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Business Origin
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My
father was employed in a ship at Royal Navy during 2nd world
war and mother was a house wife. I am the 4thson of seven
member’s family. My Father named me as Royal next to Royal Navy where
he works. I have four brothers and a sister. All of us were lived with
grate difficulties at
that time, since my father’s monthly salary is the only source we had.
My father has a certain rule to follow that was applied and still
works on today’s living. We had to wake up in the morning. We had to
do every thing at specific time due to his “Royal Rule”. He wanted to
keep the Royal name for future, expecting something in his mind. We
could not go for higher Educations due to financial draw backs. I have
also done served labor grade works after schooling. I stopped
schooling after sitting to senior exam. But my desire of developing
our standards inspired me to work hard
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One day my relation supported me to train in a marine company as a
supporting crew member in the engine room of ships. From that point I
could obtain CDC certificate and finally I was employed as an engine
room worker in 1980 and it was the turning point of my life. I could
travel to various countries and obtained vast knowledge. I have
thought of building up such automotive related products on my own
since I have utilized them in ship engine room. I observed the
features, uses and benefits of the products we used and when I landed
to certain countries while unloading ship, I got an opportunity to
observe such products and gathered the specification. |
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My experience and motivations towards starting new Business
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I
worked in 2 ships for about 5 years. Time came; I had to stop sailing
because the ship was sold to dissemble. That time, my elder brother
got married to a rich family (Milk Ray Chocolate Company). I have
joined to my brother’s organization as a sales promotion officer but
my eagerness to have a business of my own was my priority. I practiced
how to get business exposure to the local market and was pushed
towards starting a new business where I could obtain specific customer
base. |
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I
was searching new thing to start with. In the mean time I also got
married. One day I found a guy working in Petroleum Corporation and he
promised me to give technicality of making several auto care products.
I obtained it by giving him 25000/= at that time. Inspite of all the
blame I received from my entire family because of spending too much
money it did not stop me to pursue my goal…to start my own business. |
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I
wanted to be successful not only to recover my money but also to
utilize my own capabilities and knowledge and encourage other people.
Inspired by my father’s advice, I wanted to establish my organization
and I named it as the “Royal
Marketing Company”. I resigned from my brother’s company and started
repacking after purchasing one barrel of Grease from the corporation.
I branded my Product as “Royal Super” Grease. I distributed it by bus,
transporting Lorries, etc. Since I knew the market, there were no
problems in promoting and selling the product. Me and my wife packed
the grease at night and distributed them in day time. I got hard time
to open a current account and most of the banks were asking for a
guarantor. With this, I just collected cash and cash cheques for the
time being. |
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Then, I requested for sponsorship to start a current account from my
brother. Since he operated his account in Seylan bank Mount Lavinia, I
started to open my current account at the same branch. |
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I
and my wife who’s working in an auditing firm started to save from
what we earned. Our enthusiasm to improve the business holds us to be
more productive. |
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The growth (1995)
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Starting a business requires not only hard work but a lot of patience,
perseverance and determination to attain a certain objective…THE
GROWTH… I got some orders through my friend’s relations contacts. I
purchased a lorry tendered from my brothers company. I also found a
helper from my customer.
Working till midnight is just a part of our sacrifice for our business
growth and development..
Since I had a vehicle I purchased several products from local market
and distributed to my customer network. I also started to repack
several products under “Royal Super” name.
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Dedication (1996)
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I
decided to purchase one more vehicle to be used by my helper for
delivery. I myself made the goods and distribute at the same time. I
started distributing for outstations. Considering that were no other
competitors, it was a plus factor that people got to know about us
easily and visited to our company to purchase their needs. I had
increased my product range and work force as well at the end of the
year. |
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Challenge (1997)
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If
was very crucial year for me. We found one importer of American Auto
care products and obtained their distributorship. I wanted to separate
my home from the company since people always come to purchase things
so it was very busy place at day time. Although it was a big trial for
me when my wife delivered our first baby but not that healthy one.
Instead I took it as a challenge to be more progressive. We focused
ourselves to develop more our business so we can support the needs of
our family especially my child. |
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Development & Enthusiasm (1998)
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We
developed our business to a greater extent and two more vehicles were
added for distribution purposes. But it’s very difficult to find
packing containers and it was very huge trouble for the expansion. I
obtained a loan from Seylan Bank and increased my working capital. |
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Innovations (1999)
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I
moved my factory to new building. I found a good solution for
packaging problem. I purchased one plastic injection molding machine
and established the “Royal Plastic Company”. A good friend of mine
supported me to develop this operation. I got several orders for
containers from outside.
Luckily, Seylan Bank had provided me a bank facility from time to
tine
by keeping several securities. I also obtained some personal loans
from my cousins to increase working capital. |
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The Change 2000
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I
promoted my business in two ways. Since I got several orders, I
purchased one other plastic Processing machine. My production was
insufficient to meet the demand. Then, I again requested to increase
my working capital. Bank responded me well and purchased one more
plastic processing machine. Two more vehicles could be leased out
with the growth. |
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International Trading (2001)
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It
was very important milestone of my life. I found a foreign supplier
for the same range of products which I have marked so we entered into
international business. Since we market them at a low price and
thereby we build up market share for our imported products. The Seylan
bank supported me to open the L/C at a nil margin. |
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The Progress (2002)
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One more Indian agency was obtained. I added some imported products to
my range. Two more vehicles were purchased for distribution. I
promoted my former representative as Sales Manager. I recruited Field
Supervisors to develop more our business. We started producing several
Auto care products which we have already started repacking. One
chemical production branch also established. I started plastic blow
molding section by purchasing one blow molding |
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Maturity (2003)
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Since I have capable work forces, I wanted to expend more extensively.
Many banks came to our doorsteps asking to open an account with them.
They offered me low interest rates. But since I started with Seylan
Bank which supported me all the way, I trusted them. I had built a
good rapport and good credit standing
so
I
started my transaction with Sarikkamulla Seylan Bank Branch since it
is very close to us. “R.I
Import and Export company (Pvt.) Ltd.” has
been set up to enhance our international trading. We are expecting to
handle export orders but still waiting for the right time. |
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International Exposure
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We
were invited for the opening ceremony of Indian credit line. We also
tried obtaining some low interest rate loan to increase our working
capital. But since all the procedures were very lengthy, we will still
be waiting for the best options. |
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We
were also invited to visit to Plast India Exhibition by E.D.B. held at
Pragathi Median, New Delhi, India. It was a great opportunity for me
to see the world technology improvement. I also wanted to import two
plastic machines and improve more our business. But banks asking some
security grant loans. We still held up with the capable work force. |
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Scholarship Training
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We
were offered a scholarship by Export Development Board for Plastic
Engineering Technology Training Program held at Central Institute of
Plastic Engineering & Technology-Chennai India. It is also one
highlight in developing our plastic industry. We leased out two
vehicles. We purchased one injection molding machine and one blow
machine for our production with grate difficulty. But we have a very
good marketing network and technologically experienced work force. We
can improve more extensively than this if we can invest for following
things. |
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Our Objectives
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Develop farming equipment processing plant by importing steel from
palpation. |
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Import grease and other lubricant from Middle East and distribute
them among our more than 2000 dealer network. |
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Develop five new distribution route specialties for hardware
items. We need five new vehicles for it. |
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Purchase two plastic blow molding machines, and two plastic
injection molding machines. |
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Import Plastic raw materials for our processing plants. |
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Start new chemical processing plants to make – Auto metal paste,
Wood glue/polish, Lacquers, thinners, turpentine |
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Improve our product quality and obtain at least SLS certificates
for our products. |
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Looking forward to handle export orders |
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