Continuing in its mission to be the best engineering services provider in all the markets they serve, United Tractor and Equipment (Pvt) Limited (UTE), recognizes from its 75-year history that being the best means looking after their people. Continuing its mission UTE inaugurated its ‘Grow Your Own Food’ cultivation initiative on the 13th of September 2022. The project is designed with the aim of facilitating employee welfare and gearing them with skills that are required to overcome any possible food shortage in the future. In consideration of the ongoing economic situation in the country, this would further help UTE employees with sustainable means of food production. The launch of ‘Grow Your Own Food’ was graced by the Ambassador of the United States to Sri Lanka Ms. Julie Chung as Chief Guest, along with representatives of The American Embassy and The American Chamber of Commerce in Sri Lanka (AMCHAM).

The initial stages of the project commenced in June 2022 with the overwhelming support of all UTE employees at the UTE Head Office in Wattala, where a large area was assigned for cultivation.

The collected harvest from the project will be distributed amongst the 325+ employees on a quota basis according to their needs, allowing them to benefit directly from the fruits of their own labor. In order to ensure the success of the ‘Grow Your Own Food initiative’, UTE has enlisted the support of Agriculture Officers in developing the project and has plans to expand the project throughout its facilities island-wide.

Accordingly, the ‘Grow Your Own Food’ initiative constitutes UTE’s latest move to meaningfully contribute to employee welfare by ensuring that its employees remain self-sufficient during this present time of need, by encouraging all staff employed throughout the company to engage in home gardening to meet their food needs. Not only will this initiative provide employees with much-needed ease of access to food, but it will also deepen their family engagement and happiness, enabling them to enrich both their professional and personal lives. As part of this initiative, UTE launched a children’s art campaign under the theme ‘Home Garden,’ where children of UTE employees painted their own home gardens. Using the collection of art submissions, UTE created an art wall which was also unveiled by Ambassador Chung at the launch event.

Addressing the gathering at the launch, Ambassador of the United States to Sri Lanka Ms. Julie Chung commended the project, “Through these home gardens that you are developing, you are not only planting seeds; you are planting seeds of hope, seeds of victory. And I hope more companies follow your lead. You are setting that example for others to follow so that others can also offer solutions that provide relief. Thank you all for your dedication, for your service, and for the love for your country.”

Commenting on UTE’s initiative, Prasan Fernando, Chairman of United Tractor and Equipment (Pvt) Limited said, “As a longstanding presence in Sri Lanka’s business landscape, over the years UTE has made its mission to contribute to the communities we serve in. We are very pleased and proud to launch the ‘Grow Your Own Food’ initiative at this moment in time, given the uncertainty of possible food shortages around the world and the uncertainty we as Sri Lankans are facing. UTE has continued to place the utmost importance on contributing towards sustaining the wellbeing of our employees and our communities, and with this latest initiative to encourage home gardening we aim to enhance their standards of living to meet the challenges of today.”

Representing over 75 years of engineering excellence, UTE has continuously delivered high-quality engineering solutions across a wide range of disciplines in Sri Lanka and around the world. The UTE Parts Store/PCC (Parts.Cat.Com) is the fastest, easiest, and most reliable website to find and order over 1.4 million genuine CAT® parts online. As the sole authorized Caterpillar dealer in Sri Lanka, UTE also offers retail distribution of CAT® Lubricants. Orders can be placed 24/7 with the mobile-friendly interface and the parts will be shipped to any location in the island or can be picked up from any of UTE’s branches. The company is home to the Island’s most experienced and largest team of Customer Support personnel and Caterpillar-trained technicians in the industry. Serving customers throughout the island, the company has branches in Panchikawatta, Matara, Kurunegala, Anuradhapura, and Kilinochchi adding to its strength.