CEAT Kelani soars to new altitudes with 17 Golds for Quality Improvement Projects

CEAT’s award-winning team leaders with the 17 Golds and two Kaizen awards won at National Convention on Quality and Productivity 2025

CEAT Kelani Holdings has won a jaw-dropping 17 Golds at the National Convention on Quality and Productivity (NCQP 2025) for Quality Improvement Projects (QIPs) conducted in the past one year, more than doubling the number of Golds the company won at this event in 2024.

Notably, CEAT Kelani included the results of two non-manufacturing QIPs this year among the 17 projects it submitted for the awards, and won Gold for both. Additionally, the CEAT team received two special awards at the Kaizen (Change for the Better) competition conducted as part of the national convention.

“There can be no better avowal of our commitment to improving operational standards and optimising efficiency than these awards,” CEAT Kelani Chief Operating Officer Shamal Gunawardene declared. “They also affirm that with the wholehearted participation employees at every level, CEAT Kelani continues to set benchmarks in quality and productivity improvement, further reinforcing its leadership and commitment to excellence in the industry.” 

The 15 Quality Improvement Projects in manufacturing that won Gold awards for CEAT this year pertained to calendar-related fabric scrap reduction; fabric scrap reduction at the radial plant; centralised and on-time monitoring of radial curing press data; accuracy improvement in dual extruder tread monitoring; reduction of compound downgrades; light truck radial claims reduction; reduction of light bead defects at the two-wheeler tyre plant; reduction in of two-wheeler claims at the Kelaniya plant; improving boiler efficiency; elimination of radial belt rubberising defects; press breakdown reduction; controlling of Green Tyre weight variation; claims reduction at the Kalutara plant; reduction of truck tyre defects; and reducing injuries at the Kalutara plant. 

The first of the two non-manufacturing projects that won Gold related to the adoption of online learning at CEAT Kelani to stimulate digital learning across the organisation. It not only delivered measurable returns on investment, but also laid the foundation for a future-ready, digitally fluent workforce, the company said. 

The second project in this category was the Natural Rubber Upgrading Quality Improvement Project initiated in response to supply chain disruptions and escalating raw material costs due to prolonged adverse weather conditions. The project focused on optimising the sorting and upgrading materials, through the implementation of process innovations, improved manpower planning, a revised Standard Operating Procedure (SOP), and infrastructure development. This QIP project delivered significant cost savings, improved material availability, and secured uninterrupted supply.

The National Convention on Quality and Productivity is organised annually by the Sri Lanka Association for the Advancement of Quality and Productivity (SLAAQP), and has made notable contributions to improving productivity and innovation in Sri Lankan industries.

Adjudged the best-managed tyre manufacturing company in Sri Lanka in 2025 by the Institute of Chartered Professional Managers (CPM), CEAT Kelani Holdings is Sri Lanka’s most awarded tyre manufacturer, with numerous awards including National Business Excellence Awards, and multiple quality awards from the International Convention on Quality Circles.