Business

CEAT ramps up ‘2-wheeler’ tyre production by 85% in 3 months

Published

3 years ago

2020/09/18

CEAT Kelani Holdings has announced the achievement of an 85 per cent increase in the production of tyres for the ‘two-wheeler’ segment over just three months, as a full-bodied response to the needs of the local market consequent to the temporary import restrictions introduced by the government.

Maximising capacity utilisation at its manufacturing plants at Kelaniya and Kalutara, the company pushed production of tyres for motorcycles and scooters from 27,000 units a month in June 2020 to 41,000 per month in July and August, and is on target to produce 50,000 tyres in September, increasing volumes by 52 per cent in the first step and by an incremental 22 per cent thereafter.

The sharp increases in production of tyres for the two-wheeler segment follows similar ramping up of production of truck and bus tyres as well as passenger car radials by CEAT Kelani, which prior to these increases was producing half of Sri Lanka’s pneumatic tyre requirements. To achieve the increases in two-wheeler capacity, the company said it had utilised available capacity at its three-wheeler tyre plant in Kalutara.

CEAT Kelani currently manufactures 32 different types of scooter and motorcycle tyres in 43 varying specifications, and now caters to 37 per cent of local market requirements for two-wheeler tyres.

“The import restrictions challenge domestic industries to show what they are truly capable of, and we are pulling out all the stops to fully utilise the capacity we have to support the government’s initiative of import substitution through increased domestic manufacturing,” CEAT Kelani Managing Director Ravi Dadlani said. “We are continuing to look at ways of meeting demand for the most popular categories and sizes of tyres, and are keeping the government informed of the products that we are not equipped to manufacture, so that they can be imported.”

CEAT’s increased production of truck and bus tyres has resulted in the Company producing 100 per cent of the segment’s requirements and enabled the government to make a saving of Rs 11 billion a year in foreign exchange. The Company’s latest initiative in the two-wheeler tyre segment is estimated to enable a further saving of Rs 350 million a year through import substitution, Mr Dadlani disclosed.

The expansion of production capacity for this segment of tyres has resulted in a 100 per cent increase in the production of sizes 90/90-12 TL and 90/100-10 TL that fit popular scooter models such as Honda Dio, Yamaha Ray ZR, Honda Grazia, TVS Wego, and Suzuki Burgman. Meanwhile, CEAT’s production of tyre size 90/90-17 TL that fits motorcycle models such as TVS Apache, Bajaj Pulsar 160 NF and Bajaj Pulsar 180 has increased by 400 per cent, and the Company has achieved a 100 per cent increase in the production of the 100/80-17 TL tyre that is required for the popular Yamaha FZ. Production of tyres for Bajaj Pulsar 150, Bajaj CT 100, Bajaj Platina, and TVS Heavy Duty Super XL has also increased significantly, the Company said.

Notably, CEAT Kelani Holdings has kept the prices of its tyres unchanged since December 2019 to support customers and the economy, despite the additional investments made in increasing capacity and an increase in market prices due to demand.

CEAT Kelani Holdings is considered one of the most successful India – Sri Lanka joint ventures in the manufacturing sector. The joint venture’s cumulative investment in Sri Lanka to date totals Rs 8 billion, inclusive of Rs 3 billion committed in January 2018 for expansion of volumes, technology upgrades and new product development. The company’s manufacturing operations in Sri Lanka encompass pneumatic tyres in the radial (passenger cars, vans and SUVs), commercial (Bias-ply and radial), motorcycle, three-wheeler and agricultural vehicle segments.

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Business

Global CEO Forum fetes one of most influential SL entrepreneurs

Published

14 hours ago

2023/09/29

Thilina Walpola

In tribute to the late Merril J. Fernando, the esteemed Founder of Dilmah Tea, the Global Brand Creator 2023 Award was bestowed at the Global CEO Forum held recently in Sri Lanka. This prestigious accolade was presented to Kirmali Fernando (the daughter-in-law of late Merril J. Fernando) by the Governor of the Central Bank Dr. Nandalal Weerasinghe, Kataro Katsuki, Deputy Head of Mission at the Embassy of Japan in Sri Lanka, Janaka Abeysinghe, CEO -SLT MOBITEL, Dr. DMA Kulasuriya, Director General-NIBM, Ahamed Ikram, Director-Emerald International , Dilanga Karunaratna- Director Otto Bathware and Anura Siriwardena, Chairman-Global CEO Forum.

Business

Coca-Cola Sri Lanka extends its ‘Adopt A Beach’ program for a third year

Published

14 hours ago

2023/09/29

Thilina Walpola

The volunteers from Coca-Cola's ‘Say We Care’ team, Clean Ocean Force, the media, and the Chief Guest.

Coca-Cola Sri Lanka Ltd. proudly continues its mission to safeguard Sri Lanka’s shorelines by extending the ‘Adopt A Beach’ initiative for a triumphant third year. This exciting announcement aligns with the celebration of International Coastal Cleanup Day on September 16, 2023, emphasizing the paramount significance of coastal preservation.

Commemorating the partnership with an exclusive beach cleanup and an enlightening session at Crow Island Beach, the day’s proceedings were honored by the presence of the Governor of the Western Province and Marshal of the Sri Lanka Air Force, Roshan Goonetileke and key government stakeholders representing the Ministry of Local Government, Colombo Municipal Council, Environmental Police Division, Coastal Conservation Department, Waste Management Authority and the Crow Island Beach Management Society.

Additionally, underlining the vital role that the youth of our nation play in forging cleaner and safer coastal regions, particularly through the realms of media and volunteerism, the occasion also brought together young talents from the media sector and a dedicated team of volunteers from the Clean Ocean Force, Clean Ocean Force Youth Club of the Ocean’s University, Clean Ocean Force Youth Club in Negombo, Rotaract Club Colombo Regent, Shri Vimukthi Youth Association, youth from International Schools and Adfactors Public Relations Lanka.

Business

PLC’s profits surge 80.9% in Q1, amidst challenging environment

Published

14 hours ago

2023/09/29

Thilina Walpola

People’s Leasing & Finance PLC (PLC), a pillar of strength and stability in Sri Lanka’s financial sector, successfully concluded the 1st Quarter of the fiscal year 2023/24 with a year-on-year increase in Profit of 80.9% in the midst of a challenging economic landscape.

PLC’s top line interest income recorded an impressive 10.2%, reaching Rs. 7,465 million owing to the increased investment income during the quarter. However, the company’s net interest income showed a modest fall when compared to the first quarter of 2022/23. This was mostly the result of higher interest expenses brought on by the repricing of deposits to higher rates in line with higher policy rates. Despite the stated decrease in net interest income, PLC was able to end the first quarter with a profit after tax (PAT) of Rs. 331 million as opposed to Rs. 183 million recorded in Q1 2022/23 thanks to the significant year-on-year reduction in Impairment Charges as well as reduction in operating expenses, demonstrative of an intensified commitment to internal sustainability.

Similarly, PLC Group also recorded a PAT of Rs. 552 million during Q1 2023/24, reflecting a year-on-year increase of 21.5% mainly driven by the significant reduction in the Group’s impairment charges and other losses for loans and receivables.

Even in the face of a highly inflationary environment, PLC successfully reduced total operating expenses by 3.5% compared to the corresponding quarter in the year prior due to a determined effort to increase efficiency through digital initiatives, right-sizing of branches, and improvements in internal processes. PLC recognized the significance of recalibrating its balance sheet in a setting not favourable to business expansion and took strategic measures to ensure the right sizing of its balance sheet resulting a total asset base of Rs. 155,380 million as of 30 June 2023. Backed by these strategic moves, total asset base of the PLC Group also remained resilient at Rs. 179,948 million as of 30 June 2023.

In an extremely volatile and complex business setting PLC adopted a highly disciplined liquidity management approach to ensure financial stability whilst maintaining capital adequacy ratios well ahead of the statutory minimums at the end of Q1. The majority of PLC’s funding needs were met through improved collections enabling PLC to remain watchful in growing its deposit base in a high-interest environment. Despite these measures, the deposit base of PLC remained robust at Rs. 93,228 million as of 30 June 2023, showcasing strong customer confidence. The Group deposit base also remained strong at Rs. 100,439 million, as at 30 June 2023.

Meanwhile, PLC retained its No.1 position as Sri Lanka’s Most-Loved Brand in Leasing and Finance category, as ranked by Brand Finance in LMD Brands Annual. The company’s steadfast dedication to excellence was also evident in its ascent from 51 to 36 in the esteemed “Most Respected Entities” ranking by LMD within just one year, further cementing its position as one of Sri Lanka’s most respected and trusted financial services providers.