Lankans quality conscious and demanding now

Ramani KANGARAARACHCHI

Universal Group Managing Director and CEO - Dr Sujeewa Lokuhewa

Managing a group of companies in different fields is not an easy task unless the top management has multi skills and the knowledge required for that.

The Universal Group with nine different companies is a chain of reputed companies which operates in diverse spheres of commercial activities. The latest addition to the group is the renowned Italian Cafe, and restaurant brand Pascucci which was opened in Colombo 7 recently.

Sri Lanka has seen an increase in coffee bars and lifestyle cafes serving coffee based beverages which have become favourites for those who want to catch up over a cup of coffee during busy hours or to meet up with friends and hang out with friends after work.

Daily News Business interviewed the Group Managing Director and CEO Dr Sujeewa Lokuhewa this week for the ‘Tea with CEO’ column following the opening of this new venture. An old boy of Rahula College, Matara Dr Sujeewa Lokuhewa obtained his Ph.D. in Business Administration and he has proved beyond doubt that wherever he worked he has been resourceful ,innovative and a superlative executive in the highest rungs of management and administration, always on the look out to further advance business frontiers for the company. Here are excerpts of the interview.

Q: What made you to add an Italian branded Pascucci shop to the group?

A: Because we have been the franchisee for the brand in London for the past eight years and we saw a high potential after a survey to cater to the discerning taste of an ever evolving consumer base in Sri Lanka. Today’s consumer is quality conscious and very demanding . They have overseas exposure and know what is authentic and what is not. Therefore, we wanted to give that experience to our Sri Lankan consumer and offer the real experience. Pascucci emerged in Colombo as a result.Also the dawn of peace and the government’s development plan has created an environment suitable for entrepreneurship in Sri Lanka to give opportunities to Sri Lankans and welcome foreign travellers. New lifestyles and tastes are part of that and Sri Lankans deserve to enjoy international brands and the foreigners coming in would be looking for their popular brands like this.

Q: How was its performance during the short period.

A: Very encouraging. We have a lot of visitors continuously. We are expanding the place with a back garden to make it more homely and to be able to celebrate birthday parties and other medium scale functions. We already have a regular customer base. This is already a tourist attraction.

Q: What are your future plans for the company?

A: We have plans to extend this facility to three main cities initially including one at the Bandaranaike International Airport. Locally we are planning to expand in Kandy and Galle including two shops in Colombo.

Q: How do you recruit and train people to work in these modern restaurants?

A: It is not a problem since we recruit young people to serve in the shop locally. Unlike those days young people who have served in places like this abroad are willing to take up part time jobs and we give them a chance with training. We have highly qualified foreign trainers to train our staff. Annually we send three staff members to Italy for training.

Q: How does your experience and knowledge help you to take this company forward?

A: I started my career as a credit executive at The Finance Company and became the General Manager. Then I proceeded to UK and joined a reputed Investment company as the operations manager. In 2004 joined Edirisinghe Trust Investments Ltd as AGM Leasing and Real Estate. In 2006 I was promoted to Director and Group General Manager in the EAP Group. In 2009 Universal Group started and I took over as the Group Managing Director and CEO. All these experiences and knowledge has helped me immensely to drive the group in the right direction.

Q: What do you think about the food industry in the country? Can all in the market survive facing competition?

A: Yes if you give high quality food, people will come. The food industry has a good future in the country.

Q: What are the other companies in the group?

A: Universal Consultancy Services (Pvt) Ltd. International Higher Education Consultancy, Universal Lands (Pvt) Ltd. Energy Works (Pvt) Ltd, Universal Property Centre and Universal Homes. Universal Lands is specially launched to solve the real estate problems to contribute towards the country’s development and helping those in Sri Lanka and abroad who are yearning for a professionalized service in this direction. Under the motto “shelter for all” our aim is to provide the best services to solve the real estate problems of our customers. We hope to design and configure every project we launch to benefit customers while breaking new ground. In an effort to help customers overcome their liquidity constraints, we have a mortgage plan for every customer to suit his needs. Energy Works manufactures solar water geezers branded as WINS Solar. The factory is at Ekala.

Q: What are the main strengths of the company?

A: The Universal Group has resources, know-how, knowledge, competence, expertise and experience in its spheres of activities. Our hopes are based on our infinite confidence which in turn is built on our customers’ satisfaction is our inspirational source compelling us to reach for the best.

Q: Where do you spend holidays in Sri Lanka and abroad?

A: I like to spend my holiday with my wife and daughter in Nuwara Eliya. I prefer to visit western countries such as UK ,USA and France.

Q: What are your hobbies and interests?

A: Travelling, reading and researching via internet with a view to advancing my business frontiers.

Q: What advice can you give younger entrepreneurs and marketers?

A: First and foremost I would advise them to inculcate in them a sense of dedication and commitment to their tasks regardless of results which benefit them personally. When that attitude is built towards work, naturally recognition follows their performance at the place of work. They should spend their hours of work to complete their work with selfless devotion. They should always try to reach for new horizons without confining only to their sphere of work . If he is a marketer he must have a smattering of legal knowledge and other allied aspects. Similarly if he is engaged in the financial and leasing sphere, he or she should have a fair knowledge of laws and accounting relating to it. Above all he must learn to be a leader not a boss. If he is working with a team he must be exemplary and if he is working for an employer he must be ever obliging , loyal and sincerely devoted to his tasks entrusted.

Q: What are your future plans?

A: We have finalized yet another new venture, that is we are ramifying into the airline ticketing business. We have already finalized our plans in collaboration with a ticketing agency in New York which enjoys a 35 year goodwill and unblemished record. We are planning to purchase 50 percent of that company’s shares.