The master tyre-rebuilder of Uva

by Ruwanthi Abeyakoon

TYRE REBUILDING: After graduating from the University of Moratuwa in Polymer Technology, he strengthened his knowledge with the training received from Richard Peiris and Neil Marine.

Following his father and grandfather who were both businessmen he started his tyre-rebuilding factory in 1993 in Badulla. Today it is the only tyre-rebuilding factory in Uva Province. The chairman and Managing Director of Central Pre Cured Retreads Pvt. Ltd., Ajith Wattuhewa revealed his success story.

"Earlier, people used to send tyres to Kandy or to Colombo to get them rebuilt. They had to wait for a long time to get them back. Sometimes it takes one month. Realizing the necessity of a tyre rebuilt factory I started this. The factory became the solution for the dire need of rebuilding tyres," Wattuhewa said.

He said that there are two methods of rebuilding. "The life temperature of rubber is 115.6 centigrade. In conventional rebuilding the rubber is heated more than that. In pre curing method the rubber is protected as it is heated less than the life temperature of rubber.

We follow the pre curing method. People can rebuild the tyre seven or eight times at a low cost. We rebuild the tyre within a couple of hours, which saves the time of the customers," he said.

"The factory operates for twenty-four hours providing a night service for buses. The buses are brought at night and the drivers will be able to take them straight to the bus stand next day.

I am planning to expand the services and to provide minor services. Then the private vehicle owners can get their services under one roof at a reasonable cost," Wattuhewa said.

He is planning to open up mini workshops where the owners can register and do any repair. He said that the workshops will be opened within this year in the same premises providing total solutions for those involved in transportation.

"Our vision is a safe and a long journey. Tyres should be safe for this. The tyre is the most important part of the vehicle. If the engine breaks down the vehicle stops but a problem in tyres can cause the vehicle to skid.

Thus providing safe tyres is essential," he explained. "We buy raw material from Arpidag and various other rubber manufacturers in Colombo and Anuradhapura who have the ISO certification. I have also applied for ISO and the factory is registered under the Industrial Development Ministry.

Our market is the main transport body of Uva. Nearly 1000 tyres are rebuilt per month in our factory," Wattuhewa explained.

While providing a valuable service he supplies employment for many. "I started the factory with eleven and now I have 28 working under me. I am hoping to expand my staff up to 45 within this year. My staff is well qualified. They are well paid and given housing loans without interest," he added.

"There are three sister factories I manage. Asian International Promoters markets sanitary napkins and exports cinnamon quills and oil. The Motion Arts produce Tele dramas and documentaries. We are the agents for two Indian studios. Cinnamon Holidays is the other company I handle promoting boutique tourism in Sri Lanka," he said.

In his busy life he holds several responsibilities as the Chairman of Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Uva Province and as a member of SAARC Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

Wattuhewa is planning to expand his business in the future. "I have been working with Business for Peace Alliance for the last four years and had the opportunity to exchange ideas and meet businessmen in other areas specially in North and East.

I am planning to rebuild tyres for areas in North and East because there are no factories there. We should bring the neglected market in and we can find a new market in the area," he said.