Business
CEAT revisits Indian test track to put its radial tyres through their paces
Six sizes of locally-manufactured CEAT radial tyres were recently tested rigorously against the major competitor brands as part of an ongoing process to further develop CEAT’s existing product range and assess individual product performance by key value propositions identified by customers. To fulfil this mission, CEAT commissioned a series of track tests at India’s state-of-the-art National Automotive Test Tracks (NATRAX) of the National Automotive Testing and R&D Infrastructure Project (NATRiP) in Indore. CEAT Kelani Holdings conducted similar tests for the Company’s motorcycle tyres at this location earlier this year.
The latest benchmarking process took place to score the selected CEAT radial tyres in four value drivers – low noise, ride comfort, handling stability, and dry and wet braking stability. The tests pitted the chosen CEAT radials against counterparts from USA, Japan, Singapore and Sri Lanka.
The final test scores revealed that CEAT 185/70R14 Fuelsmarrt, 195/65R15 Secura Drive, 185/65R15 Secura Drive, 205/55 R16 Secura Drive, 175/65 R15 Secura Drive, and 265/70 R16 Czar HP tyres were superior in some key aspects, and on par in terms of other features with the products of the competitor brands, the Company disclosed.
More specifically, the track tests affirmed that in comparison to the competitor brands, the CEAT Secura Drive, Fuelsmarrt and Czar HP tyre patterns are better for wet and dry braking and offer superior braking stability. Additionally, all six of the CEAT tyre sizes were rated superior or comparable for ride comfort, while the Secura Drive and Fuelsmarrt tyres were declared on par with their counterparts in generating minimal noise. It was also observed that the 175/65 R15 Secura Drive performance could be marginally improved in the handling stability parameters. The Company said these findings have now been incorporated in the pattern architecture for new and improved products that will lead to enhanced performance.
Commenting on the latest NATRAX track tests, CEAT Kelani Managing Director Ravi Dadlani said: “As a brand that supplies almost half the tyre requirements of the country, CEAT is committed to listening to voice of consumers and delivering products that are suited to their needs and local conditions. These tests we conduct enable us to consistently fine-tune our offerings, meet the expectations of our consumers, and release products that are on par with competitor tyres, if not better. The heavy investments we make in such testing even in difficult times like the present, demonstrate our commitment to quality above all else.”
The four Key Value Propositions around which the track tests revolved were dictated by consumer insights from research findings that highlighted the main drivers in the customers’ purchase decisions in the radial tyre segment. The tyre variants and sizes that were tested fit vehicles such as the Honda Civic, Civic EK3 and Jazz, Hyundai i20 and Venue, Mahindra Thar, Mitsubishi Montero and Sportero, Nissan Leaf and Patrol, Renault KWID, Suzuki Spacia, and Toyota Allion, Aqua, Axio, Corolla, Hilux Vigo, Land Cruiser, Premio, Prius and Vitz which are popular cars and SUVs on Sri Lankan roads.
CEAT Kelani Holdings is considered one of the most successful India – Sri Lanka joint ventures. The joint venture’s cumulative investment in Sri Lanka to date exceeds Rs 8 billion. The company’s manufacturing operations in Sri Lanka encompass tyres in the radial (passenger cars, vans and SUVs), commercial (nylon and radial), motorcycle, three-wheeler and agricultural vehicle segments.
The CEAT brand accounts for market shares in Sri Lanka of 48 per cent in the Radial segment, 80 per cent in the Truck category, 84 per cent Light Truck tyre category, 51 per cent in the Three-Wheeler tyre segment, 36 per cent in the Motorcycle tyre segment and 72 per cent in the Agricultural vehicle tyre category. CEAT Kelani exports about 20 per cent of its production to 16 countries in South Asia, the Middle East, Africa and the Far East.
The Delegation of German Industry and Commerce in Sri Lanka (AHK Sri Lanka) proudly facilitated the first-ever Sri Lankan delegation’s participation at Drupa 2024, the world’s largest trade fair for the printing industry and technology. Held after an eight-year hiatus, Drupa 2024 was a landmark event, marking significant advancements and opportunities in the global printing industry.
AHK Sri Lanka played a pivotal role in organising and supporting the delegation, which comprised 17 members from the Sri Lanka Association for Printers (SLAP), representing eight companies from the commercial, newspaper, stationery printing, and packaging industries. This pioneering effort by AHK Sri Lanka not only showcased the diverse capabilities of Sri Lanka’s printing sector but also facilitated vital bilateral discussions with key stakeholders from the German printing industry.
Business
Unveiling Ayugiri: Browns Hotels & Resorts sets the stage for a new era in luxury Ayurveda Wellness
In a captivating reimagining of luxury wellness tourism, Browns Hotels & Resorts proudly unveiled the exquisite Ayugiri Ayurveda Wellness Resort Sigiriya. This momentous occasion, celebrated amidst a vibrant and serene grand opening on the 6th of June, heralds a new chapter in the Ayurveda wellness tourism landscape in Sri Lanka. Nestled amidst 54 acres of unspoiled natural splendour, Ayugiri features 22 exclusive suites and stands out as the only luxury Ayurveda wellness resort in the country offering plunge pools in every room, rendering it truly one-of-a-kind.
The grand opening of Ayugiri Ayurveda Wellness Resort was an enchanting event, where guests were captivated by the melodies of flutists and violinists resonating through Sigiriya’s lush landscapes. As traditional drummers and dancers infused the air with vibrant energy, Browns Hotels & Resorts’ CEO, Eksath Wijeratne, Kotaro Katsuki, Acting Ambassador for the Embassy of Japan and General Manager, Buwaneka Bandara, unveiled the resort’s new logo, marking a significant moment witnessed by distinguished guests from the French Embassy, Ayurveda and wellness enthusiasts along with officials from the Sigiriya area, LOLC Holdings and Browns Group.
“Our strategic expansion into wellness tourism with Ayugiri Ayurveda Wellness Resort Sigiriya symbolises a significant milestone for Browns Hotels & Resorts. Wellness tourism has consistently outperformed the overall tourism industry for over a decade, reflecting a growing global interest in travel that goes beyond leisure to offer rejuvenation and holistic well-being. By integrating the timeless wisdom of Ayurveda with modern luxury, we aim to set a new standard in luxury wellness tourism in Sri Lanka. Whether your goal is prevention, healing, or a deeper connection to inner harmony, Ayugiri offers a sanctuary for holistic well-being” stated Eksath Wijeratne.
Ayugiri encapsulates the essence of life, inspired by the lotus flower held by the graceful queens of the infamous Sigiriya frescoes. Just as the lotus emerges from the murky depths, untainted and serene,
Ayugiri invites guests on a journey of purity and rejuvenation, harmonised with a balance of mind, body and spirit, the essence of nature, echoes of culture and the wisdom of ancient Ayurvedic healing.
HNB General Insurance, one of Sri Lanka’s leading general insurance providers, has been honored as the Best General Bancassurance Provider in Sri Lanka 2024 by the prestigious Global Banking and Finance Review – UK.
The esteemed accolade underscores HNB General Insurance’s unwavering commitment to excellence and its outstanding performance in the field of bancassurance. Through dedication and hard work, the HNB General Insurance team has continuously endeavored to deliver innovative insurance solutions, cultivate strong relationships with banking partners, and provide unparalleled service to customers nationwide. This recognition is a testament to the team’s dedication and relentless pursuit of excellence in the bancassurance business.
“We are honored to receive this prestigious award, which reflects our team’s tireless efforts and dedication to delivering value-added insurance solutions and exceptional service through our bancassurance partnerships,” said Sithumina Jayasundara, CEO of HNB General Insurance. “This recognition reaffirms our position as a trusted insurance provider in Sri Lanka and motivates us to continue striving for excellence in serving our customers and communities.”
