Breaking new business ground with detergents

Ruwanthi Abeyakoon

SHEER HARD WORK: Working hard to achieve his vision `Creating a better life with products' Chairman and Managing Director, Clenol, manufacturer of soaps and detergent, Palitha Weerakoon has come a long way in his business. Starting his business in 1991 with the manufacturing of soap he has spread the name Clenol in no time in the Sri Lankan market.

"I worked as a marketer. While working I studied the volume and the potential. I realized that there is a demand for these products. I started off my business with liquid detergent. Then I started manufacturing soap. I manufactured around eight products at the beginning. The products included car wash, laundry soap and air fresheners," he said.

"The factory was started with the technical collaboration with Indian and British companies. Later we developed them and brought production lines to Sri Lanka. We are one of the ten companies that comply with soap finishing lines in Sri Lanka.

Clenol workers.

Soap manufacturing is done traditionally. The new technologies are used for finishing lines," he explained.

Weerakoon has gone to Bombay to study about this industry to uplift his business. "In Bombay I studied about soap industry and the ways they manufacture. I brought the knowledge here and applied them to my business to manufacture better products," he said.

His present markets include North East, Kandy, Kurunegala and Polonnaruwa. "I distribute my products to Baticaloa and Trincomalee also. We have an agent network to distribute. There is a good demand in these areas. This year I am hoping to expand this network to Down South and Colombo," he said.

"We undertake contracts also. We manufacture for Hemas, Lankem, Mos Lanka under their brand names. Hemas used to import the dish wash bar from India. But we started manufacturing it here for the first time. It saves currency flowing out of the country," he said.

Weerakoon has also introduced novel products to the market. "I introduced the floor tile cleaners. I also pioneered manufacturing computer and electronic item cleaners. There were imported once but we were able to start manufacturing these cleaners locally," he explained.

At present Weerakoon owns two factories. The main factory is in Heraliyawala Industrial Park, Kurunegala. He provides employment for around eighty in the area. "I use vegetable oil and fats for my products. We import some raw materials that are used in our products. Some we buy from the local millers in the area," he said.

He pointed out economic situation is a problem to expand his business. "We cater a lot to North and East. But the general problems hinder the business. Chambers play a big role in solving these issues.

Most of the time, the contribution of the Chambers is not identified. Business community in the country should be uplifted. The structure which is there should be modified to develop the business community. Industrialists and the farmers should be the focus. They contribute a lot to the growth of the economy," he explained.

"Business for Peace Alliance plays a vital role. They create new markets and linkages to develop business. They can be a mediator and organizations like this should be encouraged for the betterment of the country," he added.