FineFinish in expansion drive
Sri Lanka is known the world over for producing some of the finest
tea, spices and garments but few would know that it has entrepreneurs
who are the driving force of the economy.
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G.B. Hewawasam |
Sri Lanka has produced outstanding entrepreneurs, industrialists and
inventors who have brought pride to the country. Many of them have
expanded their enterprises and have achieved global recognition.
G.B. Hewawasam, a US-based Sri Lankan entrepreneur has carved a niche
for himself in the industrial sector in Sri Lanka through his
sought-after products for the manufacturing industry. As CEO and
President of FineFinish Engineering (Pvt) Ltd. he is determined to make
his company a globally recognised business entity.
"I want to share my knowledge and wealth and do something for my
country," Hewawasam said.
Having been groomed in the airline industry for several years in the
Middle East and USA, Hewawasam returned to the country to take over the
family-owned business from his sister who founded the company in 2000.
Since then FineFinish has grown to be a major provider of services to
the manufacturing sector in the country. The business turned a new
chapter in 2006 under Hewawasam's guidance.
FineFinish provides hydraulic solutions such as jack shaft and jack
cylinders for the industrial sector. "There is a huge market for jack
shaft repairs with the boom in the construction sector in the country.
It is a unique industry with few competitors," Hewawasam said.
FineFinish has risen from humble beginnings to be a prestigious brand
today. Beginning with three machines and two employees currently the
company has over 25 employees with a handsome annual turnover.
He said that the company aims at expanding the business and be the
leading service provider in the manufacturing sector in Sri Lanka.
 Jack shafts are used by earth moving vehicles such as backhoes and
caterpillars. Fonterra Brands, Coca Cola, Unilever Sri Lanka, Avery
Dennison and Marangoni are some of the clients of FineFinish which
provides services that meets industrial safety standards.
FineFinish relocated to a more spacious, convenient state-of-the-art
factory in the Ranmuthugama Industrial Park in Kadawatha last month
turning a new leaf in the company's journey.
The investment for the project was Rs. 10 m. The company was first
set up in Ragama.
"It is the right time to invest in Sri Lanka and I want to do
something different for my country. Our businesses should be geared to
attract foreign direct investments," Hewawasam said.
"Our adherence to safety standards and employee and environment
friendly approach has helped us earn recognition and build business
confidence," a company official said.
He said that the company hopes to increase the number of employees to
around 50 and expand its business with new machines within the next two
years. The company operates 17 machines.
'We are also keen to enter the export market with a new range of
products within the next few years," Hewawasam said. He said that his
employees are geared to face the challenge. They are being trained to be
the future entrepreneurs.
LF
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