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Arpico Supercentre launches 'Stamp and Win'

Arpico Supercentre, one of the premier hyper market chains of Sri Lanka launched it's first consumer promotional campaign "Stamp and Win" for the year 2012 enabling loyal customers to win essential home appliances and Arpico Gift Vouchers.

Thisinnovative concept of 'Stamp and Win', will be bringing a brand new experience for the shoppers and, will continue until 04th March 2012. Customers who would like to join in for the promotion must make a purchase above Rs.2,500,including one item from five nominated brands. When the purchase is made, the customer will be provided with a "Stamp and Win " card. . For every stamped row of the card the loyal shoppers would be rewarded with a Rs.250 value Arpico Gift voucher and a chance to enter the final competition.

The winners of the final competition will be gifted with many electrical items such as, LED Television sets, iPod's, Home Theatre Systems, Blue-Ray DVD Players and Mobile Phones.

"The consumers of Sri Lanka recognize Arpico Supercentres as the only retail chain to run consumer promotions throughout the year, rewarding its shoppers for their loyalty with substantial giveaways. Our ability to hold interactive consumer promotions has gained customer recognition and loyalty to Arpico Supercentres.

Therefore, 'stamp and win' campaign is another novel consumer interactive promotion introduced to the market..

"We plan to further expand our retail network of large format stores in major cities around the island availing consumers to experience real hyper market shopping and helping them uplift their lifestyles. We also create new jobs for the people in these areas by providing them with employment and entrepreneurial opportunities." said , Richard Pieris Distributors Limited CEO Andrew Dalby.

Richard Pieries Distributors operates 14 Arpico Supercentres, including the first and the largest eco-friendly Supercentre situated in Wattala. The most recent Arpico Supercentres were declared open in Kalutara and Kochchikade. The people of Piliyandala will be seeing an Arpico Supercentre opening in their neighbourhood in the near future.

Renuka infuses new life to Richlife Dairies Ltd

Richlife Dairies Limited, a pioneer in the manufacture of high quality dairy and fruit products in Sri Lanka experienced infusion of much needed dynamism and fresh business direction under the new management of Renuka Agri Foods PLC (RAL) in mid January 2012.

Renuka Holdings PLC, parent Company of RAL, a diversified conglomerate listed in the CSE with business interest in Agriculture, Automotive, FMCG, Foodservice, Investment, Property and Management services, acquired Richlife Dairies Ltd.

Renuka, having created a footprint in the global market across 61 countries with its high quality value added coconut based product range, is expanding its investments in the post war economy exhibiting its commitment and dedication to Country's economic growth. Renuka Group consolidated its distribution capability in 2011 with the acquisition of Shaw Wallace Ceylon Ltd, a leading FMCG and foodservice distribution company which has served the nation for over a century.

The acquisition of Richlife would strengthen Renuka's distribution capabilities and direct involvement in the rural economy. "It gives us immense pleasure and pride to have brought Richlife Dairies under our Group umbrella.

We are known as experts in Coconut based products worldwide and Richlife being a leading fresh milk processor offering high quality products for all ages would see it developed to new heights.

Also, it gives Renuka the opportunity to extend its expertise into Dairy sector. I am sure that this acquisition would assist us to forge ahead and fulfill our Group's vision of being one of the leading FMCG manufacturing and distribution companies in the country" said Shamindra Rajiyah, Executive Director, Renuka Holdings PLC.

Richlife's state-of-the-art manufacturing facility located in Molligoda, Wadduwa has obtained ISO 22000:2005 Food Safety Management Systems Certification, ISO 14001:2004 Environmental Management Systems Certification and OHSAS 18001:2007 Occupational Health and Safety Management Systems Certification. All its dairy products are Halaal certified and fruit beverages have SLS product certification.

Commenting on the acquisition by Renuka Group, Chandana Pushpakumara, Manager-Sales Administration said "We are indeed pleased to be part of a larger, expert orgainsation with strong distribution capabilities, financial muscle and strategic focus. It will provide our quality products and committed employees a tremendous boost to achieve the full potential.

Richlife has been producing high quality nutritious products for more than 15 years.

It is our intention to 'bring nature's richness to lives' to everyone in this country. We are confident that Richlife Dairies would now have the opportunity to move in to new heights".

Having a turnover of over Rs 5 billion, 1240 employees and operating in 23 locations in the country, Renuka Holdings PLC is responsible for the strategic direction of the Group and where appropriate has entered into strategic alliances and made far sighted acquisitions that will add value to its long term interests. As an organisation focused on results, the emphasis has been towards the creation of long term shareholder value in all its businesses, while being a socially responsible corporate citizen.

HNB Assurance holds 10th anniversary sales conference

Innovative Insurance Solutions Provider, HNB Assurance, ceremonially held its 10th Anniversary Sales Conference recently at Cinnamon Grand Hotel Colombo.

HNB Assurance which has been introducing novel insurance solutions and assuring protection for its customers throughout a decade's period is a stable entity anticipating a long journey in the industry.

At this glamorous occasion HNB Assurance presented return air tickets to ten of its life and general policyholders marking its 10th anniversary. Five customers each from life and general insurance categories had been pre-selected from a draw and were offered return air tickets to premier holiday destinations, New Delhi, Bangkok, Mumbai, Trichy and Chennai.

HNB Assurance Managing Director Manjula de Silva presented the official letters to the lucky winners.

Presentation of awards and certificates to regional, zonal and national level winners of the 'Knowledge Star' program that had been held to examine the knowledge of the field management was a highlight of the conference.

S. Lingeswaran of Vavuniya Branch was awarded as the National Winner while Mr. S. A. Fernando of Central Zone, R. H. M. K. Peiris of Panadura Branch from Colombo area, T. Ramanan of Vavuniya Branch from North Eastern Zone, W. C. A. Fonseka of Badulla Branch from Uva Sabaragamuwa region and Mrs. P. Corteling of Negombo Branch from North Western Zone too were recognized as winners.

During the last year, as a step to enhance the quality of its field force, HNB Assurance had opened up a range of opportunities for professional education to its sales team. As a result, together with Sri Lanka's Premier Marketing Body, Sri Lanka Institute of Marketing (SLIM), the Company had conducted Diploma in Professional Selling for their team and 21 had successfully completed the program.

The diploma holders were graduated with great honour at the conference generating a great enthusiasm among the audience; Mrs. S. kamalini of Colombo North Branch was awarded as the best student.

President of SLIIM, Thushara Perera, said that the institute is extremely glad to join hands with HNB Assurance in its great mission to lead its field management towards professional education and he further added that the institute would continuously support everybody to move towards excellence in marketing by introducing novel professional diplomas.

HNB Assurance Managing Director Manjula de Silva elaborated on the importance of professional education in moulding a successful professional.

General Manager Marketing and Distribution Lalith Fernando, the founder of the concept of professionally qualifying the sales force under the theme of "Knowledge Year", stated that this diploma conferring ceremony is the first step of HNB Assurance towards enhancing professionalism and the project will further carried out continuously.

Nokia hits 1.5 billion sales of Series 40 mobile phones

The landmark Nokia Asha 303 device has been purchased by a 21-year-old Brazilian woman.

Nokia announced one of the most significant milestones in its history with the sale of its 1.5 billionth Series 40 mobile phone. The device was sold to a female consumer in the Brazilian city of São Paulo and represents a historic moment as Nokia continues its strategy of connecting the next billion.

The 1.5 billionth phone was a Nokia Asha 303, a stunning touch screen handset with QWERTY keypad designed for web browsing, social networking and gaming, that features pre-installed entertainment and applications such as Angry Birds Lite.

The device was purchased from a Magazine Luiza store in São Paulo by Mayara Rodrigues, a 21-year-old who loves staying in touch with friends and family through social networks.

Nokia 7110 was the first

"Series 40 is undoubtedly one of the most successful businesses ever and I really want to congratulate all the people who have been working on developing, manufacturing, selling and marketing the phones over the years," said Antti Vasara, head of Featurephone Product Development, Mobile Phones.

"There are people who have been part of the Series 40 development since the beginning, when the Nokia 7110 was developed - the first of the Series 40 family phones. I had a personal consumer relationship with the Series 40 back then, as I was using Nokia 7110 over three years, before joining Nokia," Antti said. Series 40 has brought mobile technology to more than a billion ordinary people, and helped change their lives for the better. Over the years Nokia has increased the utility of the phone by adding features and capabilities beyond calling and texting - and many of these debuted on Series 40 devices.

With these features and innovations Nokia is feeding the vast appetite for digital consumption and addressing the real needs of the next billion consumers.

Series 40 has over the years been bringing mobile internet to affordable price points. And it is always trying to give people more of what they want in their own local environments - whether that means supporting over 80 languages, making more powerful speakers for louder music in busy, music-loving places like India, QWERTY inputs for messaging-crazed places like Mexico and Indonesia, or simply providing phones in bright, exciting colors.

Getting smarter and smarter

Since the late 1990's Series 40 phones have become even 'smarter' - with recent innovations blurring the line between feature phones and smartphones.

"We've planted the seeds for Series 40; these are not 'dumb phones' - they are as smart as possible. In reality, the distinction between a smart phone and a feature phone is fairly technical, and when a consumer thinks about a smart phone they think about accessing the internet, downloading apps, a nice display... and these are all things we can, and do, deliver with Series 40," said Mary McDowell, head of Mobile Phones.

"Our next billion consumers are young and urban, hyper-social - and as aspirational as any other mobile phone user. They want the smartest phones at prices they can afford", she said.

Innovations such as Dual SIM with Easy Swap, Play via Radio, Angry Birds Lite on a Series 40 phone, and social clients like Facebook, Twitter, WhatsApp, foursquare and QQ, are responding to their needs.

With Nokia Maps for Series 40, Nokia Browser and Web Apps, Nokia Money and Nokia Life Tools we are giving millions of consumers easy and affordable access to internet and information with locally relevant apps and content. In fact, one-third of downloads from Nokia Store are now on Series 40, thanks in large part to Nokia Browser.

"I have a pin from 2003 that remarks a milestone of the 100 millionth Series 40 phone. That was a great milestone - so you can imagine my excitement, when we hit the 1.5 billion," said Antti. "I am looking forward to reaching new milestones with Series 40 and Series 30 phones. Nokia is very committed to future success of Series 40 and Series 30 so you can expect to see many more new things coming from us," she said

Mercantile Marine Management obtains MLC certification

First in South Asia:

Mercantile Marine Management Ltd (MMM) was certified by Germanischer Lloyd as meeting with the recruitment and placement requirements of the Maritime Labour Convention, 2006 (MLC 2006).

This certifies that the company conforms to the standards set forth in Regulation 1.4 of the MLC 2006. The certificate was officially handed over to the company recently during a ceremony at their headquarters in Colombo, Sri Lanka.

"We have maintained our standards and best practices with our international and regional clients from the beginning and therefore it was not a difficult task for us to attain the MLC requirements but it is a great prestige for us as a company to be certified to meet upcoming international regulations and to be on par with the demands of the international arena" said Mercantile Marine Management Director and General Manager Capt. Rohan Codipilly.

Adopted by the International Labour Organization (ILO) in 2006, the Maritime Labour Convention, 2006 deals with the working and living environment of seafarers on seagoing ships. The new Convention provides both mandatory requirements and non-mandatory guidelines on issues such as age, qualification, hours of work and rest, the existence of seafarer's employment agreements, evidence of payment of wages, manning levels, medical care, and the availability of decent accommodations and recreational facilities for seafarers, as well as food and catering.

Capt. Codipilly said that MMM being certified under the MLC would advance the country's profile in the international maritime crew supply industry since ship-owners will be obliged to choose the crew sources from certified sources. The local ship management industry is steadily gaining international recognition with new buildings entering the Sri Lankan Flag and management from Colombo. Sri Lanka is once again being recognized as a stable nation able to supply well-trained Seafarers especially Officers; the demand to employ local seafarers keeps increasing steadily.

Mercantile Marine Management was established in the year 1996 as a vehicle to provide ship management to the international shipping industry. The company's core services include Ship Management,Crew Management, and Training.

"MMM is headed by a versatile top management team with international exposure backed by a well qualified staff that equally live up to the tasks both ashore and afloat and has shown great commitment in maintaining quality of their services" said Germanischer Lloyd Sri Lanka Managing Director Lal De Silva.