Kandurata Umbrella opens factory in Nawalapitiya
The Kandurata Umbrella group would be opening a state of the art
factory in Nawalapitiya today mainly targeting their growing export
market.
The company was founded in 1978. Its current chairman M. T. M.
Nawshad said that their main aim was to capture the South Asian market
which was looking out for quality products.
He said that they already export to Malaysia, the Maldives and Gulf
countries.
"We also export to UK and manufacture profits to other leading
department stores under their brand names in London."
Nawshad said that if their plan to enter the South Asian markets gets
going they would also manufacture fabric and increase value addition in
Sri Lanka. "Currently most of the raw materials are being imported from
China and Taiwan," he said.
Currently over 1,000 are employeed in Kandurata factories in
Kadugannawa, Gampola, Geli Oya and Weligalle and the Nawalapitiya
factory would provide another 200 employment opportunities.
He said the company has already made diversifications to manufacture
mosquito nets, socks, underwear, vests and are now looking at
manufacturing shoes and slippers for the local market.
Sujeeva Dharmawickrama, Head of Marketing, said that they manufacture
over 80 varieties of umbrellas.
"Two decades ago, the umbrella was only used as a cover from rain.
But today it is a fashion and I know several people who have more than
30 umbrellas to use at different functions," he said.
The company also introduced a special umbrella for car uses with a
plastic container which stores rain water without spilling it in the
vehicle.
"This product has the facility to drain out the collected water
later, is popular and are available at super markets," he said.
He however said that they have to pay somewhat unfair taxes when
importing raw materials.
"The irony is that when we export too, we have to pay taxes which
make the product a double taxed item," he said.
He said that their current production is around 1,200 dozens per day
and with their new factory this would increase by around another 40%.
(SS) |