Link scores for Lanka
Ramani Kangaraarachchi
Dr. Devapriya Nugawela |
Link Samahan the flag ship product of the range of Link Natural
Products for common cold and related symptoms won the prestigious
Presidential Export Awards 2005 denoting a significant milestone towards
its vision to become the global leader for natural healthcare products.
This award was presented for outstanding performance in herbal
healthcare and personal care products at the ceremony held at the
President's House recently.
"We all are proud about it without any doubt but it was, earned
through sheer dedication and commitment of our dynamic team,' Chairman
Link Natural Products Dr. Devapriya Nugawela said.
Link Samahan one of the Super brands 2007 in Sri Lanka is exported to
32 countries around the world
Receiving a Presidential Export Award fro 2005 |
including India, Malaysia, Canada and the
US and gaining popularity in many other countries.
It is also the nation's best selling herbal remedy for cold among
herbal cold-care products , with a pre-eminent position in the mass
market in Sri Lanka. The latest launch for Samahan took place in New
Delhi few months ago. Other recent developments include the introduction
of Lime and Lemon flavoured Link Samahan to cater to the tastes of a
range of customers.
This is not affecting the therapeutic effects of the product. A low
calorie version also has been introduced to diet conscious customers Dr.
Devapriya said. At a time the country is at crossroads the contribution
of this company towards the economy of the country by way of earning
foreign exchange is enormous.
Creating employment while maintaining the Sri Lankan identity and
preserving its traditional talents and resources is commendable.
The ultra modern machinery at their factory |
The fragrance of Ayurvedic medicine and herbal plants coming from the
factory with latest technology and large garden full of herbal plants
gives the evidence for good agricultural practices as well as good
manufacturing practices to any body entering the premises.
The well trained and well looked after work force nearly 500 engaging
in the manufacturing the whole product range under close supervision and
guidance of the research staff in the fully fledged laboratory.
From the point of receiving raw material, sorting, cleaning and
storing are done methodically and the records
The research and development unit |
are maintained like a
personal file of an employee until the expiry date of the particular
product lapses.
The environmental friendly methods of clearing garbage and waste
water take the maximum use for the factory without any form of smelling.
The company has been awarded the National Science and Technology
Award for its development of standardised quality herbal healthcare
product. The ISO 9001:2000 certification for quality management HACCP
certification for safety and ISO 14000:2004 certificate for
environmental management is evident for high standards of the products.
The University of Georgia in USA also has tested and certified
Samahan as 100 per cent natural recently. One of the US buyers Natural
Living International, LLC has mentioned that Samahan has captured the
emerging US market in such a away that they have decided to carry it as
part of their product line placing full confidence.
Recollecting the simple beginnings of the company in 1995, Dr.
Nugawela said that the company in consultation with a group of renowned
Ayurvedic practitioners selected a recipe of 14 medicinal plants and
their first task was to make sure that authentic herbal raw material of
good quality were available.
Specifications for raw materials were developed so their procurement
ensured minimum variability.
"We also took measures to cultivate most of the necessary plants
under controlled conditions. Plantlets and seeds were also supplied to
out growers with a guarantee of purchase. They were trained in modern
methods of cultivation harvesting and post harvest techniques.
The product quality controlled and made into a uniform dosage was an
immediate success as it filled the need for an effective easy to use
product, it became the market leader Dr. Nugawela said about his success
story.
He appreciated the support of the Export Development Board officials
at the beginning of the Company to come a long way. But regretted about
certain barriers such as not recognising the value added industry
non-tariff facilities, and high bank interests, high electricity cost.
"We are a 100 per cent foreign exchange earner. If we are given the
facilities similar to BOI companies the country will benefit and the
company also will grow quicker, he said. |