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| Sunday, 29 June 2003 |
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Business |  |
| News Business Features Editorial
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A.K. Gration Rohantha Bubbling with ideas
He is creative and bubbling with new ideas all the time. Quality consciousness, eye to the smallest detail, hard work and dedication have shown A.K. Gration Rohantha, Proprietor of Rohantha Enterprises, the path to success. Family Gration's father worked in trolley buses while his mother was a housewife. He was born at Kotahena as the third in a family of three boys and one girl. Education He studied at Kotahena Cathedral from Grade One until he completed his Advanced Level examination. Career "Once I finished schooling, my uncle found me a job at Metro Office and Equipment Co where I was trained to repair typewriters," Gration said. He worked there for three years before joining Business Machine Company as a serviceman. This was a Swedish company and within a short time, he was promoted as a typewriter foreman. "During my stint at Business Machine Company, Mr Morris Lord helped me improve my knowledge in repairing these machines. They even brought down Swedish and Indian engineers and gave me a training on all aspects of typewriters, their functions and repairs." During this time, Gration got the opportunity of working in the Middle East. He did not hesitate because he wanted to earn some money and start his own business. "I worked there for 10 years, during which time I got the opportunity of seeing some of the best exhibitions which introduced new items to the market. Leather products fascinated me the most." Turning point "Once on holiday, I met Upali Fonseka, a friend of mine, who suggested that I start making album covers. This interested me too. By this time, the era of typewriters was coming to an end and computers and electronic typewriters were appearing in the Sri Lankan market. "I went back and purchased the machinery required to make album covers and came back to settle down in Sri Lanka." Milestone
Gration further said: "I started my business 'Rohantha Enterprises' in two rooms with one helper. I did the designs and most of the other work as well, but entering the market was very difficult. I took my products and went to each and every studio, but nobody was willing to lend a hand until I met the 'good old Samaritan', the well-known photographer Berty Gunasekera, who not only helped me enter the market, but always appreciated my work". Products His speciality is wedding albums and he strives to give a quality product to all his customers. He even goes to the extent of matching the album cover with the colour of the bride's sari. "I can deliver an order within one hour as I have all raw material stocks at any given time." He now turns out many products including video boxes, name card holders, CD covers, DVD covers and place mats while more products are in the pipeline. Problems "I have a wealth of ideas, but the lack of finances hold me back. Therefore, if I can get a loan, I can develop my business and also provide more jobs," Gration said. "I do not mind people duplicating my ideas and improving them before introducing them to the market. However, in most instances, they duplicate my work and sell it at a lower price, which I do not appreciate at all." International market "Sarath De Silva, Chairman Sri Lanka Fruits and Vegetable Producers, Processors and Exporters Association, through Mr Ismail Hilmy, has secured me an order to supply albums for the Kodak Company in Maldives. Mr De Silva guides and helps me in my business too," Gration said, expressing his gratitude. Future "I have the intention to design and introduce complimentary gift items as well as several other items to the market." Advice "A person doing a business should be honest. He/she should look after the staff as they are key to the well-being of any organisation. Also get involved personally and maintain quality, this is the path to success," Gration said. Fact File |
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