Saturday Dec 14, 2024
Saturday Dec 14, 2024
Saturday, 22 October 2011 00:00 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}
Kotmale Holdings PLC, a subsidiary of Cargills (Ceylon) PLC launched its first Kotmale Milk Bar at Coopfed located at Saunders Place, Colombo 11 in close proximity to the Gunasinghapura Central bus stand. This comes as a result of a partnership established between Cargills and the Sri Lanka Consumer Cooperative Societies Federation Ltd (COOPFED).
The opening was closely followed by a second Kotmale Milk Bar being launched at Coop-City, Deans Road in Colombo 10. This is the first among a chain of Kotmale Milk Bars which are to be launched in association with COOPFED and Coop-City outlets islandwide.
Kotmale, Cargills and Coopfed products for sale
The Kotmale Milk Bars would sell its entire range of pasteurized milk, UHT milk, cheese, yoghurts, ice creams, and Magic Ice Creams, along with a selection of snacks and Cargills Finest and Cargills Supremo sausages, meat balls and processed meats. The Kist range of nectars and newly launched Kist Biscuits and COOPFED curd will also be available at the new store concept.
Affordable nutrition to consumers on the move
Commenting on the new venture, Kotmale CEO Jude Fernando noted that this was another move in the right direction to take Kotmale and other Cargills brands closer to the consumer through COOPFED. Fernando said: “The Milk Bar was a store concept that was popular in the past, especially in locations where there is heavy commuter traffic. It was considered a place where you could refresh yourself with an affordable packet of milk in a clean and hygienic environment. Kotmale is a brand that has mass appeal and we have been looking at various avenues of taking this brand closer to the consumer to offer nutritious products which are value for money. The partnership with COOPFED is a result of this. We find that Kotmale and COOPFED have many synergies which we can capitalise on to serve our consumers better and more effectively”.
He added that COOPFED and Kotmale have a similar objective in bringing affordable and quality nutrition to the average Sri Lankan. “Despite being a private sector organisation the Cargills vision is very similar to that of COOPFED, because our objective is to make a sustainable impact on our communities.
We believe that together we can develop some unique products and services that can uplift the living standards of the community.”
Speaking at the ceremonial launch of the first Kotmale Milk Bar, Sri Lanka Consumer Cooperative Societies Federation CEO and General Manager D.S.K. Pathirana noted that the Cooperative Societies system remains a strong and competitive marketing and distribution channel worldwide for the benefit of the consumers. He said: “In Sri Lanka too the cooperative system is very vibrant and is performing a yeoman service in maintaining fair and competitive prices in the market. Our ultimate aim is to uplift consumers and ease their burden.
Our partnership with Cargills to establish these Kotmale Milk Bars’ would help enhance the competitiveness and viability of Coop-City.
This is only a first step in what we hope would be a long and successful journey towards the wellbeing of consumers.”
