ADVERTORIAL

Abans appointed Titan distributor

Sanjeevi JAYASURIYA

Abans was appointed as the authorized distributor for Titan watches in Sri Lanka aiming at capturing a wider market segment.

This move is in accordance with the brand's focus on expanding its global foot print.

Titan, the fifth largest watch brand is all set to enter Sri Lanka with a strong retail presence through an alliance with Abans. This adds value to our portfolio where customer confidence is key in our marketing drive," Abans Marketing Director Tito Pestonjee said.

The tie up augurs well for the Sri Lankan customers. There will be road shows in South East Asia to showcase the new arrivals in the Titan range. This will create awareness and more market opportunities, he said.

The Titan brand is available in 27 countries across the globe including South East Asia and the Middle East. Its entry in to the South African market last year was a huge success.

Titan aims at tapping the potential of an emerging market such as Sri Lanka and the tie up will enable to achieve this goal. With a winning combination of stylish designs and world class technology, Titan is moving towards becoming the world's most preferred watch brand across all segments, Titan International Business Head K.S. Ghai said.

There is a wide portfolio of collections and innovation is the key for Titan. The range include the 'purple' collection, the automatic collection and the funky technology collection for different segments of customers to chose from. The cutting edge technology in watch making has given Titan an edge over its competitors, he said.

"Given the changing life styles of modern consumers, the watches are no longer a mere time keeping device, they are a part of one's life style statement. This therefore provides huge window of opportunity for a brand such as Titan. With its diverse portfolio it enabled the brand to cater to the needs of the customers. The entry into the Sri Lankan market in an opportune time will be a tremendous success, he said.

Titan is investing in brand building and will be present in all retail formats. It plans to capitalize from the Abans market presence with multi brand stores.

With its trendsetting and distinctive collections, Titans aims to sustain its stand as a fashion accessory brand. It sells 13 million watches annually and has a 100 billion dollar market capitalization.

Olympus digital cameras from Photo Technica

Photo Technica recently entered into an agreement to sell Olympus digital cameras with Brown and Co. Ltd., who is the sole-authorized distributors for Olympus cameras in Sri Lanka.

The Olympus brand name is well-known to Sri Lankan photo enthusiasts since many decades. In the early days Olympus was synonymous for its Compur shutter and Zuiko lenses for its build and picture quality.

During the 80's Olympus OM-1 and OM-2 was considered best buys at that time. Then came the Olympus OM-10 which was synonymous for automatic shutter SLR camera.

Apart from SLR cameras the most famous rangefinder model which carried the Olympus name further was Olympus PEN. It started production in the early 60's and this particular model grew up to be the most popular model. Now customers can have a similar camera in digital too.

Today's Olympus digital cameras have a range models to suite you needs and budget. Living up to its glorious past technological advances of Olympus is more futuristic than current.

Photo Technica's experienced staff will guide customers to select the right model they desire. Photo Technica is well-known for their well-stocked camera showrooms. Photo enthusiasts can have all their needs fulfilled from a single visit to Photo Technica showrooms.

All cameras come with a one year warranty backed by an excellent after sales service.

Photo Technica entered the sphere of selling and servicing cameras in 1958. It has its head office showrooms in Kollupitiya and its branches at Liberty Plaza and Duty Free Shops at Bandaranaike International Airport Katunayake.

ANC offers Montessori course

The Modern Montessori International Academy Regional Academic Director Bob Durgude will be in Sri Lanka to woo more teachers to professionally qualify for Montessori education.

Today Montessori education is catching on in increasing numbers around the world and the need for Montessori trained teachers has become a worldwide demand, as such teacher training centres and schools exist on all continents.

Teaching with the Montessori Method requires skills that differ from traditional teaching. In Montessori schools, a teacher works with children on an individual basis, guiding them and helping them discover their own natural talents.

To meet this demand ANC is offering a Montessori course delivered by professional lecturers with the objective to give potential teachers a deep grounding in the Montessori principle and philosophy, a basic understanding of child psychology, an appreciation and understanding of the teaching aids developed by the late Dr. Maria Montessori, a knowledge of the Montessori environment and their role as a Montessori directress or parent.

The course covers the Montessori philosophy, child development, curriculum planning and the five areas of teaching, namely Montessori exercises of practical life, sensorial education, language, phonics and grammar, mathematics, and cultural subjects such as geography, botany, zoology and history. Diploma in Montessori Method of Education is an internationally recognized programme endorsed by the British Accreditation Council (BAC) and Open and Distance Learning Quality Council (ODLQC) of the United Kingdom.

New COO at ODEL

ODEL has appointed the international retail sales specialist William R. Pinkston, III, as its Chief Operating Officer (COO).

Pinkston who holds a Bachelor of Science, Business Management degree from the Florida University, has over 25 years of experience in retail operations in the fashion and entertainment sectors with leading international brands such as Gap Inc., which operates more than 3,000 stores worldwide and J. Crew, a multi-channel retailer with 251 stores in the USA.

He has also held key positions in retail management at several other large corporate institutions including Six Flags, a popular chain of theme parks and Gymboree Corporation, a specialty retailer currently operating more than 630 stores in USA and Canada, selling high-quality apparel and accessories for children.

"Pinkston's vast experience and skills in many aspects of retail operations will be an invaluable asset to ODEL at this juncture," ODEL founder and CEO Otara Gunewardene said. "His knowledge is what we need as we embark on our next phase of growth," she said.

Indian Education Expo today

As an endeavour to promote Indian education to Sri Lankan students, the 'Indian Education Expo' will be held SLECC Hall, Colombo today and tomorrow. This fair is jointly organized by The Times of India -India's largest circulated English daily, and Introductions Trade Shows, a leading exhibitions organizer since1983.

Leading institutes and schools from India will be participating in the exhibition, offering diverse courses in the areas of Masters of Business Administration (MBA), International Business, Hotel Management, Mass Media, Engineering, Information Technology, Medical Colleges, Fashion Designing, Air Hostess Training, Clinical Research, Pharmacy, Game Development, Animation and Visual Effects.

Dhammika re-elected AAC President

The Automobile Association of Ceylon (AAC) held its 106th Annual General Meeting (AGM) recently at the Association premises amidst a large turnout of members.

The membership noted that the Association had a fruitful year and the excess of income over expenditure before taxation for the year under review was Rs 7.1 million in comparison to Rs 2.9 million, the corresponding period 2010, due to close supervision of funds and cautious control of overheads personally supervised by the President and the Committee in spite of very low income from investments and the escalating cost of living. It was noted that the Association has not only improved the facilities to its members but also had assured that more facilities and benefits will be extended to the motoring members in the coming years.

The membership congratulated the President for winning the Business Excellence Award during this period. It was noted that the Association had a historical event when Federation Internationale de l'automobile President Jean Todi and UN Global Ambassador for Road Safety Michelle Yeon visited Sri Lanka. The general membership appreciated the initiative taken by the President to organize the "Decade of Action" to prevent and to take remedial action to reduce road accidents in the next 10 years.

President Mahinda Rajapaksa was elected patron and Transport Minister MP Kumara Welgama, Sports Minister MP Mahidananda Aluthgamage and Chief Opposition Whip, MP John Amaratunga as Vice Patrons.

Dhammika Attygalle was elected as President with an overwhelming 2/3rd majority. Rajah Sinnathuray was elected as Vice President together with E J De Soyza.

For the Executive Committee Dr Lakshman Weerasena, S Mannapperuma, Ananda Dangalle, N Z Passela and, Frank De Silva, Elmo Alles, Mohanlal De Mel, Upali Gooneratne PC, S V Ganesh, Stanley De Silva, P H Liyanage and K A S Pieris were elected.

Mahogany Masterpieces launches website

Sri Lanka's iconic brand of high quality furniture, Mahogany Masterpieces, recently marked its presence on the web with the launching of its new inter-active website www.mahogany.lk. Craft Supplies M.D Kishan Gooneratne said that the website would make it easier for their customers both local and overseas, to inter-act with the company.

'They can find out about our vast range of furniture and home accessories including mattresses, linen and lamp shades, participate in new promotions and be updated of the latest products and services," he said.

The website will also feature the company's innovative concept, the Furniture Spa which seeks to give 'tired and old' furniture new life by re-upholstering, stain removal and shampooing. Gooneratne said that the website will be an ideal reference point for architects and interior designers and will showcase their hotel and office projects. Linked to social media websites such as Facebook, it will present the on-line shopper with an ideal opportunity to connect with his/her favourite furniture store.

Craft Supplies commenced operations in 1974 and went on to specialize in high quality period furniture before branching out into a wide selection of furniture for homes, offices and hotels through the brand name Mahogany Masterpieces. Each piece is made from seasoned luxury quality timber by master craftsmen using a combination of modern technology and traditional carpentry techniques.

Gooneratne said that the company specializes in three categories of furniture; the traditional period pieces that stand the test of time, the contemporary style of furniture which comes with a modern yet practical touch and fusion furniture which blends the modern with the traditional, achieving a fine balance that creates outstanding pieces. The company also offers furniture made to customer specifications such as pantry cupboards, built in closets and bedroom suites, in addition to office and hotel lay-outs.

The brand Mahogany Masterpieces, launched in 2005 consists of a line of classic furniture, introducing the customers to a new sense of style and elegance. Gooneratne said that their range of baby furniture under the brand name 'Cuddles and Cradles', has also been received very well. Diversifying into various areas, has opened doors to many opportunities and enables the company to stay in tune with the changing needs of customers both in Sri Lanka and abroad, he said.

Gooneratne said that the company also advises customers on the kind of furniture and style that would suit their lifestyle best. "What we create for our customers are masterpieces - the kind of furniture that makes every purchase an investment you want to lovingly take care of for the next generation," he said.

At their factory located at Boralesgamuwa, where livelihood for over 100 employees is provided, Craft Supplies takes pride in turning out furniture that showcases high quality Sri Lankan craftsmanship. "As a totally Sri Lankan company, we are proud of our quality that meets the highest standards. In fact, most of our customers have been with us for decades, and have recommended us to their friends and family, enabling us to build strong and close relationships with our customers," he said.

Craft Supplies maintains two showrooms with one located in the heart of Colombo and the other in Nugegoda.