CBL draws up succession plan for expansion

A succession plan, outlining the structure, career path, progression and growth of several high level positions reporting to the Main Board have been drawn up to manage the rapid and sustained growth experienced by Ceylon Biscuits Ltd (CBL), the company said.

This follows a high level internal conference that included the group's main board of directors and invited representatives from Ernst and Young, tax and external audit consultants and Cameron Pale and Medina.

Ceylon Biscuits, which emerged market leader with the brand Munchee capturing market leadership in biscuits in 2004, has seen rapid growth with volume share increasing continuously in local and international markets in other categories too, particularly chocolates, cakes and soya products. Other brands too of the CBL Group achieved the coveted position of market leadership and a few being aggressive seconds.

Today, the CBL Group is an active player in the Asian region with its brands in 39 countries, contributing 14 billion in annual turnover. The acquisition of a manufacturing unit of 175,000 sq.ft. on seven-and-a-half acres in Pattiala, India turnover known to have significantly contributed towards turnover by establishing a growing brand presence in the USD one billion market.

In each sector, a profusion of products, brands and subsidiaries - some of them acquired and the offshore manufacturing unit in India has contributed to this expansion from chocolates and biscuits, soya products and organic canning to cultivation with backward integration of farmers. CSR projects commenced by the group stimulated agricultural growth and elevated the farming community.

They include Organic Honey collection and processing, a project carried out in collaboration with the Department of Agriculture. The processing of pure kithul treacle and jaggery, another such project is now well under way with the products finding export markets.