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| Sunday, 6 January 2002 |
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CEAT-Kelani sets new record CEAT-Kelani International Tyres (Pvt) Ltd. has established a record in exports with consignments worth US$ 100,000 (about Rs. 9.3 million) in November 2001. According to the company, export orders comprised truck, light truck and three-wheeler tyres under the brand names CEAT, RPG, Kelani and ACE, and the company has secured several more export orders amounting to over US$ 800,000 (Rs. 75 million). Commenting on this performance, the company's Executive Director in charge of exports Rohan Fernando said: "This bears testimony to the commitment of CEAT India to the joint venture. CEAT India is continuously helping CEAT-Kelani to increase exports by creating niche markets both through product development and an intense export drive by the company's export team. CEAT has also expanded its export network for Sri Lankan tyres to include countries such as USA, Philippines, Uganda, Nigeria, Singapore and Dubai. South America has been the largest buyer of CEAT exports from Sri Lanka to date, with 29 per cent, followed by Pakistan, Bangladesh, Dubai, Mauritius and Nepal. Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of CEAT-Kelani International Tyres V. Sekhar said the company would be able to bring down the overall cost of production of tyres for domestic and export markets and combat competition from imports, if its request for the elimination of duty on its basic raw material - the tyre cord fabric - is granted. "With the expectation of the elimination of duty, we have priced our products aggressively for export competitiveness. This pricing approach has also been followed for the domestic market, thus benefiting the Sri Lankan consumer," he said. Mr. Sekhar has forecast intensification of competition in the international arena because of global recession. He emphasised that for a Sri Lankan tyre manufacturer to remain competitive, all input costs will have to be contained, and duty on the raw material tyre cord fabric is a key element in this. "CEAT-Kelani will persist in its efforts to increase export volumes," he added. "Maintaining a continuous supply to international customers is a 'national imperative' as the customers have wide options and will cancel an order if not executed in time. We are continuously educating our workforce on the need for increasing productivity and reducing absenteeism, as the continuity of exports will not only improve the company's health, but will also boost the country's balance of payments position. I am happy to see their positive response." Established in 1993, Associated CEAT (Pvt) Ltd, the other manufacturing company under the joint venture, is said to be the only local tyre manufacturer to receive ISO 9002 certification. |
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