Lanka’s Vanilla industry to compete with world

Elephant House Ice Cream attributes its legendary heritage to the highest taste and quality standards derived from its unique recipe perfected over the years. In keeping with the global trend of single flavour vanilla ice cream being the preferred choice over any other flavour, Sri Lanka’s ice cream industry also indicates that vanilla represents the largest share of the local market. The fact that over 6.5 million Elephant House Vanilla ice cream servings are enjoyed in Sri Lanka every month is proof of its success and undeniable preference, and reinforces its unchallenged status up to now.
It was this enviable position, complimented by its long-term and perceptive vision that inspired Elephant House Ice Cream in 2002 to partner the Kandy Vanilla Growers’ Association (KVGA), with the intention of nurturing Sri Lanka’s local vanilla industry and promoting it to the world. Today, more than eight years later, it is very much a thriving industry.
The project to extract essence from processed home-grown vanilla beans was first initiated at a Elephant House Ice Cream factory in Ranala, Kaduwela in 2002. The profitable cultivation of vanilla is focused in the Central Province of Matale, Kandy, Kurunegala, Kegalle and Nuwara Eliya, with an annual yield of approximately 5000 kilos of vanilla beans. More than 2500 farmers, as well as both the young and old, especially women, have been empowered by this burgeoning industry, and have managed to improve the quality of their lives through a healthy and steady monthly income.
According to President Consumer Foods Group of JKH, Jit Gunaratne, the benefits of this project are manifold. “Since we initiated the Vanilla Industry project, we buy locally produced and processed beans to extract vanilla essence and therefore do not need to import. Hence, there is a considerable saving on foreign exchange with more employment opportunities for the farmers”. Commenting on Elephant House Ice Cream’s leadership and support, President of the Kandy Vanilla Growers’ Association Muthubandara Madugalla said that is was encouraging to see how Elephant House Ice Cream was actively involved in uplifting and developing the local vanilla industry, and to know that it was using locally grown produce in its ice creams. “The fact that Elephant House Ice Cream has taken its product to the world is also an endorsement of the quality of our locally grown vanilla beans”, he stated.Elephant House Ice Cream is confident that its market leadership status and unwavering consumer loyalty is mainly due to the unique taste of its vanilla ice cream, and is proud to be the only manufacturer to use locally produced vanilla essence. With consumer interest in organic, natural and healthy products on the increase, vanilla’s pure image is likely to benefit, and with it, Sri Lanka’s home-grown Vanilla industry is bound to flourish even more. The Vanilla Project is not the company’s only commitment to excellence. Clinching more quality awards in the Sri Lankan food manufacturing sector in 2009, Elephant House Ice Cream took top honours at the prestigious Ceylon National Chamber of Industries (CNCI) Awards by winning the National Gold (Joint) Award in the Extra Large Category (Manufacturing Sector). It also won a Certificate of Commendation - Manufacturing Sector (Large Scale) at the Provincial Productivity Awards conducted by the National Productivity Secretariat. These awards are an accolade to Elephant House Ice Cream’s commitment to quality, productivity, employer / employee relationships, adherence to statutory requirements, respect for the environment, and effective contribution to national development.
“As the market leader in the ice cream industry, we’re no doubt proud of our achievements. These awards not only strengthen our commitment to quality, but also strengthen our resolve to innovate and to give our customers the best deal always”, said Jit Gunaratne.

ODEL’s first 2010 outlet in Panadura

DEL will kick off its 2010 expansion plan with an imposing new store at Panadura in February, taking its unique department store experience to residents of this coastal municipality.
Located at Panadura, ODEL’s 11th store in Sri Lanka extends to more than 11,270 square feet on three floors, making it the largest of the new outlets opened by the chain in recent months. It will accommodate the main departments that make up the ODEL experience, including ‘Mens,’ ‘Ladies,’ ‘Kids,’ ‘Backstage,’ ‘Delight,’ and food outlets managed by tenant vendors.
“We are confident that Panadura would be an excellent beginning to the new year, in which we hope to accelerate our expansion,” said Otara Gunewardene, Founder and CEO of ODEL. “Panadura is an affluent and quality-conscious community that would be pleased to have its own ODEL store.”
Ms. Gunewardene disclosed that ODEL plans to open several new stores in 2010 to better serve the large numbers of loyal customers who travel to shop at its outlets in Colombo.
Adding value to the unique shopping experience, ODEL will offer shoppers at its Panadura store a 5 per cent discount on purchases during the new outlet’s first week.
A large kids’ play area of 446 square feet in the lobby and the heavy usage of graphic and special lighting in the front of the shop would be among the unique features of the new outlet.
A few days prior to the opening of the store, ODEL will distribute invitations in the neighborhood through supermarkets and schools in the area. These invitations will carry a tear off portion through which customers could win five ODEL gift vouchers worth Rs 25,000. Early bird customers to the new outlet also will have an opportunity to win these vouchers by picking up these coupons at the cashiers’ counters and filling them in.

Hutch customers celebrate ‘Picture Perfect Pongal’

“Aayirathil Oruvan” and “Nanayam” were the latest treats offered by Hutch to its subscribers to add on to Thai Pongal celebrations. Based on the theme “Hope you have a Picture Perfect Pongal”, this special offer was awarded to all Hutch subscribers and was showcased in Concord Cinema, Dehiwala and Samantha Cinema, Dematagoda on Thaipongal day. The event took place amid much enthusiasm and excitement with an overwhelming response from a very happy and eager audience. Hutch customers were also treated with a free drink and pop corn to savour whilst viewing the movie. This is only the beginning of many other such innovative offers that Hutch has in store for its valued customers.