‘Breaking Barriers’: Arpico recognises top sales professionals in manufacturing, distribution sector

Richard Pieris & Co PLC celebrated its top movers and shakers with ‘Breaking Barriers’, the annual sales conference and awards for the local manufacturing and distribution sector. The gala ceremony was held at Eagles Lakeside Attidiya in July, welcoming sales professionals and distributors, who enjoyed an evening of music, dance and recognition for the sector’s best. 

The awards aim to recognise accomplishments and motivate the group’s sales force to test boundaries and challenge traditional sales models to achieve their targets for the year. Richard Pieris & Co PLC Main Board Director and Managing Director for the local manufacturing and distribution sector Sunil Liyanage joined the event as Chief Guest. 

Liyanage, who was also a member of the head table alongside the company’s senior management, highlighted the accomplishments of the company’s manufacturing sector in his speech. “2015 has turned out to be a dynamic year for our group and, with the rapidly changing environment and demographics, our sales teams had to contend with many challenges. Our top performers this year have surpassed their goals and maintained excellent market leadership to ensure that the company is doing better than ever.”  

Liyanage also highlighted the company’s tremendous growth record over the past few years. The Richard Pieris Group ended its performance in the financial year 2014/15 reporting a Group Revenue of Rs. 37.8 billion with a profit before tax of Rs. 2.58 billion. “We owe a significant part of our financial growth to the sales teams from around the country who have come here today. Your commitment to the company’s success is admirable, and it’s a privilege to have you here today.”

The awards ceremony commenced following sector profile presentations for the year. These awards were given away to the company’s star performers who have dominated sales and revenue generation in their respective territories and excelled with customer service. The accolades were awarded in the foam sector, mattresses, sofa and panel category, hardware sector, rubber products, water tank category, rigifoam category, durables and PVC category among others. 

Star performers in these categories included: Ruwan Chaminda – Area Sales Manager, Kokila Dassanayake – Area Sales Manager, Dilshan Abeysekara – Senior Business Development Manager, Jayanatha Alwis – Senior Factory Manager, Shiham M. Kalib – Senior Business Development Manager, Ananda Amarasena – Thineth Lanka Distributors – Veyangoda, Prabhagar – Maweli Holdings Ltd. – Hatton, Gamini Dissanayake, New Seeco Steels – Embilipitiya, G.H.U. Nandalal, Udjitha Distributors – Kandy, Gamini Dissanayake, New Seeco Steels – Embilipitiya, Supun Fernando, Safe Distributors – Anuradapura, Sriyan Sanjeewa – Business Promotion Officer, Chameera de Silva – Area Sales Coordinator, Janaka Laksiri – Area Sales Executive, Rinooz Abdeen – Area Sales Supervisor, Ravi Roshan – Area Sales Supervisor, Thusitha Dewasurendra – Business Promotion Officer, Sameera Madushanka – Business Promotion Officer, Thusara Jayaratne – Area Sales Supervisor and Duminda Chanaka – Area Sales Coordinator.

The overall Best Performers category recognised the sales and management leaders responsible for making vital strategic decisions on behalf of their teams. Similarly, the accolades for the Best Achievers of the Year recognised professionals recording excellent customer PR, growth from sales, area coverage, product display and payments made on time. Prizes presented included foreign tours, cash prizes and promotions.

Commenting on the sizeable number of categories and high achievers that the company felicitated, Director Local Manufacturing and Distribution Sector Shantha Kularathne said, “Our portfolio expands by the day. Each year the group strives to introduce newer, better products to the market and these sales professionals are responsible for ensuring that our customers not only have access to these products, but are also satisfied with what they purchase. Their unerring professionalism and commitment have got the job done once again.”

Commenting on the underlying factors behind the impressive performance, factory Director/Head of Foam Sector of the Local Manufacturing and Distribution Sector Lalith Wijesinghe said: “We offer a wide range of high quality product lines to the market, including mattresses, water tanks, water pumps, styrofoam, rubber products, PVC pipes and fittings and furniture, all of which meet stringent quality standards, in line with the Group’s promise to consumers. This is a result of continuous R&D and never compromising on the quality

During the event, the other members of the head table Athula Wickramathilake (Head of Sales), Duminda Perera (Head of Sales), Derrick Perera (Head of Marketing), Hiran De Silva (Head of Sales) and Sanjeewa Anandapathiranage (Finance Manager) shared future objectives of the sector. 

Richard Pieris & Co. PLC is a diversified business conglomerate with a rich history spanning 83 years. Its flagship brand ‘Arpico’ is one of the most powerful local household brands in Sri Lanka, serving the community with a diverse range of products across many sectors such as manufacturing, plantations, financial services, exports, FMCG, construction, logistics and retail. The retail sector led by its flagship brand ‘Arpico Supercenters’ operates one of the largest modern trade chains in the country. A diverse melting pot of talent, comprising a workforce of over 35,000, Richard Pieris & Company PLC is one of the largest employment providers in the private sector in Sri Lanka.