Midland Group, sets historic landmarks in Kandy

Shirajiv Sirimane

Midland Group of companies dating back to the colonial era had always set historic land marks in the city of Kandy.

One of the key factors that had kept the company up and running is the diversification they made according to the demands of the public.

The business started in 1948 with the opening of the first bakery in the district by its founder , Ranbanda Ekanayake and 30 employees. With the early demise of his parents and the age of 14, just being a schoolboy , he introduced Midland Biscuits, mainly to the up country estates.

Due to the reputation it gained and to meet the demand he opened the Midland Café another first in Kandy in 1960 , that was the meeting point of 'The Elite' in Kandy.

He later introduced a vehicle import section and also became the regional distributor of several companies in Sri Lanka. The fourth business diversification undertaken by his father was the supply business of the construction industry.

With the death of his father in 1985, Nimal Bandara Ekanayake took over the responsibility of running the motor import section and with his Colombo based education from Royal College he soon introduced the much needed 'modern touch' to the traditional business.

He said that the administration skills he gained from his father helped him to operate his business with distention and this helped him to gain new customers who always remained loyal to him.

With the passenger transport opened out to the private sector he also acquired two passenger buses.

Having embarked on a private trip to Japan, he saw the opportunities available in direct imports from Japan and soon started direct vehicle imports from the land of the rising sun.

To supply the demands of the tourism sector he was engaged in import of tourist coaches to Sri Lanka in the latter parts of 1990.

With high freight charges, taxes and competition from the Indian vehicle importers, Nimal found that the margins from import of Japanese vehicles were shrinking and decided to explore the Chinese market.

"When I visited China I found that most of the vehicles were left hand driven. However, I persuaded the Chinese company to manufacture right hand driven trucks to the local market for which the Nanging Automobile company agreed."

"I also created Midland Riyora and then started the direct import of these Yugin diesel trucks which were highly accepted by the Sri Lankans due to the ability of its rough use and carrying of heavy weight. Another advantage was its high fuel efficiency."

With these trucks gaining popularity, I started a special after sales service and appointed dealers all over Sri Lanka including the North East. "Two service centres have been also set up in Galle and Dambulla." He said that they also provide free registration, free insurance and services that would also provide leasing facilities.

Moving with the present day techno demands, Nimal also introduced a 'on line international mobile auction' in Kandy where customers could come to his office watch the auction live and bid and purchase a vehicle.

"We only take a service charge for this service which is gaining popularity."

Since his Midland was always synonymous with food he could not move away from this segment and he recently got involved in this segment once again and started a 'take away business' at D. S. Senanayake Street.

He also reactivated the bakery. He said that in Sri Lanka most people gets into a shell when they retire and in Japan the senior citizens are business active even until 70, this is a lesson where the Sri Lankan elderly population should look at.

Nimal said that the guidance he received from his wife, a lecturer at the University and his staff at Royal college, has enabled him to stay afloat in this competitive business world today.