Lax MNCs undermining inspection certification industry

YOUNG Entrepreneurs

Harshini Perera

The first employment he received, paved the way for him to commence his navigation in the business world as a young entrepreneur. His self-confidence, passion and dream to be a Sri Lankan entrepreneur have taken him a long way.

He is the only Sri Lankan entrepreneur to engage in the Global Inspection, Testing and Certification fields and competes successfully with top multi-nationals operating in Sri Lanka.

He is SB Consortium and SBC Group Chairman Sudath Wijesinghe generating a significant amount of foreign exchange to the country he was born to.

Here are the excerpts of the interview he had with Daily News Business:

Q: How did you start this enterprise?

A: I started SB Consortium (Pvt) Ltd., (SBC) in April 2004. However I started my entrepreneurship when I was studying in the UK as an undergraduate. I selected the services industry because I was working for a similar company during that period.

I have linked up with more than 121 countries in the world under franchise agreements with network holders.

I have expanded our operations into Thailand, Maldives and Australia by setting up branches of SBC in those countries.

My vision is to provide my clients with professional, efficient and timely services that are not only the best in class but also the most cost effective solution for their specific requirements. We aim to be a clear leader and innovator in inspection, verification and testing services.

Some of the high value materials we inspect are petroleum, agricultural products, tea, bunker fuels and products of export quality.

The inspection, testing and certification of any liquid, vapour or solid material is also undertaken by our company. Land and ship tank calibration is another specialist side of our business line that is unique with SBC.

Initially, I had only two inspectors for this purpose and now it has increased to 48.

There are both professional and non-professional employees in the company while others are on a sub-contract basis.

I started my company with a friend of mine but we wanted and needed an international network to run and develop the business.

At present, I am well ahead of numerous multi-national companies operating in Sri Lanka. This has been achieved through innovation, determination to succeed, integrity and respect for our clients requirements.

Q: As a young entrepreneur what are the challenges you face?

A: The main challenge in this industry is the illegal migration of staff to the country from neighbouring countries like India. Some companies send employees to Sri Lanka just to complete an inspection work here and disappear the next day. This has caused us many difficulties as our market share can be eroded by such actions.

We have invested capital in the business, both financial and human, and the industry in general can be harmed by this ‘here today gone tomorrow’ approach. The industry is human resource oriented and our clients expect quick and positive interaction. The economic recession has hit our industry hard but we are always looking to exploit the positives. In any economic downturn there are always opportunities available. To seize such opportunities before the competition is what we try to do.

The inferior services provided by some multi-national companies also becomes a challenge to the industry.

It affects clients’ perceived view of the operating standards in the industry. We have employed well-trained and qualified human resources to meet the standards required by the nature of this industry. Some multi-national companies hire employees with poor qualifications and offer only the basic training. They may very well be able to perform a given task but they may not be able to run that extra mile for the client due to insufficient or inadequate training.

Q: What are strengths of the company?

A: Human resource is the main strength of the inspection services industry. SBC has qualified and mature inspectors.

Therefore, my strength is the human resource and their positive attitude.

Q: As a young entrepreneur, how do you manage your enterprise?

A: I honour the flat organization structure. It is the best way to deal with human capital. I am not just a coach seated among the audience but I am a player too to help my team win and be successful. Though I am the Group Chairman, I become an inspector when necessity requires it. There are no delays in rendering our services to the customers because our company is located near the port. Therefore, we ensure the delivery of fast and efficient service at a cost which is reasonable to the client.

Q: How did you find capital for your venture?

A: The industry only needs human resource to begin with.

The minimal capital I had was around Rs 200,000. All I needed was to buy a computer, printer, telephone and a desk to get the business going. Then I just needed a few printing materials to produce certificates for customers.

Q: What are your aspirations?

A: I am a person who never shies away from challenges no matter how difficult they may seem. In fact the bigger the challenge the more I relish it. I personally cherish a sense of gratitude towards the teacher who directed me to this industry. I am proud to be a son of my motherland. I think that was what inspired me to reach the heights in this industry.

Q: What are the strategies you adopt to enhance the efficiencies of your employees?

A: I am a team player and I need my employees to be in the same team. I always try to balance work and living.

We make our employees to be free of mind that one should engage in the inspection just like one is in meditation.

We empower them to use their abilities and qualifications. We never chase behind our employees to make them do things. I always believe that my inspectors are doing their best for the company. More than anything I trust my employees for their honesty and efficiency.

Q: What is your goal in business?

A: I need my company to go global. Two thirds of the country is now open for more exports. There are many agricultural products which can be exported and we could certify those products with global certification.

We conduct quality management systems audits also. Foreign buyers tend to reject some Sri Lankan products as they have not received a global certification.

SBC can certify the quality of products as well as the quality of management systems to meet international standards.

We have 50 employees in Thailand, 12 in Australia and 48 in Sri Lanka. There are 15 employees in our Maldives branch.

Q: What are your future plans?

A: As a Sri Lankan in the inspection industry, I should have many companies internationally and it is my plan to gradually open more companies overseas. However to ensure success one should always make sure that the base is strong and this is something I am very mindful of as I consider expansion.

Q: What is the support you get from your family members?

A: I always see my office as my family. I cannot separate my family from the office. When I am away on business tours, my wife undertakes some of the work at office. Without the support of my family as well as the families of my employees we would not be able to be here.

Q: What is the support you get from Chamber of Young Lankan Entrepreneurs Sri Lanka (COYLE)?

A: It is really helpful to be in an association like COYLE as we can work together and make our voice heard for the public. I personally receive good support from COYLE

I think there is a golden opportunity for us as young entrepreneurs where we can move forward. We can go a long way since the infrastructure facilities for us to grow have already being laid by the President.