CTC recognised for triple bottom line success: People, planet and profits

Wednesday, 4 December 2013 00:00 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

Ceylon Tobacco Company was recognised as one of the top ten corporate citizens of Sri Lanka by the Ceylon Chamber of Commerce at the Best Corporate Citizens Awards 2013. The company further won three out of the nine category awards in the ‘Employee Relations’, ‘Project for Environmental Value Addition’ and ‘Financial Performance’ categories. These awards are a testament to CTC’s efforts to uphold the three pillars of sustainability – people, planet and profits.

CTC believes in minimising the impact on the environment in sustainable ways that additionally benefit the communities around them. While constantly investing in greener technology and minimising the environmental effects of their processes, the company conducts a multitude of initiatives independent of their core business, which improve the lives of thousands around the country and the health of the environment they operate in, and support the development plans of the Government. Winning the Best Corporate Citizen Sustainability Award is evidence to CTC’s processes and responsible approach to all facets of the business. Being in the manufacturing industry and deeply connected with the agricultural sector in Sri Lanka, CTC has always been mindful of the impact on the environment and have exercised their ability to positively contribute to the various stakeholders. Grooming global professionals As one of the country’s top employers, CTC invests heavily on human resource development and on providing a conducive work environment and culture where employees can flourish into international professionals, constantly pushing corporate benchmarks for performance. This is evident in CTC’s long-running Management Trainee Program which provides young Sri Lankan aspiring business professionals with a platform to accelerate their careers through mentoring from industry experts and the prospect of overseas exposure. Adding value to the environment CTC’s flagship CSR project, the Sustainable Agricultural Development Programme (SADP) currently empowers over 16,000 farmer families in 14 districts across Sri Lanka; totalling to 60,000+ beneficiaries. This is in addition to initiatives implemented to support and uplift the businesses of tobacco leaf farmers and contribute to the environment. Sri Lanka was one of the first markets in the tobacco growing countries to use alternative fuels like paddy husk for tobacco curing and in 2013 began automating tobacco barns to decrease electricity consumption. Delivering results 2012 saw CTC contributing over Rs. 72 billion in taxes to the state, amounting to 7% of total state tax revenue and nearly 1% of Sri Lanka’s GDP. This contribution is set to increase in this financial year and CTC has also seen an unprecedented rise in its share price demonstrating investor confidence in the business and delivery. In the year 2012/13, CTC accomplished many endeavours and contributed significantly beyond taxes to the country and community. As a result of these achievements, CTC has seen increased trust and received much recognition from the business community and stakeholders, and the company plans on continuing the trend to continue in a responsible and sustainable manner into the future.