Business Advertorial

Holcim expands ‘Mahagedara’ network

Ramani Kangaraarachchi

Holcim Sri Lanka is to expand its number of Mahagedara hardware shop outlets up to 25 within this year.

CEO, Holcim Sri Lanka Peter Spirig addressing the media at a press conference held at Galadari Hotel in Colombo on Friday said that Mahagedara is a very strong concept which would give more sophisticated and quality service to its customers, house builders, contractors and stakeholders.

He said that Holcim Lanka has correctly identified the mind set of the various sectors of people in Sri Lanka and wants to make Holcim brands available for every one of them in a reliable manner saving their time, money and energy. He said that starting from timber to switches are available at modern Mahagedara show rooms and the 14th outlet will be opened in Veyangoda on Wednesday.

The first shop was opened in 2006 at Panadura giving priority to the customers in Western Province. The 13 outlets cover Kurunegala, Matale, Matara Hikkaduwa and Moratuwa areas.

Spirig hoped that finally it will be a national chain of shops by 2010 expanded to Anuradhapura, Trincomalee and Hambantota areas. Each shop would give a minimum of four employment opportunities to people in the area which will be operated as franchise shops according to him.

A “Mahagedara” franchise runs a showroom and a distribution centre, both catering to different segments of individual house builders. A modern-minded house builder finds the showroom an attractive proposition to obtain information, advice on the building process and good local craftsmen, as well as to place orders.

A traditional house builder and small contractors value the fact that all building materials are available in one spot, thus limiting the need to travel to various places in order to obtain construction materials, but prefer to use the distribution centre/ramp of the franchise, as they might not need in-detail advice. Thus delivering value to all the sub segments of the house builder.

Mahagedara is focusing on enriching its services to the house builder by launching more outlets in the country, by associating with more suppliers and increasing the range of building material products available in all outlets.

In addition, the target is to build “Mahagedara” as a strong brand that every house builder will look up to and seek advice and material from. As part of this, we plan to open 12 more outlets throughout the island along with a focused technical support service.

The substantial investment in outlets throughout the country coupled with strong brand building campaigns organized for 2008 and increased building material supplier partners, “Mahagedara” promises to be a strong and decisive building materials and services provider for the Sri Lankan house builder.

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Eagle in Ja-ela

Eagle’s newest branch was opened at Ja-Ela recently providing greater convenience and peace of mind for its residents.

Tbe launch broadens Eagle’s extensive islandwide netweork and signifies Eagle’s commitment to continue its growth momentum and further strengthen its market positoin whilst adding value to all its stakeholders.

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Grant McCann Erickson - Celebrating fifty years

During a celebration on the roof top of the agency’s newest and plushest office, the Board of Management of Grant McCann Erickson (GME) shared details of the agency’s plans for 2008 in terms of the myriad ways they intend to celebrate and commemorate the company’s 50th anniversary.

“In the fifty years since its inception, GME has scaled incredible heights, winning national and international acclaim for its advertising campaigns, including Sri Lanka’s first Gold award for marketing at the 2007 Pacific Asia Travel Awards for its Home Away from Home campaign for SriLankan Airlines” says Chairperson of GME and daughter of its founder, Reggie Candappa, Neela Marikkar.

“This is the first time in the country’s history that a full fledged operational ad agency has reached this golden milestone, and today we celebrate a half century that the agency has spent interpreting and conceptualising ideas that have created some of the most original and enduring images in local advertising.

The gift of original ideas is one that we have given consistently over the years, creating successful platforms for our clients, changing public perceptions and shaping this country’s advertising landscape”.

The brainchild of Reggie Candappa, Grant Advertising (Ceylon) Ltd was established on April 1 1958. The agency entered into a strategic partnership with international advertising powerhouse McCann-Erickson Worldwide, in 1993, creating Grant McCann Erickson (GME).

From a single client during its fledgling years, the GME client portfolio has grown in stature to feature some of Sri Lanka’s most respected corporates and high profile public service accounts.

GME has also expanded its service portfolio, offering integrated support services that are independently run, including marketing communications corridor Response Marketing, Grant PR, Sri Lanka’s largest public relations company, media AOR arm Universal McCann and in-house production company, Juice.

The company has also made a name for itself as an agency that cares deeply for, and is committed to social causes.

GME is launching a special Corporate Social Responsibility project together with the Association of Friends of Prisoners’ Children, which raises funds for children of prison inmates through a scholarship programme. GME will sponsor 50 Children of Prisoners to ensure they enjoy better opportunities in life through the benefits of education.

Another mammoth project will be a book spanning 50 Years of the Ad Industry in Sri Lanka which will be published mid year as a tribute to the agency’s founder Reggie Candappa.

GME also plans to toast the hundreds of satisfied clients, who have passed through its doors. Such shared success will reach a new level as GME enters the next 50 years. Part of this relationship building endeavor will be a series of workshops conducted by the agency to introduce clients to what they can expect from the ad industry in term of business innovations, Experiential and Digital Marketing.

As the agency that boasts some of the best creative and marketing professionals in the industry, GME will celebrate its gifted staff with a special staff family day out and awards for service excellence to those who have accompanied the agency on its journey of success.

In addition, the company also plans to bring its fellow agencies and members of the media together to foster greater understanding and create solidarity, as they host an inter-agency bowling competition.

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Believe it or not! offer from Magna

Magna supermarkets is gearing up for the festive Avurudhu season by slashing the prices on essential items to unbelievable levels. The special promotion titled “Believe it or not!” offers the following prices on household essentials.

The believe it or not offer which was launched on March 12 is valid right through the Avurudhu Season and will end on the April 15. The “Believe it or not!” promotion has been launched to gift its price conscious customers valuable savings during their Avurudhu spending spree this year.

Being a new player in the super marketing industry Magna is on a mission to offer something different and special to its customer.

The supermarket chain was launched in December 2007, with an unusual brand, logo, signage and store outlook.

It currently stocks the full range of supermarket products, and most notably offers a full range of brands to choose from , ranging from the well-known popular brands to several new brands entering the market, thereby offering a wide choice of product as well as choice of price.

The supermarket outlets are currently situated mostly in residential, suburban areas.

Magna currently operates nine outlets situated in Koswatta, Pelawatta, Pita Kotte, Narahenpita, Kirulapone, Kiribathgoda, Dehiwala, Biyagama and Katubedda. Magna is also currently evaluating options for expansion of its chain.

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DVB offers instant rewards

DFCC Vardhana Bank (DVB), the banking unit of DFCC Bank will be offering savers rewards to inculcate a high interest savings regimen as part of Avurudhu “Ganu Denu”, a cultural monetary transaction, during its “Vardhana Ganu Denu Sathiya” to be held from April 14 - 22, 2008.

DVB, will be offering new and existing customers the opportunity to increase their prosperity by taking part in high interest schemes.

By offering customers access to a high interest Mega Bonus Savings Account or a Dhana Vardhana Fixed Deposit, the bank is promoting a smarter savings culture this Avurudhu by tying in instant rewards with high interest savings mechanisms.

There will be super “Ganu Denu” rewards on offer for opening either a Mega Bonus Savings Account or a Dhana Vardhana Fixed Deposit.

Commenting on this Avurudhu savings initiative, DFCC Vardhana Banka’s Managing Director, L. G. Perera, stated that immediate rewards were offered so that all people could better enjoy Avurudhu feeling that they had received some benefit for saving this season.

“However, the more important phenomenon, in terms of heightened prosperity for our customers, is that with our help they will start making their money work for them in a smarter way as opposed to traditional low interest savings accounts.

What we are most excited about is that by participating in our Mega Bonus Savings Account or Dhana Vardhana Fixed Deposit or both, our customers can truly have the possibility of being part of a more prosperous Avurudhu season.”

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Ceylinco Grameen ties-up with SLT

Sri Lanka Telecom, is providing data communication solution for mission critical data services of Ceylinco Grameen.

This will offer seamless connectivity for nation-wide 82 branches of Ceylinco Grameen via its Internet Protocol Virtual Private Network (IP/VPN) solution.

The company will also provide broadband internet as well as a inter branch communication system over a period of time.

Speaking on the significance of the agreement Deputy Chairman, Ceylinco Grameen Group Victor Ratnayake said, “This truly is a momentous occasion for us, as we are marking yet another milestone. We are pleased to partner with a communication giant, as we are assured of the high quality of service they will provide us as well as helping with the smoothening of our workflow. The solution is cost effective, helping us to focus on our primary goal, which is to uplift the poor.”

Chief Marketing and Sales Officer, SLT, Ajantha Senevirathne said,

“I take great pleasure in being able to join hands with the Ceylinco Grameen Group. Renowned for its social responsibility as well as charitable work towards the uplifting of the rural masses, we feel honoured to provide the group with a state of the art IP/VPN solution.

This solution will help to strengthen the network as well as offer a wide range of benefits that will reach the grass roots level as well.”

SLT’s IP/VPN is capable of carrying voice and mission critical data securely and reliably.

It is one of the main services the company provides through its broadband network for valued corporate customers.

The solution helps with direct cost saving through the provision of inter-branch communication via the corporate network. It also makes operations smoother, giving the group access to a centralised IT network at any given time, enabling them to communicate between the head office and the branch network.

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APRACA Rural Finance Forum in Hanoi, Vietnam

Bi-Annual General Assembly of the Asia Pacific Rural and Agricultural Credit Association (APRACA) and the FIN Power Regional Rural Finance Forum was held in Hanoi, Vietnam from March 24 to 29. The conference covered a wide range of discussions of rural finance, bilateral comparisons between different Regions and countries.

The conference was attended by over 150 delegates representing 50 member countries of APRACA covering Asia.

The Sri Lankan financial sector was represented by the Central Bank of Sri Lanka, Bank of Ceylon, People’s Bank, Hatton National Bank and SANASA Development Bank.

Deputy General Manager, Chandula Abeywickrema representing Hatton National Bank, CEO/General Manager Asoka De Silva representing People’s Bank, Deputy Governor Dr W A Wijewardena representing Central Bank, CEO/General Manager B A C Fernando representing Bank of Ceylon, and Assistant General Manager, SANASA Development Bank Nihal Ramanayake participated.

The delegates of Sri Lanka covered extensive field visits to the cities, Danag and Hue.