Symbolic miniature buildings

Zeppelin, the pioneer supplier of Corporate gifts, premiums and souvenirs in their 25th year of business operations have started designing and manufacturing symbolic buildings in miniature.

The CEO of Zeppelin Advertising Services (Pvt) Ltd., Jomo Uduman said that it is an extended line to his business but it is an exciting product and another first in Sri Lanka. All it requires are photographs of the four sides of the building and the top if possible for the reproduction of a detailed miniature and the final product is a magnificent work of art.

He said that the factory overseas uses artificial crystal and metal as raw materials while a unique process inlay is adopted to magnify the symbolised buildings. The miniatures can be one of the wonders of the world, historical, religious or monumental buildings or your own architectural masterpiece.

Uduman said that these novel and classy miniature buildings are ideally suited for architects, engineers, hoteliers, tourism promoters, apartments and condominiums, artists and sculptors. The size of a building can range from 3cm to 60cm. He said that it will be admired by all people and is not a cheap product.

A forerunner in the business world

Pioneer supplier of corporate gifts, premiums and souvenirs:

by Surekha galagoda

Going down memory lane the CEO of Zeppelin Advertising services (Pvt) Ltd., Jomo Uduman said that he started as a typewriter mechanic after completing his Advanced Level examination at Royal College.

"I used to take the can of oil and brush and go to offices to service typewriters which gave me a good headstart. After some time he wanted to become an accountant and joined George Steuarts.

Some time later he moved to Hatton National Bank with the intention of becoming a banker". That too did not "click" and he moved back to George Steuarts as a foreign exchange Broker. It was a high tension job on hot lines but the prospects were good but I wanted to do something different and therefore called it a day at George Steuarts.

"At that time I had Rs. 5,000 and a motorcycle but I did not know head or tail about business. I sold tickets in the travel business, which was very competitive. My uncle gave me an office room in the YMBA building in Fort. He also supported me a great deal.

My business was named Zeppelin after a famous ship. I was selling tickets for two years but it was not very interesting", said Uduman.

Therefore I moved to advertising and I liked it very much as it was creative and I could do wonders. I have had many firsts, said Uduman. I started with a creative logo design service for visiting cards and letter heads and then moved on to signage and then to go signs which were manufactured in Holland.

Thereafter I introduced ultra violet signs. He was the first person to do it for Durotrans Lighting. For this I worked with Ninehearts. Another feather to his cap was the reflective signs for advertisements. The first account handled by my advertising agency was Phoenix Industries. He went through all these phases and learnt much.

Introducing corporate gifts to Sri Lanka was the best thing that ever happened to me, said Uduman. This niche market opened in 1992 and my first customer was CTC Eagle Insurance Company. I supplied key tags and paper weights. Though the items were small they all had quality.

At that time we were at Colombo 2 and then shifted to Nawala Road, Narahenpita. Customers who visited our showroom were astounded with the showcases.

Earlier we did not hold extra stocks but now we do so as items take about two to three weeks to reach the country.

At the time I started I had a free run as I was the only person engaged in this business but now things have changed but as a rule from the beginning we maintain high business values and the quality of our products is very high. He said that gifts are usually given to appreciate, compliment, commemorate and thank employees, customers and their families.

Therefore when a customer comes to us we advise the customer on what to give depending on who the recipient is as well as to suit the pocket of the individual and the occasion.

At present I have 25 people working with me and our business is unique because we deliver quality products on time at the right price coupled with a genuine after sales service. There is an art to effective gift giving and we pride ourselves having perfected it. All our products are wrapped appropriately and are unique in presentation, said Uduman.

A father of a 19-year-old son and a young teenage daughter he is happily married. His wife Premila supports him in all his endeavours, a firm believer of nature his hobbies include organic farming. He said that they are self-sufficient in rice and he is planning to market the excess rice in the future.

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