Nestle Lanka honours star suppliers

The "Nestl‚ Lanka Supplier Excellence Awards 2011" was held recently to recognize the outstanding efforts of a range of suppliers across the packaging Industry. Chief Speaker at the event was the top Packaging Expert, MJatinder Singh, who, with over 40 years experience in the industry, provided invaluable insights and highlighted growth potential available in Sri Lanka for packaging suppliers.

Speaking on the objective and scope of the awards, Managing Director, Nestl‚ Lanka PLC Alois Hofbauer, explained the value of team spirit and dedication to a cause. "This awards ceremony is to honour our valued packaging suppliers and partners, who have worked side by side with the Nestl‚ Lanka team over the last year and the years before."

The awards ceremony saw Star Packaging (Pvt) Limited walk away with the overall Gold Award while the overall Silver Award went to COSMOS Printing (Pvt) Limited and the overall Bronze Award to Packages Lanka (Pvt) Limited. Additionally five companies were named 'Best Supplier' based on product, while four suppliers were recognized for their long-standing partnership with Nestl‚ Lanka and three emerging suppliers named 'stars on the horizon'.

Huzaifa Abdulhusein from Star Packaging, winner of the overall Gold Award, commenting on his experience with Nestl‚, explained that the difference between a purchaser and a partner is pure mentality. "We have been working with the Nestl‚ team for many years now. And while we have had our ups and downs we have developed strong relationships that are the basis for the great work put in by both parties."

Recognized as Sri Lanka's Best Corporate Citizen 2011, with a special award for Customer and Supplier Relations, Nestl‚ Lanka has long since proven itself a partner, rather than a purchaser. Speaking on Nestl‚'s commitment to its partners, Suren Jacob, Vice President, Supply Chain said "As we grow, we believe our suppliers should grow - at the end of the day, our key objective is to build profit over the long-term in a sustainable manner that benefits both Nestl‚ and our partners."