NORITAKE LAUNCHES NEW FLAGSHIP STORE IN COLOMBO
Noritake Lanka Porcelain (Pvt.) Ltd ( NLPL), the pioneer porcelain tableware manufacturing conglomerate in Sri Lanka, last Friday moved to its new address in Colombo - 77, Dharmapala Mawatha, Colombo 7.
Strategically situated at the crossroads of Dharmapala Mawatha/Sir James Peries Mawatha (better known as Pitthala Junction), the 10,000 sq ft flagship store is spread over three floors and enjoys prestigious visibility from its vantage location.
The chief guest at the gala ceremonial opening was Economic Development Minister Basil Rajapakse. Also present on the occasion were Ambassador of Japan to Sri Lanka Nobuhito Hobo, NLPL Deputy Chairman and Managing Director Yoshinari Shimaya, NLPL General Manager Sujatha Egodagedara, NLPL Executive Consultant Nimal Perera, NLPL Director T.C. Thennanakoon, Manager Marketing and Sales Kumara Wickrama and several others.
“The move to this prestigious location is a significant step in our journey and consolidates our international brand presence in Sri Lanka. This Colombo flagship store joins our prestigious international chain of similar stores in Tokyo, Nagoya, Hong Kong and New Jersey and brings t he sheer excellence of our products to this region. We’re also positioning this as our regional hub and thus cater to all countries in this part of the world,” said NLPL Deputy Chairman and Managing Director Yoshinari Shimaya.
The Noritake flagship store caters to both the retail and wholesale markets with its extensive range of products. The first floor is dedicated to the retail customer and has product offerings which cater to all price ranges. On display here will also be the gift collection and the gala wedding collection. The second floor is the ‘training floor’ and will play host t o demonstrations of table layouts and table etiquette while the third floor caters to the restaurants and hotels sector.
Yoshinari Shimaya added that a novel feature of the operations of the new flagship store would also be regular training sessions and demonstrations on table etiquette. This includes detailed
Established in 1972 as a joint venture company between the Ceylon Ceramic Corporation and the 100-year-old Noritake Co Ltd of Japan, NLPL today enjoys iconic status as Sri Lanka’s pioneer porcelain tableware manufacturing company
table layouts, caring, handling and even the proper cleaning of tableware. The primary target audience will be young couples setting up home and starting a new life together.
“This is an important factor and we’re paying great attention to this area. As leaders in the industry, we’d like to share our expertise and know-how with our customers so that they can fully appreciate and enjoy their Noritake ware as a lifestyle.”
Established in 1972 as a joint venture company between the Ceylon Ceramic Corporation and the 100-year-old Noritake Co Ltd of Japan, NLPL today enjoys iconic status as Sri Lanka’s pioneer porcelain tableware manufacturing company.
Noritake Lanka Porcelain (Pvt.) Ltd currently exports 80 percent of its production to key markets in over 100 countries including the USA, UK, the Middle East, Japan, Australia, Canada, Germany, Mexico and Korea. The balance 20 percent is marketed locally through its outlets at Kirulapona, Wattala, Matale, Pannala and the Bandaranaike Air Port.
Since its inception, the company launched several expansion programmes by investing nearly Rs.1,000 million to increase its production facility from 3,000 sets to 12,000 sets per month. It also invested Rs.160 million to introduce the firstever Bone China Tableware manufacturing plant in Sri Lanka thus becoming the pioneer in this segment in this country. Tableware products manufactured by the company strictly confirm to the standards issued by FDA of the United State of America for lead and cadmium release.
The factory began operations in 1972 with a 150-member workforce which has grown over the years to 1200 skilled workers today.