AMW MARKS 65TH ANNIVERSARY WITH MULTITUDE OF INITIATIVES
Automotive traders Associated Motorways (Pvt) Limited (AMW) are celebrating their 65th anniversary this year with a multitude of initiatives to further enhance both the company and the country.
“Our message is one for the future. We have a 5-year plan to invest and build the company and add value in the long term. We’ll be expanding throughout the country. We’re seeing the country grow and rise and it feels good to be a part of that,” said AMW Chairman Len Hunt, who has been involved with local operations since 2009 following the UAE based Al-Futtaim Engineering LLC acquiring a controlling interest of the company.
Hunt said that the company is aiming to grow by over 50 percent both operationally and geographically with an increased presence across the island in the coming 5-years.
“We are going to make big investments in people, facilities, body shops, computer systems, right up to assembly and customer service, in all parts of the industry, be it agriculture equipment, motor cycles or cars,” he said.
He further expressed that the locals, and especially the youth will have greater access to jobs and welfare with the expanding operations of AMW.
Further, the company in a publicprivate partnership along with the Vocational Training Authority will be setting up a Vocational Training Academy for the automobile sector, set to open its doors in Rajagiriya by 2015.
“The people won’t remember us for building our company, they will remember us for this vocational training institute,” Hunt said.
AMW Managing Director Samantha Rajapaksa said the project is still in the stage of planning, however coursework development will commence immediately.
“We have a firm commitment with the Vocational Training Authority to make it happen. It will materialize,” he said.
Rajapaksa also said an assembly plant that has long been on the cards for the company will be going ahead as well following government approval.
“We have made a firm commitment to set up the assembly plant. It’s in the conception stage and will be set up in the Southern Province. There are some regulation approvals to be taken care of with the government,” he said.
Meanwhile, the company is aiming for an ambitious 50 per cent revenue of its tire manufacturing and retreading plant in Kalutara to flow in from exports in the future as well, with significant markets being carved out in the US, EU, UAE and India.
“When we set up the factory, we planned on having 50 per cent of its revenue to come from exports, and we are seeing the sector grow rapidly,” Rajapaksa noted.
To celebrate its 65th anniversary, AMW will be launching a customer loyalty program for its existing staunch customer base of over 200,000 and future clientele, who may avail themselves of preferential service, first claim to spare parts and other perks, by signing up at any of the company’s locations.
It is also aiming at setting up a benchmark roadside assistance program further down the line.