Tea with- Ranjit Pandithage Chairman/CEO and Managing Director

Ethics and values brought me to this level - DIMO CEO

Channa Bandara Wijekoon

DIMO is a company, which has a long history of 71 years and is best known for its automobile business, which ranges from TATA passenger vehicles to Mercedes and Chrysler.

DIMO's stability as a company has enabled it to venture into diversified businesses such as building management systems and fire detection security, power engineering, medical engineering, storage and material handling and fluid management.

DIMO's contribution towards best HR practices and capacity building especially in the North and the East has brought them the Gold award at HRM awards 2010.

Sustainable entrepreneurship has always been DIMO's corporate strategy. The company does its operations in an environment friendly and socially responsible manner. Special measures are being taken by the company to minimize greenhouse gasses and carbon footprint.

Ranjit Pandithage has been brought up and groomed in a manner to be the Chairman/CEO and Managing Director of a company of that stature. Daily News Business met this high calibre CEO, to share his experiences.

Excerpts of the interview:

Q. What are your views in regard to sustainable development of your company and the country as a whole?

A. I am not selfish to take the credit alone for our company's achievement. It is the result of sheer dedication and teamwork. Sustainable development by any means is not philanthropic for DIMO.

Our aim is to contribute towards positive development of the society, environment and economy. Our company also values work ethics, workers and customers. We have strong relationships with our principals. These attributes have given strength for the company to sustain its business for 71 years.

As a country too, we must bear that big picture of a holistic approach in mind, to march forward towards sustainable development.

Q. Could you tell us about your childhood and ambitions, which drove you to become a CEO one day?

A. Ours was a family of eight. I am the third in the family. As children, we were brought up in an atmosphere where business and entrepreneurship was inculcated in our normal life. I could not make it to the University but managed to pursue my higher studies in Germany and become a process engineer. I worked in Germany and had the ambition and the drive to move up in the ladder.

My father, Don Alexander Pandithage was a founder member of DIMO. The visit of the joint Chairman/Managing Director of DIMO, K.D. Willers to Germany was the major breakthrough in my career. On his invitation, I came back to Sri Lanka and joined DIMO as a management trainee and was motivated enough to go up in ladder to become Chairman / CEO and Managing Director.

Q. You have steered DIMO to become a 'brand name' to reckon with. What were the ingredients you added to make the magic portion called success?

A. Our founder fathers were very ethical people and they demonstrated to customers when they transacted business with DIMO, that they will be getting a good deal. Over 70 years, this has got stamped on the Nation. I have contributed to the process as a stakeholder.

Hence, there was no magic portion. The company's long-standing relationship with the customers and socially responsible behaviour has made DIMO a brand name.

Q. DIMO sets aside a significant amount from each year's budget for training of staff, skills training for apprentices. Can you elaborate?

A. We represent world's best brands. Therefore, we must have a well-trained staff to give the best deal to customers. International brands such as Mercedes Benz and Chrysler offer in superb training opportunities that are benchmarked across the world.

In conjunction with our principal Mercedes Benz, we have started the apprentice school, which is one of a kind in the private sector where students are exposed to innovations and technology.

Now we have commissioned a branch in Jaffna as well to give opportunity to less fortunate people who have suffered in the clutches of LTTE for 30 years. This is done free of charge.

We were recognized for that feat by awarding Gold certificates in HR awards, being among the best ten in the country for capacity building. We have adopted measures to minimize greenhouse gases and carbon footprint in our operations because we are very concerned of the environment.

Q. What are the challenges to your business? Was DIMO hit by economic recession?

A. Yes. Economic recession made a significant impact on us during first two quarters of last financial year. We were proactive and knew how to change with environment.

We gave a word to our employees that no jobs would be lost. This confidence bolstered the employees and we worked closely with them. Measures from HR streamlined the processors and enabled DIMO to keep their 1000 odd professionals intact, performing at high level. We emerged in a stronger manner securing a Gold for best HR practices.

Now the world is recovering from recession and Sri Lanka context is excellent, as a country enjoying peace.

Q. What are your views on post war era?

A. Post war era is the ideal period for businesses to consolidate and people in Sri Lanka to emerge as Sri Lankans, setting aside caste, creed and race barriers.

Traditionally, our company was doing good business with North and East. We had a very good history in equipment supply for cement plant in KKS and power plants at Chunnakam. As children, we had fond memories in visiting these places and mingling with those people. Our children were deprived of this opportunity for the last 30 years.

One third of the country was not exposed to proper business activities. Even the rest of the two third was struggling, due to the highly unpredictable scenario that prevailed in the country.

President Rajapaksa made a pledge and brought the menace of terrorism to an end. Now the market place is abundant with opportunities. If professionally tackled, one could make a very positive impact now. We were one of the first to open a branch office in Jaffna, in post war period. Now we have branches in Vavuniya and Trincomalee and franchise holders all over North and East.

Q. What is your advice to young people who aspire to climb the corporate ladder?

A. My father-in-law wrote a small note to my children, when they were very young. That was, "Truth is the only thing that you cannot improve upon." Likewise, my advice to budding young people is, to be honest and ethical at all times and have a 'smart approach' to work. If they adhere, sky will be the limit for them.

Q. How do you spend your leisure?

A. In a bright sunny day, I would have a dip in the SSC pool. I like to watch sports like cricket, rugby and soccer at least on TV, if circumstances don't permit me to go to the venue. In fact, I have played soccer for Colpetty United, DIMO and also when I was in Germany. My life is very much associated with the game and I was one time President of the National Football Association. I like to travel in my leisure and you can call me a nature boy.

Q. Do you like to live in this country?

A. Yes. Very much. And if you ask me why, I would say, for me Sri Lanka is one of the best countries in the world. I have seen many countries in my life. This little paradise gives me opportunities, which cater to my temperament. Tell me which other country could give you the opportunity to be in the golden beaches, in mountainous atmosphere or roam in the wilderness in a couple of hours? This country is a magical island.

Q. Tell us about your family.

A. Family is my greatest strength. I enjoy being a father and a husband. My children studied in Australia and they live there.