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| Sunday, 5 December 2004 |
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Business |  |
| News Business Features Editorial
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Tea and a lot of sympathy by Chanuka Mannapperuma Russel Perera started a tea service as a self- employment venture investing only a sum of Rs. 2500 in 1988. This smallscale business has now grown into a fully- fledged business in the country. He began his career as a hotel steward and served in the top hotels both here and abroad. Due to hard work and commitment, Russel Perera established his own company- 'Russel's pvt Ltd'. Russel's brand name is famous as suppliers of high grown Tea and Catering Specialists. "Our first customer was the Seylan Bank in the Fort.What we offered was to serve tea to the office staff twice a day. That was the beginning." Perera said. This company situated in Narahenpita under the Russel's has three subsidiaries - Russel's Tea Services,Russel's Catering and Russel's Tea. "Each company is managed by individual managers.But day-to-day operations are supervised by myself." He noted the company has six vehicles and ten bicycles for transport purposes. He said that under the Russel's Tea Service they prepare tea and tea servicing to offices."Quality is the main asset to the company.Because of that, 16 visiting supervisors make daily reports on how they are doing in the business of making and serving tea. These reports should be placed at 4.30 pm every day and are used to evaluate individual staff members." At the moment, Russel has 80 customers including City Bank Celynco group,Sri Lankan Airlines ,BOI and other top- class companies around Colombo. The Catering service company comprises three kitchens such as Bakery, Hot Ranges and Pastry Kitchen.The catering section is fully- equipped with a large kitchen and other essential equipment.They have a fleet of vehicles to handle outdoor catering ranging from parties barbecues, weddings and providing snacks for corporate functions. "For outdoor catering, we also have an action staff." Perera also mentioned that they provide Sri Lanka foods upto Western,Chinese and Indian foods. Under Russels Tea. we are supplying quality tea to hotels such as Hilton,JAIC-Hilton, Siddhalepa Hotel, Pegases Hotel and some other top -class companies. We make sure that our customers get pure, unblended tea and has opted for BOP- fanning bought ex-estate.We ensure our suppliers that our produce in no more than seven days old he said. Perera also mentioned that their tea packets are available under the Russel's Brand name with the lion logo at the Tea Board and at a few retail shops around Colombo. At the moment Russel's supply small quantities of tea to Japan, USA and Singapore. "My success is my honest staff",Russel says.They are very dedicated and honest. I have given 200 job opportunities to people. Our people are predominantly from rural under-privileged areas and I am proud because they have improved he added. With the success Russel's a great deal tea Company held its 16th Anniversary Award Night on December 4th at the Pegasus Hotel. At the ceremony, four out-standing employees were rewarded with air tickets. Sri Lankan Airlines, Deutsche Bank, Raja Jewellers, Plenty Foods and Breeze Hotel in Chennai too had come forward as sponsors. There were awards for the Employee of the Year,Most Outstanding Steward,Most outstanding Stewardess and Most Dynamic Staff Member, Perera said. "I hope to give more facilities to my staff and will increase salaries and give more incentives and benefits". My other goal is to get the ISO certification for my company," he concluded. |
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