute towards the growth of company’s business activities during the current financial year.