Former push cycle salesman, budding Soya Sauce magnate

Shirajiv Sirimane

SOYA PRODUCTS: A businessman who started his life by selling his products on a push bicycle is today aiming to be the worlds top Soya Sauce manufacturer.

Chairman, Edinborough Products Private limited, C. M. M. R. Pasha, said that he started his company by manufacturing Passion Fruit cordial with three employees in Grandpass. "I did not have any machinery and had only three employees and the products were manufactured in my back garden. I myself was the salesman and sold the products going in a push bicycle which I bought for Rs. 250," he recalled.

Pasha said then he started expanding his products and started manufacturing jams, sauces and chutneys.

There was also a time when the tomato prices went sky high and the Marketing Department, which the market leader in tomato sauce reduced their production in a bid to cut cost.

"I took the initiative and increased my production though at a loss. This brought me several new customers who decided to use my products from that point," he said. "One of the key to our success even today is high quality of our products and the trust of the customers," he said.

As the business was picking up he purchased the first machine for Rs. 8,000 through a bank loan and settled it in next to no time.

Today he has his own manufacturing plant with modern machinery in Padukka and have added Soya sauce and several other products and his vehicle fleet includes 38 lorries.

"I obtained Rs. 1.2 million from the People's Bank for this project to be paid in 8 years and settled it in just four years," he said. "One of my principles is to settle loans as it is a disadvantage to keep on paying interest," he said. This theory also enabled the company to be voted as the best client by the People's Bank, Borella branch.

Pasha, is looking for suitable land to grow vegetables and fruits to be used for his products. "This would guarantee me of a steady supply and quality," he said.

The demand for Soya sauce is increasing globally and there is no large manufacturer. "This is why I decided to open factories in both India and Dubai to service the global market and I am sure in ten years I can outplay the Chinese manufacturers and be the global market leader in Soya sauce," he said.

He said that he was in China and had obtained several secret recipes to manufacture Soya sauces. Edinborough Products Sales Manager M. Zakir said that they are now introducing several new products to the local market including jam in sachets and looking out to introduce several salad dressings, Coco spread, High calcium products to the local market.

"These products would be totally manufactured in Sri Lanka and is a first for the country. Our aim is to introduce ten new products each year," he said. "Our products in addition to HACCP and ISO certification have also received the Halal certification. This is a major advantage for us," he said.

Last year the company had a 30 percent growth and this year the prediction is a 45 percent growth. His son, Zalmi is also a director of the company and is looking after their import section and would be in charge of their international operations.

The company has also diversified and has opened their halal restaurant, Al Pasha opposite Royal College.