Expolanka Holdings, Expo Freight win big at NBEA 2012

Sri Lanka’s diversified conglomerate Expolanka Holdings PLC and Expo Freight (EFL) clinched two gold awards for ‘Best Global Reach’ and ‘Logistics and Transport’ at the esteemed National Business Excellence Awards 2012, organised by the National Chamber of Commerce of Sri Lanka and held at the Hilton, Colombo. Expolanka Holdings was also bestowed with the prestigious silver award in the ‘Diversified Group of Companies’ category.

Commenting on these accolades, Paddy Weerasekera, Head of Marketing, Corporate Communications and CSR, said, “We are both elated and proud to have received a number of prestigious awards at the National Business Excellence Awards 2012. We see this as an unequivocal endorsement of the excellence of our performance and the diversity of our group strength. I hasten to add that we are humbled by the confidence placed in us by the distinguished panel of judges.”

The National Business Excellence Awards is an annual award competition conducted by the National Chamber of Commerce of Sri Lanka (NCCSL) with a view of recognising business enterprises which have demonstrated excellence in business while contributing to the economic progress of the country.

Having commenced in 2004 as NBEA 2004, the National Business Excellence Awards have recognised top class businesses that excelled in their performance every year.

Jagath Pathirane, CEO, Expo Freight, said, “With a history spanning over three decades, EFL today has become a force in the freight and logistics industry, not only in Sri Lanka but in 16 countries. We are deeply appreciative for this great honour bestowed on us for business excellence. This was only possible with the tiring efforts of our 1,200 plus staff and of course our customers who have walked this journey with us side by side.”

Applications were evaluated on the basis of an eight point criterion and were reviewed and evaluated in a three-stage process – desk review, interviews, and the judges’ final review. The criterion covers business and financial performance, global reach, knowledge integration, technological investment, capacity building, performance management, corporate governance and corporate social responsibility. The panel of judges made their final selection of the awardees after a careful review of all preliminary evaluation reports and the interviews.

Expolanka Holdings and Expo Freight in 2012 were awarded with numerous local and international awards including SLIM Brand Excellence, Arc Awards, NCE Awards, World Brand Congress and Business Today Top 25.

Expolanka Holdings is a diversified conglomerate with interests in freight and logistics, travel and leisure, international trading and manufacturing, and investments and services. The group has a global presence in over 16 countries and 44 cities, with 60 subsidiaries and joint venture companies.