|
|
 |
 |
| Sunday, 31 August 2003 |
 |
|
 |
Business |  |
| News Business Features Editorial
|
Printing company aims for Rs 1b turnover by Pelham Juriansz The story unfolds of Janatha Finance and Investments Ltd (JF & I) and Dr Neville Fernando, its founder and Chairman of Asha Central Hospital Ltd. The writer met this versatile gentleman and visited his printing press recently. The five-storey printing press at Talangama looked more like a tourist hotel. Set in an almost rustic atmosphere, the complex at Koswatte is like a majestic mini forest. The carefully tended, sturdy mahogany trees with lush green tops were cooling and pleasing to the eye. JF & I Printers is celebrating its 25th anniversary this year. "In 1978, we started very humbly with two machines. In 1977, I was a Member of Parliament for Panadura, getting a meagre salary. I decided that enough is enough, and began this company that was called Janatha Finance and Investments," he explained. "Printing was never on my mind when I started, but on the advice of a friend I invested in what Johann Gutenberg started way back in the 15th century. "It was a small step that I took in 1978, but today, after 25 years, it looks like a giant leap." JF & I Printers commenced operations at Ambagaha Junction, Rajagiriya on August 10, 1978 with a printing manager, two machine minders and four machine labourers. A single colour SORD was purchased to enable them to print a large number of labels. "Unilever Ceylon Ltd was our first client. We have now expanded and are employing 275 workers. "With the continued upgrading of technology and increasing number of employees and machines, space became a constraint and we had to rethink our strategy and shift to our own premises on a bigger extent of land in 1986. "In 1997, we further expanded and to specialise more on packaging, about four aces of land was purchased at Wanduramulla and a first class packaging factory established there." Managing Director, Naomal Fernando, son of Dr Fernando, said it is with some sense of nostalgia that he recalls their modest beginnings. "The support we received was tremendous. The workers have been a tower of strength to us. Celebrations are good, but it is something for us to learn from. There are formidable challenges ahead and we need to learn from the past and collectively work together if the printing and packaging industry is to remain viable and vibrant in Sri Lanka," said the younger Fernando. Gamini Samarasekera, Accountant hoped that the company would have a one billion rupee turnover by next year. This fact was endorsed by Hemantha Tennakoon, former Auditor and Accountant, who said the company's turnover has grown from Rs 701,000 in 1978/79 to almost one billion rupees in 25 years. |
|
News | Business | Features
| Editorial | Security Produced by Lake House |
