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| Sunday, 16 June 2002 |
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Business |  |
| News Business Features Editorial
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Wanarajah achieves success through change of attitudes The modernised Tea Processing Centre (TPC) of the Wanarajah Group handles 45,000 kilograms of green leaves per day. Owned by Bogawantalawa Plantations Ltd. (BPL), the TPC at one time was in a dilapidated condition. The attitude changes of the workforce headed by its Group General Manager A.N. Madawela and the introduction of new machinery and modern technology are the main reasons attributed to this success, said a spokesman of BPL. The attitude changes were brought through by workshops and training programmes designed under Japanese style management concepts. Team work with participatory leadership takes pride of place at the TPC. "We understood the need of investing in human capital. The labour staff was given dignity. Workers at one time are operators now and innovation is the key," said the spokesman. The buildings were redesigned and constructed to accommodate new machinery and infrastructure facilities. The introduction of new machinery and technology was made possible as the workforce was receptive to these changes and not resentful, which is the normal behaviour pattern of workers in any organisation, he added. A computer-aided withering system and a variable speed drive have been installed to improve quality. He said that in the past, tea was manufactured under untidy, unclean and unhygienic conditions with obsolete machinery. Standards and quality assurance were ignored when manufacturing an internationally renowned beverage commodity like tea. Health and safety measures were not known by the workers who wore their casual dress to work and were burdened with a monotonous and strenuous manual workload. The machinery has been adequately guarded against industrial accidents by providing belt guards under the occupational safety provisions of the factories ordinance. The operators are also provided with uniforms, face masks and gloves. Every day, more than five hours are spent to wash and clean the machinery and the working areas are washed to ensure hygienic conditions of the product and the health of the operators as cleanliness of the centre is a priority. Regular meetings are conducted with the participation of operators, staff and the executives. Grievances and problems are discussed and solved by the management and employees work with confidence and dedication, said the spokesman. |
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