Itocho has many new plans

Ramani Kangaraarachchi

The people with courage and sheer determination some how achieve their goals in life which make them fully satisfied in a latter date. Manoj Konara Managing Director Itocho Pvt Ltd is a person who had these two qualities and achieved his goals. His vision is to create jobs for the young people in the country by starting an assembling plant to manufacture TVs out of imported parts from Japan. He was interviewed by Daily News Business,

Q; How did you spend your childhood?

A: My childhood was not rosy at all. I was the 8 in a family of 11 and had my early education in five schools at Moneragala and finally came to Gampaha Bandaranayake Vidyalaya. After completing my Advanced Level examination with great difficulties I thought it was the time to earn and not study further due to the financial difficulties in the family.

Q: What did you do after leaving school?

Mano Konara

A: First I had to find my living, and had to start from the scratch. Selling incense (‘Handunkuru’) was my first job. I purchased sticks from wholesale markets in Colombo and packeted sticks at home and sold it to shops in small bulks. In the same way shifted to selling packeted grain. Later started working for a security company. After I joined Blue Diamonds company I got the opportunity to go to Japan for a training course for a period of one year. My life changed during that one year I worked very hard. After completing my work for the day I did two part time jobs to earn some money and bought a vehicle. Taking a Japanese Dolphin van home after my tenure of duty in Japan was my dream, but was not an easy task. During that one year, except for few days I slept only two hours a day as I did two part time jobs during the rest of the day. Time is money that is what I learnt from the Japanese. Another good thing was I got to know many people and associated with some closely. Through a good friend of mine I started importing used electrical items from Japan and selling them. This worked very well for me. In 1997 I registered my own company under the name ‘Itocho Trading’ at home in Mabole with my wife.

Q: Why did you think of importing used items from Japan?

A: Because the Japanese use the best quality products in their own country, they only use it for a very short time and dispose it when almost new. Anyone can purchase almost new items, at a very low price. I did not think of vehicles because that is something that everyone does. The area I selected is something that has good demand. I have a range of household electrical products such as washing machines, cookers, irons, TVs, musical set ups and many more.

Q: What is the market you targeted?

A: My service is for rural people who cannot afford to buy brand new items at a high cost. They can get a similar service through my products at an affordable price. I personally go to Japan to select the items I import and make sure they are of quality. Customers became very close to me because of this system. I give them a personal service whenever they request at any time to get them trained on technical operations or repairs after sometime. I never lie to my customers on the products. Even when there are defect items I tell the customer and give it at a discount. I have built confidence in them. So there is no need to advertise my products because word of mouth goes a long way for me.

Q: What are your achievements so far?

A: I have a very reliable and well trained efficient work force. That is my biggest achievement. I know the hardships I went through. So I treat my employees well, train them and bring their living standards up. This is one reason for my success. I have employed over 100 people directly and indirectly in this business.

Employees at work. Pictures by Sumanachandra Ariyawansa

I was awarded the Deshabandu in 2011 for my social work. I help many charitable institutes, any religious, or social with no differences.

Q: What are the challenges you have faced in this journey of business?

A: There are lot of loopholes in our custom procedures. Sometimes we pay undue amounts to clear the goods. We spend lot of money to clear the goods and the government does not get them in the right manner. If there is a proper system it will be transparent and all parties will be happy.

Introducing a welfare package for our war heroes was another big achievement for me. In 2007 I spoke to a friend of mine in Japan and designed a package with five items including a 21 TV and a musical set up at the cost price. Rs 38,600.

It is worth nearly Rs 50,000. This is very popular among war hero families, and have sold over 500 packages.

Q: What are your future plans?

A: I want to start a TV assembling section and train people and create jobs for the unemployed expanding my business. I am also planning to introduce a welfare package for teachers in the near future because teachers are also doing a great service to the country, and they deserve something special.