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			'id' => '2732',
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			'title' => 'Begani Group Strengthening Its Network',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => null,
			'content' => '<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	<strong>--By Gaurav Aryal</strong></div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<table align="right" style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 10px;" width="25">
	<tbody>
		<tr>
			<td>
				<img alt="Amit Kumar Begani, CEO, Begani Group" src="/userfiles/images/s2%20(Copy)(1).jpg" style="border-width: 0px; border-style: solid; width: 200px; height: 217px;" /></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td bgcolor="#FFFFFF">
				<div align="center">
					<div>
						<strong>Amit Kumar Begani</strong></div>
					<div>
						CEO, Begani Group</div>
				</div>
			</td>
		</tr>
	</tbody>
</table>
<div>
	Begani Group&rsquo;s business seeds were sowed two decades ago with the launch of trading company by the first generation businessperson of the family. This trading company imported goods from China based on market and customer needs. Though initially small in quantity, later on the trade volume expanded. The company imported products ranging from shoes, umbrella to cars.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	However, presently the trading wing is not as active as it was in the past. At present, the group has shed the trader identity and is trying to develop &lsquo;manufacturing house&rsquo; identity for itself. The company started the manufacturing industry around one and a half decades ago. Amit Kumar Begani, CEO of the Group, who is the second generation businessperson in the family, says that his group produces vegetable ghee, vegetable oils in the food industry and woven fabrics in the plastic segment.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	<span style="font-size:14px;"><strong>Manufacturing Shift</strong></span></div>
<div>
	Food items were one of the major imports from China of the group&rsquo;s trading wing. While importing food items and sellingthem in the local market, Beganis comprehended the potential market for food products and decided to manufacture their own products instead of just trading. Considering the potential and prospects, the group started manufacturing vegetable ghee. In the days thereafter, the group gradually decreased the volume of imports of goods from China and started concentrating in the newly established venture.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	At present, the group is fully committed to the manufacturing sector though it has only two manufacturing companies, Nandan Ghee and Oil Industries and Nekon-KB Plasto Engineering Industries Pvt Ltd, in its portfolio.The oil factory produces soyabean oil, sunflower oil and vegetable ghee under Nandan and Suruchi brands. Similarly, the plastic manufacturing unit produces packaging woven sacks for sugar, rice and other similar products.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	Elaborating on the factors for which the group invested in oil industry, Begani pointed that as a daily consumer product, the products have a stable and high demand. Similarly, he said that they invested in the plastic industry considering the need for supportive industry like theirs. He finds both of these industries essential for industrial development.&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	<span style="font-size:14px;"><strong>Market Positioning</strong></span></div>
<div>
	Terai and hilly regions are the niche market for the company&rsquo;s product. Though the company does not considers urban centres like Kathmandu as its target market, Begani informed that the Nandan and Suruchi oil brands do hold a small share of these markets. Likewise, the plastic factory has found its majority market abroad. Begani shares that 80 percent of woven fabrics and sacks are exported to India while 20 per cent is supplied to industrial customers within Nepal.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	The group has plans to improve its current market positioning. It is planning to expand its product portfolio and improve the quality of its existing products to gain competitive advantage in urban markets, where it looks forward to enter with a strongbranding and marketing campaign very soon. &nbsp;</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	<span style="font-size:14px;"><strong><img alt="Begani Group" src="/userfiles/images/s3%20(Copy)(1).jpg" style="float: right; margin: 0px 0px 0px 10px;width: 300px; height: 347px;" />New Activities</strong></span></div>
<div>
	Begani feels that the investment climate is yet to become favourable for investing in new ventures. One of the reasons, he finds acute in feeling so, is power shortage. Considering this feeling, he says that his company is working towards consolidating its existing market along with extending marketing for the company&rsquo;s product to reach new regions and new customers. With reduced focus on the trading business, the company is focused on strengthening its manufacturing business while keeping itself open to start new ventures once the overall investment scenario, including power cut, improves in the country.&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	<span style="font-size:14px;"><strong>Strengthening the Network</strong></span></div>
<div>
	Begani shares that company&rsquo;s products are doing fairly well in the targeted market segment. As targeted, the products are popular in the Terai and hilly region markets. The sale graph in this market has been steadily growing up. However, the focus in urban areas is missing, which the group is willing to rectify in the days to come.&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	For increasing the performance and visibility of the products in all parts of the country, the group is strengthening its distribution network. Begani says that one of the immediate plans of the company is to expedite branding and promotion activities. As of now, the group has expanded its network into around 40 towns and villages across the nation. &nbsp;Stating that within a year the company will meet its new marketing target, Begani says, &ldquo;a strong network is must for stronger branding and effective promotional campaigns.&rdquo;</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	<span style="font-size:14px;"><strong>Managing the Group</strong></span></div>
<div>
	As of now, the group is a family business and is managedby the father-son duo. All of its factories are located in Birgunj industrial town while its corporate office that looks after financial, marketing and other management responsibilities is in Kathmandu.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	The group, employees 1500 people in all of its companies. To keep them motivated the company organises various recreational programmes such as annual picnic along with other motivational packages. The HR department looks after the need of the company&rsquo;s human resource while making time induced and demand based amendments to company&rsquo;s HR policy.&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<table border="0" cellpadding="10" width="99%">
	<tbody>
		<tr>
			<td bgcolor="#E5E4E2">
				<div>
					<div>
						<div>
							<div>
								<span style="font-size:14px;"><strong>Begani Group&rsquo;s Competitive Advantages</strong></span></div>
							<div>
								Facing steep competition from national and international competitors that continue adding,&nbsp;</div>
							<div>
								the group has remained constantly on its toes for carve its own niche market and remain ahead of its competitors. According to the group, some of the factors instrumental for its growth and market rankings are:</div>
							<div>
								&nbsp;</div>
							<div>
								<strong><span style="font-size:14px;">Strategic Location</span></strong></div>
							<div>
								The group says that all of its factories and offices boast of an excellent infrastructure whether in physical network connectivity or human resource. Furthermore, this strategic location has allowed the group to enjoy quick access to every major markets in Nepal while maintaining quality standards in its chain of operation.</div>
							<div>
								&nbsp;</div>
							<div>
								<span style="font-size:14px;"><strong>Quality Products</strong></span></div>
							<div>
								Begani Group claims that its brands like Nandan and Suruchi and other products have been well established in the target markets for their quality and high performance reliability.&nbsp;</div>
							<div>
								&nbsp;</div>
							<div>
								<span style="font-size:14px;"><strong>Harnessing latest technical advancement</strong></span></div>
							<div>
								Moving in tandem with its customer needs, which is constantly increasing, Begani Group and its companies are not only equipped with competent laboratory but also have been using the latest technical advances.</div>
							<div>
								&nbsp;</div>
							<div>
								<span style="font-size:14px;"><strong>Production Facilities</strong></span></div>
							<div>
								Group&rsquo;s production plants is managed and operated bya team of quality oriented and competent personals. The reliability of the facilities is translated into action through continuity in the supply of high quality products to its customers, says Begani. The group aims to manufacture high quality products with the most efficient facilities, satisfying all safety standards and regulations. &ldquo;Our plants are built based on the latest technology and equipped with advanced engineering control and safety devices to ensure the protection of our employees, environment, and the community,&rdquo; he adds.</div>
							<div>
								&nbsp;</div>
							<div>
								<span style="font-size:14px;"><strong>Group&rsquo;s Strengths</strong></span></div>
							<div>
								Begani says that the group is flexible to innovate and launch new products that cater to the changing needs and demands of the market. &ldquo;We started with vegetable ghee and then added sunflower and soybean and mustard oil in our product range,&rdquo; says Begani. The company initially used to sell them in the packages of 15 kilograms but later adopted smaller packaging sizes to cater to general public&rsquo;s needs. &ldquo;Flexibility and making quick decisions is one of our strengths,&rdquo; boasts Begani.</div>
							<div>
								&nbsp;</div>
							<div>
								<span style="font-size:14px;"><strong>Market opportunities</strong></span></div>
							<div>
								The group sees numerous opportunities developing in the market. The growing demand because of increased purchasing capacity of customers is one of the opportunities the group sees. Begani says that Nepali consumers have become more brand conscious these days because of increased international exposure. He adds that the demand for premium and quality products is increasing along with demand for new range of products such as olive oil.&nbsp;</div>
							<div>
								&nbsp;</div>
							<div>
								<span style="font-size:14px;"><strong>Competition</strong></span></div>
							<div>
								Begani says the market competition is constantly increasing along with the swelling market size. He says that presence of 16 vegetable oil companies is making the competition tougher. Therefore, to overcome the competition, the group is focusing on branding to win over the competitors. He adds that the company is willing to bring its products to larger cities like Kathmandu and Pokhara through stronger branding and higher quality promises. He reveals that within two to three years, these products will be making inroads in these cities.&nbsp;</div>
						</div>
					</div>
				</div>
			</td>
		</tr>
	</tbody>
</table>
<p>
	&nbsp;</p>',
			'published' => true,
			'created' => '2014-03-10',
			'modified' => '2014-03-10',
			'keywords' => 'the corporate weekly from Nepal, nepali corporate events – news – interviews – reviews, nepali corporate focus, nepali corporate status and news, news from nepali corporate industry, corporate happenings – events – news from nepal',
			'description' => 'Begani Group of companies is creating ground for its growth and concentrating on increasing market visibility of its products.',
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	(int) 1 => array(
		'Article' => array(
			'id' => '2691',
			'article_category_id' => '122',
			'title' => 'ChaChaWhee FunPark: A Resort For Children',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => null,
			'content' => '<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	<strong>--By Surendra Paudyal</strong></div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	ChaChaWhee FunPark Resort, a resort especially for children has been established in Pokhara, a tourism town of Nepal. The one of its kind resort came into being about a month ago with an investment of Rs 20 million, informed its Director Pratikshya Chhetri.&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	The resort is located at Gharipatan of Pokhara and spreads over 20 ropanis of land. It has 15 rooms from where the beautiful Annapurna range in the north can be enjoyed. As the resort is established with children in mind, first priority is given to those who come along with their children. Chhetri says, &ldquo;ChaChaWhee FunPark Resort is the only exclusive resort of its kind for families with kids.&rdquo;</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	<span style="font-size:14px;"><strong><img alt="" src="/userfiles/images/s3%20(Copy).jpg" style="float: right; margin: 0px 0px 0px 10px;width: 300px; height: 363px;" />Getting Popularity</strong></span></div>
<div>
	Chhetri says that the resort has gained popularity within a short time of its opening. One of the most popular packages offered by the resort is &lsquo;Family Fun Package with Dinner and Breakfast&rsquo; for two adults and two kids in a room. This package, which costs Rs10,000 per night, also offers unlimited rides for children and some facilities for adults along with breakfast and dinner for all. Children can enjoy unlimited rides such as Joy Train, Battery Cars, Flying Chair, Merry-Go-Round, Ferris Wheel among others. Chhetri says that if the family purchasing this package has only three members, 15 per cent discount is given while if there are only two clients, 30 per cent concession is provided. She says that another Family Room and Fun Package is also much loved by the families visiting the resort.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	A room at the resort costs Rs 2500 without any package. The popularity of the resort is increasing and its Managing Director Dinesh Prasain credits the quality of services and the unique family environment provided by the resort for it. &nbsp;&ldquo;Fun Park is becoming centre of attraction for those visiting Pokhara along with&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	their children.&rdquo;&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	Chhetri says that schools in the surrounding areas bring school children to the fun park. Along with domestic tourists, the resort is getting popular among foreign visitors especially Indian families&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	with children.&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	<span style="font-size:14px;"><strong>Caring for Safety</strong></span></div>
<div>
	Prasain explains that when adults go for sightseeing, the resort has facilities to entertain their children at the resort. The resort has installed safety and security measures for all the rides and games for children. &ldquo;We realize that kids and families need to feel secure. A team of full time technicians monitor and supervise the rides as safety comes first for us,&rdquo; Chhetri said. A mechanical engineer led team of technicians constantly supervise the games and rides to ensure the security and smoothness of the rides. &nbsp;Likewise, the fun park has first-aid facilities on site as well as vehicles on standby in case of any emergency. &ldquo;We have invested in technologies and professional security companies that ensure security but in the friendliest ways,&rdquo; says Chhetri.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	<img alt="FunPark Pokhara" src="/userfiles/images/s2%20(Copy).jpg" style="width: 550px; height: 432px; margin-left: 10px; margin-right: 10px;" /></div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	<span style="font-size:14px;"><strong>Building theResort</strong></span></div>
<div>
	As of now, Rs 70 million has been invested in the resort. According to Chhetri, Global IME Bank has provided loan for developing the project. The resort houses various amenities for children such as revolving wheel, swimming pool, garden, joy train, video game parlour among others. The resort also organises birthday parties, family gathering and&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	other events.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	Chhetri explains, &ldquo;ChaChaWhee is the Nepali expression of fun, thrill and joy. Kids usually ChaChaWhee! in the ping-swings, especially during Dashain. Now you need not wait for Dashain and Melas. Nor is the traditional ping-swing the only thing that can ChaChaWhee the kids.&rdquo;</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	<span style="font-size:14px;"><strong>The Location</strong></span></div>
<div>
	ChaChaWhee FunPark Resort is located in the prime location of Pokhara. It is situated within five minutes driving distance from the Airport, Bus Park and Fewa Dam Site towards the International Mountain Museum at Himal Tole of Gharipatan. The upfront view of some of the most beautiful Himalayas &ndash; Machhapuchhre, Annapurna I, II, III, IV, Annapurna South and Lamjung Himal makes the resort special, say its promoters. Similarly, the beautiful scenery of the mountains and the garden within the resort premises make the stay at the resort more pleasurable. The garden was set up with the help of the gardener who also helped set popular Garden of Dreams at KesharMahal, Kathmandu.&nbsp;</div>',
			'published' => true,
			'created' => '2014-03-03',
			'modified' => '2014-03-10',
			'keywords' => 'the corporate weekly from Nepal, nepali corporate events – news – interviews – reviews, nepali corporate focus, nepali corporate status and news, news from nepali corporate industry, corporate happenings – events – news from nepal',
			'description' => 'Pokhara, a tourism hub of Nepal has been offering different tastes to travellers. ChaChaWhee FunPark Resort is a latest addition to its deliverables and this one offers unique experience to junior travellers.',
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			'title' => 'MAW Engineering : Escalating On Expansion Path',
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			'content' => '<p>
	&nbsp;</p>
<table align="right" style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 10px;" width="25">
	<tbody>
		<tr>
			<td>
				<img alt="Vishal Gadia, Executive Director, MAW Engineering Pvt Ltd" src="/userfiles/images/vg%20(Copy).jpg" style="border-width: 0px; border-style: solid; width: 200px; height: 232px;" /></td>
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			<td bgcolor="#FFFFFF">
				<div align="center">
					<div style="text-align: center;">
						<div>
							<div>
								<strong>Vishal Gadia</strong></div>
							<div>
								Executive Director</div>
							<div>
								MAW Engineering Pvt Ltd</div>
						</div>
					</div>
				</div>
			</td>
		</tr>
	</tbody>
</table>
<p>
	MAW Engineering Pvt Ltd, previously an engineering division of the parent company, MAW Enterprises, has completed year-long journey as an independent company. Created with a motive of giving special focus on engineering solutions targeted at Nepali industries and institutional clients, the company says that it has been successful to establish itself as an independent entity in its first year.<br />
	<br />
	Vishal Gadia, Executive Director of MAW Engineering, says that its first year was a transitional phase though the company was in operation for the past one decade and thus not a completely new company. &ldquo;The business was good and now it is even better than what it was. We are moving on a progressive route,&rdquo; he adds. The company was officially started as an independent company from December 16, 2012.<br />
	<br />
	<span style="font-size:16px;"><strong>Moves Ahead </strong></span></p>
<p>
	Gadia shares that the company is planning to horizontally add new products to cater to the need of existing target market. He says that major clients for products of MAW Engineering are institutions, offices and factories. &ldquo;We were established to give special focus to the services we offer and we will continue to do so also in the future,&rdquo; explains Gadia.</p>
<p>
	The company, this year introduced new air conditioning products from Trane brand in the market. Gadia says that these products are high end premium products mainly targeted at top of the line hospitality industry and manufacturing units. MAW Engineering acquired Trane&rsquo;s dealership for Nepal last year and promises to enhance this relationship also in the future.</p>
<p>
	<br />
	<strong style="font-size: 16px;"><img alt="Timeline of MAW Engineering" src="/userfiles/images/vg3%20(Copy).jpg" style="float: left; margin: 0px 10px 0px 0px; width: 300px; height: 307px; border-width: 2px; border-style: solid;" /></strong></p>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<p>
	Gadia further says that the company plans to focus on its existing product line in 2014. The company currently has four products namely generators from Yamaha and Greaves brands, air compressors from Ingersoll Rand, weighing scales and bridges from Mettler Toledo and Air Conditioners from Trane. He shares that most of these products are targeted at institutional clients while gensets are targeted at household users also.<br />
	<br />
	<span style="font-size:16px;"><strong>Changing Market</strong></span></p>
<p>
	Yamaha is the most popular brand the company has been dealing with since MAW Enterprises&rsquo; initial days. Gadia says that Yamaha has always been the market leader holding a strong market share. Air compressors and weighing scales by Ingersoll Rand and Mettler Toledo too have quite promising market share, says Gadia. To prevent cannibalising of generator market, the company has positioned Yamaha and Greaves products as separate product range and target different clients. &ldquo;We don&rsquo;t overlap product ranges of Yamaha and Greaves and have completely different target markets for them. Yamahas are small products while products from Greaves are of larger scale and capacity,&rdquo; explains Gadia.<br />
	<br />
	As generators are one of the major products of the company at present, the company has already sensed the shrinking genset market in the future with the generation of more hydropower. Gadia also says that the market size of the gensets is decreasing as the power cut hours have now decreased to 12 hours from 18 hours a day and will further shrink with abundant production of hydroelectricity. &ldquo;It is good for the country to decrease load shedding hours. We are businessmen and when the market changes, we will adapt to those changes. We also believe that if a door closes, numerous other doors open up. If the country starts producing more energy, we will have other opportunities to invest in,&rdquo; says Gadia.<br />
	<br />
	Accordingly, the company has plans to cater to the changing market situations. Therefore, it has begun expanding into air conditioner business. Gadia explains, &ldquo;It has very good market prospects as commercial buildings and high rise building construction are in the rise. Manufacturing industries too will increase. So, we are making a base today and are hopeful that our product&rsquo;s need will grow in the future.&rdquo;<br />
	<br />
	<br />
	<span style="font-size:16px;"><strong><img alt="Some products of MAW Engineering" src="/userfiles/images/vg4%20(Copy).jpg" style="float: right; margin: 0px 0px 0px 10px;width: 300px; border-width: 2px; border-style: solid; height: 207px;" />Competing Tough </strong></span><br />
	The company believes that it is always kept on its toes by the market competition. Though the company has reputed and trustable brand names in its portfolio, the company is not staying idle only on the support of the sturdy brand names. Gadia says that the company concentrates on quality of services along with offering quality products. &ldquo;Though our brands are very good and they rarely need after sales service, they are machines and need regular servicing. Thus we have given special focus on services. Once there is good service offering, sales will automatically follow,&rdquo; he says.<br />
	<br />
	Competition has been healthy in the market, says Gadia. And he feels that the current market competition, though it has kept the company on its toes, has benefitted customers at large. &ldquo;We have always worked with an aim of bringing and promoting healthy competition. It is good that we are on our toes as it eventually benefits customers,&rdquo; describes Gadia.<br />
	<br />
	To ensure swift delivery of products and after sales services, the company has two branches in Bratnagar and Birgunj. Gadia reveals that this network will be extended to Pokhara and Butwal within this year. Similarly, Yamaha products have a network of 26 dealerships across the country while other brands are supplied through Kathmandu, Birgunj and Biratnagar branches of MAW Engineering.<br />
	&nbsp;</p>
<table border="0" cellpadding="10" width="99%">
	<tbody>
		<tr>
			<td bgcolor="#E5E4E2">
				<div>
					&nbsp;</div>
				<div style="text-align: center;">
					<span style="font-size:16px;"><strong>Expansion of MAW Enterprises</strong></span></div>
				<div>
					&nbsp;</div>
				<div>
					<img alt="Moranfg Auto Works" src="/userfiles/images/vg2%20(Copy).jpg" style="width: 550px; height: 339px; margin-left: 10px; margin-right: 10px;" /></div>
				<div>
					<br />
					MAW Enterprises, the parent company of MAW Engineering was founded by P.R. Agrawal in the year 1965 in Biratnagar. The company was established as an automobile workshop which was the first in Nepal. In the company&rsquo;s working history of four and a half decades, it has established itself as one of the leading names in automobiles business. The company&rsquo;s growth and expansion was fuelled when it became agency of various renowned international brands in the after years of its establishment. The company took up agencies of ancillary products like Yuasa batteries - Japan, Goodyear Tyres - Singapore, Talbros gaskets, Mahle Pistons, Goetze Rings etc. Similarly, in 1971, it took agency of Ford tractors and in 1975, took agency of Escorts/Rajdoot motorcycle which is now Yamaha.<br />
					<br />
					The various product segments later on grew as the division of the company. In 1999, the company started its Industrial Equipment Division and took agency of IR, ECEL, MTNIL, Greaves. Similarly, in 2003, the company started Construction Equipment division and took agency of JCB. In 2004, it also became agency for Yamaha Gensets. The company also established a factory of Aaron helmets in Sitargunj, India in partnership with other investors in 2006. Yamaha is one of the long standing brands of the company. The company started importing music products from this brand as an agency in 2006. In the same year, it also took agency of Greaves Concrete Equipment. The company also entered into four wheeler market being an authorised distributor of Skoda cars for Nepal in 2007. The expansion did not stop there. The company in 2011 started a new venture, Ready-Mix Concrete (RMC) in 2011 with the name of MAW RMC. Similarly, for financing the products sold by the company, it also promotes United Finance Limited.<br />
					<br />
					<span style="font-size:16px;"><strong>SWOT Analysis of MAW Engineering</strong></span><br />
					<br />
					<span style="font-size:14px;"><strong>Strengths</strong></span><br />
					&bull; Positive market reputation<br />
					&bull; Best practices implemented<br />
					&bull; Proven strong customer orientation<br />
					&bull; System dependent and resource independent<br />
					&bull; Proven success in establishing up market and value products in niche and mass markets<br />
					&bull; Dependable and reliable networking<br />
					&bull; Strong financial standing<br />
					&bull; Reputed brands and quality products in its portfolio<br />
					<br />
					<span style="font-size:14px;"><strong>Weaknesses</strong></span><br />
					&bull; Less product range for household consumers<br />
					&bull; Relatively new as an independent entity as it was earlier known as division of MAW Enterprises<br />
					<br />
					<span style="font-size:14px;"><strong>Opportunities</strong></span><br />
					&bull; Growing markets for consumer and industrial electronic equipment<br />
					&bull; Increase in purchasing capacity and demand for premium products<br />
					&bull; With the rise of housing sector demands for products of the company in the rise<br />
					<br />
					<span style="font-size:14px;"><strong>Threats</strong></span><br />
					&bull; Shrinking market for generators with increasing production of hydropower<br />
					&bull; Presence of strong competitors in some product range</div>
			</td>
		</tr>
	</tbody>
</table>
<p>
	&nbsp;</p>',
			'published' => true,
			'created' => '2014-02-23',
			'modified' => '2014-03-03',
			'keywords' => 'the corporate weekly from Nepal, nepali corporate events – news – interviews – reviews, nepali corporate focus, nepali corporate status and news, news from nepali corporate industry, corporate happenings – events – news from nepal',
			'description' => 'MAW Engineering has completed a year of its operation as an independent entity and has expansion plans in the pipeline.',
			'sortorder' => '2499',
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	(int) 3 => array(
		'Article' => array(
			'id' => '2592',
			'article_category_id' => '122',
			'title' => 'Laxmi Group’s Organic Growth',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => null,
			'content' => '<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	<strong>--By Gaurav Aryal</strong></div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<table align="right" style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 10px;" width="25">
	<tbody>
		<tr>
			<td>
				<img alt="Anjan Shrestha, Executive Director, Laxmi Group" src="/userfiles/images/sp1%20(Copy)(1).jpg" style="border-width: 0px; border-style: solid; width: 200px; height: 233px;" /></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td bgcolor="#FFFFFF">
				<div align="center">
					<div style="text-align: center;">
						<div>
							<strong>Anjan Shrestha</strong></div>
						<div>
							<em>Executive Director, Laxmi Group</em></div>
					</div>
				</div>
			</td>
		</tr>
	</tbody>
</table>
<div>
	Laxmi Group&rsquo;s initial capital was Rs 100 invested in a hand-operated-machine to produce candies. Two brothers of the Shrestha family from Pokhara were government employees before they decided to change their career path and start-up a business of their own. One of them, Ajad Shrestha, had pondered on moving to Terai while the other brother decided not to leave Pokhara. During one of their visits to Butwal to explore new possibilities they came across a person who suggested them a business idea.&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	As suggested the two brothers established a confectionary factory in Pokhara that produced toffees and candies with a hand-operated-machine. Anjan Shrestha, Executive Director of Laxmi Group shares that the move then was driven by a necessity for a different career. Initial products of the venture were sold under the name of Muga Mithai and Laxmi Sweets.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	Having their business based in Pokhara, neighbouring towns and areas like Damauli and Syangja were emerging as a market for confectioneries. Shrestha brothers did not restrict themselves from exploring prospects that surrounded them. To cater to the growing demand, the company automated the confectionary production by installing automatic machine in 1976. With the increased production capacity, the company also decided to penetrate into the nation&rsquo;s capital, Kathmandu. Shrestha says that the move was largely successful and the taste of success gave confidence to his father and uncle to diversify their business portfolio.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	<span style="font-size:14px;"><strong>Broadening the Horizon</strong></span></div>
<div>
	The confectionary industry where the family had some experience and gained expertise over the years was further expanded in the first phase. Shrestha says that four factories were established in different places. &ldquo;We had very little capital. So, we started each factory with small investment and gradually moved up the ladder,&rdquo; he recalls. All those factories were consolidated under the Sujal Foods Pvt Ltd in the mid 1990s.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	&ldquo;Sujal Foods changed the dynamism of the Nepali confectionary industry,&rdquo; says Shrestha. Chocofun wafer produced by the company was that remarkable product that changed the market. He adds that the true value for money offered by the company to its customers helped the company gain its presence in the market. &ldquo;We have adhered to the principle of giving value for the money since we started out business. We believe consumers must get what they pay for,&rdquo; believes Shrestha. The confectionary business of the group has around 60 per cent market share of the total confectionary market of Nepal, according to Shrestha.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	Moreover, it was not only the success that inspired the growth of the group. The economic sanction imposed by the government of India in Nepal in 1989 created a shortage of packaging materials and wrappers for the company. Shrestha recalls that the existing stock of packaging materials was enough only for two months. So, the company was forced to close down for a while. Eventually, a decision was made to establish packaging material factory. This factory now produces wrappers, polythene-shopping bags, PET bottles, jars among others.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	<span style="font-size:14px;"><strong>Dairy Acquisition</strong></span></div>
<div>
	According to Shrestha, by 2004, the company had gained momentum in confectionary manufacturing. This new status of the company further encouraged diversifying the portfolio. The company acquired the Pokhara unit of Dairy Development Corporation (DDC), after a long haul of ten years in the privatisation. The family had an internal understanding that they will never venture into tobacco and alcohol production business. So, dairy was an appropriate industry for the group. When the company was eventually privatised in 2004, the group did not only have a new company in its portfolio but also a number of challenges.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	One of the biggest challenges was to keep the sales high even after rebranding the DDC into Safal. &ldquo;Changing the DDC brand that was on top of the mind of consumers into Safal was challenging,&rdquo; recalls Shrestha. As a rebranding campaign, one week prior to the launching of Safal brand, the company used shopping bags with Safal name printed on it. The company had mobilised a sales team one week before the company was handed over. Shrestha says that such move helped in creating the curiosity andtransforming the brand. He claims that sales of Safal milk equalled the sales of DDC within a week. At present, the Safal milk has over 60 per cent market share in Pokhara and five per cent in Kathmandu. Shrestha says that the company will increase the market presence in Kathmandu to 20 per cent within a year. It was launched in Kathmandu, last year.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	Looking at the excess milk production during the flush season and practice of milk holiday, the company decided to establish a powdered milk factory. Shrestha says that the factory was established feeling that it is their responsibility to address the problem of dairy farmers whose milk is wasted during milk holiday. However, immediately after the factory was established the company realised that the problem of milk holiday was not in existence to the extent it was expected to be. So, he says that the factory is currently operating below its installed capacity.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	In the trading business, the group came up with the distributorship of Hyundai Motors for Nepal in 2009. Laxmi InterContinental Pvt Ltd is expanding its distributor network across the country with an aim to offer uniform service from any sales point across the country. Showrooms with such look and feel are being set-up in Banepa, Birtamode, Biratnagar, Narayangarh, Butwal and Dhangadhi.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	<span style="font-size:14px;"><strong>Tourism Diversification</strong></span></div>
<div>
	The group is now willing to venture into the tourism and agro industry. The group had submitted a proposal to the government in 2011 to develop a cable car line from Basundhara Park to Shanti Stupa in Pokhara. The group had plans to consolidate the project along with amusement park and a resort. However, the project is not being developed due to a pending litigation at the court. Shrestha expects that this project would increase tourist flow and hence revenue collection in Pokhara. He hopes that that the case will soon be sorted out and project will be started.&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	The group has plans to establish hotels in Pokhara and Kathmandu. Shrestha reveals that these projects may begin services in 2016 as the group is presently conceptualising these projects. He explains that this is the sector in which Nepal has originality and competitive edgewhile forwarding it&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	as motivating factor for their groups involvement into the sector.&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	<span style="font-size:14px;"><strong>Management Transformation</strong></span></div>
<div>
	The group is not only expanding its business portfolio but also bringing changes in its management structure. The group, as of now is being managed as a family owned business. But, it is planning to hand over the responsibility of leading the group to professional managers. Presently, the members of Shrestha family are looking after various companies according to their expertise and experience in the respective fields. To expedite the transformation, the group is hiring managers, empowering and mentoring them. Shrestha expects that in three to four years, the leadership will be handed over to professional managers and the investors of the group will remain only in monitoring and supervision positions.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<table align="center" width="100">
	<tbody>
		<tr>
			<td>
				<img alt="Launching of Hyundai Grand i10" src="/userfiles/images/sp2%20(Copy)(1).jpg" style="border-width: 0px; border-style: solid; width: 550px; height: 217px;" /></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td bgcolor="#DDDDDD">
				<div align="center">
					<div style="text-align: center;">
						<strong>Launching of Hyundai Grand i10</strong></div>
				</div>
			</td>
		</tr>
	</tbody>
</table>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<table border="0" cellpadding="10" width="99%">
	<tbody>
		<tr>
			<td bgcolor="#E5E4E2">
				<div>
					<span style="font-size:16px;"><strong>Some Companies of Laxmi Group</strong></span></div>
				<div>
					&bull;<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Sujal Foods Pvt Ltd</div>
				<div>
					&bull;<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Jaya Confectionary Pvt Ltd</div>
				<div>
					&bull;<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Sujal Dairy Pvt Ltd</div>
				<div>
					&bull;<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Laxmi InterContinental Pvt Ltd</div>
				<div>
					&bull;<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Sujal Plastics Pvt Ltd</div>
				<div>
					&bull;<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Jaya Packaging Pvt Ltd</div>
				<div>
					&nbsp;</div>
				<div>
					<span style="font-size:16px;"><strong>Laxmi InterContinental Pvt Ltd</strong></span></div>
				<div>
					Laxmi InterContinental Pvt Ltd, automobile trader under the Laxmi Group has been importing and selling Hyundai vehicles in Nepal since February 2009. The company is not only selling vehicles but is also dedicated to provide after sales service to its customers. In order to achieve this aim, it has opened showrooms and service centres across Nepal. These showrooms promise to offer customers an improved service in terms of quality, space and ambience. Similarly, to capitalise the growing automobile market outside the Kathmandu valley, the company has established sub dealers at various locations such as Banepa, Pokhara, Narayangarh, Butwal, Nepalgunj, Dhangadi, Birgunj, Damak, Birtamode etc.</div>
				<div>
					&nbsp;</div>
				<div>
					<span style="font-size:16px;"><strong>Sujal Foods Pvt Ltd</strong></span></div>
				<div>
					&nbsp;Sujal Foods Pvt Ltd is the flagship subsidiary of Laxmi Group. This company with over five brands in different product categories holds around 60 per cent market share from its entire portfolio. &nbsp;It produces cocoa based confectioneries, strip gums, toffees, lollypops and bubble gums.</div>
				<div>
					&nbsp;</div>
				<div>
					The company also has been exporting some of its products to India and China since 2006.</div>
				<div>
					&nbsp;</div>
				<div>
					<span style="font-size:16px;"><strong>Major Brands of Sujal Foods</strong></span></div>
				<div>
					&bull;<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Chocofun<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>&bull;<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Smart Lollypop</div>
				<div>
					&bull;<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Love Birds<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>&bull;<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Sujal Eclairs</div>
				<div>
					&bull;<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Funstix Toffee<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>&bull;<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Sujal Gum</div>
				<div>
					&bull;<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Bubble Fun<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>&bull;<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Crave</div>
				<div>
					&bull;<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Candyman<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>&bull;<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Rasilo</div>
				<div>
					&bull;<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Lactofun Premium Malt</div>
				<div>
					&bull;<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Fresho Menthalyptus</div>
				<div>
					&nbsp;</div>
				<div>
					<span style="font-size:16px;"><strong>CSR</strong></span></div>
				<div>
					Laxmi Group has been undertaking various Corporate Social Responsibilities in various occasions. Mostly on the occasion of its anniversary, it provides financial and other support for social causes. However, most of the CSR activities are concentrated in Pokhara. The group has been supporting drinking water projects, schools and hospitals. In the group&rsquo;s last anniversary, it built a waiting unit for visitors. Similarly, Laxmi InterContinental Pvt Ltd has plans to launch extensive CSR activities within a year under the brand name of Hyundai.&nbsp;</div>
			</td>
		</tr>
	</tbody>
</table>',
			'published' => true,
			'created' => '2014-02-17',
			'modified' => '2014-02-25',
			'keywords' => 'the corporate weekly from Nepal, nepali corporate events – news – interviews – reviews, nepali corporate focus, nepali corporate status and news, news from nepali corporate industry, corporate happenings – events – news from nepal',
			'description' => 'Laxmi Group started its commercial journey four decades ago in Pokhara when it was just a rustic village. The Group grew leaps and bounds to be positioned among the prominent business houses of Nepal.',
			'sortorder' => '2440',
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	(int) 4 => array(
		'Article' => array(
			'id' => '2550',
			'article_category_id' => '122',
			'title' => 'Sneha Group: For Hospitality And More',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => null,
			'content' => '<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	<strong>--By Gaurav Aryal</strong></div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<table align="right" style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 10px;" width="25">
	<tbody>
		<tr>
			<td>
				<img alt="Bhawani Rana, Chairperson, Sneha Group" src="/userfiles/images/3%20(Copy)(2).jpg" style="border-width: 0px; border-style: solid; width: 200px; height: 203px;" /></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td bgcolor="#FFFFFF">
				<div align="center">
					<div style="text-align: center;">
						<div>
							<div>
								<strong>Bhawani Rana</strong></div>
							<div>
								Chairperson, Sneha Group</div>
						</div>
					</div>
				</div>
			</td>
		</tr>
	</tbody>
</table>
<div>
	The journey of Sneha Group of Companies began with the Nepalgunj based one star hotel - Sneha Hotel, as a family business of Asit SJB Rana. The hotel later expanded under the leadership of Bhawani Rana, Chairperson of Sneha Group. &nbsp; The hotel that started with 10 rooms has now grown into three star property with 65 rooms.&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	Rana says that the hotel is now the group&rsquo;s flagship company. Later, new companies in freight business, travel and tourism and agriculture were also named after Sneha as the name turned out to be a lucky charm for the group. The name is used as brand in the group&rsquo;s solo ventures. She reveals that the hotel is being upgraded to four-star category hotel with 75 rooms within a year. Likewise, the group is establishing a resort at Motipur of Bardiya district, near the Bardiya National Park. The resort will offer tourism packages including jungle safari and rafting. &nbsp;</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	The group has another ambitious resort project up its sleeves for Rara National Park as well. Rana says that land acquisition process is undergoing for this project and informed that the group will begin developing the project once the government gives green signal to its proposal. This eco-resort will have no concrete buildings thereby making it a truly eco-friendly resort. Rana says that the group plans to invest Rs 30 to 50 million in the project named as Sneha Eco Resort. The resort will have 20 to 25 rooms only.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	Similarly, the group is establishing Sneha Culture and Entertainment in Kathmandu soon that will present various cultural shows for international tourists. . However, Rana did not disclose details of this project. Likewise, the group is also expanding its agro processing and production business that is running under the name Sneha Agro. The group is planning to enter herb processing and expand &nbsp;fisheries and banana farming . At present, the group&rsquo;s banana farm spreads across 15 bighas of Bardiya. According to Rana, the group, as of now has invested Rs 20 million in the agriculture and herbs, Rs 250 million in the hotels and registers around Rs 150 million annual turnover from its various businesses.&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	The group is interested in developing cable car as medium of public transport in Kathmandu in partnership with other investors. The French expert has undertaken the responsibility to conduct feasibility study of the project. Rana says that the estimated investment has increased to around Rs 25 billion and the viability of the project will be known while the Detailed Project Report (DPR) is prepared.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	<span style="font-size:14px;"><strong>Focus on Mid and Far West</strong></span></div>
<div>
	The Sneha Group has focused its hospitality and tourism business away from oft-beaten destinations such as Kathmandu, Pokhara and Chitwan. Rana says, &ldquo;There were options for us to establish a project in Kathmandu Valley. But we decided to take the development out of the valley.&rdquo; The group had thought of developing Sanepa Tower Hotel at Sanepa of Lalitpur in a land spread over eight ropanis. However, the group concluded to offer tourists with services in off the beaten routes and destinations. She believes that the new resort project in Rara would open up new possibilities to explore the surrounding areas that have remained virgin as of now. She says that Nepalgunj is developing as a transit point for visiting numerous areas in the region such as Kailash-Mansarovar, Khaptad National Park and Swargadwari. She feels that the lack of promotion of Bardiya national park is holding off the possibility of developing tourism in the area in similar ways as that of Chitwan.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	<span style="font-size:14px;"><strong>Tourism Specialisation</strong></span></div>
<div>
	It is not only the tourism and hospitality that the group has put its hands into. It was also operating Bardiya Sugar Mill that was closed down during the armed conflict. The group now is making plans to reopen this factory. However, the company&rsquo;s main focus is on the service industry. . Rana says that this decision was made based on her and family&rsquo;s interests. She recalls numerous instances when she was advised to invest in the hydropower sector.&rdquo;But they could not lure me into that,&rdquo; she says. &nbsp;&ldquo;Tourism and service industry is where my interests and experiences are. So, we are expanding in this area and the soon to be established entertainment and cultural centre will be another addition to it.&rdquo;&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	<span style="font-size:14px;"><strong>Serving the Right Market</strong></span></div>
<div>
	Nepalgunj has become a transit point for visiting numerous tourist destinations in the Mid and Far Western Nepal. Be it domestic destinations like Dolpa, Jumla, Surkhet, Bardiya &nbsp;or &nbsp;few destinations located in Tibet like Kailash and Mansarovar. Nepalgunj is the point from where the journey begins. According to Rana, during the peak seasons, majority of clients residing at Sneha Hotel are the ones hailing from USA and Europe. She says that if tourism infrastructures can be developed and destinations in the region are promoted, the tourism industry can benefit the entire region. Recently, the number of Indian tourist is also significantly increasing, says Rana.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;Apart from pleasure seeking tourists, the major clientele of Sneha Group&rsquo;s hotel is made up of government officials and I/NGO and development workers. . Government and non-government institutions have set Mid and Far-Western region&rsquo;s development as their priority. Consequently, their activities in the region have spiked over the years. Nepalgunj is the base for these institutions where numerous conferences and conventions are organised every month thereby contributing a large chunk of sales and revenue to the hotel business.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	Unlike Pokhara and Chitwan, Nepalgunj offers little tourist attraction within the city. So, it has been acting as a one night transit. Rana feels that there are some religiously important places like Bageshwori temple within the city that can be promoted&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	to visitors.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	Being one of the oldest hotels in Nepalgunj, Sneha Hotel has remained strong throughout its operation despite the increasing competition. Responding to the changing market scenario, the group plans to rename the hotel as Hotel Sneha: Rana Boutique Hotel. Rana says, &ldquo;The region lacks boutique hotels. Hence this idea.&rdquo;</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<table border="0" cellpadding="10" width="99%">
	<tbody>
		<tr>
			<td bgcolor="#E5E4E2">
				<div>
					<div>
						<div>
							<span style="font-size:16px;"><strong>Turning Point</strong></span></div>
						<div>
							During the decade long conflict, the business of Sneha Group was also affected as Nepalgunj happened to be in the close vicinity of the conflict area. While the sugar mill was closed down, Sneha Hotel was also forced to close for two months. Bhawani Rana, Chairperson of the group recalls those days as terrorising for entrepreneurs in the area. However, her group, with the hope of better situation, did not hesitate in making additional investments. She recalls that most difficult days during the conflict period were when the group had borrowed loan from banks and the conflict immediately escalated to its peak.</div>
						<div>
							&nbsp;</div>
						<div>
							<span style="font-size:16px;"><strong>Managing the Business</strong></span></div>
						<div>
							Rana, who is also Vice President of Federation of Nepalese Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FNCCI), says she has been able to dedicate very little time to her business, as she has to spend most of her working hours at FNCCI. In her absence, businesspersons in the family and company&rsquo;s managers look after the business. &nbsp;The group has employed 200 people in its hotel, agriculture and travel businesses. Rana says that staff of the group are sincere and hardworking and she recalls the incident where they worked at half their salaries when the hotel remained closed during the conflict period. The group has always treated its employees as family members and &nbsp;motivated them by listening and understanding their problems, by treating them professionally and by providing incentives.</div>
						<div>
							&nbsp;</div>
						<div>
							<span style="font-size:16px;"><strong>CSR</strong></span></div>
						<div>
							The group is carrying out its social responsibilities through an organisation named Saathi Sanstha. The organisation has established a shelter for victims of women trafficking. Women in the shelter are provided with hotel management and other skill oriented trainings. Rana says that the organisation also tries offering them job placements. She shares that 15 women are trained annually by this organization. Similarly, the group also provides scholarships to needy children every year.&nbsp;</div>
					</div>
				</div>
			</td>
		</tr>
	</tbody>
</table>
<p>
	&nbsp;</p>',
			'published' => true,
			'created' => '2014-02-09',
			'modified' => '2014-02-18',
			'keywords' => 'the corporate weekly from Nepal, nepali corporate events – news – interviews – reviews, nepali corporate focus, nepali corporate status and news, news from nepali corporate industry, corporate happenings – events – news from nepal',
			'description' => 'Sneha Group of Companies, a business house based in the mid-western region of Nepal, is expanding its business roots into agriculture and tourism industry.',
			'sortorder' => '2398',
			'image' => null,
			'article_date' => '0000-00-00 00:00:00',
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	(int) 5 => array(
		'Article' => array(
			'id' => '2503',
			'article_category_id' => '122',
			'title' => 'Vishal Group The Emerging FMCG Powerhouse',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => null,
			'content' => '<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	<strong>--By Gaurav Aryal</strong></div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<table align="right" style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 10px;" width="25">
	<tbody>
		<tr>
			<td>
				<img alt="Arpit Agrawal, Director, Vishal Group" src="/userfiles/images/sp2%20(Copy).jpg" style="border-width: 0px; border-style: solid; width: 200px; height: 226px;" /></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td bgcolor="#FFFFFF">
				<div align="center">
					<div style="text-align: center;">
						<div>
							<div>
								<strong>Arpit Agrawal</strong></div>
							<div>
								Director, Vishal Group</div>
						</div>
					</div>
				</div>
			</td>
		</tr>
	</tbody>
</table>
<div>
	Vishal Group&rsquo;s seeds were sown in Dharan. The first generation entrepreneurs from the Agrawal family had a textile shop there. When the family-owned textile business was passed onto the next generation, it took a shape of a manufacturing industrial house following their entry into steel manufacturing. The group has two steel factories in Biratnagar.&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	Then the group moved into the financial service which was further diversified into imports and distribution. United Distributors Nepal Pvt Ltd, one of the flagship companies of the group has around 50 top brands of the world in its portfolio that it distributes across Nepal. Similarly, the group has involvement in the automobiles, financial services, real estate, education and manufacturing among other sectors.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	<span style="font-size:14px;"><strong>Diversification</strong></span></div>
<div>
	Arpit Agrawal, Director of Vishal Group says that it was the efforts of his grandfathers, uncles and his father who took the group to the next level. He says that their exposure to the international business practices and the ideas they brought into the company worked well for the success of their family owned business. Though the group started diversification with the manufacturing of steel, the business that is as strong as the steel now comprises of 40 per cent of the distribution business.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	The Agrawal family has divided the business among themselves on sector basis. &nbsp;Agrawal feels that it is the expertise of the entrepreneurs in the family that helped in the diversification decisions. Agrawal, one of the youngest entrepreneurs in the family adds, &ldquo;If I am given with a choice between manufacturing and distribution business, I would go for the distribution. Manufacturing sector has small and clustered market. The latter offers me scope for my personal as well as professional development. And, more importantly, I enjoy this particular sector.&rdquo;</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	In the distribution sector, Vishal Group and its subsidiaries are authorised distributors for 50 different FMCG brands in personal care, food and beverages, electronics, liquor and medicines. When asked about the future concentration of the group, Agrawal says that Vishal Group wishes to be the number one FMCG powerhouse of the country. However, he hinted that the group will not completely abandon its manufacturing base.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	<span style="font-size:14px;"><strong>Days Ahead</strong></span></div>
<div>
	Agrawal says that the future of the group looks promising in his vision. &ldquo;Trading sector is the future for Vishal Group. And, we are certain that we will be the number one FMCG powerhouse of Nepal,&rdquo; he envisions. He is also hopeful that this target may be achieved sooner than three years. Agrawal says that the group has a wide range of products including small products like a mouth freshener to a luxury car. He adds that the group wants to be one stop solution to all the consumer goods and he says there is a possibility of establishing a department store selling only products that range from potato chips to luxury cars, distributed by the Vishal Group.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	<span style="font-size:14px;"><strong>Beating the Competition</strong></span></div>
<div>
	Vishal Group hardly feels the presence of its competitors. Though the group sells anything ranging from potato chips to cars, Agrawal says that the group hardly feels any competition. &ldquo;We are so much busy working that we don&rsquo;t get time to think a lot about competition. It is always nice to know what our competitors are doing but we don&rsquo;t really get affected by what they do. We just want to grow as a brand rather than getting involved in beating our competitors,&rdquo; he explains. Agrawal further says that arrogance affects the brand image and the group is not arrogant at all.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	To have a significant market share, the group has covered 35 cities and towns across the country. And, it has 60 distributors in those cities and towns. These distributors distribute the goods imported by the group and ensure that they reach the target customers at ease. Agrawal says that products dealt by the group are available in the smallest of the shops of smallest of the towns. He informed that there are more than 100 people working in the sales team of the group.&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	Various products offered by the group have their own distinct target markets from general public to premium niche clients. According to Agrawal, products of Procter &amp; Gamble on personal care segment has 35 per cent market share while chocolate brands like Mars and Snickers control about 40 per cent market. Similarly, Volkswagen targeted at premium customers has around 10 to 15 per cent market share in its class. Likewise, he adds that the recently introduced Royce energy drink aims to acquire the number two position, after Red Bull within a year.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	<img alt="Vishal Group Nepal" src="/userfiles/images/sp1%20(Copy).jpg" style="width: 550px; height: 196px;" /></div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	<span style="font-size:14px;"><strong>Unique Management Practices</strong></span></div>
<div>
	Vishal Group is designing one of its own kinds of offices in Nepal, says Agrawal. He adds that the working space is being modernised replicating the style of leading MNCs of the world. Agrawal says that in MNCs everyone sits in the same table, be it the highest ranking official or a junior employee, and this pattern is being incorporated at the Vishal Group&rsquo;s corporate office.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	Similarly, he says that directors of the group prefer working in the workstation rather than at their private cabins so that employees could have easy access to them. &ldquo;We don&rsquo;t want our employees whom we call our associates feel that we are superior to them. We want to be very accessible. And, when I am working at the workstation, anyone can easily meet me anytime,&rdquo; explains Agrawal.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	&ldquo;When we grow as a brand and a group, we call our employees our associates. We want them to grow not only financially but also professionally and personally along with the group,&rdquo; Agrawal shares. To ensure the employees develop a sense of belonging towards the company, the group has introduced various motivational packages. One of them is that the employees are allowed to take a half day leave to go to the movies every two months. Likewise, weekly off-work programmes are conducted at the office. The group has 2000 happy employees in all of its companies.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<table border="0" cellpadding="10" width="99%">
	<tbody>
		<tr>
			<td bgcolor="#E5E4E2">
				<div>
					<div>
						<div>
							<span style="font-size:16px;"><strong>Awards and Recognition</strong></span></div>
						<div>
							&nbsp;Vishal Group has been recognised as the highest taxpayer in 2010 by the government. United Distributors Nepal Pvt Ltd, one of the subsidiaries of group was awarded the Highest Tax Payer of Nepal in the foreign trade category. Similarly, the group&rsquo;s quality commitment has awarded it with the much coveted &lsquo;NS Quality Award 2002&rsquo; given to Mainawati Steel Industries Pvt Ltd. The group claims that it is the first industrial unit to obtain &lsquo;ISO 9002&rsquo; certification under the cables segment. Similarly, Nepal Industrial and Commercial Bank, one of the subsidiaries of the group was conferred with &lsquo;Commercially Important Person 2002&rsquo; award.</div>
						<div>
							&nbsp;</div>
						<div>
							<strong><span style="font-size:16px;">CSR Initiatives</span></strong></div>
						<div>
							Vishal Group believes in responsible business practices. The corporate social responsibilities (CSR) activities of the group are guided by the philosophy that the group must also give back to the society when it keeps growing larger. The group is involved in a number of social and community projects contributing generously and responsibly. For this purpose, the group runs Gordhandass Kamalawati Paropkari Pratisthan, named after the group&rsquo;s founder and his wife. The trust funds various charitable organisations and activities related to education.</div>
						<div>
							&nbsp;</div>
						<div>
							Similarly, Agrasen Bhawan, based in Dharan is a community centre constructed on the land donated by the group. This centre offers food and accommodation services at a highly subsidised price to those travelling to Dharan. The centre also has meeting halls that are being used for community activities and events.</div>
						<div>
							&nbsp;</div>
						<div>
							Likewise, the group supports various humanitarian causes for the welfare of the needy people in the society. It has been providing monetary and other basic materials like clothes to orphans and needy families in various parts of the country. The group adopts three orphan children each year and sponsors their education and also donates prosthetic limbs to disabled people.</div>
						<div>
							&nbsp;</div>
						<div>
							<span style="font-size:16px;"><strong>Some Brands Distributed by Vishal Group</strong></span></div>
						<div>
							<span style="font-size:16px;"><strong><img alt="" src="/userfiles/images/sp%20(Copy).jpg" style="width: 550px; height: 1473px;" /></strong></span></div>
					</div>
				</div>
			</td>
		</tr>
	</tbody>
</table>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>',
			'published' => true,
			'created' => '2014-01-26',
			'modified' => '2014-02-09',
			'keywords' => 'the corporate weekly from Nepal, nepali corporate events – news – interviews – reviews, nepali corporate focus, nepali corporate status and news, news from nepali corporate industry, corporate happenings – events – news from nepal',
			'description' => 'Vishal Group is working with a vision to establish itself as a fast moving consumer goods (FMCG) powerhouse of Nepal within three years.',
			'sortorder' => '2351',
			'image' => null,
			'article_date' => '0000-00-00 00:00:00',
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	(int) 6 => array(
		'Article' => array(
			'id' => '2451',
			'article_category_id' => '122',
			'title' => 'Kedia Organisation Re-defining Diversity',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => null,
			'content' => '<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	<strong>--By TC Correspondent</strong></div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<table align="right" style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 10px;" width="25">
	<tbody>
		<tr>
			<td>
				<img alt="Manoj Kedia, Executive Director, Kedia Organization" src="/userfiles/images/sp1.jpg" style="border-width: 0px; border-style: solid; width: 200px; height: 221px;" /></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td bgcolor="#FFFFFF">
				<div align="center">
					<div style="text-align: center;">
						<div>
							<strong>Manoj Kedia</strong></div>
						<div>
							<em>Executive Director</em></div>
						<div>
							<em>Kedia Organisation</em></div>
					</div>
				</div>
			</td>
		</tr>
	</tbody>
</table>
<div>
	Kedia Organisation, a multi-million business conglomerate is not only one of the largest business houses in Nepal but also one of the oldest. The business house has diversified itself into agriculture, dairy, banking, trading among other industries without leaving a bit of the manufacturing sector that the group is focused on.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	Kedia Group is a well-known name in the cement, carpet and sugar industry. Manoj Kedia, Executive Director of the organisation says that his group has recently started manufacturing PVC carpet and is soon upgrading production capacity of Indusankhar Sugar Mill, one of Nepal&rsquo;s oldest and leading sugar factories.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	It is an established name in the service industry. With some significant investment in this sector the business house is major promoter of Siddhartha Insurance, Siddhartha Capital and Siddhartha Bank and apart from that has been running several schools and hospitals in various parts of the country.&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	The group has not limited itself with the sectors it has proven expertise in. It is continuously expanding. As part of its expansion plan, the group has made some investments in the housing and hydropower sector. Stating these investments to be insignificant, Kedia says that they are mainly made with a motive to get acquainted with these sectors.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	<span style="font-size:14px;"><strong>Hydro Interests</strong></span></div>
<div>
	The power shortage has taken its toll on the industrial sector. And, Kedia Organisation is not an exception. Therefore, the group has lately made investments in hydropower generation. Kedia explains the groups&rsquo; logic behind its involvement in energy sector, &ldquo;Power deficit is a national problem and it is obvious that major business houses want to engage in the power generation business as they are incurring heavy losses due to it.&rdquo; With the growing demand for energy and high market potentials, energy has become a lucrative industry.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	Kedia says that the group has not made substantial investment in the energy sector as of now. &ldquo;We have invested as shareholder in this sector to study the sectoral behaviour,&rdquo; he says. He further adds that the country needs friendly laws and policies to attract FDI in the energy sector terming it to be a capital-intensive.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	<span style="font-size:14px;"><strong>Service and Trade Focus</strong></span></div>
<div>
	The service and trading sector has lured a lot of business houses to divert from their traditional specialisation in manufacturing. They feel that it is difficult for manufacturing sector to prosper due to power shortage, open import of cheap goods from India and China. Kedia feels that it is extremely difficult for Nepali companies to compete with imported products in terms of cost. This is one of the reasons for the Kedia Organisation to diversify its portfolio into the service and trading businesses. Kedia adds, &ldquo;Lack of skilled and productive manpower, unfriendly labour environment and decrease in agricultural production has triggered increase in imports of agro products. These are other factors that are affecting the growth of the manufacturing industries in Nepal and discouraging investors to invest in manufacturing sectors.&rdquo;</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	<span style="font-size:14px;"><strong>Agro Player</strong></span></div>
<div>
	Kedia Group is one of the key players in the agriculture and food processing industry. &nbsp;The group is involved in agro-based industries with half a dozen companies that process and produce various food products such as rice, flour, lentils and sugar. Mahabir Adhunik Dal Udyog is one of the oldest manufacturing units in the lentil industry with a working history of more than 75 years. This unit recently upgraded its production capacity to 96 metric tonnes per day.&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	Along with producing agro-based products, the group is trying to create backward linkages with the farmers. Kedia says that the group has been regularly coordinating with farmers that it deals with. &ldquo;We regularly provide them with various skill-based trainings and loans. We have set up a sugar mill in Sarlahi district, country&rsquo;s major sugarcane-growing centre, and it is an instance that reflects how we work in coordination with farmers. In addition to that, we have been actively engaged with farmers in the dairy business as well,&rdquo; he said.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	<span style="font-size:14px;"><strong>Five Years Later</strong></span></div>
<div>
	With the changing political environment, business houses have found reasons to be optimistic about the future. Kedia says that his group is not only hopeful about the probable growth of his business but also looks forward for growth in the overall development of the country.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	The group has plans to diversify its business involvements. Kedia reveals that his group will be engaged in the infrastructure, tourism, power and in the manufacturing sector. &ldquo;All we need is a strong and stable government, business-friendly policies and fair competition between private sector players. &nbsp;The domestic market has huge potentials and Kedia Group looks forward to tap and invest in them to create more jobs in the domestic market itself,&rdquo; he says.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	<div>
		<hr />
		<p style="text-align: center;">
			<strong style="font-size: 16px;">The Rise of Kedia Organisation</strong></p>
	</div>
	<div>
		Kedia Organisation was established in 1909 as an evolution of the family owned trading business. The Kedia family started its business as a cloth merchant with stores in Birgunj and Kathmandu that selling imports from India. With the initiation and leadership of Brij Lal Kedia, first generation businessperson of the family, the business gradually expanded into food grains trading. It started small but as time progressed, it expanded across Nepal. Manoj Kedia, Executive Director of Kedia Organisation, narrates, &ldquo;He used to collect food grains from every corner of the country and supply them to even remote areas that lacked transportation facilities. For the first time in Nepal, he fixed prices of food grains and at a certain point, even the Khadya Sansthan (government owned Nepal Food Corporation) fixed food grain prices by consulting him. Later he established rice mills, dal mills and many more food grain factories. He established Nepal&rsquo;s first modern rice mill, Bhagwati Rice Mill.&rdquo;</div>
	<div>
		&nbsp;</div>
	<div>
		Shankar Lal Kedia expanded foothold in the manufacturing sector. He established factories related to steel furniture, stainless steel utensils, textile, umbrella, socks, wheat flour, corrugated steel, copper utensil etc. Kedia says that during that time, the steel, textile, and corrugated sheet industries from Kedias were pioneers in their respective fields. They then became the backbones of the present day Kedia Organisation. At the same time, the group also entered in general merchandising sector by importing goods from third countries and bulk-traded them in local market. Imported goods included clothes, electronics, food items, medical equipment, household products, hardware, cement, sugar, and edible oil among others. Meanwhile the company also exported rice to Tibet and pulses and lentils to Sri Lanka, Bangladesh and to some European countries.&nbsp;</div>
	<div>
		&nbsp;</div>
	<div>
		Similarly, the group established Caltex Company, a petrol pump agent in Nepal, and this is still in operation as Kedia Auto in Birgunj. Kedia claims that Kedia Group also is one of the first industrial houses to advertise its products. &ldquo;We sponsored the &ldquo;Sundar Sushil Sangeet&rdquo;, a popular song-on-request programme aired on Radio Nepal, to promote our products,&rdquo; he says.</div>
	<div>
		&nbsp;</div>
	<div>
		Today the group has over 1000 administrative staff, more than 100 technical staff and over 2500 skilled and semi-skilled workers. Today the group has investments in around four dozen companies, doing business in wide range of sectors.</div>
	<div>
		&nbsp;</div>
</div>
<table border="0" cellpadding="10" width="99%">
	<tbody>
		<tr>
			<td bgcolor="#E5E4E2">
				<div>
					<div>
						<span style="font-size:14px;"><strong>Banks and Financial Institutions</strong></span></div>
					<div>
						&bull;<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Gorkha Finance Ltd</div>
					<div>
						&bull;<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Siddhartha Bank Ltd</div>
					<div>
						&bull;<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Siddhartha Capital Ltd</div>
					<div>
						&bull;<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Siddhartha Insurance Ltd</div>
					<div>
						&nbsp;</div>
					<div>
						<span style="font-size:14px;"><strong>Fabrication and Iron and Steel</strong></span></div>
					<div>
						&bull;<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Narayani Metal Industries</div>
					<div>
						&bull;<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Sundar Wire and Nails</div>
					<div>
						&bull;<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Sundar Furniture Industries Pvt Ltd</div>
					<div>
						&bull;<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Sundar Steel Pvt Ltd</div>
					<div>
						&nbsp;</div>
					<div>
						<span style="font-size:14px;"><strong>Dairy and Agro Industries</strong></span></div>
					<div>
						&bull;<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Amarawati Madyashala Pvt Ltd</div>
					<div>
						&bull;<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Sitaram Gokul Milks Kathmandu Ltd</div>
					<div>
						&bull;<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Indushankar Chini Udyog Ltd</div>
					<div>
						&bull;<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Mahabir Adhunik Dal Udyog</div>
					<div>
						&bull;<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Ram Dal Udyog</div>
					<div>
						&bull;<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Brijlal Chamal Udyog Harion</div>
					<div>
						&bull;<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Birgunj Khadya Udyog Pvt &nbsp;Ltd</div>
					<div>
						&nbsp;</div>
					<div>
						<span style="font-size:14px;"><strong>Exports</strong></span></div>
					<div>
						&bull;<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Medical Herbs</div>
					<div>
						&bull;<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Red Split Lentils</div>
					<div>
						&bull;<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Flooring Carpets</div>
					<div>
						&bull;<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Refined Vegetable Ghee</div>
					<div>
						&bull;<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Pashmina (Cashmere) Products</div>
					<div>
						&nbsp;</div>
					<div>
						<span style="font-size:14px;"><strong>Imports</strong></span></div>
					<div>
						&bull;<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Paper Products</div>
					<div>
						&bull;<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Textile &amp; Fabrics</div>
					<div>
						&bull;<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Industrial Supplies</div>
					<div>
						&bull;<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Metals &amp; Minerals</div>
					<div>
						&bull;<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Printing &amp; Publishing</div>
					<div>
						&bull;<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Construction Supplies</div>
					<div>
						&bull;<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>General Merchandise</div>
					<div>
						&bull;<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Agro &amp; food Products</div>
					<div>
						&bull;<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Flooring &amp; Furnishing</div>
					<div>
						&bull;<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Fertilizers &amp; Chemicals</div>
					<div>
						&bull;<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Medical &amp; Pharmaceuticals</div>
					<div>
						&bull;<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Electronic &amp; Electrical Goods</div>
					<div>
						&bull;<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Cosmetics &amp; Household Appliances</div>
					<div>
						&nbsp;</div>
					<div>
						<span style="font-size:14px;"><strong>Foreign Brand Representation</strong></span></div>
					<div>
						&bull;<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Haier</div>
					<div>
						&bull;<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Hisense</div>
					<div>
						&bull;<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Toshiba</div>
					<div>
						&bull;<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Evernal</div>
					<div>
						&bull;<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Mitsuma</div>
					<div>
						&bull;<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Chin Yang Corporation (South Korea)</div>
					<div>
						&bull;<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Bharat Petroleum Corporation (India)</div>
					<div>
						&nbsp;</div>
					<div>
						<span style="font-size:14px;"><strong>Trading Companies</strong></span></div>
					<div>
						&bull;<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Trading Firm</div>
					<div>
						&bull;<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Sumit Impex</div>
					<div>
						&bull;<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Kanak New Traders</div>
					<div>
						&bull;<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Nepal Multinational Pvt Ltd</div>
					<div>
						&bull;<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Eshita Trading Pvt Ltd</div>
					<div>
						&bull;<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Yagya Shree Pvt Ltd</div>
					<div>
						&bull;<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Sauryn Exim Pvt ltd</div>
					<div>
						&bull;<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Infotech Solution Pvt Ltd</div>
					<div>
						&bull;<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Nepal Sagarmatha Traders</div>
					<div>
						&bull;<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Diamond Agro International</div>
					<div>
						&bull;<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Rohit International Pvt Ltd</div>
					<div>
						&bull;<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Sanjay Trade Links Pvt Ltd</div>
					<div>
						&bull;<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Kedia International Pvt Ltd</div>
					<div>
						&nbsp;</div>
					<div>
						<span style="font-size:14px;"><strong>Education</strong></span></div>
					<div>
						&bull;<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Sundarmal Ram Kumar Girls Higher Secondary School, Birgunj</div>
					<div>
						&bull;<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Maharaja Agrasen Faculty of Management, Birgunj</div>
					<div>
						&bull;<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>D.A.V. Rukamani Banarasi Kedia School, Birgunj</div>
					<div>
						&bull;<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>D.A.V. Sushi Kedia Vishwa Bharati, Harion, Sarlahi</div>
					<div>
						&bull;<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>D.A.V. Kedia Vishwa Bharati, Biratnagar</div>
					<div>
						&bull;<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>D.A.V. Kedia Vishwa Bharati Nepal, Kathmandu</div>
					<div>
						&bull;<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>D.A.V. Sushil Kedia Vishwa Bharati, Lalitpur</div>
					<div>
						&nbsp;</div>
					<div>
						<span style="font-size:14px;"><strong>Healthcare and Welfare</strong></span></div>
					<div>
						&bull;<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Ram Kumar Mahabir Prasad Kedia Eye Hospital, Birgunj</div>
					<div>
						&bull;<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Mahabir Prasad Brijlal Kedia Dental Institute, Birgunj</div>
					<div>
						&bull;<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Sitaram Kedia Sewa Sadan, Harion, Sarlahi</div>
					<div>
						&bull;<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Nepal Bodhi Tree International Society, Birgunj</div>
					<div>
						&bull;<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Mahabir Prasad Brijlal Kedia Sewa Trust, Birgunj</div>
					<div>
						&bull;<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Kedia Children&rsquo;s Scholarship Fund, Birgunj</div>
					<div>
						&bull;<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Sushil Kedia Sewa Foundation, Birgunj</div>
					<div>
						&nbsp;</div>
					<div>
						<span style="font-size:14px;"><strong>Other Manufacturing units</strong></span></div>
					<div>
						&bull;<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Brij Cement Pvt Ltd</div>
					<div>
						&bull;<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Sundar Candles</div>
					<div>
						&bull;<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Sushil Vanaspati Pvt Ltd</div>
					<div>
						&bull;<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Yeti Fabrics Ltd</div>
				</div>
			</td>
		</tr>
	</tbody>
</table>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>',
			'published' => true,
			'created' => '2014-01-20',
			'modified' => '2014-01-26',
			'keywords' => 'the corporate weekly from Nepal, nepali corporate events – news – interviews – reviews, nepali corporate focus, nepali corporate status and news, news from nepali corporate industry, corporate happenings – events – news from nepal',
			'description' => 'Kedia Organisation, a multi-million business conglomerate is not only one of the largest business houses in Nepal but also one of the oldest. The business house has diversified itself into agriculture, dairy, banking, trading among other industries without leaving a bit of the manufacturing sector that the group is focused on.',
			'sortorder' => '2296',
			'image' => null,
			'article_date' => '0000-00-00 00:00:00',
			'homepage' => false,
			'breaking_news' => false,
			'main_news' => false,
			'in_scroller' => false,
			'user_id' => '0'
		)
	),
	(int) 7 => array(
		'Article' => array(
			'id' => '2446',
			'article_category_id' => '122',
			'title' => 'Chachan Group: Cementing Its Foundation',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => null,
			'content' => '<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	<strong>--By Gaurav Aryal and Om Prakash Khanal</strong></div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<table align="right" style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 10px;" width="25">
	<tbody>
		<tr>
			<td>
				<img alt="Satish Chachan, Director, Chachan Group" src="/userfiles/images/sptlght1%20(Copy).jpg" style="border-width: 0px; border-style: solid; width: 200px; height: 221px;" /></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td bgcolor="#FFFFFF">
				<div align="center">
					<div style="text-align: center;">
						<div>
							<strong>Satish Chachan</strong></div>
						<div>
							<em>Director, Chachan Group</em></div>
					</div>
				</div>
			</td>
		</tr>
	</tbody>
</table>
<div>
	Chachan Group evolved into a manufacturing and trading house when it changed its course into manufacturing from the family owned trading business. This move not only made the group grow leaps and bounds but also established itself as a leading industrial and trading house. The group in its initial days traded various commodities such as leather and leather products, cement, vegetable ghee, food grains, lentils, oil seeds, spices, consumer goods, fertilizer, pulses, edible oils and animal feeds. Today, the group not only trades these commodities but also produces them. The group&rsquo;s expansion was not merely driven by the market force. There were visions and entrepreneurial skills of earlier generation of businessmen, Mahabir Prasad Chachan and Shree Maliram Chachan, who steered the business towards what it is today. When the group passed onto the new generation of businessmen, Babu Lal Chachan and Parmeshwar Lal Chachan who are Chairman and Vice-Chairman respectively, the group had reached to a position from where it would never have to look back.&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	<span style="font-size:14px;"><strong>Growing Larger</strong></span></div>
<div>
	Satish Chachan, Director of Chachan Group says that the group is continuously following the tradition established by its founders towards further growth of the company. He proudly says, &ldquo;Compared to the group&rsquo;s initial days, the company has achieved a remarkable success in cement manufacturing besides continuing its decades old cement selling business.&rdquo; Within the last decade, the group has established three cement grinding plants each having a production capacity of 350 metric tonnes (MT) of cement per day in Birgunj. Similarly, the group has begun the construction of fourth cement grinding plant in Nepalgunj with the same capacity as that of a single unit in Birgunj.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	Chachan says that the group had established a poly-plastic bag industry two years back in Birgunj. This factory has enabled the group&rsquo;s cement plants to use its own cement packing bags. &ldquo;This poly-plastic bag industry has also earned a big business faith in the major sectors of the country. This clearly indicates the satisfactory present and past situation of the company and its growing capability to contribute a large amount of revenue to the nation.&rdquo;</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	<span style="font-size:14px;"><strong>Gaining Strength</strong></span></div>
<div>
	The group has shown remarkable progress in goods manufacturing that it has decided to specialise on. At present, it is producing cement, vegetable oil, leather goods, poly-plastic goods and various food products through its food processing units. Likewise, the group is also involved in trading through its three companies who have direct presence in over 19 different cities across the country.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	Chachan Group is today considered one of the leading business houses of Nepal based in Birgunj for producing variety of commodities with a wide reach across the country. Chachan claims that the products range that the company trades in and its wide network are suggestive of their market &nbsp;and the robust financial strength of the group.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	He shares that the annual turnover of the group exceeds Rs 4 billion. He also adds that the staggering 70 per cent of the total turnover is generated by the cement wing of the group. While sharing the strength of the group, Chachan boasts that his business has been employing 1500 people directly along with a huge number of indirect employments in transportation and handling of the raw materials and finished products. He also adds that 300 employees are working in the cement wing alone. The group&rsquo;s beneficiaries such as construction companies, commercial enterprises, transporters, traders, farmers and consumers are spread over major parts of Tarai and hilly regions of the country.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	<span style="font-size:14px;"><strong>Changing the Course</strong></span></div>
<div>
	For decades, the group had been trading various commodities. Chachan says, &ldquo;This trade grew bigger and flourished gradually, which ultimately evolved into the establishment and identification of the Chachan Group. This can be regarded as the first and fundamental turning point of the company.&rdquo; Gradually the trading business expanded; meanwhile, various new manufacturing units were established.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	Around one and a half decade ago, the group decided to establish cement manufacturing units realising the growing demand of construction materials and cement in particular. This demand was identified when the state owned cement plants such as Hetauda Cement, Udaypur Cement and other private cement producers were unable to meet the major percentage of cement demands. This inspired the group to establish Narayani Cement Udyog Pvt Ltd in Birgunj. This company today has production capacity of 1050 tonnes per day.&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	<span style="font-size:14px;"><strong>Roadmap Ahead</strong></span></div>
<div>
	Chachan believes that the group has kept its promise of offering best quality products and services at a reasonable cost and claims that it would open up new avenues for the group to expand its manufacturing and trading businesses in the days ahead. &ldquo;Our past experience gives us confidence that we have further opportunities and scope for expansion. We want to establish our own clinker producing units so that we can stand as one of the leading cement and clinker manufacturer of Nepal,&rdquo; envisions Chachan.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	He reveals that the group has a clinker producing plant in the pipeline. He elaborated that this new plant will have a production capacity of 700 to 750 tonnes per day. Likewise, once the Nepalgunj based cement plant comes into operation, the group is planning to add another cement grinding plant there with production capacity and design similar to the existing one.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	Similarly, Chachan reveals that the group is planning to acquire a limestone quarry in a hilly area of Makawanpur district, few kilometres away from Hetauda. &ldquo;Besides this, we have been thinking to buy some additional land to establish the clinker producing plant.Though we are already in touch with some of the renowned Indian companies for establishing the clinker plant, we think this will materialise only after three to five years from now,&rdquo; he added. Similarly, Chachan is ready to expand other plants depending on the market demand and financial status.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	<img alt="Chachhan Group" src="/userfiles/images/sptlight%20(Copy).jpg" style="margin-left: 10px; margin-right: 10px; height: 333px; width: 550px;" /></div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	<span style="font-size:16px;"><strong>CSR Commitments</strong></span></div>
<div>
	As part of its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR), the group has given prime importance to environmental protection and freeing its locality from pollutants. The group is also strengthening and accelerating its sustainable environmental efforts through the reduction of environmental impacts and the conservation of the biodiversity. &ldquo;We have been aiming to provide satisfaction and gratification to as many stakeholders as possible. To this aspect, we believe and act ethically and relentlessly to seek improvement in the quality, safety, information security and reliability of our products and services,&rdquo; explains Chachan.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	Satish Chachan, Director of the group says, &ldquo;We respect our customer and their culture and the community they belong to while we deal with them in the course of our business activities. We also engage in dialogues with various stakeholders in society and incorporate their feedback to enhance our CSR activities so that we can contribute our best to improve our surroundings, quality and the effectiveness of our activities.&rdquo;&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	Similarly, the company has dedicated itself in creating a safe and comfortable work environment for all its employees so that they can realise their full potential and have a fulfilling career, as a responsible corporate culture.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<table border="0" cellpadding="10" width="99%">
	<tbody>
		<tr>
			<td bgcolor="#E5E4E2">
				<div>
					<div>
						<span style="font-size:16px;"><strong>Sister Companies of Chachan Group</strong></span></div>
					<div>
						&bull;<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Narayani Cement</div>
					<div>
						&bull;<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Jaya Bageshwari Cement</div>
					<div>
						&bull;<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Narayani Oil Refinery Udyog</div>
					<div>
						&bull;<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Narayani Leather Manufacturing Industries</div>
					<div>
						&bull;<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Narayani Modern Pulses Industries</div>
					<div>
						&bull;<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Shree Adhunik Dal Udyog</div>
					<div>
						&bull;<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Shree Agro Processing Unit</div>
					<div>
						&bull;<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Adarsh Oil Industry</div>
					<div>
						&bull;<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Adarsh Tel Udyog</div>
					<div>
						&bull;<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Adarsh Polyplastic Pvt Ltd</div>
					<div>
						&nbsp;</div>
					<div>
						<span style="font-size:16px;"><strong>Independent Trading Concerns &nbsp;under the Group</strong></span></div>
					<div>
						&bull;<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Chachan Implex</div>
					<div>
						&bull;<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Devki International&nbsp;</div>
					<div>
						&bull;<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Manoj International Traders</div>
					<div>
						&nbsp;</div>
					<div>
						<span style="font-size:16px;"><strong>SWOT Analysis</strong></span></div>
					<div>
						&nbsp;</div>
					<div>
						<span style="font-size:14px;"><strong>Strengths</strong></span></div>
					<div>
						&bull;<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Customers&nbsp;</div>
					<div>
						&bull;<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Staff&nbsp;</div>
					<div>
						&bull;<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Good quality products and services</div>
					<div>
						&bull;<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Reasonable price&nbsp;</div>
					<div>
						&bull;<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Harmonic relationship with employees, customers and local surroundings</div>
					<div>
						&bull;<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Disciplined working attitude</div>
					<div>
						&bull;<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Timely revenue payments to the government&nbsp;</div>
					<div>
						&nbsp;</div>
					<div>
						<span style="font-size:14px;"><strong>Weaknesses</strong></span></div>
					<div>
						&bull;<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Inability to give hundred percent employment to the local residents&nbsp;</div>
					<div>
						&bull;<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Cannot fulfill the donation demands from local parties and their leaders&nbsp;</div>
					<div>
						&nbsp;</div>
					<div>
						<span style="font-size:14px;"><strong>Opportunities</strong></span></div>
					<div>
						&bull;<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Prospects for growth of construction material businesses</div>
					<div>
						&bull;<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Growing domestic market and purchasing capacity of people</div>
					<div>
						&bull;<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Rapidly emerging technological innovations</div>
					<div>
						&nbsp;</div>
					<div>
						<span style="font-size:14px;"><strong>Threats</strong></span></div>
					<div>
						&bull;<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Lack of smooth business environment</div>
					<div>
						&bull;<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Frequent bandhs and strikes&nbsp;</div>
					<div>
						&bull;<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Lack of environment to work peacefully and uninterruptedly where the group is based</div>
					<div>
						&nbsp;</div>
					<div>
						<span style="font-size:16px;"><strong>Market Positioning</strong></span></div>
					<div>
						Products of Chachan Group has a wide market coverage including major cities and towns such as Birgunj, Hetauda, Kalaiya, Narayanghat, Kathmandu, Bhaktapur, Banepa, Batar, Pokhara, Bhairahawa, Krishna Nagar, Dang, Nepalgunj, Dhangadhi, Nijgarh, Gaur, Lahan, Janakpur, Jhapa, Morang, Ilam and other places in hilly and Tarai region. According to the group, major market for cement is in all the belts extending from Birgunj to Jhapa and in Hetauda, Narayanghatand major cities and towns of Bagmati zone.</div>
					<div>
						&nbsp;</div>
					<div>
						According to Satish Chachan, Director of the group, product placement is done through various dealers and transporters. Group&rsquo;s contact or branch offices and dealers are channels for distribution. Major product range includes daily commodities, construction materials, leather goods, fertilizers among others.&nbsp;</div>
					<div>
						All the factories of the group are being operated in full capacity to meet the market demand. Products are sold under different brand names such as Trishakti and Bajrashakti in the cement segment while other commodities also have their own niche brand value recognised in their market targets.<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span></div>
				</div>
			</td>
		</tr>
	</tbody>
</table>
<p>
	&nbsp;</p>',
			'published' => true,
			'created' => '2014-01-19',
			'modified' => '2014-01-20',
			'keywords' => 'the corporate weekly from Nepal, nepali corporate events – news – interviews – reviews, nepali corporate focus, nepali corporate status and news, news from nepali corporate industry, corporate happenings – events – news from nepal',
			'description' => 'Chachan Group evolved into a manufacturing and trading house when it changed its course into manufacturing from the family owned trading business. This move not only made the group grow leaps and bounds but also established itself as a leading industrial and trading house. The group in its initial days traded various commodities such as leather and leather products, cement, vegetable ghee, food grains, lentils, oil seeds, spices, consumer goods, fertilizer, pulses, edible oils and animal feeds.',
			'sortorder' => '2292',
			'image' => null,
			'article_date' => '0000-00-00 00:00:00',
			'homepage' => false,
			'breaking_news' => false,
			'main_news' => false,
			'in_scroller' => false,
			'user_id' => '0'
		)
	),
	(int) 8 => array(
		'Article' => array(
			'id' => '2408',
			'article_category_id' => '122',
			'title' => 'Kabra Group: A Leading Confectioner',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => null,
			'content' => '<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	<strong>--By Gaurav Aryal</strong></div>
<table align="right" style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 10px;" width="25">
	<tbody>
		<tr>
			<td>
				<img alt="Shyam Kabra, Chairman, Kabra Group" src="/userfiles/images/spt1%20(Copy)(1).jpg" style="border-width: 0px; border-style: solid; width: 200px; height: 222px;" /></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td bgcolor="#FFFFFF">
				<div align="center">
					<div style="text-align: center;">
						<div>
							<strong>Shyam Kabra</strong></div>
						<div>
							<em>Chairman, Kabra Group</em></div>
					</div>
				</div>
			</td>
		</tr>
	</tbody>
</table>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	The journey of Kabra Group began with the establishment of Kwality Biscuits Industries Pvt Ltd in 1985. However it was not the first venture for the Kabra family for it has been involved in the business for generations. They were involved in the business of consumer goods before the family decided to set up a factory. When the first biscuit factory performed well, it increased the hunger of the family to go for more. Shyam Kabra, Chairman of Kabra Group says that the Kwality Biscuits was a major success and it encouraged his family to expand this new business.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	Eventually, the business house came up with Kwality Diet and Food Processing Pvt Ltd and Kwality Food and Snacks followed up. These additions did not only make the business bigger, but also established the family as an industrial house of Nepal.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	<span style="font-size:14px;"><strong>Ruling the Roost</strong></span></div>
<div>
	Kwality Biscuits Industry was not only the first factory of the group but also one of the earliest companies in Nepal to manufacture biscuits, claims Kabra. &ldquo;With time we have consistently kept on establishing more companies that helped us diversify our portfolio,&rdquo; he adds. The group claims itself to be the largest investor in the biscuits industry of Nepal and has the largest production capacity.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	The group claims that has been the largest manufacturer of biscuits as well as soaps and confectionery for the past two decades. The mother industry was later gradually expanded into soaps, chocolates, flour and vegetable ghee and oil producing sister concerns. At present, the group has a dozen companies in manufacturing as well as in trading.&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	The group currently produces almost 35 types of biscuits and Kabra says that half of them are performing pretty well in the market. Tasty Tasty, Bonbon, Butter Cracker, Jackpot, Morning Touch are some of the most popular brands. Tasty-Tasty and a host of other popular brands under the brand umbrella of Kwality are loved by customers not only in Nepal but also in India. Kabra says, &ldquo;Many of the Kabra Group companies are market leaders in their industries and have won acclaim from the customers, since 1985.&rdquo; The group is also a source of employment to 100 permanent staff and 300 daily waged labours.&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	<span style="font-size:14px;"><strong>Encouraging Expansion</strong></span></div>
<div>
	Like any other business houses, Kabra Group too was hesitant to invest blindly during the conflict era and the unstable politics that followed thereafter. So, the group kept itself on the wait and watch mode and did not make any significant investment for expansion of its businesses. However, the group kept on adding new varieties of confectionaries and biscuits to its existing products range. Kabra says that Gold series Bonbon, Butter Cracker Gold and Coconut Gold are some of the additions made during the turbulent times. Considering Kwality Biscuits as its mother industry, the group has always kept this company in priority and promises it to take it to the next level in the days to come. The latest constituent assembly election has also brought hope and signs of stability and encouraged Kabra Group like other investors to expand its niche.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	Humans are never satisfied with what they and therefore yearn for more. The same follows for the Kabras too. Kabra says, &ldquo;We still have a lot to do. Though the growth rate we currently have is not unsatisfactory, we have seen scope to do better. And, the environment and situation is getting better where our initiatives will pay.&rdquo; He adds that his group is dedicated to its works and perform the best it can.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	<span style="font-size:14px;"><strong>Market Position</strong></span></div>
<div>
	The group has prioritised the domestic market as its major market for all of its products. Kabra says that local market and local customers, belonging to all the age groups, have been and will remain the target segment of the group&rsquo;s products. Along with that, Kabra hints that the group has no intentions of limiting itself to the domestic market only. &ldquo;We have plans to explore export markets too but it will take some time,&rdquo; Kabra added. &nbsp;</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	Being the largest producer and investor in the biscuits industry, Kabra says that the confectionary products hold an impressive share in the domestic market. &ldquo;However, market is an uncertain place. Therefore, marketing strategies need to be revised and updated corresponding to the changing time and situation,&rdquo; says Kabra. He adds that Nepali companies have their own strategies while the foreign companies have different roadmap to penetrate into the market here. The group believes that if the product is excellent then the customers will remain with it.&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	Kabra feels that Nepali products are not only facing competition from local products but also from the imported ones. &ldquo;But competition is natural as the same market is shared by all the players. What I believe is when the competition swells; the scope of market expansion also increases. However, we have to concentrate more on healthy competition than going for mere price wars,&rdquo; explains Kabra.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	<span style="font-size:16px;"><strong>Major milestones of Kabra Group</strong></span></div>
<div>
	1985 - Established Kwality Biscuits Industries Private Limited</div>
<div>
	1990 - Established Kwality Soap Industries Private Limited</div>
<div>
	1994 - Established NEPIND Flexipack Private Limited</div>
<div>
	1995 - Kwality Biscuits Industries Private limited launched Tasty Tasty which propelled the company as the second largest manufacturer in the Industry</div>
<div>
	1998 - Established Annapurna Maida Mills Private Limited</div>
<div>
	2000 - Established Kwality Confectionary Private Limited</div>
<div>
	2003 - Established a second company of Biscuits Kwality Diet &amp; Food Products Private Limited</div>
<div>
	2005 - Established a second company of Soaps &amp; Detergents Kwality Soap &amp; Chemical Industries Private Limited</div>
<div>
	2008 - Established Kwality Oil Refinery Private Limited</div>
<div>
	2012 - Established Kwality Food &amp; Snacks Industries Pvt Ltd</div>
<div>
	2012 - Established Siddharth Enterprises</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	<img alt="Kabra Group Products" src="/userfiles/images/spt2%20(Copy)(1).jpg" style="width: 550px; height: 191px; margin-left: 10px; margin-right: 10px;" /></div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<table border="0" cellpadding="10" width="99%">
	<tbody>
		<tr>
			<td bgcolor="#E5E4E2">
				<div>
					<span style="font-size:16px;"><strong>Companies under the Group</strong></span></div>
				<div>
					&bull;<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Kwality Biscuit Industries Pvt Ltd</div>
				<div>
					&bull;<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Kwality Soap &amp; Chemicals Pvt Ltd&nbsp;</div>
				<div>
					&bull;<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Nep - Ind Flexipack Pvt Ltd&nbsp;</div>
				<div>
					&bull;<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Annapurna Maida Mills Pvt Ltd&nbsp;</div>
				<div>
					&bull;<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Kwality Confectionary Pvt Ltd&nbsp;</div>
				<div>
					&bull;<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Kwality Diet &amp; Food Production Pvt Ltd&nbsp;</div>
				<div>
					&bull;<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Kwality Chemicals Pvt Ltd&nbsp;</div>
				<div>
					&bull;<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Kwality Oil Refinery Pvt Ltd&nbsp;</div>
				<div>
					&bull;<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Kwality Food &amp; Snacks Industries Pvt Ltd&nbsp;</div>
				<div>
					&bull;<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Siddharth Enterprises Pvt Ltd&nbsp;</div>
				<div>
					&bull;<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Phoenix International Pvt Ltd</div>
				<div>
					&nbsp;</div>
				<div>
					<span style="font-size:16px;"><strong>Some Companies under Kabra Group</strong></span></div>
				<div>
					&nbsp;</div>
				<div>
					<span style="font-size:14px;"><strong>Kwality Soap and Chemical Industries Pvt Ltd</strong></span></div>
				<div>
					One of the major companies of Kabra Group, Kwality Soap and Chemical Industries Pvt Ltd, produces a variety of laundry and toilet soaps. &nbsp;According to Shyam Kabra, the company has recently upgraded its production plant for detergent manufacturing. The manufacturing unit at Kathari is upgraded to the latest technology. The group has been involved in soaps ranging from premium products to budget products, for over 15 years. Kabra says that the company utilises the unmatched infrastructure that consists of latest tools and is supervised by qualified professionals. The entire manufacturing process has been streamlined to minimize any manufacturing fault. The company is also utilising internationally approved formulation, raw materials to ensure best quality assurance. The factory also has its own fully equipped laboratory, for new product development and quality testing.</div>
				<div>
					&nbsp;</div>
				<div>
					<span style="font-size:14px;"><strong>Kwality Confectionery Pvt Ltd&nbsp;</strong></span></div>
				<div>
					This is the flagship company of Kabra Group that produces products such as confectionery, chewing-gums, chocolate, coated and plain wafers, among others. The company has established itself as a multi-product, multi-market company and is claimed to be one of the largest manufacturer of confectionery and toffees in Nepal since 2001. This company produces over 60 varieties of candies, toffees and wafers. &nbsp;Kabra says that the company has always endeavoured to satisfy the customers&rsquo; changing wants and desires with its special emphasis on quality, range and value for money. The Company is also strictly following the code of good manufacturing practice prescribed by ISO standards though it has not been certified by one yet. Quality confectionary products, produced at the company&rsquo;s factory located in Duhabi, Sunsari, are supplied to the market through its distribution network in Nepal and India. He says that products are distributed through stockiest within Nepal and reach more than 40,000 outlets throughout the country.</div>
				<div>
					&nbsp;</div>
				<div>
					<span style="font-size:14px;"><strong>Nep-Ind Flexipack Pvt Ltd&nbsp;</strong></span></div>
				<div>
					This company produces eight colour hi-tech rotogravure printing and packaging materials that are being used by the home companies as well as other domestic companies including well known MNCs. According to the company, products have uniform thickness, clear printing in attractive colours. &ldquo;Because of best design developments and high quality of printing with competitive rates, our print product is widely used by giant companies,&rdquo; says Kabra.</div>
			</td>
		</tr>
	</tbody>
</table>
<p>
	&nbsp;</p>',
			'published' => true,
			'created' => '2014-01-06',
			'modified' => '2014-01-19',
			'keywords' => 'the corporate weekly from Nepal, nepali corporate events – news – interviews – reviews, nepali corporate focus, nepali corporate status and news, news from nepali corporate industry, corporate happenings – events – news from nepal',
			'description' => 'The journey of Kabra Group began with the establishment of Kwality Biscuits Industries Pvt Ltd in 1985. However it was not the first venture for the Kabra family for it has been involved in the business for generations. They were involved in the business of consumer goods before the family decided to set up a factory. When the first biscuit factory performed well, it increased the hunger of the family to go for more. Shyam Kabra, Chairman of Kabra Group says that the Kwality Biscuits was a major success and it encouraged his family to expand this new business.',
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	),
	(int) 9 => array(
		'Article' => array(
			'id' => '2358',
			'article_category_id' => '122',
			'title' => 'NE Group: Expanding Perpetually',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => null,
			'content' => '<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	<strong>--By Gaurav Aryal</strong></div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<table align="right" style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 10px;" width="25">
	<tbody>
		<tr>
			<td>
				<img alt="Ravi Bhakta Shrestha, Vice Chairman, NE Group" src="/userfiles/images/sptlt1%20(Copy).jpg" style="border-width: 0px; border-style: solid; width: 200px; height: 222px;" /></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td bgcolor="#FFFFFF">
				<div align="center">
					<div style="text-align: center;">
						<div>
							<strong>Ravi Bhakta Shrestha</strong></div>
						<div>
							<em>Vice Chairman, NE Group</em></div>
					</div>
				</div>
			</td>
		</tr>
	</tbody>
</table>
<div>
	As any other business houses, NE Group also envisions securing the top position among Nepal&rsquo;s corporate groups. Ravi Bhakta Shrestha, Vice Chairman of NE Group is content with the growth his business has been able to achieve so far, despite the turbulent economic and political environment of the country that has been in the scene. Similar to the business fraternity that stood the test of time, the group has held its roots strong to come this far since its inception.&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	With a belief and optimism for the better future, NE Group has some growth plans up its sleeve to expand in the days to come. The group that has been primarily been concentrated in the manufacturing and trade sectors is now looking into the service industry with much enthusiasm and dedication. Shrestha says that his group will be exploring more into the health and tourism sectors where it already has some investments.&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	<span style="font-size:14px;"><strong>Harnessing Prospects</strong></span></div>
<div>
	Shrestha optimistically says, &ldquo;We see numerous potentials in the future. The political situation has now shown signs of improvement. Once we achieve the much awaited stability, there are many reasons to get encouraged.&rdquo; Not only NE Group, but the business community will be more confident to make investments through domestic as well as foreign sources, he adds.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	Foreseeing the brighter days to come, the group promises to venture into newer sectors like herbal industry and high value agriculture. Hydropower is also one of the priority sectors of the group. Shrestha reveals that talks are going on with South Korean investors regarding energy development but added that details are yet to be finalised.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	The group sees itself prosper in the service industry. So, the group is planning to come up with boutique hotels outside the Kathmandu valley. Though Shrestha denied elaborating into details, he says that the group has identified a couple of places for establishing hotel. Likewise, the group is also planning to expand its SRL Diagnostic Centre as a wellness centre. He claims that SRL Diagnostics laboratory is South East Asia&rsquo;s largest diagnostic lab and the group has established it here which he says is the most modern lab in Nepal. Shrestha is hopeful that a couple of projects in the service sector will be launched within a year or two.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	With an aim to expand into the tourism sector, the group has acquired 1,020,144 shares held by Oberoi Hotels Pvt Ltd, an international hotel chain, in Soaltee Hotel Ltd. Sibkrim Land and Industries, subsidiary of the group acquired the entire stakes worth Rs 142.82 million in 2012.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	<span style="font-size:14px;"><strong>Prime Focus</strong></span></div>
<div>
	The prime line of business for the group has always remained manufacturing and trading but has now expanded into banking, insurance, distribution, international trading, consulting services and project development. Similarly, the group also has presence in hospitality, health and education sector. &nbsp;Likewise, the group is one of the major promoters in United Insurance and Himalayan Bank Limited. Shrestha claims that United Insurance comes among top five insurance companies of Nepal.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	In the manufacturing sector, the group used to export some of its products to the foreign markets but Shrestha now says that the domestic market has surged a lot so, the group has been concentrating only in the domestic market at present.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	As a recent move into the food and beverage business, the group has recently opened Barista-Lavazza, a chain of Italian coffee shops in Nepal.&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	In the manufacturing sector, the group has trusted multinational brand names as joint venture in its portfolio. With a joint venture with Unilever, it has been producing numerous consumer products needed for the domestic market from its factory in Hetauda. Shrestha says that it is the listed company &nbsp;that provides highest dividend to its shareholders every year.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	<img alt="NE GROUP" src="/userfiles/images/sptlt2%20(Copy).jpg" style="width: 550px; height: 319px; margin-left: 10px; margin-right: 10px;" /></div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	<span style="font-size:14px;"><strong>Management Approach</strong></span></div>
<div>
	Though the group was established as a family owned business, it has now taken the path of professionally managed corporate house. Shrestha says that it is the need of the time that has increased the value of human resource. &ldquo;Success depends on the quality of human resource,&rdquo; he says. The group has given utmost value to professionalism. And, it has assigned individual professionals with relevant responsibilities who look after the companies and regularly brief to the board of directors that gives necessary suggestions and takes action as needed.&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	The group is employing 250 people in its companies and factories. Human resource management is also done by the HR department of each of the companies. A weekly meeting is held where the issues are communicated and necessary action is taken. &ldquo;The group is moving ahead in a purely professional and independent fashion,&rdquo; says Shrestha.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	<span style="font-size:14px;"><strong>CSR Activities</strong></span></div>
<div>
	The group with a promise to give back to the society established IJ charitable trust in 1981. &nbsp;According to Shrestha, the Trust, a non-profit and self-funded organisation, is most active in aiding the good health and education of underprivileged children. Likewise it has been making contributions also for the preservation of Nepali culture. The Trust has also created a long-term sustainable fund for the Paediatric department of Tribhuvan University Teaching Hospital to provide financial help to needy children for medical treatment. It also honours renowned writers, artists and ethnic persons who have made significant contributions to the society. In 1985, the Trust established the I.J pioneer High School in Hattiban, Lalitpur which provides quality education and extra-curricular activities to more than seven hundred students. The school also provides free scholarship to 100 needy and talented students each year, shares Shrestha.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<table border="0" cellpadding="10" width="99%">
	<tbody>
		<tr>
			<td bgcolor="#E5E4E2">
				<div>
					<div>
						<div>
							<div>
								<div>
									<div>
										<div>
											<div style="text-align: center;">
												<span style="font-size:16px;"><strong>Growth as a Group</strong></span></div>
											<div style="text-align: center;">
												&nbsp;</div>
											<div>
												NE Group of today once was a small garment store, a family owned business initiated by Ravi Bhakta Shrestha&rsquo;s grandfather. The garment store gradually expanded into a business of money exchange service when there were no banks and other financial services in the country.</div>
											<div>
												&nbsp;</div>
											<div>
												When the trade relationship with India kept on growing along with the growth of trade volume with the southern neighbour, first generation businessmen of Shrestha family also involved in trading of tea. The trading business did not limit to India alone. Shrestha says that his family was the first in Nepal to establish trade relationship with South Korea in 1968. Then South Korea&rsquo;s economy was rapidly growing. Shrestha used to import garments and construction materials from there. However, the licensing system prohibited the group to expand the trade volume as it wished. Similarly, in the trade front, the group once exported some products like musk and peacock feathers to international market.</div>
											<div>
												&nbsp;</div>
											<div>
												As an important milestone towards industrial concentration, the NE Group in partnership with Jalan group of India acquired Ganapati Cotton Mill in Biratnagar that had remained closed for quite some time. However, the factory was again closed down after operating for few years because of labour and other issues. Likewise, the group acquired Nepal Synthetic Industry in Hetauda and expanded it. The group also once had two iron mills in Biratnagar and Hetauda.</div>
											<div>
												&nbsp;</div>
											<div>
												When the business moved onto Shrestha&rsquo;s shoulder, he kept on expanding his family business, following the footsteps of his father. He says that one of the most important and biggest moves he made was signing an agreement with Unilever. This tie-up has given extra edge to the group in its growth as a large business house that it is today, says Shrestha.</div>
											<div>
												&nbsp;</div>
											<div>
												<div>
													<span style="font-size: 16px;"><strong>Some Companies and Subsidiaries of NE Group</strong></span></div>
												<div>
													&nbsp;</div>
												<div>
													<span style="font-size: 14px;"><strong><img alt="" src="/userfiles/images/sl%20(Copy).jpg" style="float: left; margin: 0px 10px 0px 0px; width: 100px; height: 92px;" />National Ice Cream Industries Pvt Ltd</strong></span></div>
												<div>
													This company was established in 2009 as a joint venture between NE Group and The Nanglo Group. National Ice Cream Pvt Ltd produces premium frozen dessert in a state-of-the-art 18,500 sq ft manufacturing unit located at Balaju Industrial District, Kathmandu. The company claims that it has ensured high quality and maintenance of stringent hygiene standards throughout the manufacturing and distribution cycle with a fulltime team of professional food and dairy technologists. The company produces ice cream under Azzabko brand. Azzabko products are available in over 500 retail stores, restaurants and hotels across the country.</div>
												<div>
													&nbsp;</div>
												<div>
													&nbsp;</div>
												<div>
													<span style="font-size: 14px;"><strong><img alt="NICM" src="/userfiles/images/sl1%20(Copy).jpg" style="float: right; margin: 0px 0px 0px 10px; width: 100px; height: 133px;" />NICM</strong></span></div>
												<div>
													Established in 2006, National Investment &amp; Capital Market Limited (NICM) provides Asset Management, Investment Banking, Research, Consultancy And Training services all under one roof. The management is supported by Citizen Investment Trust, a public fund manager and merchant banker. NICM has an issued capital of Rs 150 million and is due to be listed on the Nepal Stock Exchange.</div>
												<div>
													&nbsp;</div>
												<div>
													&nbsp;</div>
												<div>
													<img alt="National Soap Industries Pvt Ltd" src="/userfiles/images/sl2%20(Copy).jpg" style="float: left; margin: 0px 10px 0px 0px; width: 100px; height: 69px;" /><span style="font-size: 14px;"><strong>National Soap Industries Pvt Ltd</strong></span></div>
												<div>
													National Soap Industries Pvt Ltd, established in 1996 is a large scale industrial until at Hetauda Industrial Estate, Makwanpur manufacturing laundry soaps, powdered detergents and hair oil. The company provides back-end production and packaging capabilities for the leading brands of Unilever Nepal such as OK laundry soap and Wheel detergent powder.</div>
												<div>
													&nbsp;</div>
												<div>
													&nbsp;</div>
												<div>
													<span style="font-size: 14px;"><strong><img alt="Unilever Nepal Ltd" src="/userfiles/images/sl3%20(Copy).jpg" style="float: left; margin: 0px 10px 0px 0px; width: 100px; height: 110px;" />Unilever Nepal Ltd</strong></span></div>
												<div>
													Established in 1993 as a joint venture between Hindustan Unilever (formerly Hindustan Lever) and Sibkrim Land &amp; Industrial Co (a subsidiary of NE Group), Unilever aims to meet the everyday needs of Nepali household, to anticipate the aspiration of consumers and to respond creatively and competitively with branded products and services to raise their quality of life. The company manufactures international brands such as Sunsilk Hair products, Close Up, Pepsodent, Wheel Detergent Powder, OK Laundry Soap, Axe Deodorants, Dove, Fair and Lovely, Lifebouy, Lux, Lakme, Ponds and Vaseline amongst others. The company is listed on the Nepal Stock Exchange.</div>
												<div>
													&nbsp;</div>
												<div>
													&nbsp;</div>
												<div>
													<span style="font-size: 14px;"><strong><img alt="United Insurance Co Ltd" src="/userfiles/images/sl4%20(Copy).jpg" style="float: right; margin: 0px 0px 0px 10px; width: 100px; height: 112px;" />United Insurance Co Ltd</strong></span></div>
												<div>
													United Insurance started its operation on December 1, 1993 (Mangsir16, 2050) after its registration with the Company Registrar&rsquo;s Office and approval by Insurance Board. The company is promoted by leading industrialists and reputed trading and commercial houses of Nepal and is publically listed on the Nepal Stock Exchange. The authorised capital of the company is Rs 150 million.&nbsp;</div>
												<div>
													&nbsp;</div>
												<div>
													&nbsp;</div>
												<div>
													<span style="font-size: 14px;"><strong><img alt="Life Care Services Pvt Ltd" src="/userfiles/images/sl5%20(Copy).jpg" style="float: left; margin: 0px 10px 0px 0px; width: 100px; height: 65px;" />Life Care Services Pvt Ltd</strong></span></div>
												<div>
													Established in 2010 as a joint venture between Life Care Services Pvt Ltd (a subsidiary of NE Group) and Super Religare Reference Laboratories India, it is one of the largest diagnostic networks in South and South-East Asia. Through SRL&rsquo;s expertise, the lab provides international standard diagnostic services in the country offering over 3500 tests covering most diseases. The lab is located at Mahrajgunj, Kathmandu and boasts 12 collections centres across the country in cities such as Dharan, Pokahara, Biratnagar, Nepalganj, Bhairawa, Bharatpur, Dhangadi, Dharan and Janakpur.</div>
												<div>
													&nbsp;</div>
											</div>
										</div>
									</div>
								</div>
							</div>
						</div>
					</div>
				</div>
			</td>
		</tr>
	</tbody>
</table>
<p>
	&nbsp;</p>',
			'published' => true,
			'created' => '2013-12-30',
			'modified' => '2014-01-06',
			'keywords' => 'the corporate weekly from Nepal, nepali corporate events – news – interviews – reviews, nepali corporate focus, nepali corporate status and news, news from nepali corporate industry, corporate happenings – events – news from nepal',
			'description' => 'As any other business houses, NE Group also envisions securing the top position among Nepal’s corporate groups. Ravi Bhakta Shrestha, Vice Chairman of NE Group is content with the growth his business has been able to achieve so far, despite the turbulent economic and political environment of the country that has been in the scene. Similar to the business fraternity that stood the test of time, the group has held its roots strong to come this far since its inception.',
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	(int) 10 => array(
		'Article' => array(
			'id' => '2317',
			'article_category_id' => '122',
			'title' => 'Fishtail Air Focus On Adventure & Rescue',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => null,
			'content' => '<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	<strong>--By Gaurav Aryal</strong></div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<table align="right" style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 10px;" width="25">
	<tbody>
		<tr>
			<td>
				<img alt="Suman Pandey, Chief Executive Officer, Fishtail Air" src="/userfiles/images/spt%20(Copy).jpg" style="border-width: 0px; border-style: solid; width: 200px; height: 222px;" /></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td bgcolor="#FFFFFF">
				<div align="center">
					<div style="text-align: center;">
						<div>
							<strong>Suman Pandey</strong></div>
						<div>
							Chief Executive Officer, Fishtail Air</div>
					</div>
				</div>
			</td>
		</tr>
	</tbody>
</table>
<div>
	Fishtail Air Pvt Ltd, established in 1887 has grown leaps and bounds to reach the current position of being one of the leading helicopter companies of Nepal. The company is currently operating with three helicopters and is planning to add two more for peak seasons. With the expansion of the fleet and strength of services, Suman Pandey, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Fishtail Air hopes to serve more customers and is quite satisfied with what the company has done so far.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	The company has never compromised on serving Nepalis either for bringing them from remote areas to the cities for medication, or in bringing pregnant women to hospitals in Kathmandu. And interestingly, three babies &nbsp;were delivered while the mothers were on board the Fishtail Air.&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	The Fishtail Air was closed down in 2004 because of the insurgency hitting hard in the tourism industry. However the company was re-established in 2007 under a new management team and new way of working that has taken the company to a new height.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	<span style="font-size:14px;"><strong>Leadership for Growth</strong></span></div>
<div>
	Pandey has been heading the company since 2007. It was the same year the company started its second innings. Pandey says that he is the first manager of the company who came from a non technical background. Pilots and engineers were the directors and promoters of the company. &nbsp;&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	Pandey, for the last 25 years has been working in the field of adventure tourism. His company Explore Himalaya Travel and Adventure is one of the top adventure tour operators in Nepal. &ldquo;In terms of diversification, it is considered number one among other tour operators,&rdquo; claims Pandey. Working for an adventure tour operator, he had an experience of utilising helicopters quite often and it gave him the confidence of managing a helicopter company.&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	Pandey feels that the need of adventure tourism has always been there in the tourism market. And, he saw the need of a helicopter operator to partner in this unique service offering. He says that during that time helicopter companies were not satisfying the need of adventure tourism. &ldquo;There were certain areas that were unexplored. I thought I could be helpful in bridging the gap and bringing new ideas and innovations as an adventure tour operator,&rdquo; adds Pandey.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	He shares that helicopters were serving only up to the altitude of 14,000 feet. After his involvement with Fishtail, he and his team came up with an idea to serve also in the higher altitudes. Then the company started serving into the thin air of high mountains. Recently, a rescue operation was carried out at the elevation of 7,800 metres at Mt Everest that saved the life of a Nepali mountaineer from Canada who was also disabled.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	<span style="font-size:14px;"><strong>Serving High Altitudes</strong></span></div>
<div>
	The company has been serving its clients up to the elevation of 23,000 feet. In the company&rsquo;s initial days, Mi-17 helicopters were serving Indian pilgrims visiting Mt Kailash and Mansarovar. Being a big helicopter, operations were not smooth as it required at least 100 passengers for one operation. So, Pandey says he came up with an idea of using small helicopter that have good high altitude performance.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	Accordingly, the company signed for two AS B3 helicopters from Eurocopter, a French company that had best service records in high altitude. Based in Simikot, these helicopters started serving Indian pilgrims to Kailash-Mansarovar. Pandey says that Mi-17s have been completely displaced. With the new high altitude performance of new helicopters, the company has gained the strength as a company that serves in high altitudes of the Himalayas.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	<span style="font-size:14px;"><strong>Rescue Operations</strong></span></div>
<div>
	&nbsp;In the last 4-5 years, the company has carried out numerous rescue operations and saved many lives in the mountains that were usually impossible without the use of helicopters. Pandey says that today, helicopters can even land at the second base camp of Mt Everest, Manaslu, Dhaulagiri and Annapurna.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	According to Pandey, a Swiss technology for rescue operations has been used by the company in collaboration with Air Zermatt. Since 2009, sling operations are being performed in Nepali Himalayas. He says that Air Zermatt has helped Nepali pilots by providing trainings both in Nepal and Switzerland.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	Rescue operations soar during the peak tourist seasons for rescuing people injured in accidents and as well as stuck with altitude sickness. Pandey says that the company sets its priorities according to the nature of the case and seriousness, and carries out its operations accordingly.&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	Apart from these operations, the company also performs mountain flights, transport flights and sightseeing flights to both foreigners and Nepalis. However, Pandey says that the priority is set on rescue operations as the company believes in saving lives first. Fishtail Air carried out a significant role in rescuing hundreds of tourists stranded in Lukla because of bad weather in 2011.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	<span style="font-size:14px;"><strong>Safety Concerns</strong></span></div>
<div>
	The company feels that the recent embargo by the European Union on Nepali airlines is a sad incident. The company has geared up &nbsp;to comply with the highest safety standards, whereby it is planning to review its safety aspects and take all the necessary &nbsp;improvement measures. &ldquo;We will try to prove that our operations are already up to the standards to European community. We will show the quality and reliability of our services both in operations and on paper,&rdquo; promises Pandey.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	Pandey says that a company can do extra than the listed safety concerns for adding value to the company&rsquo;s services. &ldquo;We are looking at adding some extra security features like bringing expert trainers from Europe and training our pilots and engineers and providing extra measures to support our safety standards to prove that Fishtail Air is a safe carrier.&rdquo;</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	<span style="font-size:14px;"><strong>New Ventures</strong></span></div>
<div>
	Looking at the latest safety concern, Pandey says that the company has decided to go slow because things look quite uncertain at the moment. He says that this strategy will prevail for the next six months to one year. He says that the situation during that time will decide how and where the future steps of the company will lead.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	However, the company is planning to go into the hospitality industry from the current area of working- aviation. Pandey reveals that land has already been acquired in Lamatar of Lalitpur that overlooks the entire Kathmandu Valley and a range of mountains in the north. He says that the company is going to start a 100 room luxury eco-resort, a new concept in Nepal targeting high-end clients. He says that the resort will come into operation within three years.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	<img alt="Fishtail Air" src="/userfiles/images/sptlght%20(Copy).jpg" style="width: 550px; height: 182px; margin-left: 10px; margin-right: 10px;" /></div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
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										<div>
											<span style="font-size: 16px;"><strong>Tale of Fishtail Air</strong></span></div>
										<div>
											Fishtail Air Pvt Ltd is a helicopter charter company operating within Nepal, with its base in Kathmandu. Established in the year 1997 the company has been involved in operation throughout the country with occasional Trans-border flights to Bhutan and India. With a fleet of four helicopters, which includes two AS 350 B3 &ldquo;Ecureuil&rdquo;, one AS 350 B2 &ldquo;Ecureuil&rdquo;, and one Bell 206B III Jet Ranger helicopter, the company claims itself to be the largest helicopter operator in Nepal.</div>
										<div>
											&nbsp;</div>
										<div>
											Fishtail Air operates flights for sightseeing, rescue, medical evacuation, business travels, project support, expedition works or any other purposes that need the services of a Helicopter. The company also operates support flights for trekking, which is getting really popular these days in the name of &ldquo;Heli-Trekking&rdquo;. Aerial sightseeing flights over the heritage and tourist spots is being quite popular these days &nbsp;to have a glimpse of tourist spots within the Kathmandu Valley in a short time and from different angle.</div>
										<div>
											&nbsp;</div>
										<div>
											<span style="font-size: 16px;"><strong>Partnering Everest Skydive 2013</strong></span></div>
										<div>
											Fishtail Air has been operating flights for Everest Skydive from Syangboche Airport this year continuing the trend that has been in operations for seven years. &nbsp;AS350B3 Helicopter 9N-AJI of Fishtail Air is operating at least three flight loads for the Skydive every day. Exclusive partner for this extreme event since its launch in 2007, Fishtail Air also made the flight load with French national Marc Kopp who set a record for being the first disable person to skydive in the shadow of Everest from the ceiling altitude of above 22000 ft on 27 October 2013. Fishtail Air, has also been involved in carrying the skydivers back to Kathmandu after their successful dives.</div>
										<div>
											&nbsp;</div>
										<div>
											<span style="font-size: 16px;"><strong>Spring of 2013</strong></span></div>
										<div>
											The company says that the spring season of 2013 ended with a productive spell. From the beginning of the season in March, Fishtail Air carried out more than 200 rescue flights as well as cargo shipments of over 1,00,000 kilograms. A handful number of mountain flights and search flights were conducted specially in the Everest and Dhaulagiri regions. During this season, one of the highest helicopter rescue operation was carried out at the altitude of 7,800 metre between Camp III and Camp IV of Mt. Everest. During those few months, B3 Helicopter was stationed in Lukla to provide quick services to the foreigners as well as Nepalis. Similarly, one of the helicopters was stationed in Simikot to assist and support pilgrimage tours to Mount Kailash during emergencies.</div>
									</div>
								</div>
							</div>
						</div>
					</div>
				</div>
			</td>
		</tr>
	</tbody>
</table>
<p>
	&nbsp;</p>',
			'published' => true,
			'created' => '2013-12-23',
			'modified' => '2013-12-30',
			'keywords' => 'the corporate weekly from Nepal, nepali corporate events – news – interviews – reviews, nepali corporate focus, nepali corporate status and news, news from nepali corporate industry, corporate happenings – events – news from nepal',
			'description' => 'Fishtail Air Pvt Ltd, established in 1887 has grown leaps and bounds to reach the current position of being one of the leading helicopter companies of Nepal. The company is currently operating with three helicopters and is planning to add two more for peak seasons. With the expansion of the fleet and strength of services, Suman Pandey, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Fishtail Air hopes to serve more customers and is quite satisfied with what the company has done so far.',
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	(int) 11 => array(
		'Article' => array(
			'id' => '2271',
			'article_category_id' => '122',
			'title' => 'Sakya Group: Refined Hospitality',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => null,
			'content' => '<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	<strong>--By Gaurav Aryal</strong></div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<table align="right" style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 10px;" width="25">
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				<img alt="Yogendra Sakya, Chairman, Sakya Group" src="/userfiles/images/SP1%20(Copy).jpg" style="border-width: 0px; border-style: solid; width: 200px; height: 221px;" /></td>
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						<div>
							<strong>Yogendra Sakya</strong></div>
						<div>
							Chairman, Sakya Group</div>
					</div>
				</div>
			</td>
		</tr>
	</tbody>
</table>
<div>
	Sakya Group is a journey from gold craftsmanship to the glittering hospitality business. Sakyas of Kathmandu Valley have been known for their expertise in the jewellery business. Family of Bashanta Bahadur Sakya, one of the founders of the group was continuing the lineage of jewellery business and had a store at Ason of Kathmandu until early 1970s. When he turned colour blind, he had to deviate from his ancestral profession.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	The journey of their business took a new turn with the establishment of Kathmandu Guest House (KGH) at Thamel in 1970s. Basanta Bahadur Sakya and his brother Karna Sakya turned their residential property, a Victorian palace built by Ranas into a 13 room hotel. Thamel then was a field where jackals roamed freely even during the day, say its promoters. KGH was followed by new hotels namely, Hotel Ambassador (1978), Marcopolo Business hotel (1998) and Club Himalaya Nagarkot (1998). Later, this joint-family split around the year 2000 and the KHG, a well-known brand, went to Karna Sakya while his nephews got some other businesses.&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	<span style="font-size:14px;"><strong>The New Brand Journey</strong></span></div>
<div>
	Yogendra Sakya, Chairman of Sakya Group, says it was painful to suddenly lose the KGH association and start fresh. He adds that it was painful also because he was personally looking after the KGH. Meanwhile, he invested in Ace Institute of Management and Ace Development Bank as one of the major promoters. He branded his hotels as Ace Hotels and Resorts. Currently, Hotel Ambassador Lazimpat and Chhauni, Marcopolo Business Hotel, Club Himalaya Nagarkot, Trek-O-Tel Hotel, The Tea House Inn and Shanti Ban Resort are in operation under this umbrella brand of Ace Hotels. Though he lost the KGH brand name, his expertise gained since 1970s as professional hoteliers remained intact with him. This proved to be strong base needed for advancing in the hospitality business.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	One of the transformation during the rebranding process was promoting Ace Hotels and Resorts as a mid range hotels, a move from the image of budget hotel. Club Himalaya Resort is the signature hotel that assisted in this transformation. Sakya explains, &ldquo;We are not five star hotels and we have targeted our brand at adventure tourists. We know that they don&rsquo;t come for luxury. This is the market of Nepal and our speciality too.&rdquo;</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	Sakya family invests and also manages the groups&rsquo; hotel wing while Sakya Investment Company makes investment in various sectors. According to Sakya, the company has invested in banking and financial sectors and they are one of the promoters in Nepal Investment Bank and Ace Development Bank. Likewise the company has investments in real estate as well as a printing press. Similarly, Idea Group has investment in the education industry through Malpi Group of Schools. Sakya says that the group&rsquo;s total investment crosses Rs 1 billion and makes an annual turnover of around Rs 1.25 billion.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	<span style="font-size:14px;"><strong>Business Expansion</strong></span></div>
<div>
	The group is rebuilding Hotel Ambassador Lazimpat from the ground. The group demolished its building when the road expansion drive of Kathmandu needed to break a portion of hotel. Sakya says that the hotel will be built as a four star property in next two years. He reveals that Rs 300 million is invested in the rebuilding and he is expecting that the budget will cross its limit. Sakya says that he took the challenge as an opportunity and only the time will tell that it is for the better.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	For the time being, guests of Hotel Ambassador, Lazimpat are accommodated at Hotel Ambassador, Chh auni. Sakya says that the buildings at Chhauni were designed as apartment for the Sakya family. But the need turned it into the hotel and he adds that it was mainly done to keep the Hotel Ambassador open for two years &ndash; until the construction completes at Lazimpat. However, Sakya says that he has plans to continue this property at Chhauni as an apartment hotel. Ambassador Chhauni has 25 rooms and 14 apartments.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	The group has a couple of other hotels in the pipeline. Sakya says that the group had planned to complete Sakya Heritage Hotel targeting upmarket clients at Nagpokhari. The plan has been postponed because of the demolition of Ambassador that required priority to reconstruct. Along with that the group is planning to complete the resort project in Chitwan &ndash; Club Wilderness, after present projects are completed. Sakya says that the Club Wilderness project was postponed considering the surge in the number of new hotels and lodges in Chitwan.Stating that the project is not dropped, he adds that the resort will be built with a new concept of serving tourists especially visiting both Chitwan and Lumbini.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	Sakya says that he wants to go step by step in the business rather than jumping at once into 10 hotel projects. &ldquo;We start a business small and let it grow. Once it stands firmly on solid ground, we move forward,&rdquo; says Sakya.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	<img alt="" src="/userfiles/images/SP3%20(Copy).jpg" style="width: 550px; height: 629px; margin-left: 10px; margin-right: 10px;" /></div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	<span style="font-size:14px;"><strong>Opportunities Galore</strong></span></div>
<div>
	Sakya believes that China and India are Nepal&rsquo;s two economic giant neighbours, from where tourists can walk, fly or ride to Kathmandu. He predicts that these two countries will be the biggest tourism market for Nepal. &ldquo;Nepal&rsquo;s tourism was discovered. We never planted it,&rdquo; he says expressing discontent with the tourism promotion strategy. He suggests that Nepal should be going directly to the consumers when it comes to promotion rather than to the tour operators. &ldquo;There is a huge untapped market for us. &nbsp;If we can explore Chinese and Indian markets, we can bring two million tourists every year. The only challenge is in finding way to reach the consumers,&rdquo;&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	he adds.&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	The trend of bringing international chain hotel brands has revived in Nepal with big names like Marriot and Sheraton landing in Nepal soon. &nbsp;However, Sakya rules out the possibility of his group&rsquo;s partnership with an international brand.&ldquo;You don&rsquo;t have to borrow international name to succeed. Rise of the Internet, and e-marketing, has enabled clients to analyse features of local brand right on their devices. Local names too can be sold through this channel. Individual products can be directly brought to the customers attention and sold well.&rdquo; At present, 20 per cent of total sales in the tourism industry are made through online booking, says Sakya. He explains that there are big opportunities for local products for creating independent brand name. &ldquo;We would like to make our own hotel chain at the domestic level, if not international,&rdquo; adds Sakya.&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<table border="0" cellpadding="10" width="99%">
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										<span style="font-size:16px;"><strong>Some Companies under Group</strong></span></div>
									<div>
										&bull;<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Hotel Ambassador, Lazimpat</div>
									<div>
										&bull;<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Hotel Ambassador, Chhauni</div>
									<div>
										&bull;<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Marcopolo Business Hotel</div>
									<div>
										&bull;<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Club Himalaya Nagarkot</div>
									<div>
										&bull;<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Trek-O-Tel Hotel</div>
									<div>
										&bull;<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Shati Ban Resort</div>
									<div>
										&bull;<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>The Tea House Inn</div>
									<div>
										&bull;<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>MarcoPolo Travels Nepal</div>
									<div>
										&bull;<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Ace Development Bank</div>
									<div>
										&bull;<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Nepal Investment Bank</div>
									<div>
										&bull;<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Malpi Group of Schools</div>
									<div>
										&bull;<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>IT Himalaya &ndash; A Dutch- Nepali Joint Venture</div>
									<div>
										&bull;<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Mata International</div>
									<div>
										&nbsp;</div>
									<div>
										<img alt="Ace Development Bank" src="/userfiles/images/SP4%20(Copy).jpg" style="width: 550px; height: 458px; margin-left: 10px; margin-right: 10px;" /></div>
									<div>
										&nbsp;</div>
									<div>
										<span style="font-size:16px;"><strong>Hands-on Management&nbsp;</strong></span></div>
									<div>
										Being professional hoteliers, Sakyas love to invest as well as manage their hotel and resort projects. So, the Sakya couple and also the next generation businessmen are looking after their hospitality ventures. Yogendra Sakya looks after finance and planning while his son and daughter are looking after product development and marketing respectively. &ldquo;Weare professionally hoteliers. Elsewhere we are just investors,&rdquo; Sakya explains who is also a Hotel Management graduate.</div>
									<div>
										&nbsp;</div>
									<div>
										Currently,300 employees are working in the hotel projects alone. Lately unionisation has become one of the major challenges for the management, Sakya says. His companies do not have unions apart from Club Himalaya because he deals directly with the staff in other hotels. Though some responsibilities are taken by the promoters too, the management team looks after all major responsibilities. Sakya communicates personally with his managers daily and spends around two hours every day to review the progress of the hotel. He says that the Internet and technology has greatly assisted the management process.</div>
									<div>
										&nbsp;</div>
									<div>
										<span style="font-size:16px;"><strong>Direct &amp; Holistic CSR</strong></span></div>
									<div>
										Sakya Group believes more in direct involving in activities that contribute to the overall development of the community and the area, rather than providing financial support to causes. &ldquo;There must be something that we do on our own,&rdquo; he said while giving an example of group&rsquo;s contribution to Nagarkot.</div>
									<div>
										&nbsp;</div>
									<div>
										He recalls that there was no proper road when Club Himalaya was established in Nagarkot and the group strongly advocated for proper road construction. Sakya takes the road development in Nagarkot as an important part of tourism development there and an important corporate social responsibility undertaken by his group.</div>
									<div>
										&nbsp;</div>
									<div>
										Similarly, the group also provided drinking water facility to the locals and installed telephone tower at its resort premises. Likewise, a police station was established through the resort&rsquo;s initiation. Sakya claims that electricity supply was extended in the area due to his company&rsquo;s initiation. Staircase construction is ongoing at Mahadev Pokhari in Nagarkot. According to Sakya, various trainings are provided and a health post too is established in his company&rsquo;s partnership with local bodies. According to him, these development works are part of the group&rsquo;s belief in directly involving in development initiatives rather than just providing financial support.</div>
									<div>
										&nbsp;</div>
								</div>
							</div>
						</div>
					</div>
				</div>
			</td>
		</tr>
	</tbody>
</table>',
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			'created' => '2013-12-16',
			'modified' => '2013-12-23',
			'keywords' => 'the corporate weekly from Nepal, nepali corporate events – news – interviews – reviews, nepali corporate focus, nepali corporate status and news, news from nepali corporate industry, corporate happenings – events – news from nepal',
			'description' => 'Sakya Group is a journey from gold craftsmanship to the glittering hospitality business. Sakyas of Kathmandu Valley have been known for their expertise in the jewellery business. Family of Bashanta Bahadur Sakya, one of the founders of the group was continuing the lineage of jewellery business and had a store at Ason of Kathmandu until early 1970s. When he turned colour blind, he had to deviate from his ancestral profession.',
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	(int) 12 => array(
		'Article' => array(
			'id' => '2227',
			'article_category_id' => '122',
			'title' => 'Hama Group: Strong As Steel',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => null,
			'content' => '<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	<strong>--By Gaurav Aryal</strong></div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<table align="right" style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 10px;" width="25">
	<tbody>
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				<img alt="Bal Krishna Shrestha, Chairman, Hama Group" src="/userfiles/images/bks%20(Copy).jpg" style="border-width: 0px; border-style: solid; width: 200px; height: 221px;" /></td>
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				<div align="center">
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						<div>
							<div>
								<strong>Bal Krishna Shrestha</strong></div>
							<div>
								<em>Chairman, Hama Group</em></div>
						</div>
					</div>
				</div>
			</td>
		</tr>
	</tbody>
</table>
<div>
	Hama Group was not built in a day. The group developed through rigorous planning and hard work of its ChairmanBal Krishna Shrestha. Though belonging to a lineage of traders,who have been in the trading business for several generations, Shrestha laid the foundation of the group on his own. His family inspired him to dream and to work hard to materialise them. He envisioned the group and till date actively continues to plan its future, along with his partners</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	Shrestha&rsquo;s family was in the garment business for five generations when he learned business basics. However, the learning process for him was not as smooth as butter. Being the first person in the Shrestha family to get educated, he was criticised and questioned about his formal learning and education by his seniors. His parents were involved in retailing of garments imported from India. The store at Makhan of Kathmandu,established by his great-great-grandfather,is still in operation.&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	While Shrestha was pursuing his graduate degree, his uncles used to ask him the worth of his studies as his pursuit would only land him as an employee. And, it pinched Shrestha deep and was determined to have a business of his own without getting any financial support from his family. Consequently he completed his B.Com.,joined government serviceas a Section Officer and completed M.Com., and Masters in Economics without any financial assistance from his family members.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	<span style="font-size:14px;"><strong>Start-up Business</strong></span></div>
<div>
	While in public service, he sensed the need and demand for development goods such as steel, cement, galvanised sheets, pipes and other goods to address the needs of an emerging and developing Nepal.But, to materialize such vision one needs capital, and during those days all he had with him was education and trust of people around him. He borrowed some money from his colleagues and started a hardware store at Teku along with three partners.This marks the inception of Hama Group.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	Shrestha had started teaching at a college and during the same time he was transferredto National Planning Commission. There, he learned much more about development process. While he was busy with his job, his partners looked after the store and he used to join them after office hours.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	Shrestha says that business performed way better than he had imagined initially. &ldquo;We all worked hard and we wall were dedicated and honest to our work. And, we kept the fire in us hot,&rdquo; he says. While the business of hardware sales was doing well, he started importing goods from China and selling here.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	<span style="font-size:14px;"><strong>Impediments</strong></span></div>
<div>
	Shrestha had ordered goods from China for the third time in 1977. Unfortunately, goods were stolen at Calcutta Port. He says that incident made a loss of Rs 5 million to the company.&ldquo;That did not discourage me. I did not lose anything. I just lost what I had earned,&rdquo; he shares. &nbsp;He recalls that he sold everythinghe had, to payback bank loans. Additionally, dealers and suppliers with whom he had been working denied supplying goods.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	This unfortunate event did not discourage him, but forced him &nbsp;to start from the scratch to bounce back into business. After being refused of goods delivery by existing dealers and traders, he took it as a challenge and decided to produce steel products.But, starting a factory was not free of hurdles. Though financing was challenging Shrestha says that money is not a problem for a working person. He acquired operational license of Hama Steel in 1988 and started the factory by borrowing loans from banks.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	<span style="font-size:14px;"><strong>Venture Expansion</strong></span></div>
<div>
	After the success of steel company, the group started production of various other products through its specific companies such as Allied Industries, Hama Wires, Hama Tech and factories producing water pumps and pipes. The group now has a cement factory in its pipeline.&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	Similarly, Shrestha says that the group has recently upgraded its Hama Steel factory for the third time. The factory, started in 1988, was upgraded to fully automated system in 2000 through an investment of Rs 250 million. Now the factory is &nbsp;fully computerised. Shrestha claims that Hama Steel is probably the only steel factory in Nepal to be fuly computerised. He says that the production through the new system will begin next month. The group has invested Rs 480 million for the latest upgradation.&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	The factory has an installed production capacity of 400 tonnes a day when operated for 16 hours. According to Shrestha, the capacity will be even more if the factory can be operated for 20 hours. He adds that the new system will also help reduce the cost of production.&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	<span style="font-size:14px;"><strong>Quality Promises</strong></span></div>
<div>
	The group has never compromised with the quality offerings. Shrestha says that the company never uses low quality billets for producing steel products. &ldquo;Our products meet the highest quality standards and have been used by corporate houses, embassies, government agencies and the general public,&rdquo; says Shrestha. Hama brand has been a trusted name by national and international projects operating in Nepal. US Embassy is one of them along with Russian and Japanese projects that have used Hama products in their construction projects.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	<span style="font-size:14px;"><strong>The Roadmap</strong></span></div>
<div>
	Shrestha sees everlasting needand demand for development goods. He believes that new business possibilities and new market will be created once political problems start getting resolved. He says that domestic industries would be encouraged if the government&rsquo;s provision of using local products for public procurement is materialised..</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	The group is dedicated to take its companies to the next level in its area of specialisations. Shrestha is content over the progress made by the group so far. As a part of business expansion, the group has also invested in service industry, particularly in health, education, banking and insurance sectors.&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	The group has plans to establish a hotel soon in partnership with an international hotel chain. Once the recent upgradation comes into form, Shrestha says that his group will concentrate on new ventures. He reveals that the group is also planning factories for melting steel and wire drawing.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	The group has plans to set up a cement factory that will be producing cement under its brand name Hama. Currently, HamaTech and Shalimar brands of cement are being produced by the group in partnership with other investors from the business fraternity. Shrestha says that the new factory will come into operation within a year.Similarly, energy is also one of the sectors of interest for the group. The group has a 4.5 MW Maikhola hydropower project in its portfolio and another new project in its pipeline.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	The group has invested over Rs 1 billion in its various ventures and registers an annual turnover of Rs 5 billion and has been annually adding Rs 500 million to the state coffers through taxes and other payments. Shrestha says that the turnover for the next year is targeted at Rs 10 billion.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<table border="0" cellpadding="10" width="99%">
	<tbody>
		<tr>
			<td bgcolor="#E5E4E2">
				<div>
					<div>
						<div>
							<div>
								<div>
									<span style="font-size:16px;"><strong>Naming of Hama</strong></span></div>
								<div>
									Bal Krishna Shrestha, Chairman of Hama Group borrowed the name Hama for his steel company from the Port of Yokohama from where Japan used to import raw materials for steel production and export finished goods. Hama was a lucky charm for Shrestha. Similarly, Shrestha who considers himself a devotee of Harati Mata linked the brand name to his devotion too. Likewise, Shrestha says that HA in Newari means seed and MA means fruit. He says that if seeds are good, the harvest of that fruit is eventually high.</div>
								<div>
									&nbsp;</div>
								<div>
									<span style="font-size:16px;"><strong>Management</strong></span></div>
								<div>
									Shrestha and his group have always had belief in professional management and professionalism as corporate philosophy. Independent management teams of each of the group&rsquo;s 10 companies looks after the daily management and human resources of their respective companies. The HR department looks after issues related to 450 employees working in various companies of the Hama Group. Shrestha says that employees are his assets and the company has been able to make them happy and satisfied. Likewise, the promoters do not have to look after the daily management and functioning of any of the companies. Shrestha gets updated about the daily progress through periodic meetings and through the Internet.He says that corporate culture is well developed in the group.</div>
								<div>
									&nbsp;</div>
								<div>
									<span style="font-size:16px;"><strong>CSR&nbsp;</strong></span></div>
								<div>
									Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) activities are highly prioritised by the group. Shrestha believes in creating benefits to larger number of people and the society rather than just making profits through business. As a part of CSR activities, the group provided scholarships to 14 needy students under SOS from Far Western Region. Similarly, the group has been providing education to children of employees of the group for free. Shrestha shares a plan to establish an elderly home in the name of his parents. Out of its social service fund, the group has invested in hospital projects too.&nbsp;</div>
								<div>
									&nbsp;</div>
								<div>
									<span style="font-size:16px;"><strong>Major Milestones of the Group</strong></span></div>
								<div>
									1988: Establishment of Hama Steel&nbsp;</div>
								<div>
									1995: Hama Steel received the Nepal Standard (NS) mark</div>
								<div>
									1997: Hama Steel upgraded production capacity&nbsp;</div>
								<div>
									1998: Hama Wires established</div>
								<div>
									2000: Hama Steel further upgraded production capacity and received ISO 9001:2000 certification for excellent quality management system</div>
								<div>
									2001: Hama Steel received NS Quality Award</div>
								<div>
									2004: Hama Steel started production of HAMA TMT Re-bars</div>
								<div>
									2005: Started production of HAMA-500 Re-bars</div>
								<div>
									2007: TQM Activities were initiated to maintain quality management.&nbsp;</div>
								<div>
									2008: Hama Iron and Steel started production of Super Grip Re-bars (SG Re-Bars)</div>
								<div>
									2013: Upgraded Hama Steel into a fully computerised system</div>
							</div>
						</div>
					</div>
				</div>
			</td>
		</tr>
	</tbody>
</table>
<p>
	&nbsp;</p>',
			'published' => true,
			'created' => '2013-12-09',
			'modified' => '2013-12-16',
			'keywords' => 'the corporate weekly from Nepal, nepali corporate events – news – interviews – reviews, nepali corporate focus, nepali corporate status and news, news from nepali corporate industry, corporate happenings – events – news from nepal',
			'description' => 'Hama Group was not built in a day. The group developed through rigorous planning and hard work of its ChairmanBal Krishna Shrestha. Though belonging to a lineage of traders,who have been in the trading business for several generations, Shrestha laid the foundation of the group on his own',
			'sortorder' => '2071',
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	(int) 13 => array(
		'Article' => array(
			'id' => '2189',
			'article_category_id' => '122',
			'title' => 'Muktishree Group: Getting Ambitious',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => null,
			'content' => '<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	<strong>--By Gaurav Aryal</strong></div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<table align="right" style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 10px;" width="25">
	<tbody>
		<tr>
			<td>
				<img alt="Arun Raj Sumargi Founder, Muktishree Group of Companies" src="/userfiles/images/ars%20(Copy).jpg" style="border-width: 0px; border-style: solid; width: 200px; height: 219px;" /></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td bgcolor="#FFFFFF">
				<div align="center">
					<div style="text-align: center;">
						<div>
							<strong>Arun Raj Sumargi</strong></div>
						<div>
							Founder, Muktishree Group of Companies</div>
					</div>
				</div>
			</td>
		</tr>
	</tbody>
</table>
<div>
	M<span style="font-size: 12px;">uktishree Group of Companies, one of the emerging business houses of Nepal, has ambitious plans to grow as a successful enterprise that benefits the national economy and people at large. The group has a clear vision to create employment opportunity for 100,000 people in a decade. According to Arun Raj Sumargi, Founder of the group, this target is not only their vision but also a motto.</span></div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	&ldquo;We are not saying that we will employ 100,000 workers in one of our industries but we want to be the creator of employment to these many people through forward and backward linkages,&rdquo; Sumargi explains. To achieve this goal, the group is looking forward to explore sectors such as tourism, hydropower, telecommunication and manufacturing and take them to a new level. He believes that the group&rsquo;s investment in these sectors would be greatly contributing to create direct as well as indirect employment to people through both forward and backward linkages. Sumargi says, &ldquo;As entrepreneurs, we try to understand the need of the people as well as of the state, find a meeting point and work on that. Such projects are supported by people also.&rdquo;</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	<span style="font-size:14px;"><strong>New Attractions</strong></span></div>
<div>
	Muktishree group sees huge business potentials in the biggest scarcity the nation is currently facing &ndash; energy crisis. For over a decade, the group has been consistently working on setting a foothold in the energy production industry. &ldquo;Energy crisis is the biggest headache for Nepal now. We are focused on how to find a solution to this problem and working with an aim to create large number of jobs in the country and help to increase domestic production,&rdquo; explains Sumargi.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	The group has a number of hydropower projects ranging from small to megaprojects. According to Sumargi, a 32 MW hydropower project is currently under development in Dhading. He says that there are other megaprojects in the pipeline. &ldquo;We are in the process of finalising a 600 MW project in the near future,&rdquo; he reveals adding that the group is also eyeing large projects like Upper Karnali. He adds that the agreement with foreign investors is not yet finalised because of changing political scenario as large project cannot be completed without foreign investments. He believes that apart from foreign investment, large project also need technical and managerial resources from abroad.&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	Along with the hydropower generation, the group is coming up with a large scale cement factory in Surkhet. &nbsp;Sumargi says that the first phase work of the factory has been completed along with construction of the road leading to the factory site. The group has also been exploring potentialities of producing new varieties of cement that have been not produced earlier in Nepal.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	Similarly, the group is planning to establish a four to five star hotel in a prime location of Kathmandu. Sumargi says that land acquisition process for this venture has been completed and talks to find an international hotel chain for partnership are underway.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	<span style="font-size:14px;"><strong>Corporate Philosophy</strong></span></div>
<div>
	Muktishree group is working to develop itself as a model business group. Sumargi says, &ldquo;Rather than just making money and enjoying the wealth, we are looking on how to create greater benefits for the people.&rdquo; He says that cooperation and understanding is the way of working and making business decisions. &ldquo;We discuss every major issue and if two among five of us give different suggestions we think over that from different angles. We cooperate with each other, have positive thinking and communal thoughts and it has always been working for us,&rdquo; says Sumargi. He adds that if someone raises question over the group&rsquo;s activities, they try to find the reasons and point out the weakness so that they can improve themselves.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	The group has also kept its family values, culture and tradition intact. Sumargi shares his belief, &ldquo;Businesses guided solely on individual thinking and philosophies have vanished in the long run. We believe that the culture, tradition and belief must be kept intact. The name, culture and tradition we inherited from our father will be continued also in the future.&rdquo;</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	<span style="font-size:14px;"><strong>Specialisation Areas</strong></span></div>
<div>
	The group has always prioritised those industries that could utilise local resources and generate employment to local people. Sumargi says that the country can become self sustained only when local resources could be properly utilised within the country. &ldquo;Industries based on raw material imports would only be a short term business,&rdquo; he says giving examples of carpet and garment industries. He says that there are prospects of Nepal being self sustaining in tourism, hydropower and mining.&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	Along with usage of local resources, the group has always focused on local market. Though it exports some of its &nbsp;mining products and drinking, those exports have been a means to get international recognition for the group. Currently, mineral water under Himalayas&rsquo; ONTOP brand is being exported to Middle East, Hong Kong, Korea , Japan and next month the company is exporting it to Gulf countries too. The water plant in Rasuwa produces 120,000 bottles per shift and the company is planning to produce in three shifts every day to increase the supply to new markets. According to Sumargi, the brand was listed among one of the best water among 11 countries during an exhibition of water producers in China. Likewise, 90 per cent of water is being consumed in Nepal while 10 per cent is currently being exported.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	The group&rsquo;s current area of specialisation in manufacturing and service industry came after the group started looking into new areas of business after 1990&rsquo;s changing political environment. Young entrepreneurs from Hetauda came to Kathmandu with a vision to supply aggregates to Kathmandu via the ropeway but could not be realised for various reasons. Then the company ventured into the telecommunication sector and launched the then Mero Mobile brand of GSM telephony service that brought the group into limelight.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	<span style="font-size:14px;"><strong>Growth and Development</strong></span></div>
<div>
	The group started with a mineral based industry by Madhav Raj Sumargi in 1972. During that time, he also had timber and transportation business, but these were closed down later. However, the mining and mineral based industry is still intact with the group.&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	The group has now developed into a conglomerate of around 21 businesses. Sumargi says that talking about group&rsquo;s turnover is too early as the group is still in its growth phase. &ldquo;We are still investing and under development, so we are in loan,&rdquo; says Sumargi. The group has so far invested Rs 100 billion in various sectors. Sumargi says that the investment is made through both foreign and domestic partners.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	The group has created 5000 direct employment and out of them, 1100 are in Makwanpur alone and in its companies based in Bhairahawa, Hetauda, Surkhet, Dang, Kathmandu and Rasuwa. Similarly, the group is coming up with a teaching hospital soon. And Sumargi says that the hospital will be based in Makwanpur. Though the group has numerous plans in its pipeline, Sumargi says that the national political situation would be the determining factor for new moves.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<table border="0" cellpadding="10" width="99%">
	<tbody>
		<tr>
			<td bgcolor="#E5E4E2">
				<div>
					<div>
						<div>
							<div>
								<span style="font-size:16px;"><strong>Group of Companies</strong></span></div>
							<div>
								&bull;Muktishree Telecom&nbsp;</div>
							<div>
								&bull;Muktishree Energy</div>
							<div>
								&bull;Muktishree Cement Industry</div>
							<div>
								&bull;Everest Minerals Products</div>
							<div>
								&bull;Hetauda Lime Industries</div>
							<div>
								&bull;Bindabasini Media</div>
							<div>
								&bull;Hetauda Education Foundation</div>
							<div>
								&bull;Nepal Satellite Telecom</div>
							<div>
								&nbsp;</div>
							<div>
								<span style="font-size:16px;"><strong>Some Projects of Muktishree Group</strong></span></div>
							<div>
								&bull;Karnali Chasipani Multipurpose Hydropower</div>
							<div>
								&bull;Puldumki River Hydro-power Project</div>
							<div>
								&bull;Lungri (1)River Hydropower Project</div>
							<div>
								&bull;Lungri (2) River Hydropower Project</div>
							<div>
								&bull;Malagad River Hydropower Project</div>
							<div>
								&bull;Luma River Hydropower Project</div>
							<div>
								&bull;Badigad River Hydropower Project</div>
							<div>
								&bull;Surkhet Cement Project</div>
							<div>
								&nbsp;</div>
							<div>
								<span style="font-size:16px;"><strong>Telecommunication</strong></span></div>
							<div>
								The group has seen prospects since its involvement with Spice Nepal Pvt Ltd. After the group withdrew its investment there, it has been involved with Hello Nepal. The group plans to aggressively penetrate its presence across the country. The company has met the requirement of the regulators to provide services in the rural areas. Along with GSM telephony services, the company is planning to aggressively promote PSTN services. The company has its presence in far western and mid western regions. The company has plans to expand its services to Kathmandu and eastern region within few months. Arun Raj Sumargi says, &ldquo;In two months we will be entering Chitwan and soon reaching all over the country along with major cities like Pokhara and Kathmandu.&rdquo;</div>
							<div>
								&nbsp;</div>
							<div>
								<span style="font-size:16px;"><strong>CSR Activities</strong></span></div>
							<div>
								As a part of its corporate social responsibilities (CSR), Muktishree group within a few days, is planning to hand over a Bhojan Prasadi Griha at Pashupatinath to the government. The group has made an investment of Rs 70 million for the building. Similarly, the group has contributed for various schools, hospitals and other social causes. Madhav Raj Sumargi Trust donated Rs 10 million to construct 10.5 kilometres of road in Hetauda. Necessary equipment for the road was provided by the government. Sumargi said that the government has allocated budget for the road in the current fiscal year and black topping of the road is undergoing. He claims that the road has addressed various issues of Hetauda bazaar.</div>
						</div>
					</div>
				</div>
			</td>
		</tr>
	</tbody>
</table>',
			'published' => true,
			'created' => '2013-12-02',
			'modified' => '2013-12-09',
			'keywords' => 'the corporate weekly from Nepal, nepali corporate events – news – interviews – reviews, nepali corporate focus, nepali corporate status and news, news from nepali corporate industry, corporate happenings – events – news from nepal',
			'description' => 'Muktishree Group of Companies, one of the emerging business houses of Nepal, has ambitious plans to grow as a successful enterprise that benefits the national economy and people at large. The group has a clear vision to create employment opportunity for 100,000 people in a decade.',
			'sortorder' => '2033',
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	(int) 14 => array(
		'Article' => array(
			'id' => '2144',
			'article_category_id' => '122',
			'title' => 'Lomus: Looking Beyond Borders',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => null,
			'content' => '<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	<strong>--By Gaurav Aryal</strong></div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<table align="right" border="0" cellpadding="1" cellspacing="1" style="float: right; margin: 0px 0px 10px 10px;">
	<tbody>
		<tr>
			<td>
				<img alt="Prabal Jung Pandey, Executive Director, Lomus Group" src="/userfiles/images/pjp%20(Copy).jpg" style="border-width: 0px; border-style: solid; width: 200px; height: 222px;" /></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td bgcolor="#FFFFFF">
				<div align="center">
					<div>
						<strong>Prabal Jung Pandey</strong></div>
					<div>
						Executive Director, Lomus Group</div>
				</div>
			</td>
		</tr>
	</tbody>
</table>
<div>
	If the Nepali government allows Nepali ventures to invest in foreign land, Lomus Pharmaceuticals and the group of companies would be one of the top industrial houses to rejoice. Prabal Jung Pandey, Executive Director of the group says that he would be happy when his group would go beyond borders. He wishes to take Lomus Pharmaceuticals Pvt Ltd, the group&rsquo;s flagship company and one of the leading pharmaceutical companies of Nepal, beyond borders.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	As a move towards this goal, the company is determined to increase the volume of its pharmaceutical products export to existing markets along with exploring new territories. According to Pandey, the company is exporting its products to four countries in Africa. &ldquo;We will be exporting to Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) countries soon. &nbsp;Necessary registration procedures have been completed and we are looking forward to exporting in large quantities,&rdquo; he shared.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	Pandey thinks that once the company starts mass export of products, of the current production plants capacities would not be enough. He opines that establishing plants in other countries would be helpful to supply products to meet the demand. However, existing laws restrict Nepali companies from investing in foreign land. &ldquo;The government should now think that the capable industries in Nepal should be allowed to invest in other countries. If someone is capable of investing abroad, and if s/he is working here successfully and if the profits come back to the country, there is no harm in allowing someone to invest abroad,&rdquo; Pandey said arguing against the government&rsquo;s restriction that is hindering the company&rsquo;s expansion plan.&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	He says that Lomus Pharmaceuticals has reached almost a saturation point in the Nepali market and there is very little room for expansion in the domestic market. He further claims that the company leads Nepal&rsquo;s pharmaceutical market with four per cent of the market share.&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	<span style="font-size:14px;"><strong>Group&rsquo;s Inception</strong></span></div>
<div>
	Lomus Pharmaceuticals is the first manufacturing venture of the group, started by Pradeep Jung Pandey, Vice President of Federation of Nepalese Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FNCCI) and father of Prabal Jung Pandey. Pandey gives credit to his father for establishing the company and taking it to the pinnacle. The company was established with its first factory at Gongabu in Kathmandu, 25 years ago. In its initial days, it used to produce around 40 pharmaceutical products. And, the group kept on taking gradual and careful steps for its expansion and growth. With a special focus on expanding the market, it kept on increasing the production capacity. A decade ago, a big move was made to establish a 15000 square feet production plant at Gothatar, one of the largest pharmaceuticals production units of the country.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	Pandeys always have had the belief that one should not be investing in a new venture unless the existing one is sustainable. &ldquo;We do not believe in jumping into many ventures at once. We try to stabilise the existing one and keep it expanding so that it is self sustaining,&rdquo; Pandey added.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	<span style="font-size:14px;"><strong>The Expansion</strong></span></div>
<div>
	The Pandey family came with its second venture 11 years ago - Cosmos Cement Industries Pvt Ltd.The company could not pick up immediately because of the ongoing armed conflict and the Madhesh movement that followed, recalls Pandey. The company was virtually in a status quo for almost five years after its establishment. The company is currently producing cement by grinding clinkers. However, it has plans to come up with its own clinker producing unit by utilising local raw material &ndash; limestone.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	Pandey reveals that as prerequisite of setting up a clinker production unit, two limestone mines are being excavated in Udaypur district. A feasibility study for setting up the plant has been completed and the essential land for it has been acquired after carrying out IEE and EIA.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	Likewise, another clinker producing unit is under construction in Janakpur. Initially this plant will be producing 700 tonnes of clinkers daily. Pandey says that once the unit completes its trial phase, its capacity will be increased gradually and is expected to reach 1200 tonnes per day within a year. He says that the plant will be catering to the high demand of cement in the eastern part of the country. Targeting this market, around nine months back, a cement factory with a production capacity of 400 tonnes per day was installed in Biratnagar. Similarly, one factory is under operation in Janakpur. The current expansion is being made with a total investment of Rs 1.5 billion.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	When the second generation businessmen in the Pandey family joined the business, set-up by their father, they took the business to new and varied sectors so that the three brothers can look after one of the sectors each. Now the group is involved in banking and financial sector, mining, cement production and pharmaceuticals. Pandey says that the group is willing to take pharmaceuticals and cement production companies to the next level in the near future. He reveals that the group is also planning to come with Ayurvedic medicines soon. These medicines will be branded uniquely and will be sold in the global market. Currently the group is employing 300 people in its group of companies other than financial institutions.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	<span style="font-size:14px;"><strong>Branding Consolidation</strong></span></div>
<div>
	The parent company of the group, Lomus Pharmaceuticals has become a well known brand name in the pharmaceutical industry. Pandey says that the recognition the company has got is because of the quality &nbsp;that the company has promised and delivered in its range of products. He says that the company does not compromise on quality and believes that products should be easily available at affordable price.&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	Similarly, Tej Cement is a popular brand in the eastern Nepal. Popularity of this brand has encouraged the company to expand its production unit and add new factories.&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	However the group has not yet given serious thoughts of branding the entire group under a consolidated name. Pandey hints the possibility of it in the future but not anytime soon.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	Pandey shares that all of the companies under the group are growing annually at a healthy rate of 20 per cent in average. The group registers an annual turnover of Rs 3 billion per year. He is quite satisfied with this progress but sees room for improvement. He adds, &ldquo;I will be the happiest entrepreneur if we can make our name popular worldwide. &nbsp;I dream of making Lomus an international company and a brand name recognised everywhere.&rdquo;</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<table border="0" cellpadding="10" width="99%">
	<tbody>
		<tr>
			<td bgcolor="#E5E4E2">
				<div>
					<div>
						<div>
							<span style="font-size:16px;"><strong>Companies Associated</strong></span></div>
						<div>
							&bull;<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Lomus Pharmaceuticals Pvt Ltd</div>
						<div>
							&bull;<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Cosmos Cement Industries Pvt Ltd</div>
						<div>
							&bull;<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>International Leasing and Finance Co Ltd</div>
						<div>
							&bull;<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Data Hub Pvt Ltd</div>
						<div>
							&bull;<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Lomus Investment Co Pvt Ltd</div>
						<div>
							&bull;<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Cosmos Quarries Pvt Ltd</div>
						<div>
							&bull;<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Udaypur Mineral Tech Pvt Ltd</div>
						<div>
							&nbsp;</div>
						<div>
							<span style="font-size:16px;"><strong>Core sectors of the group</strong></span></div>
						<div>
							<span style="font-size:14px;"><strong>Pharmaceuticals</strong></span></div>
						<div>
							Pharmaceutical is one of the core areas of the group and the parent business for it. Lomus Pharmaceuticals Pvt Ltd is one of the market leaders in Nepal&rsquo;s pharmaceuticals market. This company produces 400 products. However, its factory is operating for just 12 hours a day due to power supply problem. Apart from supplying its products to the general medicine market, the company also supplies to government.</div>
						<div>
							&nbsp;</div>
						<div>
							<span style="font-size:14px;"><strong>Cement and Mining Industry</strong></span></div>
						<div>
							Cement production is one of the strong sectors of the group. The group has allocated two mining companies for its cement industries. Cosmos Quarries Pvt Ltd and Udaypur Mineral Tech are taking up the responsibility of limestone mining. However, the group is open for exploring new area for mining. Pandey sees potentials in copper and iron mining but transportation and electricity are the pre-requisites which he expects that the government should ensure.&nbsp;</div>
						<div>
							&nbsp;</div>
						<div>
							<span style="font-size:14px;"><strong>Financial Sector</strong></span></div>
						<div>
							The group has presence in the banking and financial sector with three companies as one of the promoter shareholders. International Leasing and Finance Company Limited had a plan for upgrading to a commercial bank but could not do so in the lack of legal provision to do so. However, it has now plans to go for merger. Pandey says that merger talks are going with few financial institutions and he expects that these talks will conclude within the next five months. Apart from it, the group is involved with Citizens Bank International and Shikhar Insurance Company Limited. Similarly, the group has a presence in merchant banking sector through its Lomus Investment Co Pvt Ltd.</div>
						<div>
							&nbsp;</div>
						<div>
							<span style="font-size:14px;"><strong>Data Centre</strong></span></div>
						<div>
							Recently, the group has set up a data centre, Data Hub Pvt Ltd at Thapathali targeting financial institutions and corporate houses. The centre was established to mitigate the risk to the huge database of these companies due to natural and other accidents. &nbsp;The group has set up this centre in partnership with other business houses. According to Pandey, the centre was set up in coordination with a company from Singapore that meets international standards. As of now, the centre has around a dozen banks in its clients base. &nbsp;Currently the data bank has a capacity to store data of around 40 companies. Pandey is looking forward to have provision and guidelines regarding data management of financial institutions form the central bank.</div>
						<div>
							&nbsp;</div>
						<div>
							<span style="font-size:14px;"><strong>Hydropower</strong></span></div>
						<div>
							The group has investments in the hydropower sector too. One of its projects, Tawa Khola, a 5MW hydropower plant is currently in operation. Similarly, it is planning to come up with a 42 MW project in the near future.</div>
					</div>
				</div>
			</td>
		</tr>
	</tbody>
</table>',
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			'description' => 'Lomus Pharmaceuticals and the group of companies take every step carefully while investing in a new sector. The group, if allowed by the law, looks forward to invest abroad.',
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			'id' => '2732',
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			'title' => 'Begani Group Strengthening Its Network',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => null,
			'content' => '<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	<strong>--By Gaurav Aryal</strong></div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<table align="right" style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 10px;" width="25">
	<tbody>
		<tr>
			<td>
				<img alt="Amit Kumar Begani, CEO, Begani Group" src="/userfiles/images/s2%20(Copy)(1).jpg" style="border-width: 0px; border-style: solid; width: 200px; height: 217px;" /></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td bgcolor="#FFFFFF">
				<div align="center">
					<div>
						<strong>Amit Kumar Begani</strong></div>
					<div>
						CEO, Begani Group</div>
				</div>
			</td>
		</tr>
	</tbody>
</table>
<div>
	Begani Group&rsquo;s business seeds were sowed two decades ago with the launch of trading company by the first generation businessperson of the family. This trading company imported goods from China based on market and customer needs. Though initially small in quantity, later on the trade volume expanded. The company imported products ranging from shoes, umbrella to cars.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	However, presently the trading wing is not as active as it was in the past. At present, the group has shed the trader identity and is trying to develop &lsquo;manufacturing house&rsquo; identity for itself. The company started the manufacturing industry around one and a half decades ago. Amit Kumar Begani, CEO of the Group, who is the second generation businessperson in the family, says that his group produces vegetable ghee, vegetable oils in the food industry and woven fabrics in the plastic segment.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	<span style="font-size:14px;"><strong>Manufacturing Shift</strong></span></div>
<div>
	Food items were one of the major imports from China of the group&rsquo;s trading wing. While importing food items and sellingthem in the local market, Beganis comprehended the potential market for food products and decided to manufacture their own products instead of just trading. Considering the potential and prospects, the group started manufacturing vegetable ghee. In the days thereafter, the group gradually decreased the volume of imports of goods from China and started concentrating in the newly established venture.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	At present, the group is fully committed to the manufacturing sector though it has only two manufacturing companies, Nandan Ghee and Oil Industries and Nekon-KB Plasto Engineering Industries Pvt Ltd, in its portfolio.The oil factory produces soyabean oil, sunflower oil and vegetable ghee under Nandan and Suruchi brands. Similarly, the plastic manufacturing unit produces packaging woven sacks for sugar, rice and other similar products.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	Elaborating on the factors for which the group invested in oil industry, Begani pointed that as a daily consumer product, the products have a stable and high demand. Similarly, he said that they invested in the plastic industry considering the need for supportive industry like theirs. He finds both of these industries essential for industrial development.&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	<span style="font-size:14px;"><strong>Market Positioning</strong></span></div>
<div>
	Terai and hilly regions are the niche market for the company&rsquo;s product. Though the company does not considers urban centres like Kathmandu as its target market, Begani informed that the Nandan and Suruchi oil brands do hold a small share of these markets. Likewise, the plastic factory has found its majority market abroad. Begani shares that 80 percent of woven fabrics and sacks are exported to India while 20 per cent is supplied to industrial customers within Nepal.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	The group has plans to improve its current market positioning. It is planning to expand its product portfolio and improve the quality of its existing products to gain competitive advantage in urban markets, where it looks forward to enter with a strongbranding and marketing campaign very soon. &nbsp;</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	<span style="font-size:14px;"><strong><img alt="Begani Group" src="/userfiles/images/s3%20(Copy)(1).jpg" style="float: right; margin: 0px 0px 0px 10px;width: 300px; height: 347px;" />New Activities</strong></span></div>
<div>
	Begani feels that the investment climate is yet to become favourable for investing in new ventures. One of the reasons, he finds acute in feeling so, is power shortage. Considering this feeling, he says that his company is working towards consolidating its existing market along with extending marketing for the company&rsquo;s product to reach new regions and new customers. With reduced focus on the trading business, the company is focused on strengthening its manufacturing business while keeping itself open to start new ventures once the overall investment scenario, including power cut, improves in the country.&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	<span style="font-size:14px;"><strong>Strengthening the Network</strong></span></div>
<div>
	Begani shares that company&rsquo;s products are doing fairly well in the targeted market segment. As targeted, the products are popular in the Terai and hilly region markets. The sale graph in this market has been steadily growing up. However, the focus in urban areas is missing, which the group is willing to rectify in the days to come.&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	For increasing the performance and visibility of the products in all parts of the country, the group is strengthening its distribution network. Begani says that one of the immediate plans of the company is to expedite branding and promotion activities. As of now, the group has expanded its network into around 40 towns and villages across the nation. &nbsp;Stating that within a year the company will meet its new marketing target, Begani says, &ldquo;a strong network is must for stronger branding and effective promotional campaigns.&rdquo;</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	<span style="font-size:14px;"><strong>Managing the Group</strong></span></div>
<div>
	As of now, the group is a family business and is managedby the father-son duo. All of its factories are located in Birgunj industrial town while its corporate office that looks after financial, marketing and other management responsibilities is in Kathmandu.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	The group, employees 1500 people in all of its companies. To keep them motivated the company organises various recreational programmes such as annual picnic along with other motivational packages. The HR department looks after the need of the company&rsquo;s human resource while making time induced and demand based amendments to company&rsquo;s HR policy.&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<table border="0" cellpadding="10" width="99%">
	<tbody>
		<tr>
			<td bgcolor="#E5E4E2">
				<div>
					<div>
						<div>
							<div>
								<span style="font-size:14px;"><strong>Begani Group&rsquo;s Competitive Advantages</strong></span></div>
							<div>
								Facing steep competition from national and international competitors that continue adding,&nbsp;</div>
							<div>
								the group has remained constantly on its toes for carve its own niche market and remain ahead of its competitors. According to the group, some of the factors instrumental for its growth and market rankings are:</div>
							<div>
								&nbsp;</div>
							<div>
								<strong><span style="font-size:14px;">Strategic Location</span></strong></div>
							<div>
								The group says that all of its factories and offices boast of an excellent infrastructure whether in physical network connectivity or human resource. Furthermore, this strategic location has allowed the group to enjoy quick access to every major markets in Nepal while maintaining quality standards in its chain of operation.</div>
							<div>
								&nbsp;</div>
							<div>
								<span style="font-size:14px;"><strong>Quality Products</strong></span></div>
							<div>
								Begani Group claims that its brands like Nandan and Suruchi and other products have been well established in the target markets for their quality and high performance reliability.&nbsp;</div>
							<div>
								&nbsp;</div>
							<div>
								<span style="font-size:14px;"><strong>Harnessing latest technical advancement</strong></span></div>
							<div>
								Moving in tandem with its customer needs, which is constantly increasing, Begani Group and its companies are not only equipped with competent laboratory but also have been using the latest technical advances.</div>
							<div>
								&nbsp;</div>
							<div>
								<span style="font-size:14px;"><strong>Production Facilities</strong></span></div>
							<div>
								Group&rsquo;s production plants is managed and operated bya team of quality oriented and competent personals. The reliability of the facilities is translated into action through continuity in the supply of high quality products to its customers, says Begani. The group aims to manufacture high quality products with the most efficient facilities, satisfying all safety standards and regulations. &ldquo;Our plants are built based on the latest technology and equipped with advanced engineering control and safety devices to ensure the protection of our employees, environment, and the community,&rdquo; he adds.</div>
							<div>
								&nbsp;</div>
							<div>
								<span style="font-size:14px;"><strong>Group&rsquo;s Strengths</strong></span></div>
							<div>
								Begani says that the group is flexible to innovate and launch new products that cater to the changing needs and demands of the market. &ldquo;We started with vegetable ghee and then added sunflower and soybean and mustard oil in our product range,&rdquo; says Begani. The company initially used to sell them in the packages of 15 kilograms but later adopted smaller packaging sizes to cater to general public&rsquo;s needs. &ldquo;Flexibility and making quick decisions is one of our strengths,&rdquo; boasts Begani.</div>
							<div>
								&nbsp;</div>
							<div>
								<span style="font-size:14px;"><strong>Market opportunities</strong></span></div>
							<div>
								The group sees numerous opportunities developing in the market. The growing demand because of increased purchasing capacity of customers is one of the opportunities the group sees. Begani says that Nepali consumers have become more brand conscious these days because of increased international exposure. He adds that the demand for premium and quality products is increasing along with demand for new range of products such as olive oil.&nbsp;</div>
							<div>
								&nbsp;</div>
							<div>
								<span style="font-size:14px;"><strong>Competition</strong></span></div>
							<div>
								Begani says the market competition is constantly increasing along with the swelling market size. He says that presence of 16 vegetable oil companies is making the competition tougher. Therefore, to overcome the competition, the group is focusing on branding to win over the competitors. He adds that the company is willing to bring its products to larger cities like Kathmandu and Pokhara through stronger branding and higher quality promises. He reveals that within two to three years, these products will be making inroads in these cities.&nbsp;</div>
						</div>
					</div>
				</div>
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<p>
	&nbsp;</p>',
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			'modified' => '2014-03-10',
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			'description' => 'Begani Group of companies is creating ground for its growth and concentrating on increasing market visibility of its products.',
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			'id' => '2691',
			'article_category_id' => '122',
			'title' => 'ChaChaWhee FunPark: A Resort For Children',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => null,
			'content' => '<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	<strong>--By Surendra Paudyal</strong></div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	ChaChaWhee FunPark Resort, a resort especially for children has been established in Pokhara, a tourism town of Nepal. The one of its kind resort came into being about a month ago with an investment of Rs 20 million, informed its Director Pratikshya Chhetri.&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	The resort is located at Gharipatan of Pokhara and spreads over 20 ropanis of land. It has 15 rooms from where the beautiful Annapurna range in the north can be enjoyed. As the resort is established with children in mind, first priority is given to those who come along with their children. Chhetri says, &ldquo;ChaChaWhee FunPark Resort is the only exclusive resort of its kind for families with kids.&rdquo;</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	<span style="font-size:14px;"><strong><img alt="" src="/userfiles/images/s3%20(Copy).jpg" style="float: right; margin: 0px 0px 0px 10px;width: 300px; height: 363px;" />Getting Popularity</strong></span></div>
<div>
	Chhetri says that the resort has gained popularity within a short time of its opening. One of the most popular packages offered by the resort is &lsquo;Family Fun Package with Dinner and Breakfast&rsquo; for two adults and two kids in a room. This package, which costs Rs10,000 per night, also offers unlimited rides for children and some facilities for adults along with breakfast and dinner for all. Children can enjoy unlimited rides such as Joy Train, Battery Cars, Flying Chair, Merry-Go-Round, Ferris Wheel among others. Chhetri says that if the family purchasing this package has only three members, 15 per cent discount is given while if there are only two clients, 30 per cent concession is provided. She says that another Family Room and Fun Package is also much loved by the families visiting the resort.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	A room at the resort costs Rs 2500 without any package. The popularity of the resort is increasing and its Managing Director Dinesh Prasain credits the quality of services and the unique family environment provided by the resort for it. &nbsp;&ldquo;Fun Park is becoming centre of attraction for those visiting Pokhara along with&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	their children.&rdquo;&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	Chhetri says that schools in the surrounding areas bring school children to the fun park. Along with domestic tourists, the resort is getting popular among foreign visitors especially Indian families&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	with children.&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	<span style="font-size:14px;"><strong>Caring for Safety</strong></span></div>
<div>
	Prasain explains that when adults go for sightseeing, the resort has facilities to entertain their children at the resort. The resort has installed safety and security measures for all the rides and games for children. &ldquo;We realize that kids and families need to feel secure. A team of full time technicians monitor and supervise the rides as safety comes first for us,&rdquo; Chhetri said. A mechanical engineer led team of technicians constantly supervise the games and rides to ensure the security and smoothness of the rides. &nbsp;Likewise, the fun park has first-aid facilities on site as well as vehicles on standby in case of any emergency. &ldquo;We have invested in technologies and professional security companies that ensure security but in the friendliest ways,&rdquo; says Chhetri.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	<img alt="FunPark Pokhara" src="/userfiles/images/s2%20(Copy).jpg" style="width: 550px; height: 432px; margin-left: 10px; margin-right: 10px;" /></div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	<span style="font-size:14px;"><strong>Building theResort</strong></span></div>
<div>
	As of now, Rs 70 million has been invested in the resort. According to Chhetri, Global IME Bank has provided loan for developing the project. The resort houses various amenities for children such as revolving wheel, swimming pool, garden, joy train, video game parlour among others. The resort also organises birthday parties, family gathering and&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	other events.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	Chhetri explains, &ldquo;ChaChaWhee is the Nepali expression of fun, thrill and joy. Kids usually ChaChaWhee! in the ping-swings, especially during Dashain. Now you need not wait for Dashain and Melas. Nor is the traditional ping-swing the only thing that can ChaChaWhee the kids.&rdquo;</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	<span style="font-size:14px;"><strong>The Location</strong></span></div>
<div>
	ChaChaWhee FunPark Resort is located in the prime location of Pokhara. It is situated within five minutes driving distance from the Airport, Bus Park and Fewa Dam Site towards the International Mountain Museum at Himal Tole of Gharipatan. The upfront view of some of the most beautiful Himalayas &ndash; Machhapuchhre, Annapurna I, II, III, IV, Annapurna South and Lamjung Himal makes the resort special, say its promoters. Similarly, the beautiful scenery of the mountains and the garden within the resort premises make the stay at the resort more pleasurable. The garden was set up with the help of the gardener who also helped set popular Garden of Dreams at KesharMahal, Kathmandu.&nbsp;</div>',
			'published' => true,
			'created' => '2014-03-03',
			'modified' => '2014-03-10',
			'keywords' => 'the corporate weekly from Nepal, nepali corporate events – news – interviews – reviews, nepali corporate focus, nepali corporate status and news, news from nepali corporate industry, corporate happenings – events – news from nepal',
			'description' => 'Pokhara, a tourism hub of Nepal has been offering different tastes to travellers. ChaChaWhee FunPark Resort is a latest addition to its deliverables and this one offers unique experience to junior travellers.',
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	&nbsp;</p>
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		<tr>
			<td>
				<img alt="Vishal Gadia, Executive Director, MAW Engineering Pvt Ltd" src="/userfiles/images/vg%20(Copy).jpg" style="border-width: 0px; border-style: solid; width: 200px; height: 232px;" /></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td bgcolor="#FFFFFF">
				<div align="center">
					<div style="text-align: center;">
						<div>
							<div>
								<strong>Vishal Gadia</strong></div>
							<div>
								Executive Director</div>
							<div>
								MAW Engineering Pvt Ltd</div>
						</div>
					</div>
				</div>
			</td>
		</tr>
	</tbody>
</table>
<p>
	MAW Engineering Pvt Ltd, previously an engineering division of the parent company, MAW Enterprises, has completed year-long journey as an independent company. Created with a motive of giving special focus on engineering solutions targeted at Nepali industries and institutional clients, the company says that it has been successful to establish itself as an independent entity in its first year.<br />
	<br />
	Vishal Gadia, Executive Director of MAW Engineering, says that its first year was a transitional phase though the company was in operation for the past one decade and thus not a completely new company. &ldquo;The business was good and now it is even better than what it was. We are moving on a progressive route,&rdquo; he adds. The company was officially started as an independent company from December 16, 2012.<br />
	<br />
	<span style="font-size:16px;"><strong>Moves Ahead </strong></span></p>
<p>
	Gadia shares that the company is planning to horizontally add new products to cater to the need of existing target market. He says that major clients for products of MAW Engineering are institutions, offices and factories. &ldquo;We were established to give special focus to the services we offer and we will continue to do so also in the future,&rdquo; explains Gadia.</p>
<p>
	The company, this year introduced new air conditioning products from Trane brand in the market. Gadia says that these products are high end premium products mainly targeted at top of the line hospitality industry and manufacturing units. MAW Engineering acquired Trane&rsquo;s dealership for Nepal last year and promises to enhance this relationship also in the future.</p>
<p>
	<br />
	<strong style="font-size: 16px;"><img alt="Timeline of MAW Engineering" src="/userfiles/images/vg3%20(Copy).jpg" style="float: left; margin: 0px 10px 0px 0px; width: 300px; height: 307px; border-width: 2px; border-style: solid;" /></strong></p>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<p>
	Gadia further says that the company plans to focus on its existing product line in 2014. The company currently has four products namely generators from Yamaha and Greaves brands, air compressors from Ingersoll Rand, weighing scales and bridges from Mettler Toledo and Air Conditioners from Trane. He shares that most of these products are targeted at institutional clients while gensets are targeted at household users also.<br />
	<br />
	<span style="font-size:16px;"><strong>Changing Market</strong></span></p>
<p>
	Yamaha is the most popular brand the company has been dealing with since MAW Enterprises&rsquo; initial days. Gadia says that Yamaha has always been the market leader holding a strong market share. Air compressors and weighing scales by Ingersoll Rand and Mettler Toledo too have quite promising market share, says Gadia. To prevent cannibalising of generator market, the company has positioned Yamaha and Greaves products as separate product range and target different clients. &ldquo;We don&rsquo;t overlap product ranges of Yamaha and Greaves and have completely different target markets for them. Yamahas are small products while products from Greaves are of larger scale and capacity,&rdquo; explains Gadia.<br />
	<br />
	As generators are one of the major products of the company at present, the company has already sensed the shrinking genset market in the future with the generation of more hydropower. Gadia also says that the market size of the gensets is decreasing as the power cut hours have now decreased to 12 hours from 18 hours a day and will further shrink with abundant production of hydroelectricity. &ldquo;It is good for the country to decrease load shedding hours. We are businessmen and when the market changes, we will adapt to those changes. We also believe that if a door closes, numerous other doors open up. If the country starts producing more energy, we will have other opportunities to invest in,&rdquo; says Gadia.<br />
	<br />
	Accordingly, the company has plans to cater to the changing market situations. Therefore, it has begun expanding into air conditioner business. Gadia explains, &ldquo;It has very good market prospects as commercial buildings and high rise building construction are in the rise. Manufacturing industries too will increase. So, we are making a base today and are hopeful that our product&rsquo;s need will grow in the future.&rdquo;<br />
	<br />
	<br />
	<span style="font-size:16px;"><strong><img alt="Some products of MAW Engineering" src="/userfiles/images/vg4%20(Copy).jpg" style="float: right; margin: 0px 0px 0px 10px;width: 300px; border-width: 2px; border-style: solid; height: 207px;" />Competing Tough </strong></span><br />
	The company believes that it is always kept on its toes by the market competition. Though the company has reputed and trustable brand names in its portfolio, the company is not staying idle only on the support of the sturdy brand names. Gadia says that the company concentrates on quality of services along with offering quality products. &ldquo;Though our brands are very good and they rarely need after sales service, they are machines and need regular servicing. Thus we have given special focus on services. Once there is good service offering, sales will automatically follow,&rdquo; he says.<br />
	<br />
	Competition has been healthy in the market, says Gadia. And he feels that the current market competition, though it has kept the company on its toes, has benefitted customers at large. &ldquo;We have always worked with an aim of bringing and promoting healthy competition. It is good that we are on our toes as it eventually benefits customers,&rdquo; describes Gadia.<br />
	<br />
	To ensure swift delivery of products and after sales services, the company has two branches in Bratnagar and Birgunj. Gadia reveals that this network will be extended to Pokhara and Butwal within this year. Similarly, Yamaha products have a network of 26 dealerships across the country while other brands are supplied through Kathmandu, Birgunj and Biratnagar branches of MAW Engineering.<br />
	&nbsp;</p>
<table border="0" cellpadding="10" width="99%">
	<tbody>
		<tr>
			<td bgcolor="#E5E4E2">
				<div>
					&nbsp;</div>
				<div style="text-align: center;">
					<span style="font-size:16px;"><strong>Expansion of MAW Enterprises</strong></span></div>
				<div>
					&nbsp;</div>
				<div>
					<img alt="Moranfg Auto Works" src="/userfiles/images/vg2%20(Copy).jpg" style="width: 550px; height: 339px; margin-left: 10px; margin-right: 10px;" /></div>
				<div>
					<br />
					MAW Enterprises, the parent company of MAW Engineering was founded by P.R. Agrawal in the year 1965 in Biratnagar. The company was established as an automobile workshop which was the first in Nepal. In the company&rsquo;s working history of four and a half decades, it has established itself as one of the leading names in automobiles business. The company&rsquo;s growth and expansion was fuelled when it became agency of various renowned international brands in the after years of its establishment. The company took up agencies of ancillary products like Yuasa batteries - Japan, Goodyear Tyres - Singapore, Talbros gaskets, Mahle Pistons, Goetze Rings etc. Similarly, in 1971, it took agency of Ford tractors and in 1975, took agency of Escorts/Rajdoot motorcycle which is now Yamaha.<br />
					<br />
					The various product segments later on grew as the division of the company. In 1999, the company started its Industrial Equipment Division and took agency of IR, ECEL, MTNIL, Greaves. Similarly, in 2003, the company started Construction Equipment division and took agency of JCB. In 2004, it also became agency for Yamaha Gensets. The company also established a factory of Aaron helmets in Sitargunj, India in partnership with other investors in 2006. Yamaha is one of the long standing brands of the company. The company started importing music products from this brand as an agency in 2006. In the same year, it also took agency of Greaves Concrete Equipment. The company also entered into four wheeler market being an authorised distributor of Skoda cars for Nepal in 2007. The expansion did not stop there. The company in 2011 started a new venture, Ready-Mix Concrete (RMC) in 2011 with the name of MAW RMC. Similarly, for financing the products sold by the company, it also promotes United Finance Limited.<br />
					<br />
					<span style="font-size:16px;"><strong>SWOT Analysis of MAW Engineering</strong></span><br />
					<br />
					<span style="font-size:14px;"><strong>Strengths</strong></span><br />
					&bull; Positive market reputation<br />
					&bull; Best practices implemented<br />
					&bull; Proven strong customer orientation<br />
					&bull; System dependent and resource independent<br />
					&bull; Proven success in establishing up market and value products in niche and mass markets<br />
					&bull; Dependable and reliable networking<br />
					&bull; Strong financial standing<br />
					&bull; Reputed brands and quality products in its portfolio<br />
					<br />
					<span style="font-size:14px;"><strong>Weaknesses</strong></span><br />
					&bull; Less product range for household consumers<br />
					&bull; Relatively new as an independent entity as it was earlier known as division of MAW Enterprises<br />
					<br />
					<span style="font-size:14px;"><strong>Opportunities</strong></span><br />
					&bull; Growing markets for consumer and industrial electronic equipment<br />
					&bull; Increase in purchasing capacity and demand for premium products<br />
					&bull; With the rise of housing sector demands for products of the company in the rise<br />
					<br />
					<span style="font-size:14px;"><strong>Threats</strong></span><br />
					&bull; Shrinking market for generators with increasing production of hydropower<br />
					&bull; Presence of strong competitors in some product range</div>
			</td>
		</tr>
	</tbody>
</table>
<p>
	&nbsp;</p>',
			'published' => true,
			'created' => '2014-02-23',
			'modified' => '2014-03-03',
			'keywords' => 'the corporate weekly from Nepal, nepali corporate events – news – interviews – reviews, nepali corporate focus, nepali corporate status and news, news from nepali corporate industry, corporate happenings – events – news from nepal',
			'description' => 'MAW Engineering has completed a year of its operation as an independent entity and has expansion plans in the pipeline.',
			'sortorder' => '2499',
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			'article_date' => '0000-00-00 00:00:00',
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	),
	(int) 3 => array(
		'Article' => array(
			'id' => '2592',
			'article_category_id' => '122',
			'title' => 'Laxmi Group’s Organic Growth',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => null,
			'content' => '<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	<strong>--By Gaurav Aryal</strong></div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<table align="right" style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 10px;" width="25">
	<tbody>
		<tr>
			<td>
				<img alt="Anjan Shrestha, Executive Director, Laxmi Group" src="/userfiles/images/sp1%20(Copy)(1).jpg" style="border-width: 0px; border-style: solid; width: 200px; height: 233px;" /></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td bgcolor="#FFFFFF">
				<div align="center">
					<div style="text-align: center;">
						<div>
							<strong>Anjan Shrestha</strong></div>
						<div>
							<em>Executive Director, Laxmi Group</em></div>
					</div>
				</div>
			</td>
		</tr>
	</tbody>
</table>
<div>
	Laxmi Group&rsquo;s initial capital was Rs 100 invested in a hand-operated-machine to produce candies. Two brothers of the Shrestha family from Pokhara were government employees before they decided to change their career path and start-up a business of their own. One of them, Ajad Shrestha, had pondered on moving to Terai while the other brother decided not to leave Pokhara. During one of their visits to Butwal to explore new possibilities they came across a person who suggested them a business idea.&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	As suggested the two brothers established a confectionary factory in Pokhara that produced toffees and candies with a hand-operated-machine. Anjan Shrestha, Executive Director of Laxmi Group shares that the move then was driven by a necessity for a different career. Initial products of the venture were sold under the name of Muga Mithai and Laxmi Sweets.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	Having their business based in Pokhara, neighbouring towns and areas like Damauli and Syangja were emerging as a market for confectioneries. Shrestha brothers did not restrict themselves from exploring prospects that surrounded them. To cater to the growing demand, the company automated the confectionary production by installing automatic machine in 1976. With the increased production capacity, the company also decided to penetrate into the nation&rsquo;s capital, Kathmandu. Shrestha says that the move was largely successful and the taste of success gave confidence to his father and uncle to diversify their business portfolio.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	<span style="font-size:14px;"><strong>Broadening the Horizon</strong></span></div>
<div>
	The confectionary industry where the family had some experience and gained expertise over the years was further expanded in the first phase. Shrestha says that four factories were established in different places. &ldquo;We had very little capital. So, we started each factory with small investment and gradually moved up the ladder,&rdquo; he recalls. All those factories were consolidated under the Sujal Foods Pvt Ltd in the mid 1990s.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	&ldquo;Sujal Foods changed the dynamism of the Nepali confectionary industry,&rdquo; says Shrestha. Chocofun wafer produced by the company was that remarkable product that changed the market. He adds that the true value for money offered by the company to its customers helped the company gain its presence in the market. &ldquo;We have adhered to the principle of giving value for the money since we started out business. We believe consumers must get what they pay for,&rdquo; believes Shrestha. The confectionary business of the group has around 60 per cent market share of the total confectionary market of Nepal, according to Shrestha.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	Moreover, it was not only the success that inspired the growth of the group. The economic sanction imposed by the government of India in Nepal in 1989 created a shortage of packaging materials and wrappers for the company. Shrestha recalls that the existing stock of packaging materials was enough only for two months. So, the company was forced to close down for a while. Eventually, a decision was made to establish packaging material factory. This factory now produces wrappers, polythene-shopping bags, PET bottles, jars among others.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	<span style="font-size:14px;"><strong>Dairy Acquisition</strong></span></div>
<div>
	According to Shrestha, by 2004, the company had gained momentum in confectionary manufacturing. This new status of the company further encouraged diversifying the portfolio. The company acquired the Pokhara unit of Dairy Development Corporation (DDC), after a long haul of ten years in the privatisation. The family had an internal understanding that they will never venture into tobacco and alcohol production business. So, dairy was an appropriate industry for the group. When the company was eventually privatised in 2004, the group did not only have a new company in its portfolio but also a number of challenges.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	One of the biggest challenges was to keep the sales high even after rebranding the DDC into Safal. &ldquo;Changing the DDC brand that was on top of the mind of consumers into Safal was challenging,&rdquo; recalls Shrestha. As a rebranding campaign, one week prior to the launching of Safal brand, the company used shopping bags with Safal name printed on it. The company had mobilised a sales team one week before the company was handed over. Shrestha says that such move helped in creating the curiosity andtransforming the brand. He claims that sales of Safal milk equalled the sales of DDC within a week. At present, the Safal milk has over 60 per cent market share in Pokhara and five per cent in Kathmandu. Shrestha says that the company will increase the market presence in Kathmandu to 20 per cent within a year. It was launched in Kathmandu, last year.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	Looking at the excess milk production during the flush season and practice of milk holiday, the company decided to establish a powdered milk factory. Shrestha says that the factory was established feeling that it is their responsibility to address the problem of dairy farmers whose milk is wasted during milk holiday. However, immediately after the factory was established the company realised that the problem of milk holiday was not in existence to the extent it was expected to be. So, he says that the factory is currently operating below its installed capacity.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	In the trading business, the group came up with the distributorship of Hyundai Motors for Nepal in 2009. Laxmi InterContinental Pvt Ltd is expanding its distributor network across the country with an aim to offer uniform service from any sales point across the country. Showrooms with such look and feel are being set-up in Banepa, Birtamode, Biratnagar, Narayangarh, Butwal and Dhangadhi.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	<span style="font-size:14px;"><strong>Tourism Diversification</strong></span></div>
<div>
	The group is now willing to venture into the tourism and agro industry. The group had submitted a proposal to the government in 2011 to develop a cable car line from Basundhara Park to Shanti Stupa in Pokhara. The group had plans to consolidate the project along with amusement park and a resort. However, the project is not being developed due to a pending litigation at the court. Shrestha expects that this project would increase tourist flow and hence revenue collection in Pokhara. He hopes that that the case will soon be sorted out and project will be started.&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	The group has plans to establish hotels in Pokhara and Kathmandu. Shrestha reveals that these projects may begin services in 2016 as the group is presently conceptualising these projects. He explains that this is the sector in which Nepal has originality and competitive edgewhile forwarding it&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	as motivating factor for their groups involvement into the sector.&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	<span style="font-size:14px;"><strong>Management Transformation</strong></span></div>
<div>
	The group is not only expanding its business portfolio but also bringing changes in its management structure. The group, as of now is being managed as a family owned business. But, it is planning to hand over the responsibility of leading the group to professional managers. Presently, the members of Shrestha family are looking after various companies according to their expertise and experience in the respective fields. To expedite the transformation, the group is hiring managers, empowering and mentoring them. Shrestha expects that in three to four years, the leadership will be handed over to professional managers and the investors of the group will remain only in monitoring and supervision positions.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<table align="center" width="100">
	<tbody>
		<tr>
			<td>
				<img alt="Launching of Hyundai Grand i10" src="/userfiles/images/sp2%20(Copy)(1).jpg" style="border-width: 0px; border-style: solid; width: 550px; height: 217px;" /></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td bgcolor="#DDDDDD">
				<div align="center">
					<div style="text-align: center;">
						<strong>Launching of Hyundai Grand i10</strong></div>
				</div>
			</td>
		</tr>
	</tbody>
</table>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<table border="0" cellpadding="10" width="99%">
	<tbody>
		<tr>
			<td bgcolor="#E5E4E2">
				<div>
					<span style="font-size:16px;"><strong>Some Companies of Laxmi Group</strong></span></div>
				<div>
					&bull;<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Sujal Foods Pvt Ltd</div>
				<div>
					&bull;<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Jaya Confectionary Pvt Ltd</div>
				<div>
					&bull;<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Sujal Dairy Pvt Ltd</div>
				<div>
					&bull;<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Laxmi InterContinental Pvt Ltd</div>
				<div>
					&bull;<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Sujal Plastics Pvt Ltd</div>
				<div>
					&bull;<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Jaya Packaging Pvt Ltd</div>
				<div>
					&nbsp;</div>
				<div>
					<span style="font-size:16px;"><strong>Laxmi InterContinental Pvt Ltd</strong></span></div>
				<div>
					Laxmi InterContinental Pvt Ltd, automobile trader under the Laxmi Group has been importing and selling Hyundai vehicles in Nepal since February 2009. The company is not only selling vehicles but is also dedicated to provide after sales service to its customers. In order to achieve this aim, it has opened showrooms and service centres across Nepal. These showrooms promise to offer customers an improved service in terms of quality, space and ambience. Similarly, to capitalise the growing automobile market outside the Kathmandu valley, the company has established sub dealers at various locations such as Banepa, Pokhara, Narayangarh, Butwal, Nepalgunj, Dhangadi, Birgunj, Damak, Birtamode etc.</div>
				<div>
					&nbsp;</div>
				<div>
					<span style="font-size:16px;"><strong>Sujal Foods Pvt Ltd</strong></span></div>
				<div>
					&nbsp;Sujal Foods Pvt Ltd is the flagship subsidiary of Laxmi Group. This company with over five brands in different product categories holds around 60 per cent market share from its entire portfolio. &nbsp;It produces cocoa based confectioneries, strip gums, toffees, lollypops and bubble gums.</div>
				<div>
					&nbsp;</div>
				<div>
					The company also has been exporting some of its products to India and China since 2006.</div>
				<div>
					&nbsp;</div>
				<div>
					<span style="font-size:16px;"><strong>Major Brands of Sujal Foods</strong></span></div>
				<div>
					&bull;<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Chocofun<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>&bull;<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Smart Lollypop</div>
				<div>
					&bull;<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Love Birds<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>&bull;<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Sujal Eclairs</div>
				<div>
					&bull;<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Funstix Toffee<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>&bull;<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Sujal Gum</div>
				<div>
					&bull;<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Bubble Fun<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>&bull;<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Crave</div>
				<div>
					&bull;<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Candyman<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>&bull;<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Rasilo</div>
				<div>
					&bull;<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Lactofun Premium Malt</div>
				<div>
					&bull;<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Fresho Menthalyptus</div>
				<div>
					&nbsp;</div>
				<div>
					<span style="font-size:16px;"><strong>CSR</strong></span></div>
				<div>
					Laxmi Group has been undertaking various Corporate Social Responsibilities in various occasions. Mostly on the occasion of its anniversary, it provides financial and other support for social causes. However, most of the CSR activities are concentrated in Pokhara. The group has been supporting drinking water projects, schools and hospitals. In the group&rsquo;s last anniversary, it built a waiting unit for visitors. Similarly, Laxmi InterContinental Pvt Ltd has plans to launch extensive CSR activities within a year under the brand name of Hyundai.&nbsp;</div>
			</td>
		</tr>
	</tbody>
</table>',
			'published' => true,
			'created' => '2014-02-17',
			'modified' => '2014-02-25',
			'keywords' => 'the corporate weekly from Nepal, nepali corporate events – news – interviews – reviews, nepali corporate focus, nepali corporate status and news, news from nepali corporate industry, corporate happenings – events – news from nepal',
			'description' => 'Laxmi Group started its commercial journey four decades ago in Pokhara when it was just a rustic village. The Group grew leaps and bounds to be positioned among the prominent business houses of Nepal.',
			'sortorder' => '2440',
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	(int) 4 => array(
		'Article' => array(
			'id' => '2550',
			'article_category_id' => '122',
			'title' => 'Sneha Group: For Hospitality And More',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => null,
			'content' => '<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	<strong>--By Gaurav Aryal</strong></div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<table align="right" style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 10px;" width="25">
	<tbody>
		<tr>
			<td>
				<img alt="Bhawani Rana, Chairperson, Sneha Group" src="/userfiles/images/3%20(Copy)(2).jpg" style="border-width: 0px; border-style: solid; width: 200px; height: 203px;" /></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td bgcolor="#FFFFFF">
				<div align="center">
					<div style="text-align: center;">
						<div>
							<div>
								<strong>Bhawani Rana</strong></div>
							<div>
								Chairperson, Sneha Group</div>
						</div>
					</div>
				</div>
			</td>
		</tr>
	</tbody>
</table>
<div>
	The journey of Sneha Group of Companies began with the Nepalgunj based one star hotel - Sneha Hotel, as a family business of Asit SJB Rana. The hotel later expanded under the leadership of Bhawani Rana, Chairperson of Sneha Group. &nbsp; The hotel that started with 10 rooms has now grown into three star property with 65 rooms.&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	Rana says that the hotel is now the group&rsquo;s flagship company. Later, new companies in freight business, travel and tourism and agriculture were also named after Sneha as the name turned out to be a lucky charm for the group. The name is used as brand in the group&rsquo;s solo ventures. She reveals that the hotel is being upgraded to four-star category hotel with 75 rooms within a year. Likewise, the group is establishing a resort at Motipur of Bardiya district, near the Bardiya National Park. The resort will offer tourism packages including jungle safari and rafting. &nbsp;</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	The group has another ambitious resort project up its sleeves for Rara National Park as well. Rana says that land acquisition process is undergoing for this project and informed that the group will begin developing the project once the government gives green signal to its proposal. This eco-resort will have no concrete buildings thereby making it a truly eco-friendly resort. Rana says that the group plans to invest Rs 30 to 50 million in the project named as Sneha Eco Resort. The resort will have 20 to 25 rooms only.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	Similarly, the group is establishing Sneha Culture and Entertainment in Kathmandu soon that will present various cultural shows for international tourists. . However, Rana did not disclose details of this project. Likewise, the group is also expanding its agro processing and production business that is running under the name Sneha Agro. The group is planning to enter herb processing and expand &nbsp;fisheries and banana farming . At present, the group&rsquo;s banana farm spreads across 15 bighas of Bardiya. According to Rana, the group, as of now has invested Rs 20 million in the agriculture and herbs, Rs 250 million in the hotels and registers around Rs 150 million annual turnover from its various businesses.&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	The group is interested in developing cable car as medium of public transport in Kathmandu in partnership with other investors. The French expert has undertaken the responsibility to conduct feasibility study of the project. Rana says that the estimated investment has increased to around Rs 25 billion and the viability of the project will be known while the Detailed Project Report (DPR) is prepared.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	<span style="font-size:14px;"><strong>Focus on Mid and Far West</strong></span></div>
<div>
	The Sneha Group has focused its hospitality and tourism business away from oft-beaten destinations such as Kathmandu, Pokhara and Chitwan. Rana says, &ldquo;There were options for us to establish a project in Kathmandu Valley. But we decided to take the development out of the valley.&rdquo; The group had thought of developing Sanepa Tower Hotel at Sanepa of Lalitpur in a land spread over eight ropanis. However, the group concluded to offer tourists with services in off the beaten routes and destinations. She believes that the new resort project in Rara would open up new possibilities to explore the surrounding areas that have remained virgin as of now. She says that Nepalgunj is developing as a transit point for visiting numerous areas in the region such as Kailash-Mansarovar, Khaptad National Park and Swargadwari. She feels that the lack of promotion of Bardiya national park is holding off the possibility of developing tourism in the area in similar ways as that of Chitwan.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	<span style="font-size:14px;"><strong>Tourism Specialisation</strong></span></div>
<div>
	It is not only the tourism and hospitality that the group has put its hands into. It was also operating Bardiya Sugar Mill that was closed down during the armed conflict. The group now is making plans to reopen this factory. However, the company&rsquo;s main focus is on the service industry. . Rana says that this decision was made based on her and family&rsquo;s interests. She recalls numerous instances when she was advised to invest in the hydropower sector.&rdquo;But they could not lure me into that,&rdquo; she says. &nbsp;&ldquo;Tourism and service industry is where my interests and experiences are. So, we are expanding in this area and the soon to be established entertainment and cultural centre will be another addition to it.&rdquo;&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	<span style="font-size:14px;"><strong>Serving the Right Market</strong></span></div>
<div>
	Nepalgunj has become a transit point for visiting numerous tourist destinations in the Mid and Far Western Nepal. Be it domestic destinations like Dolpa, Jumla, Surkhet, Bardiya &nbsp;or &nbsp;few destinations located in Tibet like Kailash and Mansarovar. Nepalgunj is the point from where the journey begins. According to Rana, during the peak seasons, majority of clients residing at Sneha Hotel are the ones hailing from USA and Europe. She says that if tourism infrastructures can be developed and destinations in the region are promoted, the tourism industry can benefit the entire region. Recently, the number of Indian tourist is also significantly increasing, says Rana.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;Apart from pleasure seeking tourists, the major clientele of Sneha Group&rsquo;s hotel is made up of government officials and I/NGO and development workers. . Government and non-government institutions have set Mid and Far-Western region&rsquo;s development as their priority. Consequently, their activities in the region have spiked over the years. Nepalgunj is the base for these institutions where numerous conferences and conventions are organised every month thereby contributing a large chunk of sales and revenue to the hotel business.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	Unlike Pokhara and Chitwan, Nepalgunj offers little tourist attraction within the city. So, it has been acting as a one night transit. Rana feels that there are some religiously important places like Bageshwori temple within the city that can be promoted&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	to visitors.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	Being one of the oldest hotels in Nepalgunj, Sneha Hotel has remained strong throughout its operation despite the increasing competition. Responding to the changing market scenario, the group plans to rename the hotel as Hotel Sneha: Rana Boutique Hotel. Rana says, &ldquo;The region lacks boutique hotels. Hence this idea.&rdquo;</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<table border="0" cellpadding="10" width="99%">
	<tbody>
		<tr>
			<td bgcolor="#E5E4E2">
				<div>
					<div>
						<div>
							<span style="font-size:16px;"><strong>Turning Point</strong></span></div>
						<div>
							During the decade long conflict, the business of Sneha Group was also affected as Nepalgunj happened to be in the close vicinity of the conflict area. While the sugar mill was closed down, Sneha Hotel was also forced to close for two months. Bhawani Rana, Chairperson of the group recalls those days as terrorising for entrepreneurs in the area. However, her group, with the hope of better situation, did not hesitate in making additional investments. She recalls that most difficult days during the conflict period were when the group had borrowed loan from banks and the conflict immediately escalated to its peak.</div>
						<div>
							&nbsp;</div>
						<div>
							<span style="font-size:16px;"><strong>Managing the Business</strong></span></div>
						<div>
							Rana, who is also Vice President of Federation of Nepalese Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FNCCI), says she has been able to dedicate very little time to her business, as she has to spend most of her working hours at FNCCI. In her absence, businesspersons in the family and company&rsquo;s managers look after the business. &nbsp;The group has employed 200 people in its hotel, agriculture and travel businesses. Rana says that staff of the group are sincere and hardworking and she recalls the incident where they worked at half their salaries when the hotel remained closed during the conflict period. The group has always treated its employees as family members and &nbsp;motivated them by listening and understanding their problems, by treating them professionally and by providing incentives.</div>
						<div>
							&nbsp;</div>
						<div>
							<span style="font-size:16px;"><strong>CSR</strong></span></div>
						<div>
							The group is carrying out its social responsibilities through an organisation named Saathi Sanstha. The organisation has established a shelter for victims of women trafficking. Women in the shelter are provided with hotel management and other skill oriented trainings. Rana says that the organisation also tries offering them job placements. She shares that 15 women are trained annually by this organization. Similarly, the group also provides scholarships to needy children every year.&nbsp;</div>
					</div>
				</div>
			</td>
		</tr>
	</tbody>
</table>
<p>
	&nbsp;</p>',
			'published' => true,
			'created' => '2014-02-09',
			'modified' => '2014-02-18',
			'keywords' => 'the corporate weekly from Nepal, nepali corporate events – news – interviews – reviews, nepali corporate focus, nepali corporate status and news, news from nepali corporate industry, corporate happenings – events – news from nepal',
			'description' => 'Sneha Group of Companies, a business house based in the mid-western region of Nepal, is expanding its business roots into agriculture and tourism industry.',
			'sortorder' => '2398',
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	(int) 5 => array(
		'Article' => array(
			'id' => '2503',
			'article_category_id' => '122',
			'title' => 'Vishal Group The Emerging FMCG Powerhouse',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => null,
			'content' => '<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	<strong>--By Gaurav Aryal</strong></div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<table align="right" style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 10px;" width="25">
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			<td>
				<img alt="Arpit Agrawal, Director, Vishal Group" src="/userfiles/images/sp2%20(Copy).jpg" style="border-width: 0px; border-style: solid; width: 200px; height: 226px;" /></td>
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				<div align="center">
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							<div>
								<strong>Arpit Agrawal</strong></div>
							<div>
								Director, Vishal Group</div>
						</div>
					</div>
				</div>
			</td>
		</tr>
	</tbody>
</table>
<div>
	Vishal Group&rsquo;s seeds were sown in Dharan. The first generation entrepreneurs from the Agrawal family had a textile shop there. When the family-owned textile business was passed onto the next generation, it took a shape of a manufacturing industrial house following their entry into steel manufacturing. The group has two steel factories in Biratnagar.&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	Then the group moved into the financial service which was further diversified into imports and distribution. United Distributors Nepal Pvt Ltd, one of the flagship companies of the group has around 50 top brands of the world in its portfolio that it distributes across Nepal. Similarly, the group has involvement in the automobiles, financial services, real estate, education and manufacturing among other sectors.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	<span style="font-size:14px;"><strong>Diversification</strong></span></div>
<div>
	Arpit Agrawal, Director of Vishal Group says that it was the efforts of his grandfathers, uncles and his father who took the group to the next level. He says that their exposure to the international business practices and the ideas they brought into the company worked well for the success of their family owned business. Though the group started diversification with the manufacturing of steel, the business that is as strong as the steel now comprises of 40 per cent of the distribution business.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	The Agrawal family has divided the business among themselves on sector basis. &nbsp;Agrawal feels that it is the expertise of the entrepreneurs in the family that helped in the diversification decisions. Agrawal, one of the youngest entrepreneurs in the family adds, &ldquo;If I am given with a choice between manufacturing and distribution business, I would go for the distribution. Manufacturing sector has small and clustered market. The latter offers me scope for my personal as well as professional development. And, more importantly, I enjoy this particular sector.&rdquo;</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	In the distribution sector, Vishal Group and its subsidiaries are authorised distributors for 50 different FMCG brands in personal care, food and beverages, electronics, liquor and medicines. When asked about the future concentration of the group, Agrawal says that Vishal Group wishes to be the number one FMCG powerhouse of the country. However, he hinted that the group will not completely abandon its manufacturing base.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	<span style="font-size:14px;"><strong>Days Ahead</strong></span></div>
<div>
	Agrawal says that the future of the group looks promising in his vision. &ldquo;Trading sector is the future for Vishal Group. And, we are certain that we will be the number one FMCG powerhouse of Nepal,&rdquo; he envisions. He is also hopeful that this target may be achieved sooner than three years. Agrawal says that the group has a wide range of products including small products like a mouth freshener to a luxury car. He adds that the group wants to be one stop solution to all the consumer goods and he says there is a possibility of establishing a department store selling only products that range from potato chips to luxury cars, distributed by the Vishal Group.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	<span style="font-size:14px;"><strong>Beating the Competition</strong></span></div>
<div>
	Vishal Group hardly feels the presence of its competitors. Though the group sells anything ranging from potato chips to cars, Agrawal says that the group hardly feels any competition. &ldquo;We are so much busy working that we don&rsquo;t get time to think a lot about competition. It is always nice to know what our competitors are doing but we don&rsquo;t really get affected by what they do. We just want to grow as a brand rather than getting involved in beating our competitors,&rdquo; he explains. Agrawal further says that arrogance affects the brand image and the group is not arrogant at all.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	To have a significant market share, the group has covered 35 cities and towns across the country. And, it has 60 distributors in those cities and towns. These distributors distribute the goods imported by the group and ensure that they reach the target customers at ease. Agrawal says that products dealt by the group are available in the smallest of the shops of smallest of the towns. He informed that there are more than 100 people working in the sales team of the group.&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	Various products offered by the group have their own distinct target markets from general public to premium niche clients. According to Agrawal, products of Procter &amp; Gamble on personal care segment has 35 per cent market share while chocolate brands like Mars and Snickers control about 40 per cent market. Similarly, Volkswagen targeted at premium customers has around 10 to 15 per cent market share in its class. Likewise, he adds that the recently introduced Royce energy drink aims to acquire the number two position, after Red Bull within a year.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	<img alt="Vishal Group Nepal" src="/userfiles/images/sp1%20(Copy).jpg" style="width: 550px; height: 196px;" /></div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	<span style="font-size:14px;"><strong>Unique Management Practices</strong></span></div>
<div>
	Vishal Group is designing one of its own kinds of offices in Nepal, says Agrawal. He adds that the working space is being modernised replicating the style of leading MNCs of the world. Agrawal says that in MNCs everyone sits in the same table, be it the highest ranking official or a junior employee, and this pattern is being incorporated at the Vishal Group&rsquo;s corporate office.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	Similarly, he says that directors of the group prefer working in the workstation rather than at their private cabins so that employees could have easy access to them. &ldquo;We don&rsquo;t want our employees whom we call our associates feel that we are superior to them. We want to be very accessible. And, when I am working at the workstation, anyone can easily meet me anytime,&rdquo; explains Agrawal.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	&ldquo;When we grow as a brand and a group, we call our employees our associates. We want them to grow not only financially but also professionally and personally along with the group,&rdquo; Agrawal shares. To ensure the employees develop a sense of belonging towards the company, the group has introduced various motivational packages. One of them is that the employees are allowed to take a half day leave to go to the movies every two months. Likewise, weekly off-work programmes are conducted at the office. The group has 2000 happy employees in all of its companies.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
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	<tbody>
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						<div>
							<span style="font-size:16px;"><strong>Awards and Recognition</strong></span></div>
						<div>
							&nbsp;Vishal Group has been recognised as the highest taxpayer in 2010 by the government. United Distributors Nepal Pvt Ltd, one of the subsidiaries of group was awarded the Highest Tax Payer of Nepal in the foreign trade category. Similarly, the group&rsquo;s quality commitment has awarded it with the much coveted &lsquo;NS Quality Award 2002&rsquo; given to Mainawati Steel Industries Pvt Ltd. The group claims that it is the first industrial unit to obtain &lsquo;ISO 9002&rsquo; certification under the cables segment. Similarly, Nepal Industrial and Commercial Bank, one of the subsidiaries of the group was conferred with &lsquo;Commercially Important Person 2002&rsquo; award.</div>
						<div>
							&nbsp;</div>
						<div>
							<strong><span style="font-size:16px;">CSR Initiatives</span></strong></div>
						<div>
							Vishal Group believes in responsible business practices. The corporate social responsibilities (CSR) activities of the group are guided by the philosophy that the group must also give back to the society when it keeps growing larger. The group is involved in a number of social and community projects contributing generously and responsibly. For this purpose, the group runs Gordhandass Kamalawati Paropkari Pratisthan, named after the group&rsquo;s founder and his wife. The trust funds various charitable organisations and activities related to education.</div>
						<div>
							&nbsp;</div>
						<div>
							Similarly, Agrasen Bhawan, based in Dharan is a community centre constructed on the land donated by the group. This centre offers food and accommodation services at a highly subsidised price to those travelling to Dharan. The centre also has meeting halls that are being used for community activities and events.</div>
						<div>
							&nbsp;</div>
						<div>
							Likewise, the group supports various humanitarian causes for the welfare of the needy people in the society. It has been providing monetary and other basic materials like clothes to orphans and needy families in various parts of the country. The group adopts three orphan children each year and sponsors their education and also donates prosthetic limbs to disabled people.</div>
						<div>
							&nbsp;</div>
						<div>
							<span style="font-size:16px;"><strong>Some Brands Distributed by Vishal Group</strong></span></div>
						<div>
							<span style="font-size:16px;"><strong><img alt="" src="/userfiles/images/sp%20(Copy).jpg" style="width: 550px; height: 1473px;" /></strong></span></div>
					</div>
				</div>
			</td>
		</tr>
	</tbody>
</table>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>',
			'published' => true,
			'created' => '2014-01-26',
			'modified' => '2014-02-09',
			'keywords' => 'the corporate weekly from Nepal, nepali corporate events – news – interviews – reviews, nepali corporate focus, nepali corporate status and news, news from nepali corporate industry, corporate happenings – events – news from nepal',
			'description' => 'Vishal Group is working with a vision to establish itself as a fast moving consumer goods (FMCG) powerhouse of Nepal within three years.',
			'sortorder' => '2351',
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	(int) 6 => array(
		'Article' => array(
			'id' => '2451',
			'article_category_id' => '122',
			'title' => 'Kedia Organisation Re-defining Diversity',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => null,
			'content' => '<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	<strong>--By TC Correspondent</strong></div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<table align="right" style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 10px;" width="25">
	<tbody>
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			<td>
				<img alt="Manoj Kedia, Executive Director, Kedia Organization" src="/userfiles/images/sp1.jpg" style="border-width: 0px; border-style: solid; width: 200px; height: 221px;" /></td>
		</tr>
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			<td bgcolor="#FFFFFF">
				<div align="center">
					<div style="text-align: center;">
						<div>
							<strong>Manoj Kedia</strong></div>
						<div>
							<em>Executive Director</em></div>
						<div>
							<em>Kedia Organisation</em></div>
					</div>
				</div>
			</td>
		</tr>
	</tbody>
</table>
<div>
	Kedia Organisation, a multi-million business conglomerate is not only one of the largest business houses in Nepal but also one of the oldest. The business house has diversified itself into agriculture, dairy, banking, trading among other industries without leaving a bit of the manufacturing sector that the group is focused on.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	Kedia Group is a well-known name in the cement, carpet and sugar industry. Manoj Kedia, Executive Director of the organisation says that his group has recently started manufacturing PVC carpet and is soon upgrading production capacity of Indusankhar Sugar Mill, one of Nepal&rsquo;s oldest and leading sugar factories.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	It is an established name in the service industry. With some significant investment in this sector the business house is major promoter of Siddhartha Insurance, Siddhartha Capital and Siddhartha Bank and apart from that has been running several schools and hospitals in various parts of the country.&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	The group has not limited itself with the sectors it has proven expertise in. It is continuously expanding. As part of its expansion plan, the group has made some investments in the housing and hydropower sector. Stating these investments to be insignificant, Kedia says that they are mainly made with a motive to get acquainted with these sectors.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	<span style="font-size:14px;"><strong>Hydro Interests</strong></span></div>
<div>
	The power shortage has taken its toll on the industrial sector. And, Kedia Organisation is not an exception. Therefore, the group has lately made investments in hydropower generation. Kedia explains the groups&rsquo; logic behind its involvement in energy sector, &ldquo;Power deficit is a national problem and it is obvious that major business houses want to engage in the power generation business as they are incurring heavy losses due to it.&rdquo; With the growing demand for energy and high market potentials, energy has become a lucrative industry.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	Kedia says that the group has not made substantial investment in the energy sector as of now. &ldquo;We have invested as shareholder in this sector to study the sectoral behaviour,&rdquo; he says. He further adds that the country needs friendly laws and policies to attract FDI in the energy sector terming it to be a capital-intensive.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	<span style="font-size:14px;"><strong>Service and Trade Focus</strong></span></div>
<div>
	The service and trading sector has lured a lot of business houses to divert from their traditional specialisation in manufacturing. They feel that it is difficult for manufacturing sector to prosper due to power shortage, open import of cheap goods from India and China. Kedia feels that it is extremely difficult for Nepali companies to compete with imported products in terms of cost. This is one of the reasons for the Kedia Organisation to diversify its portfolio into the service and trading businesses. Kedia adds, &ldquo;Lack of skilled and productive manpower, unfriendly labour environment and decrease in agricultural production has triggered increase in imports of agro products. These are other factors that are affecting the growth of the manufacturing industries in Nepal and discouraging investors to invest in manufacturing sectors.&rdquo;</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	<span style="font-size:14px;"><strong>Agro Player</strong></span></div>
<div>
	Kedia Group is one of the key players in the agriculture and food processing industry. &nbsp;The group is involved in agro-based industries with half a dozen companies that process and produce various food products such as rice, flour, lentils and sugar. Mahabir Adhunik Dal Udyog is one of the oldest manufacturing units in the lentil industry with a working history of more than 75 years. This unit recently upgraded its production capacity to 96 metric tonnes per day.&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	Along with producing agro-based products, the group is trying to create backward linkages with the farmers. Kedia says that the group has been regularly coordinating with farmers that it deals with. &ldquo;We regularly provide them with various skill-based trainings and loans. We have set up a sugar mill in Sarlahi district, country&rsquo;s major sugarcane-growing centre, and it is an instance that reflects how we work in coordination with farmers. In addition to that, we have been actively engaged with farmers in the dairy business as well,&rdquo; he said.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	<span style="font-size:14px;"><strong>Five Years Later</strong></span></div>
<div>
	With the changing political environment, business houses have found reasons to be optimistic about the future. Kedia says that his group is not only hopeful about the probable growth of his business but also looks forward for growth in the overall development of the country.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	The group has plans to diversify its business involvements. Kedia reveals that his group will be engaged in the infrastructure, tourism, power and in the manufacturing sector. &ldquo;All we need is a strong and stable government, business-friendly policies and fair competition between private sector players. &nbsp;The domestic market has huge potentials and Kedia Group looks forward to tap and invest in them to create more jobs in the domestic market itself,&rdquo; he says.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	<div>
		<hr />
		<p style="text-align: center;">
			<strong style="font-size: 16px;">The Rise of Kedia Organisation</strong></p>
	</div>
	<div>
		Kedia Organisation was established in 1909 as an evolution of the family owned trading business. The Kedia family started its business as a cloth merchant with stores in Birgunj and Kathmandu that selling imports from India. With the initiation and leadership of Brij Lal Kedia, first generation businessperson of the family, the business gradually expanded into food grains trading. It started small but as time progressed, it expanded across Nepal. Manoj Kedia, Executive Director of Kedia Organisation, narrates, &ldquo;He used to collect food grains from every corner of the country and supply them to even remote areas that lacked transportation facilities. For the first time in Nepal, he fixed prices of food grains and at a certain point, even the Khadya Sansthan (government owned Nepal Food Corporation) fixed food grain prices by consulting him. Later he established rice mills, dal mills and many more food grain factories. He established Nepal&rsquo;s first modern rice mill, Bhagwati Rice Mill.&rdquo;</div>
	<div>
		&nbsp;</div>
	<div>
		Shankar Lal Kedia expanded foothold in the manufacturing sector. He established factories related to steel furniture, stainless steel utensils, textile, umbrella, socks, wheat flour, corrugated steel, copper utensil etc. Kedia says that during that time, the steel, textile, and corrugated sheet industries from Kedias were pioneers in their respective fields. They then became the backbones of the present day Kedia Organisation. At the same time, the group also entered in general merchandising sector by importing goods from third countries and bulk-traded them in local market. Imported goods included clothes, electronics, food items, medical equipment, household products, hardware, cement, sugar, and edible oil among others. Meanwhile the company also exported rice to Tibet and pulses and lentils to Sri Lanka, Bangladesh and to some European countries.&nbsp;</div>
	<div>
		&nbsp;</div>
	<div>
		Similarly, the group established Caltex Company, a petrol pump agent in Nepal, and this is still in operation as Kedia Auto in Birgunj. Kedia claims that Kedia Group also is one of the first industrial houses to advertise its products. &ldquo;We sponsored the &ldquo;Sundar Sushil Sangeet&rdquo;, a popular song-on-request programme aired on Radio Nepal, to promote our products,&rdquo; he says.</div>
	<div>
		&nbsp;</div>
	<div>
		Today the group has over 1000 administrative staff, more than 100 technical staff and over 2500 skilled and semi-skilled workers. Today the group has investments in around four dozen companies, doing business in wide range of sectors.</div>
	<div>
		&nbsp;</div>
</div>
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						<span style="font-size:14px;"><strong>Banks and Financial Institutions</strong></span></div>
					<div>
						&bull;<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Gorkha Finance Ltd</div>
					<div>
						&bull;<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Siddhartha Bank Ltd</div>
					<div>
						&bull;<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Siddhartha Capital Ltd</div>
					<div>
						&bull;<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Siddhartha Insurance Ltd</div>
					<div>
						&nbsp;</div>
					<div>
						<span style="font-size:14px;"><strong>Fabrication and Iron and Steel</strong></span></div>
					<div>
						&bull;<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Narayani Metal Industries</div>
					<div>
						&bull;<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Sundar Wire and Nails</div>
					<div>
						&bull;<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Sundar Furniture Industries Pvt Ltd</div>
					<div>
						&bull;<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Sundar Steel Pvt Ltd</div>
					<div>
						&nbsp;</div>
					<div>
						<span style="font-size:14px;"><strong>Dairy and Agro Industries</strong></span></div>
					<div>
						&bull;<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Amarawati Madyashala Pvt Ltd</div>
					<div>
						&bull;<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Sitaram Gokul Milks Kathmandu Ltd</div>
					<div>
						&bull;<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Indushankar Chini Udyog Ltd</div>
					<div>
						&bull;<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Mahabir Adhunik Dal Udyog</div>
					<div>
						&bull;<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Ram Dal Udyog</div>
					<div>
						&bull;<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Brijlal Chamal Udyog Harion</div>
					<div>
						&bull;<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Birgunj Khadya Udyog Pvt &nbsp;Ltd</div>
					<div>
						&nbsp;</div>
					<div>
						<span style="font-size:14px;"><strong>Exports</strong></span></div>
					<div>
						&bull;<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Medical Herbs</div>
					<div>
						&bull;<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Red Split Lentils</div>
					<div>
						&bull;<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Flooring Carpets</div>
					<div>
						&bull;<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Refined Vegetable Ghee</div>
					<div>
						&bull;<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Pashmina (Cashmere) Products</div>
					<div>
						&nbsp;</div>
					<div>
						<span style="font-size:14px;"><strong>Imports</strong></span></div>
					<div>
						&bull;<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Paper Products</div>
					<div>
						&bull;<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Textile &amp; Fabrics</div>
					<div>
						&bull;<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Industrial Supplies</div>
					<div>
						&bull;<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Metals &amp; Minerals</div>
					<div>
						&bull;<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Printing &amp; Publishing</div>
					<div>
						&bull;<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Construction Supplies</div>
					<div>
						&bull;<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>General Merchandise</div>
					<div>
						&bull;<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Agro &amp; food Products</div>
					<div>
						&bull;<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Flooring &amp; Furnishing</div>
					<div>
						&bull;<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Fertilizers &amp; Chemicals</div>
					<div>
						&bull;<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Medical &amp; Pharmaceuticals</div>
					<div>
						&bull;<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Electronic &amp; Electrical Goods</div>
					<div>
						&bull;<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Cosmetics &amp; Household Appliances</div>
					<div>
						&nbsp;</div>
					<div>
						<span style="font-size:14px;"><strong>Foreign Brand Representation</strong></span></div>
					<div>
						&bull;<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Haier</div>
					<div>
						&bull;<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Hisense</div>
					<div>
						&bull;<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Toshiba</div>
					<div>
						&bull;<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Evernal</div>
					<div>
						&bull;<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Mitsuma</div>
					<div>
						&bull;<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Chin Yang Corporation (South Korea)</div>
					<div>
						&bull;<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Bharat Petroleum Corporation (India)</div>
					<div>
						&nbsp;</div>
					<div>
						<span style="font-size:14px;"><strong>Trading Companies</strong></span></div>
					<div>
						&bull;<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Trading Firm</div>
					<div>
						&bull;<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Sumit Impex</div>
					<div>
						&bull;<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Kanak New Traders</div>
					<div>
						&bull;<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Nepal Multinational Pvt Ltd</div>
					<div>
						&bull;<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Eshita Trading Pvt Ltd</div>
					<div>
						&bull;<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Yagya Shree Pvt Ltd</div>
					<div>
						&bull;<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Sauryn Exim Pvt ltd</div>
					<div>
						&bull;<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Infotech Solution Pvt Ltd</div>
					<div>
						&bull;<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Nepal Sagarmatha Traders</div>
					<div>
						&bull;<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Diamond Agro International</div>
					<div>
						&bull;<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Rohit International Pvt Ltd</div>
					<div>
						&bull;<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Sanjay Trade Links Pvt Ltd</div>
					<div>
						&bull;<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Kedia International Pvt Ltd</div>
					<div>
						&nbsp;</div>
					<div>
						<span style="font-size:14px;"><strong>Education</strong></span></div>
					<div>
						&bull;<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Sundarmal Ram Kumar Girls Higher Secondary School, Birgunj</div>
					<div>
						&bull;<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Maharaja Agrasen Faculty of Management, Birgunj</div>
					<div>
						&bull;<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>D.A.V. Rukamani Banarasi Kedia School, Birgunj</div>
					<div>
						&bull;<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>D.A.V. Sushi Kedia Vishwa Bharati, Harion, Sarlahi</div>
					<div>
						&bull;<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>D.A.V. Kedia Vishwa Bharati, Biratnagar</div>
					<div>
						&bull;<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>D.A.V. Kedia Vishwa Bharati Nepal, Kathmandu</div>
					<div>
						&bull;<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>D.A.V. Sushil Kedia Vishwa Bharati, Lalitpur</div>
					<div>
						&nbsp;</div>
					<div>
						<span style="font-size:14px;"><strong>Healthcare and Welfare</strong></span></div>
					<div>
						&bull;<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Ram Kumar Mahabir Prasad Kedia Eye Hospital, Birgunj</div>
					<div>
						&bull;<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Mahabir Prasad Brijlal Kedia Dental Institute, Birgunj</div>
					<div>
						&bull;<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Sitaram Kedia Sewa Sadan, Harion, Sarlahi</div>
					<div>
						&bull;<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Nepal Bodhi Tree International Society, Birgunj</div>
					<div>
						&bull;<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Mahabir Prasad Brijlal Kedia Sewa Trust, Birgunj</div>
					<div>
						&bull;<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Kedia Children&rsquo;s Scholarship Fund, Birgunj</div>
					<div>
						&bull;<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Sushil Kedia Sewa Foundation, Birgunj</div>
					<div>
						&nbsp;</div>
					<div>
						<span style="font-size:14px;"><strong>Other Manufacturing units</strong></span></div>
					<div>
						&bull;<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Brij Cement Pvt Ltd</div>
					<div>
						&bull;<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Sundar Candles</div>
					<div>
						&bull;<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Sushil Vanaspati Pvt Ltd</div>
					<div>
						&bull;<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Yeti Fabrics Ltd</div>
				</div>
			</td>
		</tr>
	</tbody>
</table>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>',
			'published' => true,
			'created' => '2014-01-20',
			'modified' => '2014-01-26',
			'keywords' => 'the corporate weekly from Nepal, nepali corporate events – news – interviews – reviews, nepali corporate focus, nepali corporate status and news, news from nepali corporate industry, corporate happenings – events – news from nepal',
			'description' => 'Kedia Organisation, a multi-million business conglomerate is not only one of the largest business houses in Nepal but also one of the oldest. The business house has diversified itself into agriculture, dairy, banking, trading among other industries without leaving a bit of the manufacturing sector that the group is focused on.',
			'sortorder' => '2296',
			'image' => null,
			'article_date' => '0000-00-00 00:00:00',
			'homepage' => false,
			'breaking_news' => false,
			'main_news' => false,
			'in_scroller' => false,
			'user_id' => '0'
		)
	),
	(int) 7 => array(
		'Article' => array(
			'id' => '2446',
			'article_category_id' => '122',
			'title' => 'Chachan Group: Cementing Its Foundation',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => null,
			'content' => '<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	<strong>--By Gaurav Aryal and Om Prakash Khanal</strong></div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<table align="right" style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 10px;" width="25">
	<tbody>
		<tr>
			<td>
				<img alt="Satish Chachan, Director, Chachan Group" src="/userfiles/images/sptlght1%20(Copy).jpg" style="border-width: 0px; border-style: solid; width: 200px; height: 221px;" /></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td bgcolor="#FFFFFF">
				<div align="center">
					<div style="text-align: center;">
						<div>
							<strong>Satish Chachan</strong></div>
						<div>
							<em>Director, Chachan Group</em></div>
					</div>
				</div>
			</td>
		</tr>
	</tbody>
</table>
<div>
	Chachan Group evolved into a manufacturing and trading house when it changed its course into manufacturing from the family owned trading business. This move not only made the group grow leaps and bounds but also established itself as a leading industrial and trading house. The group in its initial days traded various commodities such as leather and leather products, cement, vegetable ghee, food grains, lentils, oil seeds, spices, consumer goods, fertilizer, pulses, edible oils and animal feeds. Today, the group not only trades these commodities but also produces them. The group&rsquo;s expansion was not merely driven by the market force. There were visions and entrepreneurial skills of earlier generation of businessmen, Mahabir Prasad Chachan and Shree Maliram Chachan, who steered the business towards what it is today. When the group passed onto the new generation of businessmen, Babu Lal Chachan and Parmeshwar Lal Chachan who are Chairman and Vice-Chairman respectively, the group had reached to a position from where it would never have to look back.&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	<span style="font-size:14px;"><strong>Growing Larger</strong></span></div>
<div>
	Satish Chachan, Director of Chachan Group says that the group is continuously following the tradition established by its founders towards further growth of the company. He proudly says, &ldquo;Compared to the group&rsquo;s initial days, the company has achieved a remarkable success in cement manufacturing besides continuing its decades old cement selling business.&rdquo; Within the last decade, the group has established three cement grinding plants each having a production capacity of 350 metric tonnes (MT) of cement per day in Birgunj. Similarly, the group has begun the construction of fourth cement grinding plant in Nepalgunj with the same capacity as that of a single unit in Birgunj.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	Chachan says that the group had established a poly-plastic bag industry two years back in Birgunj. This factory has enabled the group&rsquo;s cement plants to use its own cement packing bags. &ldquo;This poly-plastic bag industry has also earned a big business faith in the major sectors of the country. This clearly indicates the satisfactory present and past situation of the company and its growing capability to contribute a large amount of revenue to the nation.&rdquo;</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	<span style="font-size:14px;"><strong>Gaining Strength</strong></span></div>
<div>
	The group has shown remarkable progress in goods manufacturing that it has decided to specialise on. At present, it is producing cement, vegetable oil, leather goods, poly-plastic goods and various food products through its food processing units. Likewise, the group is also involved in trading through its three companies who have direct presence in over 19 different cities across the country.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	Chachan Group is today considered one of the leading business houses of Nepal based in Birgunj for producing variety of commodities with a wide reach across the country. Chachan claims that the products range that the company trades in and its wide network are suggestive of their market &nbsp;and the robust financial strength of the group.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	He shares that the annual turnover of the group exceeds Rs 4 billion. He also adds that the staggering 70 per cent of the total turnover is generated by the cement wing of the group. While sharing the strength of the group, Chachan boasts that his business has been employing 1500 people directly along with a huge number of indirect employments in transportation and handling of the raw materials and finished products. He also adds that 300 employees are working in the cement wing alone. The group&rsquo;s beneficiaries such as construction companies, commercial enterprises, transporters, traders, farmers and consumers are spread over major parts of Tarai and hilly regions of the country.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	<span style="font-size:14px;"><strong>Changing the Course</strong></span></div>
<div>
	For decades, the group had been trading various commodities. Chachan says, &ldquo;This trade grew bigger and flourished gradually, which ultimately evolved into the establishment and identification of the Chachan Group. This can be regarded as the first and fundamental turning point of the company.&rdquo; Gradually the trading business expanded; meanwhile, various new manufacturing units were established.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	Around one and a half decade ago, the group decided to establish cement manufacturing units realising the growing demand of construction materials and cement in particular. This demand was identified when the state owned cement plants such as Hetauda Cement, Udaypur Cement and other private cement producers were unable to meet the major percentage of cement demands. This inspired the group to establish Narayani Cement Udyog Pvt Ltd in Birgunj. This company today has production capacity of 1050 tonnes per day.&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	<span style="font-size:14px;"><strong>Roadmap Ahead</strong></span></div>
<div>
	Chachan believes that the group has kept its promise of offering best quality products and services at a reasonable cost and claims that it would open up new avenues for the group to expand its manufacturing and trading businesses in the days ahead. &ldquo;Our past experience gives us confidence that we have further opportunities and scope for expansion. We want to establish our own clinker producing units so that we can stand as one of the leading cement and clinker manufacturer of Nepal,&rdquo; envisions Chachan.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	He reveals that the group has a clinker producing plant in the pipeline. He elaborated that this new plant will have a production capacity of 700 to 750 tonnes per day. Likewise, once the Nepalgunj based cement plant comes into operation, the group is planning to add another cement grinding plant there with production capacity and design similar to the existing one.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	Similarly, Chachan reveals that the group is planning to acquire a limestone quarry in a hilly area of Makawanpur district, few kilometres away from Hetauda. &ldquo;Besides this, we have been thinking to buy some additional land to establish the clinker producing plant.Though we are already in touch with some of the renowned Indian companies for establishing the clinker plant, we think this will materialise only after three to five years from now,&rdquo; he added. Similarly, Chachan is ready to expand other plants depending on the market demand and financial status.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	<img alt="Chachhan Group" src="/userfiles/images/sptlight%20(Copy).jpg" style="margin-left: 10px; margin-right: 10px; height: 333px; width: 550px;" /></div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	<span style="font-size:16px;"><strong>CSR Commitments</strong></span></div>
<div>
	As part of its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR), the group has given prime importance to environmental protection and freeing its locality from pollutants. The group is also strengthening and accelerating its sustainable environmental efforts through the reduction of environmental impacts and the conservation of the biodiversity. &ldquo;We have been aiming to provide satisfaction and gratification to as many stakeholders as possible. To this aspect, we believe and act ethically and relentlessly to seek improvement in the quality, safety, information security and reliability of our products and services,&rdquo; explains Chachan.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	Satish Chachan, Director of the group says, &ldquo;We respect our customer and their culture and the community they belong to while we deal with them in the course of our business activities. We also engage in dialogues with various stakeholders in society and incorporate their feedback to enhance our CSR activities so that we can contribute our best to improve our surroundings, quality and the effectiveness of our activities.&rdquo;&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	Similarly, the company has dedicated itself in creating a safe and comfortable work environment for all its employees so that they can realise their full potential and have a fulfilling career, as a responsible corporate culture.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<table border="0" cellpadding="10" width="99%">
	<tbody>
		<tr>
			<td bgcolor="#E5E4E2">
				<div>
					<div>
						<span style="font-size:16px;"><strong>Sister Companies of Chachan Group</strong></span></div>
					<div>
						&bull;<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Narayani Cement</div>
					<div>
						&bull;<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Jaya Bageshwari Cement</div>
					<div>
						&bull;<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Narayani Oil Refinery Udyog</div>
					<div>
						&bull;<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Narayani Leather Manufacturing Industries</div>
					<div>
						&bull;<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Narayani Modern Pulses Industries</div>
					<div>
						&bull;<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Shree Adhunik Dal Udyog</div>
					<div>
						&bull;<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Shree Agro Processing Unit</div>
					<div>
						&bull;<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Adarsh Oil Industry</div>
					<div>
						&bull;<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Adarsh Tel Udyog</div>
					<div>
						&bull;<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Adarsh Polyplastic Pvt Ltd</div>
					<div>
						&nbsp;</div>
					<div>
						<span style="font-size:16px;"><strong>Independent Trading Concerns &nbsp;under the Group</strong></span></div>
					<div>
						&bull;<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Chachan Implex</div>
					<div>
						&bull;<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Devki International&nbsp;</div>
					<div>
						&bull;<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Manoj International Traders</div>
					<div>
						&nbsp;</div>
					<div>
						<span style="font-size:16px;"><strong>SWOT Analysis</strong></span></div>
					<div>
						&nbsp;</div>
					<div>
						<span style="font-size:14px;"><strong>Strengths</strong></span></div>
					<div>
						&bull;<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Customers&nbsp;</div>
					<div>
						&bull;<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Staff&nbsp;</div>
					<div>
						&bull;<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Good quality products and services</div>
					<div>
						&bull;<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Reasonable price&nbsp;</div>
					<div>
						&bull;<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Harmonic relationship with employees, customers and local surroundings</div>
					<div>
						&bull;<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Disciplined working attitude</div>
					<div>
						&bull;<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Timely revenue payments to the government&nbsp;</div>
					<div>
						&nbsp;</div>
					<div>
						<span style="font-size:14px;"><strong>Weaknesses</strong></span></div>
					<div>
						&bull;<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Inability to give hundred percent employment to the local residents&nbsp;</div>
					<div>
						&bull;<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Cannot fulfill the donation demands from local parties and their leaders&nbsp;</div>
					<div>
						&nbsp;</div>
					<div>
						<span style="font-size:14px;"><strong>Opportunities</strong></span></div>
					<div>
						&bull;<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Prospects for growth of construction material businesses</div>
					<div>
						&bull;<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Growing domestic market and purchasing capacity of people</div>
					<div>
						&bull;<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Rapidly emerging technological innovations</div>
					<div>
						&nbsp;</div>
					<div>
						<span style="font-size:14px;"><strong>Threats</strong></span></div>
					<div>
						&bull;<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Lack of smooth business environment</div>
					<div>
						&bull;<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Frequent bandhs and strikes&nbsp;</div>
					<div>
						&bull;<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Lack of environment to work peacefully and uninterruptedly where the group is based</div>
					<div>
						&nbsp;</div>
					<div>
						<span style="font-size:16px;"><strong>Market Positioning</strong></span></div>
					<div>
						Products of Chachan Group has a wide market coverage including major cities and towns such as Birgunj, Hetauda, Kalaiya, Narayanghat, Kathmandu, Bhaktapur, Banepa, Batar, Pokhara, Bhairahawa, Krishna Nagar, Dang, Nepalgunj, Dhangadhi, Nijgarh, Gaur, Lahan, Janakpur, Jhapa, Morang, Ilam and other places in hilly and Tarai region. According to the group, major market for cement is in all the belts extending from Birgunj to Jhapa and in Hetauda, Narayanghatand major cities and towns of Bagmati zone.</div>
					<div>
						&nbsp;</div>
					<div>
						According to Satish Chachan, Director of the group, product placement is done through various dealers and transporters. Group&rsquo;s contact or branch offices and dealers are channels for distribution. Major product range includes daily commodities, construction materials, leather goods, fertilizers among others.&nbsp;</div>
					<div>
						All the factories of the group are being operated in full capacity to meet the market demand. Products are sold under different brand names such as Trishakti and Bajrashakti in the cement segment while other commodities also have their own niche brand value recognised in their market targets.<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span></div>
				</div>
			</td>
		</tr>
	</tbody>
</table>
<p>
	&nbsp;</p>',
			'published' => true,
			'created' => '2014-01-19',
			'modified' => '2014-01-20',
			'keywords' => 'the corporate weekly from Nepal, nepali corporate events – news – interviews – reviews, nepali corporate focus, nepali corporate status and news, news from nepali corporate industry, corporate happenings – events – news from nepal',
			'description' => 'Chachan Group evolved into a manufacturing and trading house when it changed its course into manufacturing from the family owned trading business. This move not only made the group grow leaps and bounds but also established itself as a leading industrial and trading house. The group in its initial days traded various commodities such as leather and leather products, cement, vegetable ghee, food grains, lentils, oil seeds, spices, consumer goods, fertilizer, pulses, edible oils and animal feeds.',
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	(int) 8 => array(
		'Article' => array(
			'id' => '2408',
			'article_category_id' => '122',
			'title' => 'Kabra Group: A Leading Confectioner',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => null,
			'content' => '<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	<strong>--By Gaurav Aryal</strong></div>
<table align="right" style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 10px;" width="25">
	<tbody>
		<tr>
			<td>
				<img alt="Shyam Kabra, Chairman, Kabra Group" src="/userfiles/images/spt1%20(Copy)(1).jpg" style="border-width: 0px; border-style: solid; width: 200px; height: 222px;" /></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td bgcolor="#FFFFFF">
				<div align="center">
					<div style="text-align: center;">
						<div>
							<strong>Shyam Kabra</strong></div>
						<div>
							<em>Chairman, Kabra Group</em></div>
					</div>
				</div>
			</td>
		</tr>
	</tbody>
</table>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	The journey of Kabra Group began with the establishment of Kwality Biscuits Industries Pvt Ltd in 1985. However it was not the first venture for the Kabra family for it has been involved in the business for generations. They were involved in the business of consumer goods before the family decided to set up a factory. When the first biscuit factory performed well, it increased the hunger of the family to go for more. Shyam Kabra, Chairman of Kabra Group says that the Kwality Biscuits was a major success and it encouraged his family to expand this new business.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	Eventually, the business house came up with Kwality Diet and Food Processing Pvt Ltd and Kwality Food and Snacks followed up. These additions did not only make the business bigger, but also established the family as an industrial house of Nepal.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	<span style="font-size:14px;"><strong>Ruling the Roost</strong></span></div>
<div>
	Kwality Biscuits Industry was not only the first factory of the group but also one of the earliest companies in Nepal to manufacture biscuits, claims Kabra. &ldquo;With time we have consistently kept on establishing more companies that helped us diversify our portfolio,&rdquo; he adds. The group claims itself to be the largest investor in the biscuits industry of Nepal and has the largest production capacity.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	The group claims that has been the largest manufacturer of biscuits as well as soaps and confectionery for the past two decades. The mother industry was later gradually expanded into soaps, chocolates, flour and vegetable ghee and oil producing sister concerns. At present, the group has a dozen companies in manufacturing as well as in trading.&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	The group currently produces almost 35 types of biscuits and Kabra says that half of them are performing pretty well in the market. Tasty Tasty, Bonbon, Butter Cracker, Jackpot, Morning Touch are some of the most popular brands. Tasty-Tasty and a host of other popular brands under the brand umbrella of Kwality are loved by customers not only in Nepal but also in India. Kabra says, &ldquo;Many of the Kabra Group companies are market leaders in their industries and have won acclaim from the customers, since 1985.&rdquo; The group is also a source of employment to 100 permanent staff and 300 daily waged labours.&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	<span style="font-size:14px;"><strong>Encouraging Expansion</strong></span></div>
<div>
	Like any other business houses, Kabra Group too was hesitant to invest blindly during the conflict era and the unstable politics that followed thereafter. So, the group kept itself on the wait and watch mode and did not make any significant investment for expansion of its businesses. However, the group kept on adding new varieties of confectionaries and biscuits to its existing products range. Kabra says that Gold series Bonbon, Butter Cracker Gold and Coconut Gold are some of the additions made during the turbulent times. Considering Kwality Biscuits as its mother industry, the group has always kept this company in priority and promises it to take it to the next level in the days to come. The latest constituent assembly election has also brought hope and signs of stability and encouraged Kabra Group like other investors to expand its niche.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	Humans are never satisfied with what they and therefore yearn for more. The same follows for the Kabras too. Kabra says, &ldquo;We still have a lot to do. Though the growth rate we currently have is not unsatisfactory, we have seen scope to do better. And, the environment and situation is getting better where our initiatives will pay.&rdquo; He adds that his group is dedicated to its works and perform the best it can.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	<span style="font-size:14px;"><strong>Market Position</strong></span></div>
<div>
	The group has prioritised the domestic market as its major market for all of its products. Kabra says that local market and local customers, belonging to all the age groups, have been and will remain the target segment of the group&rsquo;s products. Along with that, Kabra hints that the group has no intentions of limiting itself to the domestic market only. &ldquo;We have plans to explore export markets too but it will take some time,&rdquo; Kabra added. &nbsp;</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	Being the largest producer and investor in the biscuits industry, Kabra says that the confectionary products hold an impressive share in the domestic market. &ldquo;However, market is an uncertain place. Therefore, marketing strategies need to be revised and updated corresponding to the changing time and situation,&rdquo; says Kabra. He adds that Nepali companies have their own strategies while the foreign companies have different roadmap to penetrate into the market here. The group believes that if the product is excellent then the customers will remain with it.&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	Kabra feels that Nepali products are not only facing competition from local products but also from the imported ones. &ldquo;But competition is natural as the same market is shared by all the players. What I believe is when the competition swells; the scope of market expansion also increases. However, we have to concentrate more on healthy competition than going for mere price wars,&rdquo; explains Kabra.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	<span style="font-size:16px;"><strong>Major milestones of Kabra Group</strong></span></div>
<div>
	1985 - Established Kwality Biscuits Industries Private Limited</div>
<div>
	1990 - Established Kwality Soap Industries Private Limited</div>
<div>
	1994 - Established NEPIND Flexipack Private Limited</div>
<div>
	1995 - Kwality Biscuits Industries Private limited launched Tasty Tasty which propelled the company as the second largest manufacturer in the Industry</div>
<div>
	1998 - Established Annapurna Maida Mills Private Limited</div>
<div>
	2000 - Established Kwality Confectionary Private Limited</div>
<div>
	2003 - Established a second company of Biscuits Kwality Diet &amp; Food Products Private Limited</div>
<div>
	2005 - Established a second company of Soaps &amp; Detergents Kwality Soap &amp; Chemical Industries Private Limited</div>
<div>
	2008 - Established Kwality Oil Refinery Private Limited</div>
<div>
	2012 - Established Kwality Food &amp; Snacks Industries Pvt Ltd</div>
<div>
	2012 - Established Siddharth Enterprises</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	<img alt="Kabra Group Products" src="/userfiles/images/spt2%20(Copy)(1).jpg" style="width: 550px; height: 191px; margin-left: 10px; margin-right: 10px;" /></div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<table border="0" cellpadding="10" width="99%">
	<tbody>
		<tr>
			<td bgcolor="#E5E4E2">
				<div>
					<span style="font-size:16px;"><strong>Companies under the Group</strong></span></div>
				<div>
					&bull;<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Kwality Biscuit Industries Pvt Ltd</div>
				<div>
					&bull;<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Kwality Soap &amp; Chemicals Pvt Ltd&nbsp;</div>
				<div>
					&bull;<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Nep - Ind Flexipack Pvt Ltd&nbsp;</div>
				<div>
					&bull;<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Annapurna Maida Mills Pvt Ltd&nbsp;</div>
				<div>
					&bull;<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Kwality Confectionary Pvt Ltd&nbsp;</div>
				<div>
					&bull;<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Kwality Diet &amp; Food Production Pvt Ltd&nbsp;</div>
				<div>
					&bull;<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Kwality Chemicals Pvt Ltd&nbsp;</div>
				<div>
					&bull;<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Kwality Oil Refinery Pvt Ltd&nbsp;</div>
				<div>
					&bull;<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Kwality Food &amp; Snacks Industries Pvt Ltd&nbsp;</div>
				<div>
					&bull;<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Siddharth Enterprises Pvt Ltd&nbsp;</div>
				<div>
					&bull;<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Phoenix International Pvt Ltd</div>
				<div>
					&nbsp;</div>
				<div>
					<span style="font-size:16px;"><strong>Some Companies under Kabra Group</strong></span></div>
				<div>
					&nbsp;</div>
				<div>
					<span style="font-size:14px;"><strong>Kwality Soap and Chemical Industries Pvt Ltd</strong></span></div>
				<div>
					One of the major companies of Kabra Group, Kwality Soap and Chemical Industries Pvt Ltd, produces a variety of laundry and toilet soaps. &nbsp;According to Shyam Kabra, the company has recently upgraded its production plant for detergent manufacturing. The manufacturing unit at Kathari is upgraded to the latest technology. The group has been involved in soaps ranging from premium products to budget products, for over 15 years. Kabra says that the company utilises the unmatched infrastructure that consists of latest tools and is supervised by qualified professionals. The entire manufacturing process has been streamlined to minimize any manufacturing fault. The company is also utilising internationally approved formulation, raw materials to ensure best quality assurance. The factory also has its own fully equipped laboratory, for new product development and quality testing.</div>
				<div>
					&nbsp;</div>
				<div>
					<span style="font-size:14px;"><strong>Kwality Confectionery Pvt Ltd&nbsp;</strong></span></div>
				<div>
					This is the flagship company of Kabra Group that produces products such as confectionery, chewing-gums, chocolate, coated and plain wafers, among others. The company has established itself as a multi-product, multi-market company and is claimed to be one of the largest manufacturer of confectionery and toffees in Nepal since 2001. This company produces over 60 varieties of candies, toffees and wafers. &nbsp;Kabra says that the company has always endeavoured to satisfy the customers&rsquo; changing wants and desires with its special emphasis on quality, range and value for money. The Company is also strictly following the code of good manufacturing practice prescribed by ISO standards though it has not been certified by one yet. Quality confectionary products, produced at the company&rsquo;s factory located in Duhabi, Sunsari, are supplied to the market through its distribution network in Nepal and India. He says that products are distributed through stockiest within Nepal and reach more than 40,000 outlets throughout the country.</div>
				<div>
					&nbsp;</div>
				<div>
					<span style="font-size:14px;"><strong>Nep-Ind Flexipack Pvt Ltd&nbsp;</strong></span></div>
				<div>
					This company produces eight colour hi-tech rotogravure printing and packaging materials that are being used by the home companies as well as other domestic companies including well known MNCs. According to the company, products have uniform thickness, clear printing in attractive colours. &ldquo;Because of best design developments and high quality of printing with competitive rates, our print product is widely used by giant companies,&rdquo; says Kabra.</div>
			</td>
		</tr>
	</tbody>
</table>
<p>
	&nbsp;</p>',
			'published' => true,
			'created' => '2014-01-06',
			'modified' => '2014-01-19',
			'keywords' => 'the corporate weekly from Nepal, nepali corporate events – news – interviews – reviews, nepali corporate focus, nepali corporate status and news, news from nepali corporate industry, corporate happenings – events – news from nepal',
			'description' => 'The journey of Kabra Group began with the establishment of Kwality Biscuits Industries Pvt Ltd in 1985. However it was not the first venture for the Kabra family for it has been involved in the business for generations. They were involved in the business of consumer goods before the family decided to set up a factory. When the first biscuit factory performed well, it increased the hunger of the family to go for more. Shyam Kabra, Chairman of Kabra Group says that the Kwality Biscuits was a major success and it encouraged his family to expand this new business.',
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	(int) 9 => array(
		'Article' => array(
			'id' => '2358',
			'article_category_id' => '122',
			'title' => 'NE Group: Expanding Perpetually',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => null,
			'content' => '<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	<strong>--By Gaurav Aryal</strong></div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<table align="right" style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 10px;" width="25">
	<tbody>
		<tr>
			<td>
				<img alt="Ravi Bhakta Shrestha, Vice Chairman, NE Group" src="/userfiles/images/sptlt1%20(Copy).jpg" style="border-width: 0px; border-style: solid; width: 200px; height: 222px;" /></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td bgcolor="#FFFFFF">
				<div align="center">
					<div style="text-align: center;">
						<div>
							<strong>Ravi Bhakta Shrestha</strong></div>
						<div>
							<em>Vice Chairman, NE Group</em></div>
					</div>
				</div>
			</td>
		</tr>
	</tbody>
</table>
<div>
	As any other business houses, NE Group also envisions securing the top position among Nepal&rsquo;s corporate groups. Ravi Bhakta Shrestha, Vice Chairman of NE Group is content with the growth his business has been able to achieve so far, despite the turbulent economic and political environment of the country that has been in the scene. Similar to the business fraternity that stood the test of time, the group has held its roots strong to come this far since its inception.&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	With a belief and optimism for the better future, NE Group has some growth plans up its sleeve to expand in the days to come. The group that has been primarily been concentrated in the manufacturing and trade sectors is now looking into the service industry with much enthusiasm and dedication. Shrestha says that his group will be exploring more into the health and tourism sectors where it already has some investments.&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	<span style="font-size:14px;"><strong>Harnessing Prospects</strong></span></div>
<div>
	Shrestha optimistically says, &ldquo;We see numerous potentials in the future. The political situation has now shown signs of improvement. Once we achieve the much awaited stability, there are many reasons to get encouraged.&rdquo; Not only NE Group, but the business community will be more confident to make investments through domestic as well as foreign sources, he adds.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	Foreseeing the brighter days to come, the group promises to venture into newer sectors like herbal industry and high value agriculture. Hydropower is also one of the priority sectors of the group. Shrestha reveals that talks are going on with South Korean investors regarding energy development but added that details are yet to be finalised.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	The group sees itself prosper in the service industry. So, the group is planning to come up with boutique hotels outside the Kathmandu valley. Though Shrestha denied elaborating into details, he says that the group has identified a couple of places for establishing hotel. Likewise, the group is also planning to expand its SRL Diagnostic Centre as a wellness centre. He claims that SRL Diagnostics laboratory is South East Asia&rsquo;s largest diagnostic lab and the group has established it here which he says is the most modern lab in Nepal. Shrestha is hopeful that a couple of projects in the service sector will be launched within a year or two.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	With an aim to expand into the tourism sector, the group has acquired 1,020,144 shares held by Oberoi Hotels Pvt Ltd, an international hotel chain, in Soaltee Hotel Ltd. Sibkrim Land and Industries, subsidiary of the group acquired the entire stakes worth Rs 142.82 million in 2012.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	<span style="font-size:14px;"><strong>Prime Focus</strong></span></div>
<div>
	The prime line of business for the group has always remained manufacturing and trading but has now expanded into banking, insurance, distribution, international trading, consulting services and project development. Similarly, the group also has presence in hospitality, health and education sector. &nbsp;Likewise, the group is one of the major promoters in United Insurance and Himalayan Bank Limited. Shrestha claims that United Insurance comes among top five insurance companies of Nepal.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	In the manufacturing sector, the group used to export some of its products to the foreign markets but Shrestha now says that the domestic market has surged a lot so, the group has been concentrating only in the domestic market at present.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	As a recent move into the food and beverage business, the group has recently opened Barista-Lavazza, a chain of Italian coffee shops in Nepal.&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	In the manufacturing sector, the group has trusted multinational brand names as joint venture in its portfolio. With a joint venture with Unilever, it has been producing numerous consumer products needed for the domestic market from its factory in Hetauda. Shrestha says that it is the listed company &nbsp;that provides highest dividend to its shareholders every year.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	<img alt="NE GROUP" src="/userfiles/images/sptlt2%20(Copy).jpg" style="width: 550px; height: 319px; margin-left: 10px; margin-right: 10px;" /></div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	<span style="font-size:14px;"><strong>Management Approach</strong></span></div>
<div>
	Though the group was established as a family owned business, it has now taken the path of professionally managed corporate house. Shrestha says that it is the need of the time that has increased the value of human resource. &ldquo;Success depends on the quality of human resource,&rdquo; he says. The group has given utmost value to professionalism. And, it has assigned individual professionals with relevant responsibilities who look after the companies and regularly brief to the board of directors that gives necessary suggestions and takes action as needed.&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	The group is employing 250 people in its companies and factories. Human resource management is also done by the HR department of each of the companies. A weekly meeting is held where the issues are communicated and necessary action is taken. &ldquo;The group is moving ahead in a purely professional and independent fashion,&rdquo; says Shrestha.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	<span style="font-size:14px;"><strong>CSR Activities</strong></span></div>
<div>
	The group with a promise to give back to the society established IJ charitable trust in 1981. &nbsp;According to Shrestha, the Trust, a non-profit and self-funded organisation, is most active in aiding the good health and education of underprivileged children. Likewise it has been making contributions also for the preservation of Nepali culture. The Trust has also created a long-term sustainable fund for the Paediatric department of Tribhuvan University Teaching Hospital to provide financial help to needy children for medical treatment. It also honours renowned writers, artists and ethnic persons who have made significant contributions to the society. In 1985, the Trust established the I.J pioneer High School in Hattiban, Lalitpur which provides quality education and extra-curricular activities to more than seven hundred students. The school also provides free scholarship to 100 needy and talented students each year, shares Shrestha.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<table border="0" cellpadding="10" width="99%">
	<tbody>
		<tr>
			<td bgcolor="#E5E4E2">
				<div>
					<div>
						<div>
							<div>
								<div>
									<div>
										<div>
											<div style="text-align: center;">
												<span style="font-size:16px;"><strong>Growth as a Group</strong></span></div>
											<div style="text-align: center;">
												&nbsp;</div>
											<div>
												NE Group of today once was a small garment store, a family owned business initiated by Ravi Bhakta Shrestha&rsquo;s grandfather. The garment store gradually expanded into a business of money exchange service when there were no banks and other financial services in the country.</div>
											<div>
												&nbsp;</div>
											<div>
												When the trade relationship with India kept on growing along with the growth of trade volume with the southern neighbour, first generation businessmen of Shrestha family also involved in trading of tea. The trading business did not limit to India alone. Shrestha says that his family was the first in Nepal to establish trade relationship with South Korea in 1968. Then South Korea&rsquo;s economy was rapidly growing. Shrestha used to import garments and construction materials from there. However, the licensing system prohibited the group to expand the trade volume as it wished. Similarly, in the trade front, the group once exported some products like musk and peacock feathers to international market.</div>
											<div>
												&nbsp;</div>
											<div>
												As an important milestone towards industrial concentration, the NE Group in partnership with Jalan group of India acquired Ganapati Cotton Mill in Biratnagar that had remained closed for quite some time. However, the factory was again closed down after operating for few years because of labour and other issues. Likewise, the group acquired Nepal Synthetic Industry in Hetauda and expanded it. The group also once had two iron mills in Biratnagar and Hetauda.</div>
											<div>
												&nbsp;</div>
											<div>
												When the business moved onto Shrestha&rsquo;s shoulder, he kept on expanding his family business, following the footsteps of his father. He says that one of the most important and biggest moves he made was signing an agreement with Unilever. This tie-up has given extra edge to the group in its growth as a large business house that it is today, says Shrestha.</div>
											<div>
												&nbsp;</div>
											<div>
												<div>
													<span style="font-size: 16px;"><strong>Some Companies and Subsidiaries of NE Group</strong></span></div>
												<div>
													&nbsp;</div>
												<div>
													<span style="font-size: 14px;"><strong><img alt="" src="/userfiles/images/sl%20(Copy).jpg" style="float: left; margin: 0px 10px 0px 0px; width: 100px; height: 92px;" />National Ice Cream Industries Pvt Ltd</strong></span></div>
												<div>
													This company was established in 2009 as a joint venture between NE Group and The Nanglo Group. National Ice Cream Pvt Ltd produces premium frozen dessert in a state-of-the-art 18,500 sq ft manufacturing unit located at Balaju Industrial District, Kathmandu. The company claims that it has ensured high quality and maintenance of stringent hygiene standards throughout the manufacturing and distribution cycle with a fulltime team of professional food and dairy technologists. The company produces ice cream under Azzabko brand. Azzabko products are available in over 500 retail stores, restaurants and hotels across the country.</div>
												<div>
													&nbsp;</div>
												<div>
													&nbsp;</div>
												<div>
													<span style="font-size: 14px;"><strong><img alt="NICM" src="/userfiles/images/sl1%20(Copy).jpg" style="float: right; margin: 0px 0px 0px 10px; width: 100px; height: 133px;" />NICM</strong></span></div>
												<div>
													Established in 2006, National Investment &amp; Capital Market Limited (NICM) provides Asset Management, Investment Banking, Research, Consultancy And Training services all under one roof. The management is supported by Citizen Investment Trust, a public fund manager and merchant banker. NICM has an issued capital of Rs 150 million and is due to be listed on the Nepal Stock Exchange.</div>
												<div>
													&nbsp;</div>
												<div>
													&nbsp;</div>
												<div>
													<img alt="National Soap Industries Pvt Ltd" src="/userfiles/images/sl2%20(Copy).jpg" style="float: left; margin: 0px 10px 0px 0px; width: 100px; height: 69px;" /><span style="font-size: 14px;"><strong>National Soap Industries Pvt Ltd</strong></span></div>
												<div>
													National Soap Industries Pvt Ltd, established in 1996 is a large scale industrial until at Hetauda Industrial Estate, Makwanpur manufacturing laundry soaps, powdered detergents and hair oil. The company provides back-end production and packaging capabilities for the leading brands of Unilever Nepal such as OK laundry soap and Wheel detergent powder.</div>
												<div>
													&nbsp;</div>
												<div>
													&nbsp;</div>
												<div>
													<span style="font-size: 14px;"><strong><img alt="Unilever Nepal Ltd" src="/userfiles/images/sl3%20(Copy).jpg" style="float: left; margin: 0px 10px 0px 0px; width: 100px; height: 110px;" />Unilever Nepal Ltd</strong></span></div>
												<div>
													Established in 1993 as a joint venture between Hindustan Unilever (formerly Hindustan Lever) and Sibkrim Land &amp; Industrial Co (a subsidiary of NE Group), Unilever aims to meet the everyday needs of Nepali household, to anticipate the aspiration of consumers and to respond creatively and competitively with branded products and services to raise their quality of life. The company manufactures international brands such as Sunsilk Hair products, Close Up, Pepsodent, Wheel Detergent Powder, OK Laundry Soap, Axe Deodorants, Dove, Fair and Lovely, Lifebouy, Lux, Lakme, Ponds and Vaseline amongst others. The company is listed on the Nepal Stock Exchange.</div>
												<div>
													&nbsp;</div>
												<div>
													&nbsp;</div>
												<div>
													<span style="font-size: 14px;"><strong><img alt="United Insurance Co Ltd" src="/userfiles/images/sl4%20(Copy).jpg" style="float: right; margin: 0px 0px 0px 10px; width: 100px; height: 112px;" />United Insurance Co Ltd</strong></span></div>
												<div>
													United Insurance started its operation on December 1, 1993 (Mangsir16, 2050) after its registration with the Company Registrar&rsquo;s Office and approval by Insurance Board. The company is promoted by leading industrialists and reputed trading and commercial houses of Nepal and is publically listed on the Nepal Stock Exchange. The authorised capital of the company is Rs 150 million.&nbsp;</div>
												<div>
													&nbsp;</div>
												<div>
													&nbsp;</div>
												<div>
													<span style="font-size: 14px;"><strong><img alt="Life Care Services Pvt Ltd" src="/userfiles/images/sl5%20(Copy).jpg" style="float: left; margin: 0px 10px 0px 0px; width: 100px; height: 65px;" />Life Care Services Pvt Ltd</strong></span></div>
												<div>
													Established in 2010 as a joint venture between Life Care Services Pvt Ltd (a subsidiary of NE Group) and Super Religare Reference Laboratories India, it is one of the largest diagnostic networks in South and South-East Asia. Through SRL&rsquo;s expertise, the lab provides international standard diagnostic services in the country offering over 3500 tests covering most diseases. The lab is located at Mahrajgunj, Kathmandu and boasts 12 collections centres across the country in cities such as Dharan, Pokahara, Biratnagar, Nepalganj, Bhairawa, Bharatpur, Dhangadi, Dharan and Janakpur.</div>
												<div>
													&nbsp;</div>
											</div>
										</div>
									</div>
								</div>
							</div>
						</div>
					</div>
				</div>
			</td>
		</tr>
	</tbody>
</table>
<p>
	&nbsp;</p>',
			'published' => true,
			'created' => '2013-12-30',
			'modified' => '2014-01-06',
			'keywords' => 'the corporate weekly from Nepal, nepali corporate events – news – interviews – reviews, nepali corporate focus, nepali corporate status and news, news from nepali corporate industry, corporate happenings – events – news from nepal',
			'description' => 'As any other business houses, NE Group also envisions securing the top position among Nepal’s corporate groups. Ravi Bhakta Shrestha, Vice Chairman of NE Group is content with the growth his business has been able to achieve so far, despite the turbulent economic and political environment of the country that has been in the scene. Similar to the business fraternity that stood the test of time, the group has held its roots strong to come this far since its inception.',
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	(int) 10 => array(
		'Article' => array(
			'id' => '2317',
			'article_category_id' => '122',
			'title' => 'Fishtail Air Focus On Adventure & Rescue',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => null,
			'content' => '<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	<strong>--By Gaurav Aryal</strong></div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<table align="right" style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 10px;" width="25">
	<tbody>
		<tr>
			<td>
				<img alt="Suman Pandey, Chief Executive Officer, Fishtail Air" src="/userfiles/images/spt%20(Copy).jpg" style="border-width: 0px; border-style: solid; width: 200px; height: 222px;" /></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td bgcolor="#FFFFFF">
				<div align="center">
					<div style="text-align: center;">
						<div>
							<strong>Suman Pandey</strong></div>
						<div>
							Chief Executive Officer, Fishtail Air</div>
					</div>
				</div>
			</td>
		</tr>
	</tbody>
</table>
<div>
	Fishtail Air Pvt Ltd, established in 1887 has grown leaps and bounds to reach the current position of being one of the leading helicopter companies of Nepal. The company is currently operating with three helicopters and is planning to add two more for peak seasons. With the expansion of the fleet and strength of services, Suman Pandey, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Fishtail Air hopes to serve more customers and is quite satisfied with what the company has done so far.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	The company has never compromised on serving Nepalis either for bringing them from remote areas to the cities for medication, or in bringing pregnant women to hospitals in Kathmandu. And interestingly, three babies &nbsp;were delivered while the mothers were on board the Fishtail Air.&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	The Fishtail Air was closed down in 2004 because of the insurgency hitting hard in the tourism industry. However the company was re-established in 2007 under a new management team and new way of working that has taken the company to a new height.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	<span style="font-size:14px;"><strong>Leadership for Growth</strong></span></div>
<div>
	Pandey has been heading the company since 2007. It was the same year the company started its second innings. Pandey says that he is the first manager of the company who came from a non technical background. Pilots and engineers were the directors and promoters of the company. &nbsp;&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	Pandey, for the last 25 years has been working in the field of adventure tourism. His company Explore Himalaya Travel and Adventure is one of the top adventure tour operators in Nepal. &ldquo;In terms of diversification, it is considered number one among other tour operators,&rdquo; claims Pandey. Working for an adventure tour operator, he had an experience of utilising helicopters quite often and it gave him the confidence of managing a helicopter company.&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	Pandey feels that the need of adventure tourism has always been there in the tourism market. And, he saw the need of a helicopter operator to partner in this unique service offering. He says that during that time helicopter companies were not satisfying the need of adventure tourism. &ldquo;There were certain areas that were unexplored. I thought I could be helpful in bridging the gap and bringing new ideas and innovations as an adventure tour operator,&rdquo; adds Pandey.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	He shares that helicopters were serving only up to the altitude of 14,000 feet. After his involvement with Fishtail, he and his team came up with an idea to serve also in the higher altitudes. Then the company started serving into the thin air of high mountains. Recently, a rescue operation was carried out at the elevation of 7,800 metres at Mt Everest that saved the life of a Nepali mountaineer from Canada who was also disabled.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	<span style="font-size:14px;"><strong>Serving High Altitudes</strong></span></div>
<div>
	The company has been serving its clients up to the elevation of 23,000 feet. In the company&rsquo;s initial days, Mi-17 helicopters were serving Indian pilgrims visiting Mt Kailash and Mansarovar. Being a big helicopter, operations were not smooth as it required at least 100 passengers for one operation. So, Pandey says he came up with an idea of using small helicopter that have good high altitude performance.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	Accordingly, the company signed for two AS B3 helicopters from Eurocopter, a French company that had best service records in high altitude. Based in Simikot, these helicopters started serving Indian pilgrims to Kailash-Mansarovar. Pandey says that Mi-17s have been completely displaced. With the new high altitude performance of new helicopters, the company has gained the strength as a company that serves in high altitudes of the Himalayas.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	<span style="font-size:14px;"><strong>Rescue Operations</strong></span></div>
<div>
	&nbsp;In the last 4-5 years, the company has carried out numerous rescue operations and saved many lives in the mountains that were usually impossible without the use of helicopters. Pandey says that today, helicopters can even land at the second base camp of Mt Everest, Manaslu, Dhaulagiri and Annapurna.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	According to Pandey, a Swiss technology for rescue operations has been used by the company in collaboration with Air Zermatt. Since 2009, sling operations are being performed in Nepali Himalayas. He says that Air Zermatt has helped Nepali pilots by providing trainings both in Nepal and Switzerland.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	Rescue operations soar during the peak tourist seasons for rescuing people injured in accidents and as well as stuck with altitude sickness. Pandey says that the company sets its priorities according to the nature of the case and seriousness, and carries out its operations accordingly.&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	Apart from these operations, the company also performs mountain flights, transport flights and sightseeing flights to both foreigners and Nepalis. However, Pandey says that the priority is set on rescue operations as the company believes in saving lives first. Fishtail Air carried out a significant role in rescuing hundreds of tourists stranded in Lukla because of bad weather in 2011.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	<span style="font-size:14px;"><strong>Safety Concerns</strong></span></div>
<div>
	The company feels that the recent embargo by the European Union on Nepali airlines is a sad incident. The company has geared up &nbsp;to comply with the highest safety standards, whereby it is planning to review its safety aspects and take all the necessary &nbsp;improvement measures. &ldquo;We will try to prove that our operations are already up to the standards to European community. We will show the quality and reliability of our services both in operations and on paper,&rdquo; promises Pandey.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	Pandey says that a company can do extra than the listed safety concerns for adding value to the company&rsquo;s services. &ldquo;We are looking at adding some extra security features like bringing expert trainers from Europe and training our pilots and engineers and providing extra measures to support our safety standards to prove that Fishtail Air is a safe carrier.&rdquo;</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	<span style="font-size:14px;"><strong>New Ventures</strong></span></div>
<div>
	Looking at the latest safety concern, Pandey says that the company has decided to go slow because things look quite uncertain at the moment. He says that this strategy will prevail for the next six months to one year. He says that the situation during that time will decide how and where the future steps of the company will lead.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	However, the company is planning to go into the hospitality industry from the current area of working- aviation. Pandey reveals that land has already been acquired in Lamatar of Lalitpur that overlooks the entire Kathmandu Valley and a range of mountains in the north. He says that the company is going to start a 100 room luxury eco-resort, a new concept in Nepal targeting high-end clients. He says that the resort will come into operation within three years.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	<img alt="Fishtail Air" src="/userfiles/images/sptlght%20(Copy).jpg" style="width: 550px; height: 182px; margin-left: 10px; margin-right: 10px;" /></div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
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											<span style="font-size: 16px;"><strong>Tale of Fishtail Air</strong></span></div>
										<div>
											Fishtail Air Pvt Ltd is a helicopter charter company operating within Nepal, with its base in Kathmandu. Established in the year 1997 the company has been involved in operation throughout the country with occasional Trans-border flights to Bhutan and India. With a fleet of four helicopters, which includes two AS 350 B3 &ldquo;Ecureuil&rdquo;, one AS 350 B2 &ldquo;Ecureuil&rdquo;, and one Bell 206B III Jet Ranger helicopter, the company claims itself to be the largest helicopter operator in Nepal.</div>
										<div>
											&nbsp;</div>
										<div>
											Fishtail Air operates flights for sightseeing, rescue, medical evacuation, business travels, project support, expedition works or any other purposes that need the services of a Helicopter. The company also operates support flights for trekking, which is getting really popular these days in the name of &ldquo;Heli-Trekking&rdquo;. Aerial sightseeing flights over the heritage and tourist spots is being quite popular these days &nbsp;to have a glimpse of tourist spots within the Kathmandu Valley in a short time and from different angle.</div>
										<div>
											&nbsp;</div>
										<div>
											<span style="font-size: 16px;"><strong>Partnering Everest Skydive 2013</strong></span></div>
										<div>
											Fishtail Air has been operating flights for Everest Skydive from Syangboche Airport this year continuing the trend that has been in operations for seven years. &nbsp;AS350B3 Helicopter 9N-AJI of Fishtail Air is operating at least three flight loads for the Skydive every day. Exclusive partner for this extreme event since its launch in 2007, Fishtail Air also made the flight load with French national Marc Kopp who set a record for being the first disable person to skydive in the shadow of Everest from the ceiling altitude of above 22000 ft on 27 October 2013. Fishtail Air, has also been involved in carrying the skydivers back to Kathmandu after their successful dives.</div>
										<div>
											&nbsp;</div>
										<div>
											<span style="font-size: 16px;"><strong>Spring of 2013</strong></span></div>
										<div>
											The company says that the spring season of 2013 ended with a productive spell. From the beginning of the season in March, Fishtail Air carried out more than 200 rescue flights as well as cargo shipments of over 1,00,000 kilograms. A handful number of mountain flights and search flights were conducted specially in the Everest and Dhaulagiri regions. During this season, one of the highest helicopter rescue operation was carried out at the altitude of 7,800 metre between Camp III and Camp IV of Mt. Everest. During those few months, B3 Helicopter was stationed in Lukla to provide quick services to the foreigners as well as Nepalis. Similarly, one of the helicopters was stationed in Simikot to assist and support pilgrimage tours to Mount Kailash during emergencies.</div>
									</div>
								</div>
							</div>
						</div>
					</div>
				</div>
			</td>
		</tr>
	</tbody>
</table>
<p>
	&nbsp;</p>',
			'published' => true,
			'created' => '2013-12-23',
			'modified' => '2013-12-30',
			'keywords' => 'the corporate weekly from Nepal, nepali corporate events – news – interviews – reviews, nepali corporate focus, nepali corporate status and news, news from nepali corporate industry, corporate happenings – events – news from nepal',
			'description' => 'Fishtail Air Pvt Ltd, established in 1887 has grown leaps and bounds to reach the current position of being one of the leading helicopter companies of Nepal. The company is currently operating with three helicopters and is planning to add two more for peak seasons. With the expansion of the fleet and strength of services, Suman Pandey, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Fishtail Air hopes to serve more customers and is quite satisfied with what the company has done so far.',
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	(int) 11 => array(
		'Article' => array(
			'id' => '2271',
			'article_category_id' => '122',
			'title' => 'Sakya Group: Refined Hospitality',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => null,
			'content' => '<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	<strong>--By Gaurav Aryal</strong></div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<table align="right" style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 10px;" width="25">
	<tbody>
		<tr>
			<td>
				<img alt="Yogendra Sakya, Chairman, Sakya Group" src="/userfiles/images/SP1%20(Copy).jpg" style="border-width: 0px; border-style: solid; width: 200px; height: 221px;" /></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td bgcolor="#FFFFFF">
				<div align="center">
					<div style="text-align: center;">
						<div>
							<strong>Yogendra Sakya</strong></div>
						<div>
							Chairman, Sakya Group</div>
					</div>
				</div>
			</td>
		</tr>
	</tbody>
</table>
<div>
	Sakya Group is a journey from gold craftsmanship to the glittering hospitality business. Sakyas of Kathmandu Valley have been known for their expertise in the jewellery business. Family of Bashanta Bahadur Sakya, one of the founders of the group was continuing the lineage of jewellery business and had a store at Ason of Kathmandu until early 1970s. When he turned colour blind, he had to deviate from his ancestral profession.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	The journey of their business took a new turn with the establishment of Kathmandu Guest House (KGH) at Thamel in 1970s. Basanta Bahadur Sakya and his brother Karna Sakya turned their residential property, a Victorian palace built by Ranas into a 13 room hotel. Thamel then was a field where jackals roamed freely even during the day, say its promoters. KGH was followed by new hotels namely, Hotel Ambassador (1978), Marcopolo Business hotel (1998) and Club Himalaya Nagarkot (1998). Later, this joint-family split around the year 2000 and the KHG, a well-known brand, went to Karna Sakya while his nephews got some other businesses.&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	<span style="font-size:14px;"><strong>The New Brand Journey</strong></span></div>
<div>
	Yogendra Sakya, Chairman of Sakya Group, says it was painful to suddenly lose the KGH association and start fresh. He adds that it was painful also because he was personally looking after the KGH. Meanwhile, he invested in Ace Institute of Management and Ace Development Bank as one of the major promoters. He branded his hotels as Ace Hotels and Resorts. Currently, Hotel Ambassador Lazimpat and Chhauni, Marcopolo Business Hotel, Club Himalaya Nagarkot, Trek-O-Tel Hotel, The Tea House Inn and Shanti Ban Resort are in operation under this umbrella brand of Ace Hotels. Though he lost the KGH brand name, his expertise gained since 1970s as professional hoteliers remained intact with him. This proved to be strong base needed for advancing in the hospitality business.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	One of the transformation during the rebranding process was promoting Ace Hotels and Resorts as a mid range hotels, a move from the image of budget hotel. Club Himalaya Resort is the signature hotel that assisted in this transformation. Sakya explains, &ldquo;We are not five star hotels and we have targeted our brand at adventure tourists. We know that they don&rsquo;t come for luxury. This is the market of Nepal and our speciality too.&rdquo;</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	Sakya family invests and also manages the groups&rsquo; hotel wing while Sakya Investment Company makes investment in various sectors. According to Sakya, the company has invested in banking and financial sectors and they are one of the promoters in Nepal Investment Bank and Ace Development Bank. Likewise the company has investments in real estate as well as a printing press. Similarly, Idea Group has investment in the education industry through Malpi Group of Schools. Sakya says that the group&rsquo;s total investment crosses Rs 1 billion and makes an annual turnover of around Rs 1.25 billion.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	<span style="font-size:14px;"><strong>Business Expansion</strong></span></div>
<div>
	The group is rebuilding Hotel Ambassador Lazimpat from the ground. The group demolished its building when the road expansion drive of Kathmandu needed to break a portion of hotel. Sakya says that the hotel will be built as a four star property in next two years. He reveals that Rs 300 million is invested in the rebuilding and he is expecting that the budget will cross its limit. Sakya says that he took the challenge as an opportunity and only the time will tell that it is for the better.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	For the time being, guests of Hotel Ambassador, Lazimpat are accommodated at Hotel Ambassador, Chh auni. Sakya says that the buildings at Chhauni were designed as apartment for the Sakya family. But the need turned it into the hotel and he adds that it was mainly done to keep the Hotel Ambassador open for two years &ndash; until the construction completes at Lazimpat. However, Sakya says that he has plans to continue this property at Chhauni as an apartment hotel. Ambassador Chhauni has 25 rooms and 14 apartments.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	The group has a couple of other hotels in the pipeline. Sakya says that the group had planned to complete Sakya Heritage Hotel targeting upmarket clients at Nagpokhari. The plan has been postponed because of the demolition of Ambassador that required priority to reconstruct. Along with that the group is planning to complete the resort project in Chitwan &ndash; Club Wilderness, after present projects are completed. Sakya says that the Club Wilderness project was postponed considering the surge in the number of new hotels and lodges in Chitwan.Stating that the project is not dropped, he adds that the resort will be built with a new concept of serving tourists especially visiting both Chitwan and Lumbini.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	Sakya says that he wants to go step by step in the business rather than jumping at once into 10 hotel projects. &ldquo;We start a business small and let it grow. Once it stands firmly on solid ground, we move forward,&rdquo; says Sakya.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	<img alt="" src="/userfiles/images/SP3%20(Copy).jpg" style="width: 550px; height: 629px; margin-left: 10px; margin-right: 10px;" /></div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	<span style="font-size:14px;"><strong>Opportunities Galore</strong></span></div>
<div>
	Sakya believes that China and India are Nepal&rsquo;s two economic giant neighbours, from where tourists can walk, fly or ride to Kathmandu. He predicts that these two countries will be the biggest tourism market for Nepal. &ldquo;Nepal&rsquo;s tourism was discovered. We never planted it,&rdquo; he says expressing discontent with the tourism promotion strategy. He suggests that Nepal should be going directly to the consumers when it comes to promotion rather than to the tour operators. &ldquo;There is a huge untapped market for us. &nbsp;If we can explore Chinese and Indian markets, we can bring two million tourists every year. The only challenge is in finding way to reach the consumers,&rdquo;&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	he adds.&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	The trend of bringing international chain hotel brands has revived in Nepal with big names like Marriot and Sheraton landing in Nepal soon. &nbsp;However, Sakya rules out the possibility of his group&rsquo;s partnership with an international brand.&ldquo;You don&rsquo;t have to borrow international name to succeed. Rise of the Internet, and e-marketing, has enabled clients to analyse features of local brand right on their devices. Local names too can be sold through this channel. Individual products can be directly brought to the customers attention and sold well.&rdquo; At present, 20 per cent of total sales in the tourism industry are made through online booking, says Sakya. He explains that there are big opportunities for local products for creating independent brand name. &ldquo;We would like to make our own hotel chain at the domestic level, if not international,&rdquo; adds Sakya.&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<table border="0" cellpadding="10" width="99%">
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										<span style="font-size:16px;"><strong>Some Companies under Group</strong></span></div>
									<div>
										&bull;<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Hotel Ambassador, Lazimpat</div>
									<div>
										&bull;<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Hotel Ambassador, Chhauni</div>
									<div>
										&bull;<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Marcopolo Business Hotel</div>
									<div>
										&bull;<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Club Himalaya Nagarkot</div>
									<div>
										&bull;<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Trek-O-Tel Hotel</div>
									<div>
										&bull;<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Shati Ban Resort</div>
									<div>
										&bull;<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>The Tea House Inn</div>
									<div>
										&bull;<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>MarcoPolo Travels Nepal</div>
									<div>
										&bull;<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Ace Development Bank</div>
									<div>
										&bull;<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Nepal Investment Bank</div>
									<div>
										&bull;<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Malpi Group of Schools</div>
									<div>
										&bull;<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>IT Himalaya &ndash; A Dutch- Nepali Joint Venture</div>
									<div>
										&bull;<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Mata International</div>
									<div>
										&nbsp;</div>
									<div>
										<img alt="Ace Development Bank" src="/userfiles/images/SP4%20(Copy).jpg" style="width: 550px; height: 458px; margin-left: 10px; margin-right: 10px;" /></div>
									<div>
										&nbsp;</div>
									<div>
										<span style="font-size:16px;"><strong>Hands-on Management&nbsp;</strong></span></div>
									<div>
										Being professional hoteliers, Sakyas love to invest as well as manage their hotel and resort projects. So, the Sakya couple and also the next generation businessmen are looking after their hospitality ventures. Yogendra Sakya looks after finance and planning while his son and daughter are looking after product development and marketing respectively. &ldquo;Weare professionally hoteliers. Elsewhere we are just investors,&rdquo; Sakya explains who is also a Hotel Management graduate.</div>
									<div>
										&nbsp;</div>
									<div>
										Currently,300 employees are working in the hotel projects alone. Lately unionisation has become one of the major challenges for the management, Sakya says. His companies do not have unions apart from Club Himalaya because he deals directly with the staff in other hotels. Though some responsibilities are taken by the promoters too, the management team looks after all major responsibilities. Sakya communicates personally with his managers daily and spends around two hours every day to review the progress of the hotel. He says that the Internet and technology has greatly assisted the management process.</div>
									<div>
										&nbsp;</div>
									<div>
										<span style="font-size:16px;"><strong>Direct &amp; Holistic CSR</strong></span></div>
									<div>
										Sakya Group believes more in direct involving in activities that contribute to the overall development of the community and the area, rather than providing financial support to causes. &ldquo;There must be something that we do on our own,&rdquo; he said while giving an example of group&rsquo;s contribution to Nagarkot.</div>
									<div>
										&nbsp;</div>
									<div>
										He recalls that there was no proper road when Club Himalaya was established in Nagarkot and the group strongly advocated for proper road construction. Sakya takes the road development in Nagarkot as an important part of tourism development there and an important corporate social responsibility undertaken by his group.</div>
									<div>
										&nbsp;</div>
									<div>
										Similarly, the group also provided drinking water facility to the locals and installed telephone tower at its resort premises. Likewise, a police station was established through the resort&rsquo;s initiation. Sakya claims that electricity supply was extended in the area due to his company&rsquo;s initiation. Staircase construction is ongoing at Mahadev Pokhari in Nagarkot. According to Sakya, various trainings are provided and a health post too is established in his company&rsquo;s partnership with local bodies. According to him, these development works are part of the group&rsquo;s belief in directly involving in development initiatives rather than just providing financial support.</div>
									<div>
										&nbsp;</div>
								</div>
							</div>
						</div>
					</div>
				</div>
			</td>
		</tr>
	</tbody>
</table>',
			'published' => true,
			'created' => '2013-12-16',
			'modified' => '2013-12-23',
			'keywords' => 'the corporate weekly from Nepal, nepali corporate events – news – interviews – reviews, nepali corporate focus, nepali corporate status and news, news from nepali corporate industry, corporate happenings – events – news from nepal',
			'description' => 'Sakya Group is a journey from gold craftsmanship to the glittering hospitality business. Sakyas of Kathmandu Valley have been known for their expertise in the jewellery business. Family of Bashanta Bahadur Sakya, one of the founders of the group was continuing the lineage of jewellery business and had a store at Ason of Kathmandu until early 1970s. When he turned colour blind, he had to deviate from his ancestral profession.',
			'sortorder' => '2119',
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	),
	(int) 12 => array(
		'Article' => array(
			'id' => '2227',
			'article_category_id' => '122',
			'title' => 'Hama Group: Strong As Steel',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => null,
			'content' => '<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	<strong>--By Gaurav Aryal</strong></div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<table align="right" style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 10px;" width="25">
	<tbody>
		<tr>
			<td>
				<img alt="Bal Krishna Shrestha, Chairman, Hama Group" src="/userfiles/images/bks%20(Copy).jpg" style="border-width: 0px; border-style: solid; width: 200px; height: 221px;" /></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td bgcolor="#FFFFFF">
				<div align="center">
					<div style="text-align: center;">
						<div>
							<div>
								<strong>Bal Krishna Shrestha</strong></div>
							<div>
								<em>Chairman, Hama Group</em></div>
						</div>
					</div>
				</div>
			</td>
		</tr>
	</tbody>
</table>
<div>
	Hama Group was not built in a day. The group developed through rigorous planning and hard work of its ChairmanBal Krishna Shrestha. Though belonging to a lineage of traders,who have been in the trading business for several generations, Shrestha laid the foundation of the group on his own. His family inspired him to dream and to work hard to materialise them. He envisioned the group and till date actively continues to plan its future, along with his partners</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	Shrestha&rsquo;s family was in the garment business for five generations when he learned business basics. However, the learning process for him was not as smooth as butter. Being the first person in the Shrestha family to get educated, he was criticised and questioned about his formal learning and education by his seniors. His parents were involved in retailing of garments imported from India. The store at Makhan of Kathmandu,established by his great-great-grandfather,is still in operation.&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	While Shrestha was pursuing his graduate degree, his uncles used to ask him the worth of his studies as his pursuit would only land him as an employee. And, it pinched Shrestha deep and was determined to have a business of his own without getting any financial support from his family. Consequently he completed his B.Com.,joined government serviceas a Section Officer and completed M.Com., and Masters in Economics without any financial assistance from his family members.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	<span style="font-size:14px;"><strong>Start-up Business</strong></span></div>
<div>
	While in public service, he sensed the need and demand for development goods such as steel, cement, galvanised sheets, pipes and other goods to address the needs of an emerging and developing Nepal.But, to materialize such vision one needs capital, and during those days all he had with him was education and trust of people around him. He borrowed some money from his colleagues and started a hardware store at Teku along with three partners.This marks the inception of Hama Group.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	Shrestha had started teaching at a college and during the same time he was transferredto National Planning Commission. There, he learned much more about development process. While he was busy with his job, his partners looked after the store and he used to join them after office hours.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	Shrestha says that business performed way better than he had imagined initially. &ldquo;We all worked hard and we wall were dedicated and honest to our work. And, we kept the fire in us hot,&rdquo; he says. While the business of hardware sales was doing well, he started importing goods from China and selling here.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	<span style="font-size:14px;"><strong>Impediments</strong></span></div>
<div>
	Shrestha had ordered goods from China for the third time in 1977. Unfortunately, goods were stolen at Calcutta Port. He says that incident made a loss of Rs 5 million to the company.&ldquo;That did not discourage me. I did not lose anything. I just lost what I had earned,&rdquo; he shares. &nbsp;He recalls that he sold everythinghe had, to payback bank loans. Additionally, dealers and suppliers with whom he had been working denied supplying goods.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	This unfortunate event did not discourage him, but forced him &nbsp;to start from the scratch to bounce back into business. After being refused of goods delivery by existing dealers and traders, he took it as a challenge and decided to produce steel products.But, starting a factory was not free of hurdles. Though financing was challenging Shrestha says that money is not a problem for a working person. He acquired operational license of Hama Steel in 1988 and started the factory by borrowing loans from banks.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	<span style="font-size:14px;"><strong>Venture Expansion</strong></span></div>
<div>
	After the success of steel company, the group started production of various other products through its specific companies such as Allied Industries, Hama Wires, Hama Tech and factories producing water pumps and pipes. The group now has a cement factory in its pipeline.&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	Similarly, Shrestha says that the group has recently upgraded its Hama Steel factory for the third time. The factory, started in 1988, was upgraded to fully automated system in 2000 through an investment of Rs 250 million. Now the factory is &nbsp;fully computerised. Shrestha claims that Hama Steel is probably the only steel factory in Nepal to be fuly computerised. He says that the production through the new system will begin next month. The group has invested Rs 480 million for the latest upgradation.&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	The factory has an installed production capacity of 400 tonnes a day when operated for 16 hours. According to Shrestha, the capacity will be even more if the factory can be operated for 20 hours. He adds that the new system will also help reduce the cost of production.&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	<span style="font-size:14px;"><strong>Quality Promises</strong></span></div>
<div>
	The group has never compromised with the quality offerings. Shrestha says that the company never uses low quality billets for producing steel products. &ldquo;Our products meet the highest quality standards and have been used by corporate houses, embassies, government agencies and the general public,&rdquo; says Shrestha. Hama brand has been a trusted name by national and international projects operating in Nepal. US Embassy is one of them along with Russian and Japanese projects that have used Hama products in their construction projects.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	<span style="font-size:14px;"><strong>The Roadmap</strong></span></div>
<div>
	Shrestha sees everlasting needand demand for development goods. He believes that new business possibilities and new market will be created once political problems start getting resolved. He says that domestic industries would be encouraged if the government&rsquo;s provision of using local products for public procurement is materialised..</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	The group is dedicated to take its companies to the next level in its area of specialisations. Shrestha is content over the progress made by the group so far. As a part of business expansion, the group has also invested in service industry, particularly in health, education, banking and insurance sectors.&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	The group has plans to establish a hotel soon in partnership with an international hotel chain. Once the recent upgradation comes into form, Shrestha says that his group will concentrate on new ventures. He reveals that the group is also planning factories for melting steel and wire drawing.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	The group has plans to set up a cement factory that will be producing cement under its brand name Hama. Currently, HamaTech and Shalimar brands of cement are being produced by the group in partnership with other investors from the business fraternity. Shrestha says that the new factory will come into operation within a year.Similarly, energy is also one of the sectors of interest for the group. The group has a 4.5 MW Maikhola hydropower project in its portfolio and another new project in its pipeline.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	The group has invested over Rs 1 billion in its various ventures and registers an annual turnover of Rs 5 billion and has been annually adding Rs 500 million to the state coffers through taxes and other payments. Shrestha says that the turnover for the next year is targeted at Rs 10 billion.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<table border="0" cellpadding="10" width="99%">
	<tbody>
		<tr>
			<td bgcolor="#E5E4E2">
				<div>
					<div>
						<div>
							<div>
								<div>
									<span style="font-size:16px;"><strong>Naming of Hama</strong></span></div>
								<div>
									Bal Krishna Shrestha, Chairman of Hama Group borrowed the name Hama for his steel company from the Port of Yokohama from where Japan used to import raw materials for steel production and export finished goods. Hama was a lucky charm for Shrestha. Similarly, Shrestha who considers himself a devotee of Harati Mata linked the brand name to his devotion too. Likewise, Shrestha says that HA in Newari means seed and MA means fruit. He says that if seeds are good, the harvest of that fruit is eventually high.</div>
								<div>
									&nbsp;</div>
								<div>
									<span style="font-size:16px;"><strong>Management</strong></span></div>
								<div>
									Shrestha and his group have always had belief in professional management and professionalism as corporate philosophy. Independent management teams of each of the group&rsquo;s 10 companies looks after the daily management and human resources of their respective companies. The HR department looks after issues related to 450 employees working in various companies of the Hama Group. Shrestha says that employees are his assets and the company has been able to make them happy and satisfied. Likewise, the promoters do not have to look after the daily management and functioning of any of the companies. Shrestha gets updated about the daily progress through periodic meetings and through the Internet.He says that corporate culture is well developed in the group.</div>
								<div>
									&nbsp;</div>
								<div>
									<span style="font-size:16px;"><strong>CSR&nbsp;</strong></span></div>
								<div>
									Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) activities are highly prioritised by the group. Shrestha believes in creating benefits to larger number of people and the society rather than just making profits through business. As a part of CSR activities, the group provided scholarships to 14 needy students under SOS from Far Western Region. Similarly, the group has been providing education to children of employees of the group for free. Shrestha shares a plan to establish an elderly home in the name of his parents. Out of its social service fund, the group has invested in hospital projects too.&nbsp;</div>
								<div>
									&nbsp;</div>
								<div>
									<span style="font-size:16px;"><strong>Major Milestones of the Group</strong></span></div>
								<div>
									1988: Establishment of Hama Steel&nbsp;</div>
								<div>
									1995: Hama Steel received the Nepal Standard (NS) mark</div>
								<div>
									1997: Hama Steel upgraded production capacity&nbsp;</div>
								<div>
									1998: Hama Wires established</div>
								<div>
									2000: Hama Steel further upgraded production capacity and received ISO 9001:2000 certification for excellent quality management system</div>
								<div>
									2001: Hama Steel received NS Quality Award</div>
								<div>
									2004: Hama Steel started production of HAMA TMT Re-bars</div>
								<div>
									2005: Started production of HAMA-500 Re-bars</div>
								<div>
									2007: TQM Activities were initiated to maintain quality management.&nbsp;</div>
								<div>
									2008: Hama Iron and Steel started production of Super Grip Re-bars (SG Re-Bars)</div>
								<div>
									2013: Upgraded Hama Steel into a fully computerised system</div>
							</div>
						</div>
					</div>
				</div>
			</td>
		</tr>
	</tbody>
</table>
<p>
	&nbsp;</p>',
			'published' => true,
			'created' => '2013-12-09',
			'modified' => '2013-12-16',
			'keywords' => 'the corporate weekly from Nepal, nepali corporate events – news – interviews – reviews, nepali corporate focus, nepali corporate status and news, news from nepali corporate industry, corporate happenings – events – news from nepal',
			'description' => 'Hama Group was not built in a day. The group developed through rigorous planning and hard work of its ChairmanBal Krishna Shrestha. Though belonging to a lineage of traders,who have been in the trading business for several generations, Shrestha laid the foundation of the group on his own',
			'sortorder' => '2071',
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	(int) 13 => array(
		'Article' => array(
			'id' => '2189',
			'article_category_id' => '122',
			'title' => 'Muktishree Group: Getting Ambitious',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => null,
			'content' => '<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	<strong>--By Gaurav Aryal</strong></div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<table align="right" style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 10px;" width="25">
	<tbody>
		<tr>
			<td>
				<img alt="Arun Raj Sumargi Founder, Muktishree Group of Companies" src="/userfiles/images/ars%20(Copy).jpg" style="border-width: 0px; border-style: solid; width: 200px; height: 219px;" /></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td bgcolor="#FFFFFF">
				<div align="center">
					<div style="text-align: center;">
						<div>
							<strong>Arun Raj Sumargi</strong></div>
						<div>
							Founder, Muktishree Group of Companies</div>
					</div>
				</div>
			</td>
		</tr>
	</tbody>
</table>
<div>
	M<span style="font-size: 12px;">uktishree Group of Companies, one of the emerging business houses of Nepal, has ambitious plans to grow as a successful enterprise that benefits the national economy and people at large. The group has a clear vision to create employment opportunity for 100,000 people in a decade. According to Arun Raj Sumargi, Founder of the group, this target is not only their vision but also a motto.</span></div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	&ldquo;We are not saying that we will employ 100,000 workers in one of our industries but we want to be the creator of employment to these many people through forward and backward linkages,&rdquo; Sumargi explains. To achieve this goal, the group is looking forward to explore sectors such as tourism, hydropower, telecommunication and manufacturing and take them to a new level. He believes that the group&rsquo;s investment in these sectors would be greatly contributing to create direct as well as indirect employment to people through both forward and backward linkages. Sumargi says, &ldquo;As entrepreneurs, we try to understand the need of the people as well as of the state, find a meeting point and work on that. Such projects are supported by people also.&rdquo;</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	<span style="font-size:14px;"><strong>New Attractions</strong></span></div>
<div>
	Muktishree group sees huge business potentials in the biggest scarcity the nation is currently facing &ndash; energy crisis. For over a decade, the group has been consistently working on setting a foothold in the energy production industry. &ldquo;Energy crisis is the biggest headache for Nepal now. We are focused on how to find a solution to this problem and working with an aim to create large number of jobs in the country and help to increase domestic production,&rdquo; explains Sumargi.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	The group has a number of hydropower projects ranging from small to megaprojects. According to Sumargi, a 32 MW hydropower project is currently under development in Dhading. He says that there are other megaprojects in the pipeline. &ldquo;We are in the process of finalising a 600 MW project in the near future,&rdquo; he reveals adding that the group is also eyeing large projects like Upper Karnali. He adds that the agreement with foreign investors is not yet finalised because of changing political scenario as large project cannot be completed without foreign investments. He believes that apart from foreign investment, large project also need technical and managerial resources from abroad.&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	Along with the hydropower generation, the group is coming up with a large scale cement factory in Surkhet. &nbsp;Sumargi says that the first phase work of the factory has been completed along with construction of the road leading to the factory site. The group has also been exploring potentialities of producing new varieties of cement that have been not produced earlier in Nepal.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	Similarly, the group is planning to establish a four to five star hotel in a prime location of Kathmandu. Sumargi says that land acquisition process for this venture has been completed and talks to find an international hotel chain for partnership are underway.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	<span style="font-size:14px;"><strong>Corporate Philosophy</strong></span></div>
<div>
	Muktishree group is working to develop itself as a model business group. Sumargi says, &ldquo;Rather than just making money and enjoying the wealth, we are looking on how to create greater benefits for the people.&rdquo; He says that cooperation and understanding is the way of working and making business decisions. &ldquo;We discuss every major issue and if two among five of us give different suggestions we think over that from different angles. We cooperate with each other, have positive thinking and communal thoughts and it has always been working for us,&rdquo; says Sumargi. He adds that if someone raises question over the group&rsquo;s activities, they try to find the reasons and point out the weakness so that they can improve themselves.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	The group has also kept its family values, culture and tradition intact. Sumargi shares his belief, &ldquo;Businesses guided solely on individual thinking and philosophies have vanished in the long run. We believe that the culture, tradition and belief must be kept intact. The name, culture and tradition we inherited from our father will be continued also in the future.&rdquo;</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	<span style="font-size:14px;"><strong>Specialisation Areas</strong></span></div>
<div>
	The group has always prioritised those industries that could utilise local resources and generate employment to local people. Sumargi says that the country can become self sustained only when local resources could be properly utilised within the country. &ldquo;Industries based on raw material imports would only be a short term business,&rdquo; he says giving examples of carpet and garment industries. He says that there are prospects of Nepal being self sustaining in tourism, hydropower and mining.&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	Along with usage of local resources, the group has always focused on local market. Though it exports some of its &nbsp;mining products and drinking, those exports have been a means to get international recognition for the group. Currently, mineral water under Himalayas&rsquo; ONTOP brand is being exported to Middle East, Hong Kong, Korea , Japan and next month the company is exporting it to Gulf countries too. The water plant in Rasuwa produces 120,000 bottles per shift and the company is planning to produce in three shifts every day to increase the supply to new markets. According to Sumargi, the brand was listed among one of the best water among 11 countries during an exhibition of water producers in China. Likewise, 90 per cent of water is being consumed in Nepal while 10 per cent is currently being exported.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	The group&rsquo;s current area of specialisation in manufacturing and service industry came after the group started looking into new areas of business after 1990&rsquo;s changing political environment. Young entrepreneurs from Hetauda came to Kathmandu with a vision to supply aggregates to Kathmandu via the ropeway but could not be realised for various reasons. Then the company ventured into the telecommunication sector and launched the then Mero Mobile brand of GSM telephony service that brought the group into limelight.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	<span style="font-size:14px;"><strong>Growth and Development</strong></span></div>
<div>
	The group started with a mineral based industry by Madhav Raj Sumargi in 1972. During that time, he also had timber and transportation business, but these were closed down later. However, the mining and mineral based industry is still intact with the group.&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	The group has now developed into a conglomerate of around 21 businesses. Sumargi says that talking about group&rsquo;s turnover is too early as the group is still in its growth phase. &ldquo;We are still investing and under development, so we are in loan,&rdquo; says Sumargi. The group has so far invested Rs 100 billion in various sectors. Sumargi says that the investment is made through both foreign and domestic partners.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	The group has created 5000 direct employment and out of them, 1100 are in Makwanpur alone and in its companies based in Bhairahawa, Hetauda, Surkhet, Dang, Kathmandu and Rasuwa. Similarly, the group is coming up with a teaching hospital soon. And Sumargi says that the hospital will be based in Makwanpur. Though the group has numerous plans in its pipeline, Sumargi says that the national political situation would be the determining factor for new moves.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<table border="0" cellpadding="10" width="99%">
	<tbody>
		<tr>
			<td bgcolor="#E5E4E2">
				<div>
					<div>
						<div>
							<div>
								<span style="font-size:16px;"><strong>Group of Companies</strong></span></div>
							<div>
								&bull;Muktishree Telecom&nbsp;</div>
							<div>
								&bull;Muktishree Energy</div>
							<div>
								&bull;Muktishree Cement Industry</div>
							<div>
								&bull;Everest Minerals Products</div>
							<div>
								&bull;Hetauda Lime Industries</div>
							<div>
								&bull;Bindabasini Media</div>
							<div>
								&bull;Hetauda Education Foundation</div>
							<div>
								&bull;Nepal Satellite Telecom</div>
							<div>
								&nbsp;</div>
							<div>
								<span style="font-size:16px;"><strong>Some Projects of Muktishree Group</strong></span></div>
							<div>
								&bull;Karnali Chasipani Multipurpose Hydropower</div>
							<div>
								&bull;Puldumki River Hydro-power Project</div>
							<div>
								&bull;Lungri (1)River Hydropower Project</div>
							<div>
								&bull;Lungri (2) River Hydropower Project</div>
							<div>
								&bull;Malagad River Hydropower Project</div>
							<div>
								&bull;Luma River Hydropower Project</div>
							<div>
								&bull;Badigad River Hydropower Project</div>
							<div>
								&bull;Surkhet Cement Project</div>
							<div>
								&nbsp;</div>
							<div>
								<span style="font-size:16px;"><strong>Telecommunication</strong></span></div>
							<div>
								The group has seen prospects since its involvement with Spice Nepal Pvt Ltd. After the group withdrew its investment there, it has been involved with Hello Nepal. The group plans to aggressively penetrate its presence across the country. The company has met the requirement of the regulators to provide services in the rural areas. Along with GSM telephony services, the company is planning to aggressively promote PSTN services. The company has its presence in far western and mid western regions. The company has plans to expand its services to Kathmandu and eastern region within few months. Arun Raj Sumargi says, &ldquo;In two months we will be entering Chitwan and soon reaching all over the country along with major cities like Pokhara and Kathmandu.&rdquo;</div>
							<div>
								&nbsp;</div>
							<div>
								<span style="font-size:16px;"><strong>CSR Activities</strong></span></div>
							<div>
								As a part of its corporate social responsibilities (CSR), Muktishree group within a few days, is planning to hand over a Bhojan Prasadi Griha at Pashupatinath to the government. The group has made an investment of Rs 70 million for the building. Similarly, the group has contributed for various schools, hospitals and other social causes. Madhav Raj Sumargi Trust donated Rs 10 million to construct 10.5 kilometres of road in Hetauda. Necessary equipment for the road was provided by the government. Sumargi said that the government has allocated budget for the road in the current fiscal year and black topping of the road is undergoing. He claims that the road has addressed various issues of Hetauda bazaar.</div>
						</div>
					</div>
				</div>
			</td>
		</tr>
	</tbody>
</table>',
			'published' => true,
			'created' => '2013-12-02',
			'modified' => '2013-12-09',
			'keywords' => 'the corporate weekly from Nepal, nepali corporate events – news – interviews – reviews, nepali corporate focus, nepali corporate status and news, news from nepali corporate industry, corporate happenings – events – news from nepal',
			'description' => 'Muktishree Group of Companies, one of the emerging business houses of Nepal, has ambitious plans to grow as a successful enterprise that benefits the national economy and people at large. The group has a clear vision to create employment opportunity for 100,000 people in a decade.',
			'sortorder' => '2033',
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	(int) 14 => array(
		'Article' => array(
			'id' => '2144',
			'article_category_id' => '122',
			'title' => 'Lomus: Looking Beyond Borders',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => null,
			'content' => '<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	<strong>--By Gaurav Aryal</strong></div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<table align="right" border="0" cellpadding="1" cellspacing="1" style="float: right; margin: 0px 0px 10px 10px;">
	<tbody>
		<tr>
			<td>
				<img alt="Prabal Jung Pandey, Executive Director, Lomus Group" src="/userfiles/images/pjp%20(Copy).jpg" style="border-width: 0px; border-style: solid; width: 200px; height: 222px;" /></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td bgcolor="#FFFFFF">
				<div align="center">
					<div>
						<strong>Prabal Jung Pandey</strong></div>
					<div>
						Executive Director, Lomus Group</div>
				</div>
			</td>
		</tr>
	</tbody>
</table>
<div>
	If the Nepali government allows Nepali ventures to invest in foreign land, Lomus Pharmaceuticals and the group of companies would be one of the top industrial houses to rejoice. Prabal Jung Pandey, Executive Director of the group says that he would be happy when his group would go beyond borders. He wishes to take Lomus Pharmaceuticals Pvt Ltd, the group&rsquo;s flagship company and one of the leading pharmaceutical companies of Nepal, beyond borders.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	As a move towards this goal, the company is determined to increase the volume of its pharmaceutical products export to existing markets along with exploring new territories. According to Pandey, the company is exporting its products to four countries in Africa. &ldquo;We will be exporting to Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) countries soon. &nbsp;Necessary registration procedures have been completed and we are looking forward to exporting in large quantities,&rdquo; he shared.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	Pandey thinks that once the company starts mass export of products, of the current production plants capacities would not be enough. He opines that establishing plants in other countries would be helpful to supply products to meet the demand. However, existing laws restrict Nepali companies from investing in foreign land. &ldquo;The government should now think that the capable industries in Nepal should be allowed to invest in other countries. If someone is capable of investing abroad, and if s/he is working here successfully and if the profits come back to the country, there is no harm in allowing someone to invest abroad,&rdquo; Pandey said arguing against the government&rsquo;s restriction that is hindering the company&rsquo;s expansion plan.&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	He says that Lomus Pharmaceuticals has reached almost a saturation point in the Nepali market and there is very little room for expansion in the domestic market. He further claims that the company leads Nepal&rsquo;s pharmaceutical market with four per cent of the market share.&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	<span style="font-size:14px;"><strong>Group&rsquo;s Inception</strong></span></div>
<div>
	Lomus Pharmaceuticals is the first manufacturing venture of the group, started by Pradeep Jung Pandey, Vice President of Federation of Nepalese Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FNCCI) and father of Prabal Jung Pandey. Pandey gives credit to his father for establishing the company and taking it to the pinnacle. The company was established with its first factory at Gongabu in Kathmandu, 25 years ago. In its initial days, it used to produce around 40 pharmaceutical products. And, the group kept on taking gradual and careful steps for its expansion and growth. With a special focus on expanding the market, it kept on increasing the production capacity. A decade ago, a big move was made to establish a 15000 square feet production plant at Gothatar, one of the largest pharmaceuticals production units of the country.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	Pandeys always have had the belief that one should not be investing in a new venture unless the existing one is sustainable. &ldquo;We do not believe in jumping into many ventures at once. We try to stabilise the existing one and keep it expanding so that it is self sustaining,&rdquo; Pandey added.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	<span style="font-size:14px;"><strong>The Expansion</strong></span></div>
<div>
	The Pandey family came with its second venture 11 years ago - Cosmos Cement Industries Pvt Ltd.The company could not pick up immediately because of the ongoing armed conflict and the Madhesh movement that followed, recalls Pandey. The company was virtually in a status quo for almost five years after its establishment. The company is currently producing cement by grinding clinkers. However, it has plans to come up with its own clinker producing unit by utilising local raw material &ndash; limestone.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	Pandey reveals that as prerequisite of setting up a clinker production unit, two limestone mines are being excavated in Udaypur district. A feasibility study for setting up the plant has been completed and the essential land for it has been acquired after carrying out IEE and EIA.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	Likewise, another clinker producing unit is under construction in Janakpur. Initially this plant will be producing 700 tonnes of clinkers daily. Pandey says that once the unit completes its trial phase, its capacity will be increased gradually and is expected to reach 1200 tonnes per day within a year. He says that the plant will be catering to the high demand of cement in the eastern part of the country. Targeting this market, around nine months back, a cement factory with a production capacity of 400 tonnes per day was installed in Biratnagar. Similarly, one factory is under operation in Janakpur. The current expansion is being made with a total investment of Rs 1.5 billion.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	When the second generation businessmen in the Pandey family joined the business, set-up by their father, they took the business to new and varied sectors so that the three brothers can look after one of the sectors each. Now the group is involved in banking and financial sector, mining, cement production and pharmaceuticals. Pandey says that the group is willing to take pharmaceuticals and cement production companies to the next level in the near future. He reveals that the group is also planning to come with Ayurvedic medicines soon. These medicines will be branded uniquely and will be sold in the global market. Currently the group is employing 300 people in its group of companies other than financial institutions.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	<span style="font-size:14px;"><strong>Branding Consolidation</strong></span></div>
<div>
	The parent company of the group, Lomus Pharmaceuticals has become a well known brand name in the pharmaceutical industry. Pandey says that the recognition the company has got is because of the quality &nbsp;that the company has promised and delivered in its range of products. He says that the company does not compromise on quality and believes that products should be easily available at affordable price.&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	Similarly, Tej Cement is a popular brand in the eastern Nepal. Popularity of this brand has encouraged the company to expand its production unit and add new factories.&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	However the group has not yet given serious thoughts of branding the entire group under a consolidated name. Pandey hints the possibility of it in the future but not anytime soon.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	Pandey shares that all of the companies under the group are growing annually at a healthy rate of 20 per cent in average. The group registers an annual turnover of Rs 3 billion per year. He is quite satisfied with this progress but sees room for improvement. He adds, &ldquo;I will be the happiest entrepreneur if we can make our name popular worldwide. &nbsp;I dream of making Lomus an international company and a brand name recognised everywhere.&rdquo;</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<table border="0" cellpadding="10" width="99%">
	<tbody>
		<tr>
			<td bgcolor="#E5E4E2">
				<div>
					<div>
						<div>
							<span style="font-size:16px;"><strong>Companies Associated</strong></span></div>
						<div>
							&bull;<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Lomus Pharmaceuticals Pvt Ltd</div>
						<div>
							&bull;<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Cosmos Cement Industries Pvt Ltd</div>
						<div>
							&bull;<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>International Leasing and Finance Co Ltd</div>
						<div>
							&bull;<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Data Hub Pvt Ltd</div>
						<div>
							&bull;<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Lomus Investment Co Pvt Ltd</div>
						<div>
							&bull;<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Cosmos Quarries Pvt Ltd</div>
						<div>
							&bull;<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Udaypur Mineral Tech Pvt Ltd</div>
						<div>
							&nbsp;</div>
						<div>
							<span style="font-size:16px;"><strong>Core sectors of the group</strong></span></div>
						<div>
							<span style="font-size:14px;"><strong>Pharmaceuticals</strong></span></div>
						<div>
							Pharmaceutical is one of the core areas of the group and the parent business for it. Lomus Pharmaceuticals Pvt Ltd is one of the market leaders in Nepal&rsquo;s pharmaceuticals market. This company produces 400 products. However, its factory is operating for just 12 hours a day due to power supply problem. Apart from supplying its products to the general medicine market, the company also supplies to government.</div>
						<div>
							&nbsp;</div>
						<div>
							<span style="font-size:14px;"><strong>Cement and Mining Industry</strong></span></div>
						<div>
							Cement production is one of the strong sectors of the group. The group has allocated two mining companies for its cement industries. Cosmos Quarries Pvt Ltd and Udaypur Mineral Tech are taking up the responsibility of limestone mining. However, the group is open for exploring new area for mining. Pandey sees potentials in copper and iron mining but transportation and electricity are the pre-requisites which he expects that the government should ensure.&nbsp;</div>
						<div>
							&nbsp;</div>
						<div>
							<span style="font-size:14px;"><strong>Financial Sector</strong></span></div>
						<div>
							The group has presence in the banking and financial sector with three companies as one of the promoter shareholders. International Leasing and Finance Company Limited had a plan for upgrading to a commercial bank but could not do so in the lack of legal provision to do so. However, it has now plans to go for merger. Pandey says that merger talks are going with few financial institutions and he expects that these talks will conclude within the next five months. Apart from it, the group is involved with Citizens Bank International and Shikhar Insurance Company Limited. Similarly, the group has a presence in merchant banking sector through its Lomus Investment Co Pvt Ltd.</div>
						<div>
							&nbsp;</div>
						<div>
							<span style="font-size:14px;"><strong>Data Centre</strong></span></div>
						<div>
							Recently, the group has set up a data centre, Data Hub Pvt Ltd at Thapathali targeting financial institutions and corporate houses. The centre was established to mitigate the risk to the huge database of these companies due to natural and other accidents. &nbsp;The group has set up this centre in partnership with other business houses. According to Pandey, the centre was set up in coordination with a company from Singapore that meets international standards. As of now, the centre has around a dozen banks in its clients base. &nbsp;Currently the data bank has a capacity to store data of around 40 companies. Pandey is looking forward to have provision and guidelines regarding data management of financial institutions form the central bank.</div>
						<div>
							&nbsp;</div>
						<div>
							<span style="font-size:14px;"><strong>Hydropower</strong></span></div>
						<div>
							The group has investments in the hydropower sector too. One of its projects, Tawa Khola, a 5MW hydropower plant is currently in operation. Similarly, it is planning to come up with a 42 MW project in the near future.</div>
					</div>
				</div>
			</td>
		</tr>
	</tbody>
</table>',
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			'created' => '2013-11-25',
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			'description' => 'Lomus Pharmaceuticals and the group of companies take every step carefully while investing in a new sector. The group, if allowed by the law, looks forward to invest abroad.',
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			'title' => 'Begani Group Strengthening Its Network',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => null,
			'content' => '<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	<strong>--By Gaurav Aryal</strong></div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<table align="right" style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 10px;" width="25">
	<tbody>
		<tr>
			<td>
				<img alt="Amit Kumar Begani, CEO, Begani Group" src="/userfiles/images/s2%20(Copy)(1).jpg" style="border-width: 0px; border-style: solid; width: 200px; height: 217px;" /></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td bgcolor="#FFFFFF">
				<div align="center">
					<div>
						<strong>Amit Kumar Begani</strong></div>
					<div>
						CEO, Begani Group</div>
				</div>
			</td>
		</tr>
	</tbody>
</table>
<div>
	Begani Group&rsquo;s business seeds were sowed two decades ago with the launch of trading company by the first generation businessperson of the family. This trading company imported goods from China based on market and customer needs. Though initially small in quantity, later on the trade volume expanded. The company imported products ranging from shoes, umbrella to cars.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	However, presently the trading wing is not as active as it was in the past. At present, the group has shed the trader identity and is trying to develop &lsquo;manufacturing house&rsquo; identity for itself. The company started the manufacturing industry around one and a half decades ago. Amit Kumar Begani, CEO of the Group, who is the second generation businessperson in the family, says that his group produces vegetable ghee, vegetable oils in the food industry and woven fabrics in the plastic segment.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	<span style="font-size:14px;"><strong>Manufacturing Shift</strong></span></div>
<div>
	Food items were one of the major imports from China of the group&rsquo;s trading wing. While importing food items and sellingthem in the local market, Beganis comprehended the potential market for food products and decided to manufacture their own products instead of just trading. Considering the potential and prospects, the group started manufacturing vegetable ghee. In the days thereafter, the group gradually decreased the volume of imports of goods from China and started concentrating in the newly established venture.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	At present, the group is fully committed to the manufacturing sector though it has only two manufacturing companies, Nandan Ghee and Oil Industries and Nekon-KB Plasto Engineering Industries Pvt Ltd, in its portfolio.The oil factory produces soyabean oil, sunflower oil and vegetable ghee under Nandan and Suruchi brands. Similarly, the plastic manufacturing unit produces packaging woven sacks for sugar, rice and other similar products.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	Elaborating on the factors for which the group invested in oil industry, Begani pointed that as a daily consumer product, the products have a stable and high demand. Similarly, he said that they invested in the plastic industry considering the need for supportive industry like theirs. He finds both of these industries essential for industrial development.&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	<span style="font-size:14px;"><strong>Market Positioning</strong></span></div>
<div>
	Terai and hilly regions are the niche market for the company&rsquo;s product. Though the company does not considers urban centres like Kathmandu as its target market, Begani informed that the Nandan and Suruchi oil brands do hold a small share of these markets. Likewise, the plastic factory has found its majority market abroad. Begani shares that 80 percent of woven fabrics and sacks are exported to India while 20 per cent is supplied to industrial customers within Nepal.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	The group has plans to improve its current market positioning. It is planning to expand its product portfolio and improve the quality of its existing products to gain competitive advantage in urban markets, where it looks forward to enter with a strongbranding and marketing campaign very soon. &nbsp;</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	<span style="font-size:14px;"><strong><img alt="Begani Group" src="/userfiles/images/s3%20(Copy)(1).jpg" style="float: right; margin: 0px 0px 0px 10px;width: 300px; height: 347px;" />New Activities</strong></span></div>
<div>
	Begani feels that the investment climate is yet to become favourable for investing in new ventures. One of the reasons, he finds acute in feeling so, is power shortage. Considering this feeling, he says that his company is working towards consolidating its existing market along with extending marketing for the company&rsquo;s product to reach new regions and new customers. With reduced focus on the trading business, the company is focused on strengthening its manufacturing business while keeping itself open to start new ventures once the overall investment scenario, including power cut, improves in the country.&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	<span style="font-size:14px;"><strong>Strengthening the Network</strong></span></div>
<div>
	Begani shares that company&rsquo;s products are doing fairly well in the targeted market segment. As targeted, the products are popular in the Terai and hilly region markets. The sale graph in this market has been steadily growing up. However, the focus in urban areas is missing, which the group is willing to rectify in the days to come.&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	For increasing the performance and visibility of the products in all parts of the country, the group is strengthening its distribution network. Begani says that one of the immediate plans of the company is to expedite branding and promotion activities. As of now, the group has expanded its network into around 40 towns and villages across the nation. &nbsp;Stating that within a year the company will meet its new marketing target, Begani says, &ldquo;a strong network is must for stronger branding and effective promotional campaigns.&rdquo;</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	<span style="font-size:14px;"><strong>Managing the Group</strong></span></div>
<div>
	As of now, the group is a family business and is managedby the father-son duo. All of its factories are located in Birgunj industrial town while its corporate office that looks after financial, marketing and other management responsibilities is in Kathmandu.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	The group, employees 1500 people in all of its companies. To keep them motivated the company organises various recreational programmes such as annual picnic along with other motivational packages. The HR department looks after the need of the company&rsquo;s human resource while making time induced and demand based amendments to company&rsquo;s HR policy.&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<table border="0" cellpadding="10" width="99%">
	<tbody>
		<tr>
			<td bgcolor="#E5E4E2">
				<div>
					<div>
						<div>
							<div>
								<span style="font-size:14px;"><strong>Begani Group&rsquo;s Competitive Advantages</strong></span></div>
							<div>
								Facing steep competition from national and international competitors that continue adding,&nbsp;</div>
							<div>
								the group has remained constantly on its toes for carve its own niche market and remain ahead of its competitors. According to the group, some of the factors instrumental for its growth and market rankings are:</div>
							<div>
								&nbsp;</div>
							<div>
								<strong><span style="font-size:14px;">Strategic Location</span></strong></div>
							<div>
								The group says that all of its factories and offices boast of an excellent infrastructure whether in physical network connectivity or human resource. Furthermore, this strategic location has allowed the group to enjoy quick access to every major markets in Nepal while maintaining quality standards in its chain of operation.</div>
							<div>
								&nbsp;</div>
							<div>
								<span style="font-size:14px;"><strong>Quality Products</strong></span></div>
							<div>
								Begani Group claims that its brands like Nandan and Suruchi and other products have been well established in the target markets for their quality and high performance reliability.&nbsp;</div>
							<div>
								&nbsp;</div>
							<div>
								<span style="font-size:14px;"><strong>Harnessing latest technical advancement</strong></span></div>
							<div>
								Moving in tandem with its customer needs, which is constantly increasing, Begani Group and its companies are not only equipped with competent laboratory but also have been using the latest technical advances.</div>
							<div>
								&nbsp;</div>
							<div>
								<span style="font-size:14px;"><strong>Production Facilities</strong></span></div>
							<div>
								Group&rsquo;s production plants is managed and operated bya team of quality oriented and competent personals. The reliability of the facilities is translated into action through continuity in the supply of high quality products to its customers, says Begani. The group aims to manufacture high quality products with the most efficient facilities, satisfying all safety standards and regulations. &ldquo;Our plants are built based on the latest technology and equipped with advanced engineering control and safety devices to ensure the protection of our employees, environment, and the community,&rdquo; he adds.</div>
							<div>
								&nbsp;</div>
							<div>
								<span style="font-size:14px;"><strong>Group&rsquo;s Strengths</strong></span></div>
							<div>
								Begani says that the group is flexible to innovate and launch new products that cater to the changing needs and demands of the market. &ldquo;We started with vegetable ghee and then added sunflower and soybean and mustard oil in our product range,&rdquo; says Begani. The company initially used to sell them in the packages of 15 kilograms but later adopted smaller packaging sizes to cater to general public&rsquo;s needs. &ldquo;Flexibility and making quick decisions is one of our strengths,&rdquo; boasts Begani.</div>
							<div>
								&nbsp;</div>
							<div>
								<span style="font-size:14px;"><strong>Market opportunities</strong></span></div>
							<div>
								The group sees numerous opportunities developing in the market. The growing demand because of increased purchasing capacity of customers is one of the opportunities the group sees. Begani says that Nepali consumers have become more brand conscious these days because of increased international exposure. He adds that the demand for premium and quality products is increasing along with demand for new range of products such as olive oil.&nbsp;</div>
							<div>
								&nbsp;</div>
							<div>
								<span style="font-size:14px;"><strong>Competition</strong></span></div>
							<div>
								Begani says the market competition is constantly increasing along with the swelling market size. He says that presence of 16 vegetable oil companies is making the competition tougher. Therefore, to overcome the competition, the group is focusing on branding to win over the competitors. He adds that the company is willing to bring its products to larger cities like Kathmandu and Pokhara through stronger branding and higher quality promises. He reveals that within two to three years, these products will be making inroads in these cities.&nbsp;</div>
						</div>
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<p>
	&nbsp;</p>',
			'published' => true,
			'created' => '2014-03-10',
			'modified' => '2014-03-10',
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			'id' => '2691',
			'article_category_id' => '122',
			'title' => 'ChaChaWhee FunPark: A Resort For Children',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => null,
			'content' => '<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	<strong>--By Surendra Paudyal</strong></div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	ChaChaWhee FunPark Resort, a resort especially for children has been established in Pokhara, a tourism town of Nepal. The one of its kind resort came into being about a month ago with an investment of Rs 20 million, informed its Director Pratikshya Chhetri.&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	The resort is located at Gharipatan of Pokhara and spreads over 20 ropanis of land. It has 15 rooms from where the beautiful Annapurna range in the north can be enjoyed. As the resort is established with children in mind, first priority is given to those who come along with their children. Chhetri says, &ldquo;ChaChaWhee FunPark Resort is the only exclusive resort of its kind for families with kids.&rdquo;</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	<span style="font-size:14px;"><strong><img alt="" src="/userfiles/images/s3%20(Copy).jpg" style="float: right; margin: 0px 0px 0px 10px;width: 300px; height: 363px;" />Getting Popularity</strong></span></div>
<div>
	Chhetri says that the resort has gained popularity within a short time of its opening. One of the most popular packages offered by the resort is &lsquo;Family Fun Package with Dinner and Breakfast&rsquo; for two adults and two kids in a room. This package, which costs Rs10,000 per night, also offers unlimited rides for children and some facilities for adults along with breakfast and dinner for all. Children can enjoy unlimited rides such as Joy Train, Battery Cars, Flying Chair, Merry-Go-Round, Ferris Wheel among others. Chhetri says that if the family purchasing this package has only three members, 15 per cent discount is given while if there are only two clients, 30 per cent concession is provided. She says that another Family Room and Fun Package is also much loved by the families visiting the resort.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	A room at the resort costs Rs 2500 without any package. The popularity of the resort is increasing and its Managing Director Dinesh Prasain credits the quality of services and the unique family environment provided by the resort for it. &nbsp;&ldquo;Fun Park is becoming centre of attraction for those visiting Pokhara along with&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	their children.&rdquo;&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	Chhetri says that schools in the surrounding areas bring school children to the fun park. Along with domestic tourists, the resort is getting popular among foreign visitors especially Indian families&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	with children.&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	<span style="font-size:14px;"><strong>Caring for Safety</strong></span></div>
<div>
	Prasain explains that when adults go for sightseeing, the resort has facilities to entertain their children at the resort. The resort has installed safety and security measures for all the rides and games for children. &ldquo;We realize that kids and families need to feel secure. A team of full time technicians monitor and supervise the rides as safety comes first for us,&rdquo; Chhetri said. A mechanical engineer led team of technicians constantly supervise the games and rides to ensure the security and smoothness of the rides. &nbsp;Likewise, the fun park has first-aid facilities on site as well as vehicles on standby in case of any emergency. &ldquo;We have invested in technologies and professional security companies that ensure security but in the friendliest ways,&rdquo; says Chhetri.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	<img alt="FunPark Pokhara" src="/userfiles/images/s2%20(Copy).jpg" style="width: 550px; height: 432px; margin-left: 10px; margin-right: 10px;" /></div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	<span style="font-size:14px;"><strong>Building theResort</strong></span></div>
<div>
	As of now, Rs 70 million has been invested in the resort. According to Chhetri, Global IME Bank has provided loan for developing the project. The resort houses various amenities for children such as revolving wheel, swimming pool, garden, joy train, video game parlour among others. The resort also organises birthday parties, family gathering and&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	other events.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	Chhetri explains, &ldquo;ChaChaWhee is the Nepali expression of fun, thrill and joy. Kids usually ChaChaWhee! in the ping-swings, especially during Dashain. Now you need not wait for Dashain and Melas. Nor is the traditional ping-swing the only thing that can ChaChaWhee the kids.&rdquo;</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	<span style="font-size:14px;"><strong>The Location</strong></span></div>
<div>
	ChaChaWhee FunPark Resort is located in the prime location of Pokhara. It is situated within five minutes driving distance from the Airport, Bus Park and Fewa Dam Site towards the International Mountain Museum at Himal Tole of Gharipatan. The upfront view of some of the most beautiful Himalayas &ndash; Machhapuchhre, Annapurna I, II, III, IV, Annapurna South and Lamjung Himal makes the resort special, say its promoters. Similarly, the beautiful scenery of the mountains and the garden within the resort premises make the stay at the resort more pleasurable. The garden was set up with the help of the gardener who also helped set popular Garden of Dreams at KesharMahal, Kathmandu.&nbsp;</div>',
			'published' => true,
			'created' => '2014-03-03',
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			'keywords' => 'the corporate weekly from Nepal, nepali corporate events – news – interviews – reviews, nepali corporate focus, nepali corporate status and news, news from nepali corporate industry, corporate happenings – events – news from nepal',
			'description' => 'Pokhara, a tourism hub of Nepal has been offering different tastes to travellers. ChaChaWhee FunPark Resort is a latest addition to its deliverables and this one offers unique experience to junior travellers.',
			'sortorder' => '2564',
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	(int) 2 => array(
		'Article' => array(
			'id' => '2649',
			'article_category_id' => '122',
			'title' => 'MAW Engineering : Escalating On Expansion Path',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => null,
			'content' => '<p>
	&nbsp;</p>
<table align="right" style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 10px;" width="25">
	<tbody>
		<tr>
			<td>
				<img alt="Vishal Gadia, Executive Director, MAW Engineering Pvt Ltd" src="/userfiles/images/vg%20(Copy).jpg" style="border-width: 0px; border-style: solid; width: 200px; height: 232px;" /></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td bgcolor="#FFFFFF">
				<div align="center">
					<div style="text-align: center;">
						<div>
							<div>
								<strong>Vishal Gadia</strong></div>
							<div>
								Executive Director</div>
							<div>
								MAW Engineering Pvt Ltd</div>
						</div>
					</div>
				</div>
			</td>
		</tr>
	</tbody>
</table>
<p>
	MAW Engineering Pvt Ltd, previously an engineering division of the parent company, MAW Enterprises, has completed year-long journey as an independent company. Created with a motive of giving special focus on engineering solutions targeted at Nepali industries and institutional clients, the company says that it has been successful to establish itself as an independent entity in its first year.<br />
	<br />
	Vishal Gadia, Executive Director of MAW Engineering, says that its first year was a transitional phase though the company was in operation for the past one decade and thus not a completely new company. &ldquo;The business was good and now it is even better than what it was. We are moving on a progressive route,&rdquo; he adds. The company was officially started as an independent company from December 16, 2012.<br />
	<br />
	<span style="font-size:16px;"><strong>Moves Ahead </strong></span></p>
<p>
	Gadia shares that the company is planning to horizontally add new products to cater to the need of existing target market. He says that major clients for products of MAW Engineering are institutions, offices and factories. &ldquo;We were established to give special focus to the services we offer and we will continue to do so also in the future,&rdquo; explains Gadia.</p>
<p>
	The company, this year introduced new air conditioning products from Trane brand in the market. Gadia says that these products are high end premium products mainly targeted at top of the line hospitality industry and manufacturing units. MAW Engineering acquired Trane&rsquo;s dealership for Nepal last year and promises to enhance this relationship also in the future.</p>
<p>
	<br />
	<strong style="font-size: 16px;"><img alt="Timeline of MAW Engineering" src="/userfiles/images/vg3%20(Copy).jpg" style="float: left; margin: 0px 10px 0px 0px; width: 300px; height: 307px; border-width: 2px; border-style: solid;" /></strong></p>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<p>
	Gadia further says that the company plans to focus on its existing product line in 2014. The company currently has four products namely generators from Yamaha and Greaves brands, air compressors from Ingersoll Rand, weighing scales and bridges from Mettler Toledo and Air Conditioners from Trane. He shares that most of these products are targeted at institutional clients while gensets are targeted at household users also.<br />
	<br />
	<span style="font-size:16px;"><strong>Changing Market</strong></span></p>
<p>
	Yamaha is the most popular brand the company has been dealing with since MAW Enterprises&rsquo; initial days. Gadia says that Yamaha has always been the market leader holding a strong market share. Air compressors and weighing scales by Ingersoll Rand and Mettler Toledo too have quite promising market share, says Gadia. To prevent cannibalising of generator market, the company has positioned Yamaha and Greaves products as separate product range and target different clients. &ldquo;We don&rsquo;t overlap product ranges of Yamaha and Greaves and have completely different target markets for them. Yamahas are small products while products from Greaves are of larger scale and capacity,&rdquo; explains Gadia.<br />
	<br />
	As generators are one of the major products of the company at present, the company has already sensed the shrinking genset market in the future with the generation of more hydropower. Gadia also says that the market size of the gensets is decreasing as the power cut hours have now decreased to 12 hours from 18 hours a day and will further shrink with abundant production of hydroelectricity. &ldquo;It is good for the country to decrease load shedding hours. We are businessmen and when the market changes, we will adapt to those changes. We also believe that if a door closes, numerous other doors open up. If the country starts producing more energy, we will have other opportunities to invest in,&rdquo; says Gadia.<br />
	<br />
	Accordingly, the company has plans to cater to the changing market situations. Therefore, it has begun expanding into air conditioner business. Gadia explains, &ldquo;It has very good market prospects as commercial buildings and high rise building construction are in the rise. Manufacturing industries too will increase. So, we are making a base today and are hopeful that our product&rsquo;s need will grow in the future.&rdquo;<br />
	<br />
	<br />
	<span style="font-size:16px;"><strong><img alt="Some products of MAW Engineering" src="/userfiles/images/vg4%20(Copy).jpg" style="float: right; margin: 0px 0px 0px 10px;width: 300px; border-width: 2px; border-style: solid; height: 207px;" />Competing Tough </strong></span><br />
	The company believes that it is always kept on its toes by the market competition. Though the company has reputed and trustable brand names in its portfolio, the company is not staying idle only on the support of the sturdy brand names. Gadia says that the company concentrates on quality of services along with offering quality products. &ldquo;Though our brands are very good and they rarely need after sales service, they are machines and need regular servicing. Thus we have given special focus on services. Once there is good service offering, sales will automatically follow,&rdquo; he says.<br />
	<br />
	Competition has been healthy in the market, says Gadia. And he feels that the current market competition, though it has kept the company on its toes, has benefitted customers at large. &ldquo;We have always worked with an aim of bringing and promoting healthy competition. It is good that we are on our toes as it eventually benefits customers,&rdquo; describes Gadia.<br />
	<br />
	To ensure swift delivery of products and after sales services, the company has two branches in Bratnagar and Birgunj. Gadia reveals that this network will be extended to Pokhara and Butwal within this year. Similarly, Yamaha products have a network of 26 dealerships across the country while other brands are supplied through Kathmandu, Birgunj and Biratnagar branches of MAW Engineering.<br />
	&nbsp;</p>
<table border="0" cellpadding="10" width="99%">
	<tbody>
		<tr>
			<td bgcolor="#E5E4E2">
				<div>
					&nbsp;</div>
				<div style="text-align: center;">
					<span style="font-size:16px;"><strong>Expansion of MAW Enterprises</strong></span></div>
				<div>
					&nbsp;</div>
				<div>
					<img alt="Moranfg Auto Works" src="/userfiles/images/vg2%20(Copy).jpg" style="width: 550px; height: 339px; margin-left: 10px; margin-right: 10px;" /></div>
				<div>
					<br />
					MAW Enterprises, the parent company of MAW Engineering was founded by P.R. Agrawal in the year 1965 in Biratnagar. The company was established as an automobile workshop which was the first in Nepal. In the company&rsquo;s working history of four and a half decades, it has established itself as one of the leading names in automobiles business. The company&rsquo;s growth and expansion was fuelled when it became agency of various renowned international brands in the after years of its establishment. The company took up agencies of ancillary products like Yuasa batteries - Japan, Goodyear Tyres - Singapore, Talbros gaskets, Mahle Pistons, Goetze Rings etc. Similarly, in 1971, it took agency of Ford tractors and in 1975, took agency of Escorts/Rajdoot motorcycle which is now Yamaha.<br />
					<br />
					The various product segments later on grew as the division of the company. In 1999, the company started its Industrial Equipment Division and took agency of IR, ECEL, MTNIL, Greaves. Similarly, in 2003, the company started Construction Equipment division and took agency of JCB. In 2004, it also became agency for Yamaha Gensets. The company also established a factory of Aaron helmets in Sitargunj, India in partnership with other investors in 2006. Yamaha is one of the long standing brands of the company. The company started importing music products from this brand as an agency in 2006. In the same year, it also took agency of Greaves Concrete Equipment. The company also entered into four wheeler market being an authorised distributor of Skoda cars for Nepal in 2007. The expansion did not stop there. The company in 2011 started a new venture, Ready-Mix Concrete (RMC) in 2011 with the name of MAW RMC. Similarly, for financing the products sold by the company, it also promotes United Finance Limited.<br />
					<br />
					<span style="font-size:16px;"><strong>SWOT Analysis of MAW Engineering</strong></span><br />
					<br />
					<span style="font-size:14px;"><strong>Strengths</strong></span><br />
					&bull; Positive market reputation<br />
					&bull; Best practices implemented<br />
					&bull; Proven strong customer orientation<br />
					&bull; System dependent and resource independent<br />
					&bull; Proven success in establishing up market and value products in niche and mass markets<br />
					&bull; Dependable and reliable networking<br />
					&bull; Strong financial standing<br />
					&bull; Reputed brands and quality products in its portfolio<br />
					<br />
					<span style="font-size:14px;"><strong>Weaknesses</strong></span><br />
					&bull; Less product range for household consumers<br />
					&bull; Relatively new as an independent entity as it was earlier known as division of MAW Enterprises<br />
					<br />
					<span style="font-size:14px;"><strong>Opportunities</strong></span><br />
					&bull; Growing markets for consumer and industrial electronic equipment<br />
					&bull; Increase in purchasing capacity and demand for premium products<br />
					&bull; With the rise of housing sector demands for products of the company in the rise<br />
					<br />
					<span style="font-size:14px;"><strong>Threats</strong></span><br />
					&bull; Shrinking market for generators with increasing production of hydropower<br />
					&bull; Presence of strong competitors in some product range</div>
			</td>
		</tr>
	</tbody>
</table>
<p>
	&nbsp;</p>',
			'published' => true,
			'created' => '2014-02-23',
			'modified' => '2014-03-03',
			'keywords' => 'the corporate weekly from Nepal, nepali corporate events – news – interviews – reviews, nepali corporate focus, nepali corporate status and news, news from nepali corporate industry, corporate happenings – events – news from nepal',
			'description' => 'MAW Engineering has completed a year of its operation as an independent entity and has expansion plans in the pipeline.',
			'sortorder' => '2499',
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	),
	(int) 3 => array(
		'Article' => array(
			'id' => '2592',
			'article_category_id' => '122',
			'title' => 'Laxmi Group’s Organic Growth',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => null,
			'content' => '<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	<strong>--By Gaurav Aryal</strong></div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<table align="right" style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 10px;" width="25">
	<tbody>
		<tr>
			<td>
				<img alt="Anjan Shrestha, Executive Director, Laxmi Group" src="/userfiles/images/sp1%20(Copy)(1).jpg" style="border-width: 0px; border-style: solid; width: 200px; height: 233px;" /></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td bgcolor="#FFFFFF">
				<div align="center">
					<div style="text-align: center;">
						<div>
							<strong>Anjan Shrestha</strong></div>
						<div>
							<em>Executive Director, Laxmi Group</em></div>
					</div>
				</div>
			</td>
		</tr>
	</tbody>
</table>
<div>
	Laxmi Group&rsquo;s initial capital was Rs 100 invested in a hand-operated-machine to produce candies. Two brothers of the Shrestha family from Pokhara were government employees before they decided to change their career path and start-up a business of their own. One of them, Ajad Shrestha, had pondered on moving to Terai while the other brother decided not to leave Pokhara. During one of their visits to Butwal to explore new possibilities they came across a person who suggested them a business idea.&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	As suggested the two brothers established a confectionary factory in Pokhara that produced toffees and candies with a hand-operated-machine. Anjan Shrestha, Executive Director of Laxmi Group shares that the move then was driven by a necessity for a different career. Initial products of the venture were sold under the name of Muga Mithai and Laxmi Sweets.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	Having their business based in Pokhara, neighbouring towns and areas like Damauli and Syangja were emerging as a market for confectioneries. Shrestha brothers did not restrict themselves from exploring prospects that surrounded them. To cater to the growing demand, the company automated the confectionary production by installing automatic machine in 1976. With the increased production capacity, the company also decided to penetrate into the nation&rsquo;s capital, Kathmandu. Shrestha says that the move was largely successful and the taste of success gave confidence to his father and uncle to diversify their business portfolio.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	<span style="font-size:14px;"><strong>Broadening the Horizon</strong></span></div>
<div>
	The confectionary industry where the family had some experience and gained expertise over the years was further expanded in the first phase. Shrestha says that four factories were established in different places. &ldquo;We had very little capital. So, we started each factory with small investment and gradually moved up the ladder,&rdquo; he recalls. All those factories were consolidated under the Sujal Foods Pvt Ltd in the mid 1990s.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	&ldquo;Sujal Foods changed the dynamism of the Nepali confectionary industry,&rdquo; says Shrestha. Chocofun wafer produced by the company was that remarkable product that changed the market. He adds that the true value for money offered by the company to its customers helped the company gain its presence in the market. &ldquo;We have adhered to the principle of giving value for the money since we started out business. We believe consumers must get what they pay for,&rdquo; believes Shrestha. The confectionary business of the group has around 60 per cent market share of the total confectionary market of Nepal, according to Shrestha.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	Moreover, it was not only the success that inspired the growth of the group. The economic sanction imposed by the government of India in Nepal in 1989 created a shortage of packaging materials and wrappers for the company. Shrestha recalls that the existing stock of packaging materials was enough only for two months. So, the company was forced to close down for a while. Eventually, a decision was made to establish packaging material factory. This factory now produces wrappers, polythene-shopping bags, PET bottles, jars among others.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	<span style="font-size:14px;"><strong>Dairy Acquisition</strong></span></div>
<div>
	According to Shrestha, by 2004, the company had gained momentum in confectionary manufacturing. This new status of the company further encouraged diversifying the portfolio. The company acquired the Pokhara unit of Dairy Development Corporation (DDC), after a long haul of ten years in the privatisation. The family had an internal understanding that they will never venture into tobacco and alcohol production business. So, dairy was an appropriate industry for the group. When the company was eventually privatised in 2004, the group did not only have a new company in its portfolio but also a number of challenges.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	One of the biggest challenges was to keep the sales high even after rebranding the DDC into Safal. &ldquo;Changing the DDC brand that was on top of the mind of consumers into Safal was challenging,&rdquo; recalls Shrestha. As a rebranding campaign, one week prior to the launching of Safal brand, the company used shopping bags with Safal name printed on it. The company had mobilised a sales team one week before the company was handed over. Shrestha says that such move helped in creating the curiosity andtransforming the brand. He claims that sales of Safal milk equalled the sales of DDC within a week. At present, the Safal milk has over 60 per cent market share in Pokhara and five per cent in Kathmandu. Shrestha says that the company will increase the market presence in Kathmandu to 20 per cent within a year. It was launched in Kathmandu, last year.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	Looking at the excess milk production during the flush season and practice of milk holiday, the company decided to establish a powdered milk factory. Shrestha says that the factory was established feeling that it is their responsibility to address the problem of dairy farmers whose milk is wasted during milk holiday. However, immediately after the factory was established the company realised that the problem of milk holiday was not in existence to the extent it was expected to be. So, he says that the factory is currently operating below its installed capacity.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	In the trading business, the group came up with the distributorship of Hyundai Motors for Nepal in 2009. Laxmi InterContinental Pvt Ltd is expanding its distributor network across the country with an aim to offer uniform service from any sales point across the country. Showrooms with such look and feel are being set-up in Banepa, Birtamode, Biratnagar, Narayangarh, Butwal and Dhangadhi.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	<span style="font-size:14px;"><strong>Tourism Diversification</strong></span></div>
<div>
	The group is now willing to venture into the tourism and agro industry. The group had submitted a proposal to the government in 2011 to develop a cable car line from Basundhara Park to Shanti Stupa in Pokhara. The group had plans to consolidate the project along with amusement park and a resort. However, the project is not being developed due to a pending litigation at the court. Shrestha expects that this project would increase tourist flow and hence revenue collection in Pokhara. He hopes that that the case will soon be sorted out and project will be started.&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	The group has plans to establish hotels in Pokhara and Kathmandu. Shrestha reveals that these projects may begin services in 2016 as the group is presently conceptualising these projects. He explains that this is the sector in which Nepal has originality and competitive edgewhile forwarding it&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	as motivating factor for their groups involvement into the sector.&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	<span style="font-size:14px;"><strong>Management Transformation</strong></span></div>
<div>
	The group is not only expanding its business portfolio but also bringing changes in its management structure. The group, as of now is being managed as a family owned business. But, it is planning to hand over the responsibility of leading the group to professional managers. Presently, the members of Shrestha family are looking after various companies according to their expertise and experience in the respective fields. To expedite the transformation, the group is hiring managers, empowering and mentoring them. Shrestha expects that in three to four years, the leadership will be handed over to professional managers and the investors of the group will remain only in monitoring and supervision positions.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<table align="center" width="100">
	<tbody>
		<tr>
			<td>
				<img alt="Launching of Hyundai Grand i10" src="/userfiles/images/sp2%20(Copy)(1).jpg" style="border-width: 0px; border-style: solid; width: 550px; height: 217px;" /></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td bgcolor="#DDDDDD">
				<div align="center">
					<div style="text-align: center;">
						<strong>Launching of Hyundai Grand i10</strong></div>
				</div>
			</td>
		</tr>
	</tbody>
</table>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<table border="0" cellpadding="10" width="99%">
	<tbody>
		<tr>
			<td bgcolor="#E5E4E2">
				<div>
					<span style="font-size:16px;"><strong>Some Companies of Laxmi Group</strong></span></div>
				<div>
					&bull;<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Sujal Foods Pvt Ltd</div>
				<div>
					&bull;<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Jaya Confectionary Pvt Ltd</div>
				<div>
					&bull;<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Sujal Dairy Pvt Ltd</div>
				<div>
					&bull;<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Laxmi InterContinental Pvt Ltd</div>
				<div>
					&bull;<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Sujal Plastics Pvt Ltd</div>
				<div>
					&bull;<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Jaya Packaging Pvt Ltd</div>
				<div>
					&nbsp;</div>
				<div>
					<span style="font-size:16px;"><strong>Laxmi InterContinental Pvt Ltd</strong></span></div>
				<div>
					Laxmi InterContinental Pvt Ltd, automobile trader under the Laxmi Group has been importing and selling Hyundai vehicles in Nepal since February 2009. The company is not only selling vehicles but is also dedicated to provide after sales service to its customers. In order to achieve this aim, it has opened showrooms and service centres across Nepal. These showrooms promise to offer customers an improved service in terms of quality, space and ambience. Similarly, to capitalise the growing automobile market outside the Kathmandu valley, the company has established sub dealers at various locations such as Banepa, Pokhara, Narayangarh, Butwal, Nepalgunj, Dhangadi, Birgunj, Damak, Birtamode etc.</div>
				<div>
					&nbsp;</div>
				<div>
					<span style="font-size:16px;"><strong>Sujal Foods Pvt Ltd</strong></span></div>
				<div>
					&nbsp;Sujal Foods Pvt Ltd is the flagship subsidiary of Laxmi Group. This company with over five brands in different product categories holds around 60 per cent market share from its entire portfolio. &nbsp;It produces cocoa based confectioneries, strip gums, toffees, lollypops and bubble gums.</div>
				<div>
					&nbsp;</div>
				<div>
					The company also has been exporting some of its products to India and China since 2006.</div>
				<div>
					&nbsp;</div>
				<div>
					<span style="font-size:16px;"><strong>Major Brands of Sujal Foods</strong></span></div>
				<div>
					&bull;<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Chocofun<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>&bull;<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Smart Lollypop</div>
				<div>
					&bull;<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Love Birds<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>&bull;<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Sujal Eclairs</div>
				<div>
					&bull;<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Funstix Toffee<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>&bull;<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Sujal Gum</div>
				<div>
					&bull;<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Bubble Fun<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>&bull;<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Crave</div>
				<div>
					&bull;<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Candyman<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>&bull;<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Rasilo</div>
				<div>
					&bull;<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Lactofun Premium Malt</div>
				<div>
					&bull;<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Fresho Menthalyptus</div>
				<div>
					&nbsp;</div>
				<div>
					<span style="font-size:16px;"><strong>CSR</strong></span></div>
				<div>
					Laxmi Group has been undertaking various Corporate Social Responsibilities in various occasions. Mostly on the occasion of its anniversary, it provides financial and other support for social causes. However, most of the CSR activities are concentrated in Pokhara. The group has been supporting drinking water projects, schools and hospitals. In the group&rsquo;s last anniversary, it built a waiting unit for visitors. Similarly, Laxmi InterContinental Pvt Ltd has plans to launch extensive CSR activities within a year under the brand name of Hyundai.&nbsp;</div>
			</td>
		</tr>
	</tbody>
</table>',
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			'created' => '2014-02-17',
			'modified' => '2014-02-25',
			'keywords' => 'the corporate weekly from Nepal, nepali corporate events – news – interviews – reviews, nepali corporate focus, nepali corporate status and news, news from nepali corporate industry, corporate happenings – events – news from nepal',
			'description' => 'Laxmi Group started its commercial journey four decades ago in Pokhara when it was just a rustic village. The Group grew leaps and bounds to be positioned among the prominent business houses of Nepal.',
			'sortorder' => '2440',
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	(int) 4 => array(
		'Article' => array(
			'id' => '2550',
			'article_category_id' => '122',
			'title' => 'Sneha Group: For Hospitality And More',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => null,
			'content' => '<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	<strong>--By Gaurav Aryal</strong></div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<table align="right" style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 10px;" width="25">
	<tbody>
		<tr>
			<td>
				<img alt="Bhawani Rana, Chairperson, Sneha Group" src="/userfiles/images/3%20(Copy)(2).jpg" style="border-width: 0px; border-style: solid; width: 200px; height: 203px;" /></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td bgcolor="#FFFFFF">
				<div align="center">
					<div style="text-align: center;">
						<div>
							<div>
								<strong>Bhawani Rana</strong></div>
							<div>
								Chairperson, Sneha Group</div>
						</div>
					</div>
				</div>
			</td>
		</tr>
	</tbody>
</table>
<div>
	The journey of Sneha Group of Companies began with the Nepalgunj based one star hotel - Sneha Hotel, as a family business of Asit SJB Rana. The hotel later expanded under the leadership of Bhawani Rana, Chairperson of Sneha Group. &nbsp; The hotel that started with 10 rooms has now grown into three star property with 65 rooms.&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	Rana says that the hotel is now the group&rsquo;s flagship company. Later, new companies in freight business, travel and tourism and agriculture were also named after Sneha as the name turned out to be a lucky charm for the group. The name is used as brand in the group&rsquo;s solo ventures. She reveals that the hotel is being upgraded to four-star category hotel with 75 rooms within a year. Likewise, the group is establishing a resort at Motipur of Bardiya district, near the Bardiya National Park. The resort will offer tourism packages including jungle safari and rafting. &nbsp;</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	The group has another ambitious resort project up its sleeves for Rara National Park as well. Rana says that land acquisition process is undergoing for this project and informed that the group will begin developing the project once the government gives green signal to its proposal. This eco-resort will have no concrete buildings thereby making it a truly eco-friendly resort. Rana says that the group plans to invest Rs 30 to 50 million in the project named as Sneha Eco Resort. The resort will have 20 to 25 rooms only.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	Similarly, the group is establishing Sneha Culture and Entertainment in Kathmandu soon that will present various cultural shows for international tourists. . However, Rana did not disclose details of this project. Likewise, the group is also expanding its agro processing and production business that is running under the name Sneha Agro. The group is planning to enter herb processing and expand &nbsp;fisheries and banana farming . At present, the group&rsquo;s banana farm spreads across 15 bighas of Bardiya. According to Rana, the group, as of now has invested Rs 20 million in the agriculture and herbs, Rs 250 million in the hotels and registers around Rs 150 million annual turnover from its various businesses.&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	The group is interested in developing cable car as medium of public transport in Kathmandu in partnership with other investors. The French expert has undertaken the responsibility to conduct feasibility study of the project. Rana says that the estimated investment has increased to around Rs 25 billion and the viability of the project will be known while the Detailed Project Report (DPR) is prepared.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	<span style="font-size:14px;"><strong>Focus on Mid and Far West</strong></span></div>
<div>
	The Sneha Group has focused its hospitality and tourism business away from oft-beaten destinations such as Kathmandu, Pokhara and Chitwan. Rana says, &ldquo;There were options for us to establish a project in Kathmandu Valley. But we decided to take the development out of the valley.&rdquo; The group had thought of developing Sanepa Tower Hotel at Sanepa of Lalitpur in a land spread over eight ropanis. However, the group concluded to offer tourists with services in off the beaten routes and destinations. She believes that the new resort project in Rara would open up new possibilities to explore the surrounding areas that have remained virgin as of now. She says that Nepalgunj is developing as a transit point for visiting numerous areas in the region such as Kailash-Mansarovar, Khaptad National Park and Swargadwari. She feels that the lack of promotion of Bardiya national park is holding off the possibility of developing tourism in the area in similar ways as that of Chitwan.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	<span style="font-size:14px;"><strong>Tourism Specialisation</strong></span></div>
<div>
	It is not only the tourism and hospitality that the group has put its hands into. It was also operating Bardiya Sugar Mill that was closed down during the armed conflict. The group now is making plans to reopen this factory. However, the company&rsquo;s main focus is on the service industry. . Rana says that this decision was made based on her and family&rsquo;s interests. She recalls numerous instances when she was advised to invest in the hydropower sector.&rdquo;But they could not lure me into that,&rdquo; she says. &nbsp;&ldquo;Tourism and service industry is where my interests and experiences are. So, we are expanding in this area and the soon to be established entertainment and cultural centre will be another addition to it.&rdquo;&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	<span style="font-size:14px;"><strong>Serving the Right Market</strong></span></div>
<div>
	Nepalgunj has become a transit point for visiting numerous tourist destinations in the Mid and Far Western Nepal. Be it domestic destinations like Dolpa, Jumla, Surkhet, Bardiya &nbsp;or &nbsp;few destinations located in Tibet like Kailash and Mansarovar. Nepalgunj is the point from where the journey begins. According to Rana, during the peak seasons, majority of clients residing at Sneha Hotel are the ones hailing from USA and Europe. She says that if tourism infrastructures can be developed and destinations in the region are promoted, the tourism industry can benefit the entire region. Recently, the number of Indian tourist is also significantly increasing, says Rana.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;Apart from pleasure seeking tourists, the major clientele of Sneha Group&rsquo;s hotel is made up of government officials and I/NGO and development workers. . Government and non-government institutions have set Mid and Far-Western region&rsquo;s development as their priority. Consequently, their activities in the region have spiked over the years. Nepalgunj is the base for these institutions where numerous conferences and conventions are organised every month thereby contributing a large chunk of sales and revenue to the hotel business.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	Unlike Pokhara and Chitwan, Nepalgunj offers little tourist attraction within the city. So, it has been acting as a one night transit. Rana feels that there are some religiously important places like Bageshwori temple within the city that can be promoted&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	to visitors.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	Being one of the oldest hotels in Nepalgunj, Sneha Hotel has remained strong throughout its operation despite the increasing competition. Responding to the changing market scenario, the group plans to rename the hotel as Hotel Sneha: Rana Boutique Hotel. Rana says, &ldquo;The region lacks boutique hotels. Hence this idea.&rdquo;</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<table border="0" cellpadding="10" width="99%">
	<tbody>
		<tr>
			<td bgcolor="#E5E4E2">
				<div>
					<div>
						<div>
							<span style="font-size:16px;"><strong>Turning Point</strong></span></div>
						<div>
							During the decade long conflict, the business of Sneha Group was also affected as Nepalgunj happened to be in the close vicinity of the conflict area. While the sugar mill was closed down, Sneha Hotel was also forced to close for two months. Bhawani Rana, Chairperson of the group recalls those days as terrorising for entrepreneurs in the area. However, her group, with the hope of better situation, did not hesitate in making additional investments. She recalls that most difficult days during the conflict period were when the group had borrowed loan from banks and the conflict immediately escalated to its peak.</div>
						<div>
							&nbsp;</div>
						<div>
							<span style="font-size:16px;"><strong>Managing the Business</strong></span></div>
						<div>
							Rana, who is also Vice President of Federation of Nepalese Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FNCCI), says she has been able to dedicate very little time to her business, as she has to spend most of her working hours at FNCCI. In her absence, businesspersons in the family and company&rsquo;s managers look after the business. &nbsp;The group has employed 200 people in its hotel, agriculture and travel businesses. Rana says that staff of the group are sincere and hardworking and she recalls the incident where they worked at half their salaries when the hotel remained closed during the conflict period. The group has always treated its employees as family members and &nbsp;motivated them by listening and understanding their problems, by treating them professionally and by providing incentives.</div>
						<div>
							&nbsp;</div>
						<div>
							<span style="font-size:16px;"><strong>CSR</strong></span></div>
						<div>
							The group is carrying out its social responsibilities through an organisation named Saathi Sanstha. The organisation has established a shelter for victims of women trafficking. Women in the shelter are provided with hotel management and other skill oriented trainings. Rana says that the organisation also tries offering them job placements. She shares that 15 women are trained annually by this organization. Similarly, the group also provides scholarships to needy children every year.&nbsp;</div>
					</div>
				</div>
			</td>
		</tr>
	</tbody>
</table>
<p>
	&nbsp;</p>',
			'published' => true,
			'created' => '2014-02-09',
			'modified' => '2014-02-18',
			'keywords' => 'the corporate weekly from Nepal, nepali corporate events – news – interviews – reviews, nepali corporate focus, nepali corporate status and news, news from nepali corporate industry, corporate happenings – events – news from nepal',
			'description' => 'Sneha Group of Companies, a business house based in the mid-western region of Nepal, is expanding its business roots into agriculture and tourism industry.',
			'sortorder' => '2398',
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	(int) 5 => array(
		'Article' => array(
			'id' => '2503',
			'article_category_id' => '122',
			'title' => 'Vishal Group The Emerging FMCG Powerhouse',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => null,
			'content' => '<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	<strong>--By Gaurav Aryal</strong></div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<table align="right" style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 10px;" width="25">
	<tbody>
		<tr>
			<td>
				<img alt="Arpit Agrawal, Director, Vishal Group" src="/userfiles/images/sp2%20(Copy).jpg" style="border-width: 0px; border-style: solid; width: 200px; height: 226px;" /></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td bgcolor="#FFFFFF">
				<div align="center">
					<div style="text-align: center;">
						<div>
							<div>
								<strong>Arpit Agrawal</strong></div>
							<div>
								Director, Vishal Group</div>
						</div>
					</div>
				</div>
			</td>
		</tr>
	</tbody>
</table>
<div>
	Vishal Group&rsquo;s seeds were sown in Dharan. The first generation entrepreneurs from the Agrawal family had a textile shop there. When the family-owned textile business was passed onto the next generation, it took a shape of a manufacturing industrial house following their entry into steel manufacturing. The group has two steel factories in Biratnagar.&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	Then the group moved into the financial service which was further diversified into imports and distribution. United Distributors Nepal Pvt Ltd, one of the flagship companies of the group has around 50 top brands of the world in its portfolio that it distributes across Nepal. Similarly, the group has involvement in the automobiles, financial services, real estate, education and manufacturing among other sectors.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	<span style="font-size:14px;"><strong>Diversification</strong></span></div>
<div>
	Arpit Agrawal, Director of Vishal Group says that it was the efforts of his grandfathers, uncles and his father who took the group to the next level. He says that their exposure to the international business practices and the ideas they brought into the company worked well for the success of their family owned business. Though the group started diversification with the manufacturing of steel, the business that is as strong as the steel now comprises of 40 per cent of the distribution business.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	The Agrawal family has divided the business among themselves on sector basis. &nbsp;Agrawal feels that it is the expertise of the entrepreneurs in the family that helped in the diversification decisions. Agrawal, one of the youngest entrepreneurs in the family adds, &ldquo;If I am given with a choice between manufacturing and distribution business, I would go for the distribution. Manufacturing sector has small and clustered market. The latter offers me scope for my personal as well as professional development. And, more importantly, I enjoy this particular sector.&rdquo;</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	In the distribution sector, Vishal Group and its subsidiaries are authorised distributors for 50 different FMCG brands in personal care, food and beverages, electronics, liquor and medicines. When asked about the future concentration of the group, Agrawal says that Vishal Group wishes to be the number one FMCG powerhouse of the country. However, he hinted that the group will not completely abandon its manufacturing base.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	<span style="font-size:14px;"><strong>Days Ahead</strong></span></div>
<div>
	Agrawal says that the future of the group looks promising in his vision. &ldquo;Trading sector is the future for Vishal Group. And, we are certain that we will be the number one FMCG powerhouse of Nepal,&rdquo; he envisions. He is also hopeful that this target may be achieved sooner than three years. Agrawal says that the group has a wide range of products including small products like a mouth freshener to a luxury car. He adds that the group wants to be one stop solution to all the consumer goods and he says there is a possibility of establishing a department store selling only products that range from potato chips to luxury cars, distributed by the Vishal Group.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	<span style="font-size:14px;"><strong>Beating the Competition</strong></span></div>
<div>
	Vishal Group hardly feels the presence of its competitors. Though the group sells anything ranging from potato chips to cars, Agrawal says that the group hardly feels any competition. &ldquo;We are so much busy working that we don&rsquo;t get time to think a lot about competition. It is always nice to know what our competitors are doing but we don&rsquo;t really get affected by what they do. We just want to grow as a brand rather than getting involved in beating our competitors,&rdquo; he explains. Agrawal further says that arrogance affects the brand image and the group is not arrogant at all.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	To have a significant market share, the group has covered 35 cities and towns across the country. And, it has 60 distributors in those cities and towns. These distributors distribute the goods imported by the group and ensure that they reach the target customers at ease. Agrawal says that products dealt by the group are available in the smallest of the shops of smallest of the towns. He informed that there are more than 100 people working in the sales team of the group.&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	Various products offered by the group have their own distinct target markets from general public to premium niche clients. According to Agrawal, products of Procter &amp; Gamble on personal care segment has 35 per cent market share while chocolate brands like Mars and Snickers control about 40 per cent market. Similarly, Volkswagen targeted at premium customers has around 10 to 15 per cent market share in its class. Likewise, he adds that the recently introduced Royce energy drink aims to acquire the number two position, after Red Bull within a year.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	<img alt="Vishal Group Nepal" src="/userfiles/images/sp1%20(Copy).jpg" style="width: 550px; height: 196px;" /></div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	<span style="font-size:14px;"><strong>Unique Management Practices</strong></span></div>
<div>
	Vishal Group is designing one of its own kinds of offices in Nepal, says Agrawal. He adds that the working space is being modernised replicating the style of leading MNCs of the world. Agrawal says that in MNCs everyone sits in the same table, be it the highest ranking official or a junior employee, and this pattern is being incorporated at the Vishal Group&rsquo;s corporate office.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	Similarly, he says that directors of the group prefer working in the workstation rather than at their private cabins so that employees could have easy access to them. &ldquo;We don&rsquo;t want our employees whom we call our associates feel that we are superior to them. We want to be very accessible. And, when I am working at the workstation, anyone can easily meet me anytime,&rdquo; explains Agrawal.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	&ldquo;When we grow as a brand and a group, we call our employees our associates. We want them to grow not only financially but also professionally and personally along with the group,&rdquo; Agrawal shares. To ensure the employees develop a sense of belonging towards the company, the group has introduced various motivational packages. One of them is that the employees are allowed to take a half day leave to go to the movies every two months. Likewise, weekly off-work programmes are conducted at the office. The group has 2000 happy employees in all of its companies.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<table border="0" cellpadding="10" width="99%">
	<tbody>
		<tr>
			<td bgcolor="#E5E4E2">
				<div>
					<div>
						<div>
							<span style="font-size:16px;"><strong>Awards and Recognition</strong></span></div>
						<div>
							&nbsp;Vishal Group has been recognised as the highest taxpayer in 2010 by the government. United Distributors Nepal Pvt Ltd, one of the subsidiaries of group was awarded the Highest Tax Payer of Nepal in the foreign trade category. Similarly, the group&rsquo;s quality commitment has awarded it with the much coveted &lsquo;NS Quality Award 2002&rsquo; given to Mainawati Steel Industries Pvt Ltd. The group claims that it is the first industrial unit to obtain &lsquo;ISO 9002&rsquo; certification under the cables segment. Similarly, Nepal Industrial and Commercial Bank, one of the subsidiaries of the group was conferred with &lsquo;Commercially Important Person 2002&rsquo; award.</div>
						<div>
							&nbsp;</div>
						<div>
							<strong><span style="font-size:16px;">CSR Initiatives</span></strong></div>
						<div>
							Vishal Group believes in responsible business practices. The corporate social responsibilities (CSR) activities of the group are guided by the philosophy that the group must also give back to the society when it keeps growing larger. The group is involved in a number of social and community projects contributing generously and responsibly. For this purpose, the group runs Gordhandass Kamalawati Paropkari Pratisthan, named after the group&rsquo;s founder and his wife. The trust funds various charitable organisations and activities related to education.</div>
						<div>
							&nbsp;</div>
						<div>
							Similarly, Agrasen Bhawan, based in Dharan is a community centre constructed on the land donated by the group. This centre offers food and accommodation services at a highly subsidised price to those travelling to Dharan. The centre also has meeting halls that are being used for community activities and events.</div>
						<div>
							&nbsp;</div>
						<div>
							Likewise, the group supports various humanitarian causes for the welfare of the needy people in the society. It has been providing monetary and other basic materials like clothes to orphans and needy families in various parts of the country. The group adopts three orphan children each year and sponsors their education and also donates prosthetic limbs to disabled people.</div>
						<div>
							&nbsp;</div>
						<div>
							<span style="font-size:16px;"><strong>Some Brands Distributed by Vishal Group</strong></span></div>
						<div>
							<span style="font-size:16px;"><strong><img alt="" src="/userfiles/images/sp%20(Copy).jpg" style="width: 550px; height: 1473px;" /></strong></span></div>
					</div>
				</div>
			</td>
		</tr>
	</tbody>
</table>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>',
			'published' => true,
			'created' => '2014-01-26',
			'modified' => '2014-02-09',
			'keywords' => 'the corporate weekly from Nepal, nepali corporate events – news – interviews – reviews, nepali corporate focus, nepali corporate status and news, news from nepali corporate industry, corporate happenings – events – news from nepal',
			'description' => 'Vishal Group is working with a vision to establish itself as a fast moving consumer goods (FMCG) powerhouse of Nepal within three years.',
			'sortorder' => '2351',
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		'Article' => array(
			'id' => '2451',
			'article_category_id' => '122',
			'title' => 'Kedia Organisation Re-defining Diversity',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => null,
			'content' => '<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	<strong>--By TC Correspondent</strong></div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<table align="right" style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 10px;" width="25">
	<tbody>
		<tr>
			<td>
				<img alt="Manoj Kedia, Executive Director, Kedia Organization" src="/userfiles/images/sp1.jpg" style="border-width: 0px; border-style: solid; width: 200px; height: 221px;" /></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td bgcolor="#FFFFFF">
				<div align="center">
					<div style="text-align: center;">
						<div>
							<strong>Manoj Kedia</strong></div>
						<div>
							<em>Executive Director</em></div>
						<div>
							<em>Kedia Organisation</em></div>
					</div>
				</div>
			</td>
		</tr>
	</tbody>
</table>
<div>
	Kedia Organisation, a multi-million business conglomerate is not only one of the largest business houses in Nepal but also one of the oldest. The business house has diversified itself into agriculture, dairy, banking, trading among other industries without leaving a bit of the manufacturing sector that the group is focused on.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	Kedia Group is a well-known name in the cement, carpet and sugar industry. Manoj Kedia, Executive Director of the organisation says that his group has recently started manufacturing PVC carpet and is soon upgrading production capacity of Indusankhar Sugar Mill, one of Nepal&rsquo;s oldest and leading sugar factories.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	It is an established name in the service industry. With some significant investment in this sector the business house is major promoter of Siddhartha Insurance, Siddhartha Capital and Siddhartha Bank and apart from that has been running several schools and hospitals in various parts of the country.&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	The group has not limited itself with the sectors it has proven expertise in. It is continuously expanding. As part of its expansion plan, the group has made some investments in the housing and hydropower sector. Stating these investments to be insignificant, Kedia says that they are mainly made with a motive to get acquainted with these sectors.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	<span style="font-size:14px;"><strong>Hydro Interests</strong></span></div>
<div>
	The power shortage has taken its toll on the industrial sector. And, Kedia Organisation is not an exception. Therefore, the group has lately made investments in hydropower generation. Kedia explains the groups&rsquo; logic behind its involvement in energy sector, &ldquo;Power deficit is a national problem and it is obvious that major business houses want to engage in the power generation business as they are incurring heavy losses due to it.&rdquo; With the growing demand for energy and high market potentials, energy has become a lucrative industry.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	Kedia says that the group has not made substantial investment in the energy sector as of now. &ldquo;We have invested as shareholder in this sector to study the sectoral behaviour,&rdquo; he says. He further adds that the country needs friendly laws and policies to attract FDI in the energy sector terming it to be a capital-intensive.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	<span style="font-size:14px;"><strong>Service and Trade Focus</strong></span></div>
<div>
	The service and trading sector has lured a lot of business houses to divert from their traditional specialisation in manufacturing. They feel that it is difficult for manufacturing sector to prosper due to power shortage, open import of cheap goods from India and China. Kedia feels that it is extremely difficult for Nepali companies to compete with imported products in terms of cost. This is one of the reasons for the Kedia Organisation to diversify its portfolio into the service and trading businesses. Kedia adds, &ldquo;Lack of skilled and productive manpower, unfriendly labour environment and decrease in agricultural production has triggered increase in imports of agro products. These are other factors that are affecting the growth of the manufacturing industries in Nepal and discouraging investors to invest in manufacturing sectors.&rdquo;</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	<span style="font-size:14px;"><strong>Agro Player</strong></span></div>
<div>
	Kedia Group is one of the key players in the agriculture and food processing industry. &nbsp;The group is involved in agro-based industries with half a dozen companies that process and produce various food products such as rice, flour, lentils and sugar. Mahabir Adhunik Dal Udyog is one of the oldest manufacturing units in the lentil industry with a working history of more than 75 years. This unit recently upgraded its production capacity to 96 metric tonnes per day.&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	Along with producing agro-based products, the group is trying to create backward linkages with the farmers. Kedia says that the group has been regularly coordinating with farmers that it deals with. &ldquo;We regularly provide them with various skill-based trainings and loans. We have set up a sugar mill in Sarlahi district, country&rsquo;s major sugarcane-growing centre, and it is an instance that reflects how we work in coordination with farmers. In addition to that, we have been actively engaged with farmers in the dairy business as well,&rdquo; he said.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	<span style="font-size:14px;"><strong>Five Years Later</strong></span></div>
<div>
	With the changing political environment, business houses have found reasons to be optimistic about the future. Kedia says that his group is not only hopeful about the probable growth of his business but also looks forward for growth in the overall development of the country.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	The group has plans to diversify its business involvements. Kedia reveals that his group will be engaged in the infrastructure, tourism, power and in the manufacturing sector. &ldquo;All we need is a strong and stable government, business-friendly policies and fair competition between private sector players. &nbsp;The domestic market has huge potentials and Kedia Group looks forward to tap and invest in them to create more jobs in the domestic market itself,&rdquo; he says.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	<div>
		<hr />
		<p style="text-align: center;">
			<strong style="font-size: 16px;">The Rise of Kedia Organisation</strong></p>
	</div>
	<div>
		Kedia Organisation was established in 1909 as an evolution of the family owned trading business. The Kedia family started its business as a cloth merchant with stores in Birgunj and Kathmandu that selling imports from India. With the initiation and leadership of Brij Lal Kedia, first generation businessperson of the family, the business gradually expanded into food grains trading. It started small but as time progressed, it expanded across Nepal. Manoj Kedia, Executive Director of Kedia Organisation, narrates, &ldquo;He used to collect food grains from every corner of the country and supply them to even remote areas that lacked transportation facilities. For the first time in Nepal, he fixed prices of food grains and at a certain point, even the Khadya Sansthan (government owned Nepal Food Corporation) fixed food grain prices by consulting him. Later he established rice mills, dal mills and many more food grain factories. He established Nepal&rsquo;s first modern rice mill, Bhagwati Rice Mill.&rdquo;</div>
	<div>
		&nbsp;</div>
	<div>
		Shankar Lal Kedia expanded foothold in the manufacturing sector. He established factories related to steel furniture, stainless steel utensils, textile, umbrella, socks, wheat flour, corrugated steel, copper utensil etc. Kedia says that during that time, the steel, textile, and corrugated sheet industries from Kedias were pioneers in their respective fields. They then became the backbones of the present day Kedia Organisation. At the same time, the group also entered in general merchandising sector by importing goods from third countries and bulk-traded them in local market. Imported goods included clothes, electronics, food items, medical equipment, household products, hardware, cement, sugar, and edible oil among others. Meanwhile the company also exported rice to Tibet and pulses and lentils to Sri Lanka, Bangladesh and to some European countries.&nbsp;</div>
	<div>
		&nbsp;</div>
	<div>
		Similarly, the group established Caltex Company, a petrol pump agent in Nepal, and this is still in operation as Kedia Auto in Birgunj. Kedia claims that Kedia Group also is one of the first industrial houses to advertise its products. &ldquo;We sponsored the &ldquo;Sundar Sushil Sangeet&rdquo;, a popular song-on-request programme aired on Radio Nepal, to promote our products,&rdquo; he says.</div>
	<div>
		&nbsp;</div>
	<div>
		Today the group has over 1000 administrative staff, more than 100 technical staff and over 2500 skilled and semi-skilled workers. Today the group has investments in around four dozen companies, doing business in wide range of sectors.</div>
	<div>
		&nbsp;</div>
</div>
<table border="0" cellpadding="10" width="99%">
	<tbody>
		<tr>
			<td bgcolor="#E5E4E2">
				<div>
					<div>
						<span style="font-size:14px;"><strong>Banks and Financial Institutions</strong></span></div>
					<div>
						&bull;<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Gorkha Finance Ltd</div>
					<div>
						&bull;<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Siddhartha Bank Ltd</div>
					<div>
						&bull;<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Siddhartha Capital Ltd</div>
					<div>
						&bull;<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Siddhartha Insurance Ltd</div>
					<div>
						&nbsp;</div>
					<div>
						<span style="font-size:14px;"><strong>Fabrication and Iron and Steel</strong></span></div>
					<div>
						&bull;<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Narayani Metal Industries</div>
					<div>
						&bull;<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Sundar Wire and Nails</div>
					<div>
						&bull;<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Sundar Furniture Industries Pvt Ltd</div>
					<div>
						&bull;<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Sundar Steel Pvt Ltd</div>
					<div>
						&nbsp;</div>
					<div>
						<span style="font-size:14px;"><strong>Dairy and Agro Industries</strong></span></div>
					<div>
						&bull;<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Amarawati Madyashala Pvt Ltd</div>
					<div>
						&bull;<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Sitaram Gokul Milks Kathmandu Ltd</div>
					<div>
						&bull;<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Indushankar Chini Udyog Ltd</div>
					<div>
						&bull;<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Mahabir Adhunik Dal Udyog</div>
					<div>
						&bull;<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Ram Dal Udyog</div>
					<div>
						&bull;<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Brijlal Chamal Udyog Harion</div>
					<div>
						&bull;<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Birgunj Khadya Udyog Pvt &nbsp;Ltd</div>
					<div>
						&nbsp;</div>
					<div>
						<span style="font-size:14px;"><strong>Exports</strong></span></div>
					<div>
						&bull;<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Medical Herbs</div>
					<div>
						&bull;<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Red Split Lentils</div>
					<div>
						&bull;<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Flooring Carpets</div>
					<div>
						&bull;<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Refined Vegetable Ghee</div>
					<div>
						&bull;<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Pashmina (Cashmere) Products</div>
					<div>
						&nbsp;</div>
					<div>
						<span style="font-size:14px;"><strong>Imports</strong></span></div>
					<div>
						&bull;<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Paper Products</div>
					<div>
						&bull;<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Textile &amp; Fabrics</div>
					<div>
						&bull;<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Industrial Supplies</div>
					<div>
						&bull;<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Metals &amp; Minerals</div>
					<div>
						&bull;<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Printing &amp; Publishing</div>
					<div>
						&bull;<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Construction Supplies</div>
					<div>
						&bull;<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>General Merchandise</div>
					<div>
						&bull;<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Agro &amp; food Products</div>
					<div>
						&bull;<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Flooring &amp; Furnishing</div>
					<div>
						&bull;<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Fertilizers &amp; Chemicals</div>
					<div>
						&bull;<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Medical &amp; Pharmaceuticals</div>
					<div>
						&bull;<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Electronic &amp; Electrical Goods</div>
					<div>
						&bull;<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Cosmetics &amp; Household Appliances</div>
					<div>
						&nbsp;</div>
					<div>
						<span style="font-size:14px;"><strong>Foreign Brand Representation</strong></span></div>
					<div>
						&bull;<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Haier</div>
					<div>
						&bull;<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Hisense</div>
					<div>
						&bull;<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Toshiba</div>
					<div>
						&bull;<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Evernal</div>
					<div>
						&bull;<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Mitsuma</div>
					<div>
						&bull;<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Chin Yang Corporation (South Korea)</div>
					<div>
						&bull;<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Bharat Petroleum Corporation (India)</div>
					<div>
						&nbsp;</div>
					<div>
						<span style="font-size:14px;"><strong>Trading Companies</strong></span></div>
					<div>
						&bull;<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Trading Firm</div>
					<div>
						&bull;<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Sumit Impex</div>
					<div>
						&bull;<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Kanak New Traders</div>
					<div>
						&bull;<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Nepal Multinational Pvt Ltd</div>
					<div>
						&bull;<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Eshita Trading Pvt Ltd</div>
					<div>
						&bull;<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Yagya Shree Pvt Ltd</div>
					<div>
						&bull;<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Sauryn Exim Pvt ltd</div>
					<div>
						&bull;<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Infotech Solution Pvt Ltd</div>
					<div>
						&bull;<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Nepal Sagarmatha Traders</div>
					<div>
						&bull;<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Diamond Agro International</div>
					<div>
						&bull;<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Rohit International Pvt Ltd</div>
					<div>
						&bull;<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Sanjay Trade Links Pvt Ltd</div>
					<div>
						&bull;<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Kedia International Pvt Ltd</div>
					<div>
						&nbsp;</div>
					<div>
						<span style="font-size:14px;"><strong>Education</strong></span></div>
					<div>
						&bull;<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Sundarmal Ram Kumar Girls Higher Secondary School, Birgunj</div>
					<div>
						&bull;<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Maharaja Agrasen Faculty of Management, Birgunj</div>
					<div>
						&bull;<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>D.A.V. Rukamani Banarasi Kedia School, Birgunj</div>
					<div>
						&bull;<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>D.A.V. Sushi Kedia Vishwa Bharati, Harion, Sarlahi</div>
					<div>
						&bull;<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>D.A.V. Kedia Vishwa Bharati, Biratnagar</div>
					<div>
						&bull;<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>D.A.V. Kedia Vishwa Bharati Nepal, Kathmandu</div>
					<div>
						&bull;<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>D.A.V. Sushil Kedia Vishwa Bharati, Lalitpur</div>
					<div>
						&nbsp;</div>
					<div>
						<span style="font-size:14px;"><strong>Healthcare and Welfare</strong></span></div>
					<div>
						&bull;<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Ram Kumar Mahabir Prasad Kedia Eye Hospital, Birgunj</div>
					<div>
						&bull;<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Mahabir Prasad Brijlal Kedia Dental Institute, Birgunj</div>
					<div>
						&bull;<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Sitaram Kedia Sewa Sadan, Harion, Sarlahi</div>
					<div>
						&bull;<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Nepal Bodhi Tree International Society, Birgunj</div>
					<div>
						&bull;<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Mahabir Prasad Brijlal Kedia Sewa Trust, Birgunj</div>
					<div>
						&bull;<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Kedia Children&rsquo;s Scholarship Fund, Birgunj</div>
					<div>
						&bull;<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Sushil Kedia Sewa Foundation, Birgunj</div>
					<div>
						&nbsp;</div>
					<div>
						<span style="font-size:14px;"><strong>Other Manufacturing units</strong></span></div>
					<div>
						&bull;<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Brij Cement Pvt Ltd</div>
					<div>
						&bull;<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Sundar Candles</div>
					<div>
						&bull;<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Sushil Vanaspati Pvt Ltd</div>
					<div>
						&bull;<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Yeti Fabrics Ltd</div>
				</div>
			</td>
		</tr>
	</tbody>
</table>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>',
			'published' => true,
			'created' => '2014-01-20',
			'modified' => '2014-01-26',
			'keywords' => 'the corporate weekly from Nepal, nepali corporate events – news – interviews – reviews, nepali corporate focus, nepali corporate status and news, news from nepali corporate industry, corporate happenings – events – news from nepal',
			'description' => 'Kedia Organisation, a multi-million business conglomerate is not only one of the largest business houses in Nepal but also one of the oldest. The business house has diversified itself into agriculture, dairy, banking, trading among other industries without leaving a bit of the manufacturing sector that the group is focused on.',
			'sortorder' => '2296',
			'image' => null,
			'article_date' => '0000-00-00 00:00:00',
			'homepage' => false,
			'breaking_news' => false,
			'main_news' => false,
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			'user_id' => '0'
		)
	),
	(int) 7 => array(
		'Article' => array(
			'id' => '2446',
			'article_category_id' => '122',
			'title' => 'Chachan Group: Cementing Its Foundation',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => null,
			'content' => '<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	<strong>--By Gaurav Aryal and Om Prakash Khanal</strong></div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<table align="right" style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 10px;" width="25">
	<tbody>
		<tr>
			<td>
				<img alt="Satish Chachan, Director, Chachan Group" src="/userfiles/images/sptlght1%20(Copy).jpg" style="border-width: 0px; border-style: solid; width: 200px; height: 221px;" /></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td bgcolor="#FFFFFF">
				<div align="center">
					<div style="text-align: center;">
						<div>
							<strong>Satish Chachan</strong></div>
						<div>
							<em>Director, Chachan Group</em></div>
					</div>
				</div>
			</td>
		</tr>
	</tbody>
</table>
<div>
	Chachan Group evolved into a manufacturing and trading house when it changed its course into manufacturing from the family owned trading business. This move not only made the group grow leaps and bounds but also established itself as a leading industrial and trading house. The group in its initial days traded various commodities such as leather and leather products, cement, vegetable ghee, food grains, lentils, oil seeds, spices, consumer goods, fertilizer, pulses, edible oils and animal feeds. Today, the group not only trades these commodities but also produces them. The group&rsquo;s expansion was not merely driven by the market force. There were visions and entrepreneurial skills of earlier generation of businessmen, Mahabir Prasad Chachan and Shree Maliram Chachan, who steered the business towards what it is today. When the group passed onto the new generation of businessmen, Babu Lal Chachan and Parmeshwar Lal Chachan who are Chairman and Vice-Chairman respectively, the group had reached to a position from where it would never have to look back.&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	<span style="font-size:14px;"><strong>Growing Larger</strong></span></div>
<div>
	Satish Chachan, Director of Chachan Group says that the group is continuously following the tradition established by its founders towards further growth of the company. He proudly says, &ldquo;Compared to the group&rsquo;s initial days, the company has achieved a remarkable success in cement manufacturing besides continuing its decades old cement selling business.&rdquo; Within the last decade, the group has established three cement grinding plants each having a production capacity of 350 metric tonnes (MT) of cement per day in Birgunj. Similarly, the group has begun the construction of fourth cement grinding plant in Nepalgunj with the same capacity as that of a single unit in Birgunj.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	Chachan says that the group had established a poly-plastic bag industry two years back in Birgunj. This factory has enabled the group&rsquo;s cement plants to use its own cement packing bags. &ldquo;This poly-plastic bag industry has also earned a big business faith in the major sectors of the country. This clearly indicates the satisfactory present and past situation of the company and its growing capability to contribute a large amount of revenue to the nation.&rdquo;</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	<span style="font-size:14px;"><strong>Gaining Strength</strong></span></div>
<div>
	The group has shown remarkable progress in goods manufacturing that it has decided to specialise on. At present, it is producing cement, vegetable oil, leather goods, poly-plastic goods and various food products through its food processing units. Likewise, the group is also involved in trading through its three companies who have direct presence in over 19 different cities across the country.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	Chachan Group is today considered one of the leading business houses of Nepal based in Birgunj for producing variety of commodities with a wide reach across the country. Chachan claims that the products range that the company trades in and its wide network are suggestive of their market &nbsp;and the robust financial strength of the group.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	He shares that the annual turnover of the group exceeds Rs 4 billion. He also adds that the staggering 70 per cent of the total turnover is generated by the cement wing of the group. While sharing the strength of the group, Chachan boasts that his business has been employing 1500 people directly along with a huge number of indirect employments in transportation and handling of the raw materials and finished products. He also adds that 300 employees are working in the cement wing alone. The group&rsquo;s beneficiaries such as construction companies, commercial enterprises, transporters, traders, farmers and consumers are spread over major parts of Tarai and hilly regions of the country.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	<span style="font-size:14px;"><strong>Changing the Course</strong></span></div>
<div>
	For decades, the group had been trading various commodities. Chachan says, &ldquo;This trade grew bigger and flourished gradually, which ultimately evolved into the establishment and identification of the Chachan Group. This can be regarded as the first and fundamental turning point of the company.&rdquo; Gradually the trading business expanded; meanwhile, various new manufacturing units were established.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	Around one and a half decade ago, the group decided to establish cement manufacturing units realising the growing demand of construction materials and cement in particular. This demand was identified when the state owned cement plants such as Hetauda Cement, Udaypur Cement and other private cement producers were unable to meet the major percentage of cement demands. This inspired the group to establish Narayani Cement Udyog Pvt Ltd in Birgunj. This company today has production capacity of 1050 tonnes per day.&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	<span style="font-size:14px;"><strong>Roadmap Ahead</strong></span></div>
<div>
	Chachan believes that the group has kept its promise of offering best quality products and services at a reasonable cost and claims that it would open up new avenues for the group to expand its manufacturing and trading businesses in the days ahead. &ldquo;Our past experience gives us confidence that we have further opportunities and scope for expansion. We want to establish our own clinker producing units so that we can stand as one of the leading cement and clinker manufacturer of Nepal,&rdquo; envisions Chachan.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	He reveals that the group has a clinker producing plant in the pipeline. He elaborated that this new plant will have a production capacity of 700 to 750 tonnes per day. Likewise, once the Nepalgunj based cement plant comes into operation, the group is planning to add another cement grinding plant there with production capacity and design similar to the existing one.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	Similarly, Chachan reveals that the group is planning to acquire a limestone quarry in a hilly area of Makawanpur district, few kilometres away from Hetauda. &ldquo;Besides this, we have been thinking to buy some additional land to establish the clinker producing plant.Though we are already in touch with some of the renowned Indian companies for establishing the clinker plant, we think this will materialise only after three to five years from now,&rdquo; he added. Similarly, Chachan is ready to expand other plants depending on the market demand and financial status.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	<img alt="Chachhan Group" src="/userfiles/images/sptlight%20(Copy).jpg" style="margin-left: 10px; margin-right: 10px; height: 333px; width: 550px;" /></div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	<span style="font-size:16px;"><strong>CSR Commitments</strong></span></div>
<div>
	As part of its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR), the group has given prime importance to environmental protection and freeing its locality from pollutants. The group is also strengthening and accelerating its sustainable environmental efforts through the reduction of environmental impacts and the conservation of the biodiversity. &ldquo;We have been aiming to provide satisfaction and gratification to as many stakeholders as possible. To this aspect, we believe and act ethically and relentlessly to seek improvement in the quality, safety, information security and reliability of our products and services,&rdquo; explains Chachan.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	Satish Chachan, Director of the group says, &ldquo;We respect our customer and their culture and the community they belong to while we deal with them in the course of our business activities. We also engage in dialogues with various stakeholders in society and incorporate their feedback to enhance our CSR activities so that we can contribute our best to improve our surroundings, quality and the effectiveness of our activities.&rdquo;&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	Similarly, the company has dedicated itself in creating a safe and comfortable work environment for all its employees so that they can realise their full potential and have a fulfilling career, as a responsible corporate culture.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<table border="0" cellpadding="10" width="99%">
	<tbody>
		<tr>
			<td bgcolor="#E5E4E2">
				<div>
					<div>
						<span style="font-size:16px;"><strong>Sister Companies of Chachan Group</strong></span></div>
					<div>
						&bull;<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Narayani Cement</div>
					<div>
						&bull;<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Jaya Bageshwari Cement</div>
					<div>
						&bull;<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Narayani Oil Refinery Udyog</div>
					<div>
						&bull;<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Narayani Leather Manufacturing Industries</div>
					<div>
						&bull;<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Narayani Modern Pulses Industries</div>
					<div>
						&bull;<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Shree Adhunik Dal Udyog</div>
					<div>
						&bull;<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Shree Agro Processing Unit</div>
					<div>
						&bull;<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Adarsh Oil Industry</div>
					<div>
						&bull;<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Adarsh Tel Udyog</div>
					<div>
						&bull;<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Adarsh Polyplastic Pvt Ltd</div>
					<div>
						&nbsp;</div>
					<div>
						<span style="font-size:16px;"><strong>Independent Trading Concerns &nbsp;under the Group</strong></span></div>
					<div>
						&bull;<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Chachan Implex</div>
					<div>
						&bull;<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Devki International&nbsp;</div>
					<div>
						&bull;<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Manoj International Traders</div>
					<div>
						&nbsp;</div>
					<div>
						<span style="font-size:16px;"><strong>SWOT Analysis</strong></span></div>
					<div>
						&nbsp;</div>
					<div>
						<span style="font-size:14px;"><strong>Strengths</strong></span></div>
					<div>
						&bull;<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Customers&nbsp;</div>
					<div>
						&bull;<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Staff&nbsp;</div>
					<div>
						&bull;<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Good quality products and services</div>
					<div>
						&bull;<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Reasonable price&nbsp;</div>
					<div>
						&bull;<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Harmonic relationship with employees, customers and local surroundings</div>
					<div>
						&bull;<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Disciplined working attitude</div>
					<div>
						&bull;<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Timely revenue payments to the government&nbsp;</div>
					<div>
						&nbsp;</div>
					<div>
						<span style="font-size:14px;"><strong>Weaknesses</strong></span></div>
					<div>
						&bull;<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Inability to give hundred percent employment to the local residents&nbsp;</div>
					<div>
						&bull;<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Cannot fulfill the donation demands from local parties and their leaders&nbsp;</div>
					<div>
						&nbsp;</div>
					<div>
						<span style="font-size:14px;"><strong>Opportunities</strong></span></div>
					<div>
						&bull;<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Prospects for growth of construction material businesses</div>
					<div>
						&bull;<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Growing domestic market and purchasing capacity of people</div>
					<div>
						&bull;<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Rapidly emerging technological innovations</div>
					<div>
						&nbsp;</div>
					<div>
						<span style="font-size:14px;"><strong>Threats</strong></span></div>
					<div>
						&bull;<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Lack of smooth business environment</div>
					<div>
						&bull;<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Frequent bandhs and strikes&nbsp;</div>
					<div>
						&bull;<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Lack of environment to work peacefully and uninterruptedly where the group is based</div>
					<div>
						&nbsp;</div>
					<div>
						<span style="font-size:16px;"><strong>Market Positioning</strong></span></div>
					<div>
						Products of Chachan Group has a wide market coverage including major cities and towns such as Birgunj, Hetauda, Kalaiya, Narayanghat, Kathmandu, Bhaktapur, Banepa, Batar, Pokhara, Bhairahawa, Krishna Nagar, Dang, Nepalgunj, Dhangadhi, Nijgarh, Gaur, Lahan, Janakpur, Jhapa, Morang, Ilam and other places in hilly and Tarai region. According to the group, major market for cement is in all the belts extending from Birgunj to Jhapa and in Hetauda, Narayanghatand major cities and towns of Bagmati zone.</div>
					<div>
						&nbsp;</div>
					<div>
						According to Satish Chachan, Director of the group, product placement is done through various dealers and transporters. Group&rsquo;s contact or branch offices and dealers are channels for distribution. Major product range includes daily commodities, construction materials, leather goods, fertilizers among others.&nbsp;</div>
					<div>
						All the factories of the group are being operated in full capacity to meet the market demand. Products are sold under different brand names such as Trishakti and Bajrashakti in the cement segment while other commodities also have their own niche brand value recognised in their market targets.<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span></div>
				</div>
			</td>
		</tr>
	</tbody>
</table>
<p>
	&nbsp;</p>',
			'published' => true,
			'created' => '2014-01-19',
			'modified' => '2014-01-20',
			'keywords' => 'the corporate weekly from Nepal, nepali corporate events – news – interviews – reviews, nepali corporate focus, nepali corporate status and news, news from nepali corporate industry, corporate happenings – events – news from nepal',
			'description' => 'Chachan Group evolved into a manufacturing and trading house when it changed its course into manufacturing from the family owned trading business. This move not only made the group grow leaps and bounds but also established itself as a leading industrial and trading house. The group in its initial days traded various commodities such as leather and leather products, cement, vegetable ghee, food grains, lentils, oil seeds, spices, consumer goods, fertilizer, pulses, edible oils and animal feeds.',
			'sortorder' => '2292',
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			'in_scroller' => false,
			'user_id' => '0'
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	),
	(int) 8 => array(
		'Article' => array(
			'id' => '2408',
			'article_category_id' => '122',
			'title' => 'Kabra Group: A Leading Confectioner',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => null,
			'content' => '<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	<strong>--By Gaurav Aryal</strong></div>
<table align="right" style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 10px;" width="25">
	<tbody>
		<tr>
			<td>
				<img alt="Shyam Kabra, Chairman, Kabra Group" src="/userfiles/images/spt1%20(Copy)(1).jpg" style="border-width: 0px; border-style: solid; width: 200px; height: 222px;" /></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td bgcolor="#FFFFFF">
				<div align="center">
					<div style="text-align: center;">
						<div>
							<strong>Shyam Kabra</strong></div>
						<div>
							<em>Chairman, Kabra Group</em></div>
					</div>
				</div>
			</td>
		</tr>
	</tbody>
</table>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	The journey of Kabra Group began with the establishment of Kwality Biscuits Industries Pvt Ltd in 1985. However it was not the first venture for the Kabra family for it has been involved in the business for generations. They were involved in the business of consumer goods before the family decided to set up a factory. When the first biscuit factory performed well, it increased the hunger of the family to go for more. Shyam Kabra, Chairman of Kabra Group says that the Kwality Biscuits was a major success and it encouraged his family to expand this new business.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	Eventually, the business house came up with Kwality Diet and Food Processing Pvt Ltd and Kwality Food and Snacks followed up. These additions did not only make the business bigger, but also established the family as an industrial house of Nepal.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	<span style="font-size:14px;"><strong>Ruling the Roost</strong></span></div>
<div>
	Kwality Biscuits Industry was not only the first factory of the group but also one of the earliest companies in Nepal to manufacture biscuits, claims Kabra. &ldquo;With time we have consistently kept on establishing more companies that helped us diversify our portfolio,&rdquo; he adds. The group claims itself to be the largest investor in the biscuits industry of Nepal and has the largest production capacity.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	The group claims that has been the largest manufacturer of biscuits as well as soaps and confectionery for the past two decades. The mother industry was later gradually expanded into soaps, chocolates, flour and vegetable ghee and oil producing sister concerns. At present, the group has a dozen companies in manufacturing as well as in trading.&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	The group currently produces almost 35 types of biscuits and Kabra says that half of them are performing pretty well in the market. Tasty Tasty, Bonbon, Butter Cracker, Jackpot, Morning Touch are some of the most popular brands. Tasty-Tasty and a host of other popular brands under the brand umbrella of Kwality are loved by customers not only in Nepal but also in India. Kabra says, &ldquo;Many of the Kabra Group companies are market leaders in their industries and have won acclaim from the customers, since 1985.&rdquo; The group is also a source of employment to 100 permanent staff and 300 daily waged labours.&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	<span style="font-size:14px;"><strong>Encouraging Expansion</strong></span></div>
<div>
	Like any other business houses, Kabra Group too was hesitant to invest blindly during the conflict era and the unstable politics that followed thereafter. So, the group kept itself on the wait and watch mode and did not make any significant investment for expansion of its businesses. However, the group kept on adding new varieties of confectionaries and biscuits to its existing products range. Kabra says that Gold series Bonbon, Butter Cracker Gold and Coconut Gold are some of the additions made during the turbulent times. Considering Kwality Biscuits as its mother industry, the group has always kept this company in priority and promises it to take it to the next level in the days to come. The latest constituent assembly election has also brought hope and signs of stability and encouraged Kabra Group like other investors to expand its niche.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	Humans are never satisfied with what they and therefore yearn for more. The same follows for the Kabras too. Kabra says, &ldquo;We still have a lot to do. Though the growth rate we currently have is not unsatisfactory, we have seen scope to do better. And, the environment and situation is getting better where our initiatives will pay.&rdquo; He adds that his group is dedicated to its works and perform the best it can.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	<span style="font-size:14px;"><strong>Market Position</strong></span></div>
<div>
	The group has prioritised the domestic market as its major market for all of its products. Kabra says that local market and local customers, belonging to all the age groups, have been and will remain the target segment of the group&rsquo;s products. Along with that, Kabra hints that the group has no intentions of limiting itself to the domestic market only. &ldquo;We have plans to explore export markets too but it will take some time,&rdquo; Kabra added. &nbsp;</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	Being the largest producer and investor in the biscuits industry, Kabra says that the confectionary products hold an impressive share in the domestic market. &ldquo;However, market is an uncertain place. Therefore, marketing strategies need to be revised and updated corresponding to the changing time and situation,&rdquo; says Kabra. He adds that Nepali companies have their own strategies while the foreign companies have different roadmap to penetrate into the market here. The group believes that if the product is excellent then the customers will remain with it.&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	Kabra feels that Nepali products are not only facing competition from local products but also from the imported ones. &ldquo;But competition is natural as the same market is shared by all the players. What I believe is when the competition swells; the scope of market expansion also increases. However, we have to concentrate more on healthy competition than going for mere price wars,&rdquo; explains Kabra.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	<span style="font-size:16px;"><strong>Major milestones of Kabra Group</strong></span></div>
<div>
	1985 - Established Kwality Biscuits Industries Private Limited</div>
<div>
	1990 - Established Kwality Soap Industries Private Limited</div>
<div>
	1994 - Established NEPIND Flexipack Private Limited</div>
<div>
	1995 - Kwality Biscuits Industries Private limited launched Tasty Tasty which propelled the company as the second largest manufacturer in the Industry</div>
<div>
	1998 - Established Annapurna Maida Mills Private Limited</div>
<div>
	2000 - Established Kwality Confectionary Private Limited</div>
<div>
	2003 - Established a second company of Biscuits Kwality Diet &amp; Food Products Private Limited</div>
<div>
	2005 - Established a second company of Soaps &amp; Detergents Kwality Soap &amp; Chemical Industries Private Limited</div>
<div>
	2008 - Established Kwality Oil Refinery Private Limited</div>
<div>
	2012 - Established Kwality Food &amp; Snacks Industries Pvt Ltd</div>
<div>
	2012 - Established Siddharth Enterprises</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	<img alt="Kabra Group Products" src="/userfiles/images/spt2%20(Copy)(1).jpg" style="width: 550px; height: 191px; margin-left: 10px; margin-right: 10px;" /></div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<table border="0" cellpadding="10" width="99%">
	<tbody>
		<tr>
			<td bgcolor="#E5E4E2">
				<div>
					<span style="font-size:16px;"><strong>Companies under the Group</strong></span></div>
				<div>
					&bull;<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Kwality Biscuit Industries Pvt Ltd</div>
				<div>
					&bull;<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Kwality Soap &amp; Chemicals Pvt Ltd&nbsp;</div>
				<div>
					&bull;<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Nep - Ind Flexipack Pvt Ltd&nbsp;</div>
				<div>
					&bull;<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Annapurna Maida Mills Pvt Ltd&nbsp;</div>
				<div>
					&bull;<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Kwality Confectionary Pvt Ltd&nbsp;</div>
				<div>
					&bull;<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Kwality Diet &amp; Food Production Pvt Ltd&nbsp;</div>
				<div>
					&bull;<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Kwality Chemicals Pvt Ltd&nbsp;</div>
				<div>
					&bull;<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Kwality Oil Refinery Pvt Ltd&nbsp;</div>
				<div>
					&bull;<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Kwality Food &amp; Snacks Industries Pvt Ltd&nbsp;</div>
				<div>
					&bull;<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Siddharth Enterprises Pvt Ltd&nbsp;</div>
				<div>
					&bull;<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Phoenix International Pvt Ltd</div>
				<div>
					&nbsp;</div>
				<div>
					<span style="font-size:16px;"><strong>Some Companies under Kabra Group</strong></span></div>
				<div>
					&nbsp;</div>
				<div>
					<span style="font-size:14px;"><strong>Kwality Soap and Chemical Industries Pvt Ltd</strong></span></div>
				<div>
					One of the major companies of Kabra Group, Kwality Soap and Chemical Industries Pvt Ltd, produces a variety of laundry and toilet soaps. &nbsp;According to Shyam Kabra, the company has recently upgraded its production plant for detergent manufacturing. The manufacturing unit at Kathari is upgraded to the latest technology. The group has been involved in soaps ranging from premium products to budget products, for over 15 years. Kabra says that the company utilises the unmatched infrastructure that consists of latest tools and is supervised by qualified professionals. The entire manufacturing process has been streamlined to minimize any manufacturing fault. The company is also utilising internationally approved formulation, raw materials to ensure best quality assurance. The factory also has its own fully equipped laboratory, for new product development and quality testing.</div>
				<div>
					&nbsp;</div>
				<div>
					<span style="font-size:14px;"><strong>Kwality Confectionery Pvt Ltd&nbsp;</strong></span></div>
				<div>
					This is the flagship company of Kabra Group that produces products such as confectionery, chewing-gums, chocolate, coated and plain wafers, among others. The company has established itself as a multi-product, multi-market company and is claimed to be one of the largest manufacturer of confectionery and toffees in Nepal since 2001. This company produces over 60 varieties of candies, toffees and wafers. &nbsp;Kabra says that the company has always endeavoured to satisfy the customers&rsquo; changing wants and desires with its special emphasis on quality, range and value for money. The Company is also strictly following the code of good manufacturing practice prescribed by ISO standards though it has not been certified by one yet. Quality confectionary products, produced at the company&rsquo;s factory located in Duhabi, Sunsari, are supplied to the market through its distribution network in Nepal and India. He says that products are distributed through stockiest within Nepal and reach more than 40,000 outlets throughout the country.</div>
				<div>
					&nbsp;</div>
				<div>
					<span style="font-size:14px;"><strong>Nep-Ind Flexipack Pvt Ltd&nbsp;</strong></span></div>
				<div>
					This company produces eight colour hi-tech rotogravure printing and packaging materials that are being used by the home companies as well as other domestic companies including well known MNCs. According to the company, products have uniform thickness, clear printing in attractive colours. &ldquo;Because of best design developments and high quality of printing with competitive rates, our print product is widely used by giant companies,&rdquo; says Kabra.</div>
			</td>
		</tr>
	</tbody>
</table>
<p>
	&nbsp;</p>',
			'published' => true,
			'created' => '2014-01-06',
			'modified' => '2014-01-19',
			'keywords' => 'the corporate weekly from Nepal, nepali corporate events – news – interviews – reviews, nepali corporate focus, nepali corporate status and news, news from nepali corporate industry, corporate happenings – events – news from nepal',
			'description' => 'The journey of Kabra Group began with the establishment of Kwality Biscuits Industries Pvt Ltd in 1985. However it was not the first venture for the Kabra family for it has been involved in the business for generations. They were involved in the business of consumer goods before the family decided to set up a factory. When the first biscuit factory performed well, it increased the hunger of the family to go for more. Shyam Kabra, Chairman of Kabra Group says that the Kwality Biscuits was a major success and it encouraged his family to expand this new business.',
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	(int) 9 => array(
		'Article' => array(
			'id' => '2358',
			'article_category_id' => '122',
			'title' => 'NE Group: Expanding Perpetually',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => null,
			'content' => '<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	<strong>--By Gaurav Aryal</strong></div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<table align="right" style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 10px;" width="25">
	<tbody>
		<tr>
			<td>
				<img alt="Ravi Bhakta Shrestha, Vice Chairman, NE Group" src="/userfiles/images/sptlt1%20(Copy).jpg" style="border-width: 0px; border-style: solid; width: 200px; height: 222px;" /></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td bgcolor="#FFFFFF">
				<div align="center">
					<div style="text-align: center;">
						<div>
							<strong>Ravi Bhakta Shrestha</strong></div>
						<div>
							<em>Vice Chairman, NE Group</em></div>
					</div>
				</div>
			</td>
		</tr>
	</tbody>
</table>
<div>
	As any other business houses, NE Group also envisions securing the top position among Nepal&rsquo;s corporate groups. Ravi Bhakta Shrestha, Vice Chairman of NE Group is content with the growth his business has been able to achieve so far, despite the turbulent economic and political environment of the country that has been in the scene. Similar to the business fraternity that stood the test of time, the group has held its roots strong to come this far since its inception.&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	With a belief and optimism for the better future, NE Group has some growth plans up its sleeve to expand in the days to come. The group that has been primarily been concentrated in the manufacturing and trade sectors is now looking into the service industry with much enthusiasm and dedication. Shrestha says that his group will be exploring more into the health and tourism sectors where it already has some investments.&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	<span style="font-size:14px;"><strong>Harnessing Prospects</strong></span></div>
<div>
	Shrestha optimistically says, &ldquo;We see numerous potentials in the future. The political situation has now shown signs of improvement. Once we achieve the much awaited stability, there are many reasons to get encouraged.&rdquo; Not only NE Group, but the business community will be more confident to make investments through domestic as well as foreign sources, he adds.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	Foreseeing the brighter days to come, the group promises to venture into newer sectors like herbal industry and high value agriculture. Hydropower is also one of the priority sectors of the group. Shrestha reveals that talks are going on with South Korean investors regarding energy development but added that details are yet to be finalised.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	The group sees itself prosper in the service industry. So, the group is planning to come up with boutique hotels outside the Kathmandu valley. Though Shrestha denied elaborating into details, he says that the group has identified a couple of places for establishing hotel. Likewise, the group is also planning to expand its SRL Diagnostic Centre as a wellness centre. He claims that SRL Diagnostics laboratory is South East Asia&rsquo;s largest diagnostic lab and the group has established it here which he says is the most modern lab in Nepal. Shrestha is hopeful that a couple of projects in the service sector will be launched within a year or two.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	With an aim to expand into the tourism sector, the group has acquired 1,020,144 shares held by Oberoi Hotels Pvt Ltd, an international hotel chain, in Soaltee Hotel Ltd. Sibkrim Land and Industries, subsidiary of the group acquired the entire stakes worth Rs 142.82 million in 2012.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	<span style="font-size:14px;"><strong>Prime Focus</strong></span></div>
<div>
	The prime line of business for the group has always remained manufacturing and trading but has now expanded into banking, insurance, distribution, international trading, consulting services and project development. Similarly, the group also has presence in hospitality, health and education sector. &nbsp;Likewise, the group is one of the major promoters in United Insurance and Himalayan Bank Limited. Shrestha claims that United Insurance comes among top five insurance companies of Nepal.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	In the manufacturing sector, the group used to export some of its products to the foreign markets but Shrestha now says that the domestic market has surged a lot so, the group has been concentrating only in the domestic market at present.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	As a recent move into the food and beverage business, the group has recently opened Barista-Lavazza, a chain of Italian coffee shops in Nepal.&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	In the manufacturing sector, the group has trusted multinational brand names as joint venture in its portfolio. With a joint venture with Unilever, it has been producing numerous consumer products needed for the domestic market from its factory in Hetauda. Shrestha says that it is the listed company &nbsp;that provides highest dividend to its shareholders every year.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	<img alt="NE GROUP" src="/userfiles/images/sptlt2%20(Copy).jpg" style="width: 550px; height: 319px; margin-left: 10px; margin-right: 10px;" /></div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	<span style="font-size:14px;"><strong>Management Approach</strong></span></div>
<div>
	Though the group was established as a family owned business, it has now taken the path of professionally managed corporate house. Shrestha says that it is the need of the time that has increased the value of human resource. &ldquo;Success depends on the quality of human resource,&rdquo; he says. The group has given utmost value to professionalism. And, it has assigned individual professionals with relevant responsibilities who look after the companies and regularly brief to the board of directors that gives necessary suggestions and takes action as needed.&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	The group is employing 250 people in its companies and factories. Human resource management is also done by the HR department of each of the companies. A weekly meeting is held where the issues are communicated and necessary action is taken. &ldquo;The group is moving ahead in a purely professional and independent fashion,&rdquo; says Shrestha.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	<span style="font-size:14px;"><strong>CSR Activities</strong></span></div>
<div>
	The group with a promise to give back to the society established IJ charitable trust in 1981. &nbsp;According to Shrestha, the Trust, a non-profit and self-funded organisation, is most active in aiding the good health and education of underprivileged children. Likewise it has been making contributions also for the preservation of Nepali culture. The Trust has also created a long-term sustainable fund for the Paediatric department of Tribhuvan University Teaching Hospital to provide financial help to needy children for medical treatment. It also honours renowned writers, artists and ethnic persons who have made significant contributions to the society. In 1985, the Trust established the I.J pioneer High School in Hattiban, Lalitpur which provides quality education and extra-curricular activities to more than seven hundred students. The school also provides free scholarship to 100 needy and talented students each year, shares Shrestha.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<table border="0" cellpadding="10" width="99%">
	<tbody>
		<tr>
			<td bgcolor="#E5E4E2">
				<div>
					<div>
						<div>
							<div>
								<div>
									<div>
										<div>
											<div style="text-align: center;">
												<span style="font-size:16px;"><strong>Growth as a Group</strong></span></div>
											<div style="text-align: center;">
												&nbsp;</div>
											<div>
												NE Group of today once was a small garment store, a family owned business initiated by Ravi Bhakta Shrestha&rsquo;s grandfather. The garment store gradually expanded into a business of money exchange service when there were no banks and other financial services in the country.</div>
											<div>
												&nbsp;</div>
											<div>
												When the trade relationship with India kept on growing along with the growth of trade volume with the southern neighbour, first generation businessmen of Shrestha family also involved in trading of tea. The trading business did not limit to India alone. Shrestha says that his family was the first in Nepal to establish trade relationship with South Korea in 1968. Then South Korea&rsquo;s economy was rapidly growing. Shrestha used to import garments and construction materials from there. However, the licensing system prohibited the group to expand the trade volume as it wished. Similarly, in the trade front, the group once exported some products like musk and peacock feathers to international market.</div>
											<div>
												&nbsp;</div>
											<div>
												As an important milestone towards industrial concentration, the NE Group in partnership with Jalan group of India acquired Ganapati Cotton Mill in Biratnagar that had remained closed for quite some time. However, the factory was again closed down after operating for few years because of labour and other issues. Likewise, the group acquired Nepal Synthetic Industry in Hetauda and expanded it. The group also once had two iron mills in Biratnagar and Hetauda.</div>
											<div>
												&nbsp;</div>
											<div>
												When the business moved onto Shrestha&rsquo;s shoulder, he kept on expanding his family business, following the footsteps of his father. He says that one of the most important and biggest moves he made was signing an agreement with Unilever. This tie-up has given extra edge to the group in its growth as a large business house that it is today, says Shrestha.</div>
											<div>
												&nbsp;</div>
											<div>
												<div>
													<span style="font-size: 16px;"><strong>Some Companies and Subsidiaries of NE Group</strong></span></div>
												<div>
													&nbsp;</div>
												<div>
													<span style="font-size: 14px;"><strong><img alt="" src="/userfiles/images/sl%20(Copy).jpg" style="float: left; margin: 0px 10px 0px 0px; width: 100px; height: 92px;" />National Ice Cream Industries Pvt Ltd</strong></span></div>
												<div>
													This company was established in 2009 as a joint venture between NE Group and The Nanglo Group. National Ice Cream Pvt Ltd produces premium frozen dessert in a state-of-the-art 18,500 sq ft manufacturing unit located at Balaju Industrial District, Kathmandu. The company claims that it has ensured high quality and maintenance of stringent hygiene standards throughout the manufacturing and distribution cycle with a fulltime team of professional food and dairy technologists. The company produces ice cream under Azzabko brand. Azzabko products are available in over 500 retail stores, restaurants and hotels across the country.</div>
												<div>
													&nbsp;</div>
												<div>
													&nbsp;</div>
												<div>
													<span style="font-size: 14px;"><strong><img alt="NICM" src="/userfiles/images/sl1%20(Copy).jpg" style="float: right; margin: 0px 0px 0px 10px; width: 100px; height: 133px;" />NICM</strong></span></div>
												<div>
													Established in 2006, National Investment &amp; Capital Market Limited (NICM) provides Asset Management, Investment Banking, Research, Consultancy And Training services all under one roof. The management is supported by Citizen Investment Trust, a public fund manager and merchant banker. NICM has an issued capital of Rs 150 million and is due to be listed on the Nepal Stock Exchange.</div>
												<div>
													&nbsp;</div>
												<div>
													&nbsp;</div>
												<div>
													<img alt="National Soap Industries Pvt Ltd" src="/userfiles/images/sl2%20(Copy).jpg" style="float: left; margin: 0px 10px 0px 0px; width: 100px; height: 69px;" /><span style="font-size: 14px;"><strong>National Soap Industries Pvt Ltd</strong></span></div>
												<div>
													National Soap Industries Pvt Ltd, established in 1996 is a large scale industrial until at Hetauda Industrial Estate, Makwanpur manufacturing laundry soaps, powdered detergents and hair oil. The company provides back-end production and packaging capabilities for the leading brands of Unilever Nepal such as OK laundry soap and Wheel detergent powder.</div>
												<div>
													&nbsp;</div>
												<div>
													&nbsp;</div>
												<div>
													<span style="font-size: 14px;"><strong><img alt="Unilever Nepal Ltd" src="/userfiles/images/sl3%20(Copy).jpg" style="float: left; margin: 0px 10px 0px 0px; width: 100px; height: 110px;" />Unilever Nepal Ltd</strong></span></div>
												<div>
													Established in 1993 as a joint venture between Hindustan Unilever (formerly Hindustan Lever) and Sibkrim Land &amp; Industrial Co (a subsidiary of NE Group), Unilever aims to meet the everyday needs of Nepali household, to anticipate the aspiration of consumers and to respond creatively and competitively with branded products and services to raise their quality of life. The company manufactures international brands such as Sunsilk Hair products, Close Up, Pepsodent, Wheel Detergent Powder, OK Laundry Soap, Axe Deodorants, Dove, Fair and Lovely, Lifebouy, Lux, Lakme, Ponds and Vaseline amongst others. The company is listed on the Nepal Stock Exchange.</div>
												<div>
													&nbsp;</div>
												<div>
													&nbsp;</div>
												<div>
													<span style="font-size: 14px;"><strong><img alt="United Insurance Co Ltd" src="/userfiles/images/sl4%20(Copy).jpg" style="float: right; margin: 0px 0px 0px 10px; width: 100px; height: 112px;" />United Insurance Co Ltd</strong></span></div>
												<div>
													United Insurance started its operation on December 1, 1993 (Mangsir16, 2050) after its registration with the Company Registrar&rsquo;s Office and approval by Insurance Board. The company is promoted by leading industrialists and reputed trading and commercial houses of Nepal and is publically listed on the Nepal Stock Exchange. The authorised capital of the company is Rs 150 million.&nbsp;</div>
												<div>
													&nbsp;</div>
												<div>
													&nbsp;</div>
												<div>
													<span style="font-size: 14px;"><strong><img alt="Life Care Services Pvt Ltd" src="/userfiles/images/sl5%20(Copy).jpg" style="float: left; margin: 0px 10px 0px 0px; width: 100px; height: 65px;" />Life Care Services Pvt Ltd</strong></span></div>
												<div>
													Established in 2010 as a joint venture between Life Care Services Pvt Ltd (a subsidiary of NE Group) and Super Religare Reference Laboratories India, it is one of the largest diagnostic networks in South and South-East Asia. Through SRL&rsquo;s expertise, the lab provides international standard diagnostic services in the country offering over 3500 tests covering most diseases. The lab is located at Mahrajgunj, Kathmandu and boasts 12 collections centres across the country in cities such as Dharan, Pokahara, Biratnagar, Nepalganj, Bhairawa, Bharatpur, Dhangadi, Dharan and Janakpur.</div>
												<div>
													&nbsp;</div>
											</div>
										</div>
									</div>
								</div>
							</div>
						</div>
					</div>
				</div>
			</td>
		</tr>
	</tbody>
</table>
<p>
	&nbsp;</p>',
			'published' => true,
			'created' => '2013-12-30',
			'modified' => '2014-01-06',
			'keywords' => 'the corporate weekly from Nepal, nepali corporate events – news – interviews – reviews, nepali corporate focus, nepali corporate status and news, news from nepali corporate industry, corporate happenings – events – news from nepal',
			'description' => 'As any other business houses, NE Group also envisions securing the top position among Nepal’s corporate groups. Ravi Bhakta Shrestha, Vice Chairman of NE Group is content with the growth his business has been able to achieve so far, despite the turbulent economic and political environment of the country that has been in the scene. Similar to the business fraternity that stood the test of time, the group has held its roots strong to come this far since its inception.',
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		'Article' => array(
			'id' => '2317',
			'article_category_id' => '122',
			'title' => 'Fishtail Air Focus On Adventure & Rescue',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => null,
			'content' => '<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	<strong>--By Gaurav Aryal</strong></div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<table align="right" style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 10px;" width="25">
	<tbody>
		<tr>
			<td>
				<img alt="Suman Pandey, Chief Executive Officer, Fishtail Air" src="/userfiles/images/spt%20(Copy).jpg" style="border-width: 0px; border-style: solid; width: 200px; height: 222px;" /></td>
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				<div align="center">
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						<div>
							<strong>Suman Pandey</strong></div>
						<div>
							Chief Executive Officer, Fishtail Air</div>
					</div>
				</div>
			</td>
		</tr>
	</tbody>
</table>
<div>
	Fishtail Air Pvt Ltd, established in 1887 has grown leaps and bounds to reach the current position of being one of the leading helicopter companies of Nepal. The company is currently operating with three helicopters and is planning to add two more for peak seasons. With the expansion of the fleet and strength of services, Suman Pandey, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Fishtail Air hopes to serve more customers and is quite satisfied with what the company has done so far.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	The company has never compromised on serving Nepalis either for bringing them from remote areas to the cities for medication, or in bringing pregnant women to hospitals in Kathmandu. And interestingly, three babies &nbsp;were delivered while the mothers were on board the Fishtail Air.&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	The Fishtail Air was closed down in 2004 because of the insurgency hitting hard in the tourism industry. However the company was re-established in 2007 under a new management team and new way of working that has taken the company to a new height.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	<span style="font-size:14px;"><strong>Leadership for Growth</strong></span></div>
<div>
	Pandey has been heading the company since 2007. It was the same year the company started its second innings. Pandey says that he is the first manager of the company who came from a non technical background. Pilots and engineers were the directors and promoters of the company. &nbsp;&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	Pandey, for the last 25 years has been working in the field of adventure tourism. His company Explore Himalaya Travel and Adventure is one of the top adventure tour operators in Nepal. &ldquo;In terms of diversification, it is considered number one among other tour operators,&rdquo; claims Pandey. Working for an adventure tour operator, he had an experience of utilising helicopters quite often and it gave him the confidence of managing a helicopter company.&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	Pandey feels that the need of adventure tourism has always been there in the tourism market. And, he saw the need of a helicopter operator to partner in this unique service offering. He says that during that time helicopter companies were not satisfying the need of adventure tourism. &ldquo;There were certain areas that were unexplored. I thought I could be helpful in bridging the gap and bringing new ideas and innovations as an adventure tour operator,&rdquo; adds Pandey.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	He shares that helicopters were serving only up to the altitude of 14,000 feet. After his involvement with Fishtail, he and his team came up with an idea to serve also in the higher altitudes. Then the company started serving into the thin air of high mountains. Recently, a rescue operation was carried out at the elevation of 7,800 metres at Mt Everest that saved the life of a Nepali mountaineer from Canada who was also disabled.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	<span style="font-size:14px;"><strong>Serving High Altitudes</strong></span></div>
<div>
	The company has been serving its clients up to the elevation of 23,000 feet. In the company&rsquo;s initial days, Mi-17 helicopters were serving Indian pilgrims visiting Mt Kailash and Mansarovar. Being a big helicopter, operations were not smooth as it required at least 100 passengers for one operation. So, Pandey says he came up with an idea of using small helicopter that have good high altitude performance.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	Accordingly, the company signed for two AS B3 helicopters from Eurocopter, a French company that had best service records in high altitude. Based in Simikot, these helicopters started serving Indian pilgrims to Kailash-Mansarovar. Pandey says that Mi-17s have been completely displaced. With the new high altitude performance of new helicopters, the company has gained the strength as a company that serves in high altitudes of the Himalayas.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	<span style="font-size:14px;"><strong>Rescue Operations</strong></span></div>
<div>
	&nbsp;In the last 4-5 years, the company has carried out numerous rescue operations and saved many lives in the mountains that were usually impossible without the use of helicopters. Pandey says that today, helicopters can even land at the second base camp of Mt Everest, Manaslu, Dhaulagiri and Annapurna.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	According to Pandey, a Swiss technology for rescue operations has been used by the company in collaboration with Air Zermatt. Since 2009, sling operations are being performed in Nepali Himalayas. He says that Air Zermatt has helped Nepali pilots by providing trainings both in Nepal and Switzerland.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	Rescue operations soar during the peak tourist seasons for rescuing people injured in accidents and as well as stuck with altitude sickness. Pandey says that the company sets its priorities according to the nature of the case and seriousness, and carries out its operations accordingly.&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	Apart from these operations, the company also performs mountain flights, transport flights and sightseeing flights to both foreigners and Nepalis. However, Pandey says that the priority is set on rescue operations as the company believes in saving lives first. Fishtail Air carried out a significant role in rescuing hundreds of tourists stranded in Lukla because of bad weather in 2011.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	<span style="font-size:14px;"><strong>Safety Concerns</strong></span></div>
<div>
	The company feels that the recent embargo by the European Union on Nepali airlines is a sad incident. The company has geared up &nbsp;to comply with the highest safety standards, whereby it is planning to review its safety aspects and take all the necessary &nbsp;improvement measures. &ldquo;We will try to prove that our operations are already up to the standards to European community. We will show the quality and reliability of our services both in operations and on paper,&rdquo; promises Pandey.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	Pandey says that a company can do extra than the listed safety concerns for adding value to the company&rsquo;s services. &ldquo;We are looking at adding some extra security features like bringing expert trainers from Europe and training our pilots and engineers and providing extra measures to support our safety standards to prove that Fishtail Air is a safe carrier.&rdquo;</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	<span style="font-size:14px;"><strong>New Ventures</strong></span></div>
<div>
	Looking at the latest safety concern, Pandey says that the company has decided to go slow because things look quite uncertain at the moment. He says that this strategy will prevail for the next six months to one year. He says that the situation during that time will decide how and where the future steps of the company will lead.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	However, the company is planning to go into the hospitality industry from the current area of working- aviation. Pandey reveals that land has already been acquired in Lamatar of Lalitpur that overlooks the entire Kathmandu Valley and a range of mountains in the north. He says that the company is going to start a 100 room luxury eco-resort, a new concept in Nepal targeting high-end clients. He says that the resort will come into operation within three years.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	<img alt="Fishtail Air" src="/userfiles/images/sptlght%20(Copy).jpg" style="width: 550px; height: 182px; margin-left: 10px; margin-right: 10px;" /></div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<table border="0" cellpadding="10" width="99%">
	<tbody>
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				<div>
					<div>
						<div>
							<div>
								<div>
									<div>
										<div>
											<span style="font-size: 16px;"><strong>Tale of Fishtail Air</strong></span></div>
										<div>
											Fishtail Air Pvt Ltd is a helicopter charter company operating within Nepal, with its base in Kathmandu. Established in the year 1997 the company has been involved in operation throughout the country with occasional Trans-border flights to Bhutan and India. With a fleet of four helicopters, which includes two AS 350 B3 &ldquo;Ecureuil&rdquo;, one AS 350 B2 &ldquo;Ecureuil&rdquo;, and one Bell 206B III Jet Ranger helicopter, the company claims itself to be the largest helicopter operator in Nepal.</div>
										<div>
											&nbsp;</div>
										<div>
											Fishtail Air operates flights for sightseeing, rescue, medical evacuation, business travels, project support, expedition works or any other purposes that need the services of a Helicopter. The company also operates support flights for trekking, which is getting really popular these days in the name of &ldquo;Heli-Trekking&rdquo;. Aerial sightseeing flights over the heritage and tourist spots is being quite popular these days &nbsp;to have a glimpse of tourist spots within the Kathmandu Valley in a short time and from different angle.</div>
										<div>
											&nbsp;</div>
										<div>
											<span style="font-size: 16px;"><strong>Partnering Everest Skydive 2013</strong></span></div>
										<div>
											Fishtail Air has been operating flights for Everest Skydive from Syangboche Airport this year continuing the trend that has been in operations for seven years. &nbsp;AS350B3 Helicopter 9N-AJI of Fishtail Air is operating at least three flight loads for the Skydive every day. Exclusive partner for this extreme event since its launch in 2007, Fishtail Air also made the flight load with French national Marc Kopp who set a record for being the first disable person to skydive in the shadow of Everest from the ceiling altitude of above 22000 ft on 27 October 2013. Fishtail Air, has also been involved in carrying the skydivers back to Kathmandu after their successful dives.</div>
										<div>
											&nbsp;</div>
										<div>
											<span style="font-size: 16px;"><strong>Spring of 2013</strong></span></div>
										<div>
											The company says that the spring season of 2013 ended with a productive spell. From the beginning of the season in March, Fishtail Air carried out more than 200 rescue flights as well as cargo shipments of over 1,00,000 kilograms. A handful number of mountain flights and search flights were conducted specially in the Everest and Dhaulagiri regions. During this season, one of the highest helicopter rescue operation was carried out at the altitude of 7,800 metre between Camp III and Camp IV of Mt. Everest. During those few months, B3 Helicopter was stationed in Lukla to provide quick services to the foreigners as well as Nepalis. Similarly, one of the helicopters was stationed in Simikot to assist and support pilgrimage tours to Mount Kailash during emergencies.</div>
									</div>
								</div>
							</div>
						</div>
					</div>
				</div>
			</td>
		</tr>
	</tbody>
</table>
<p>
	&nbsp;</p>',
			'published' => true,
			'created' => '2013-12-23',
			'modified' => '2013-12-30',
			'keywords' => 'the corporate weekly from Nepal, nepali corporate events – news – interviews – reviews, nepali corporate focus, nepali corporate status and news, news from nepali corporate industry, corporate happenings – events – news from nepal',
			'description' => 'Fishtail Air Pvt Ltd, established in 1887 has grown leaps and bounds to reach the current position of being one of the leading helicopter companies of Nepal. The company is currently operating with three helicopters and is planning to add two more for peak seasons. With the expansion of the fleet and strength of services, Suman Pandey, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Fishtail Air hopes to serve more customers and is quite satisfied with what the company has done so far.',
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	(int) 11 => array(
		'Article' => array(
			'id' => '2271',
			'article_category_id' => '122',
			'title' => 'Sakya Group: Refined Hospitality',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => null,
			'content' => '<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	<strong>--By Gaurav Aryal</strong></div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<table align="right" style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 10px;" width="25">
	<tbody>
		<tr>
			<td>
				<img alt="Yogendra Sakya, Chairman, Sakya Group" src="/userfiles/images/SP1%20(Copy).jpg" style="border-width: 0px; border-style: solid; width: 200px; height: 221px;" /></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td bgcolor="#FFFFFF">
				<div align="center">
					<div style="text-align: center;">
						<div>
							<strong>Yogendra Sakya</strong></div>
						<div>
							Chairman, Sakya Group</div>
					</div>
				</div>
			</td>
		</tr>
	</tbody>
</table>
<div>
	Sakya Group is a journey from gold craftsmanship to the glittering hospitality business. Sakyas of Kathmandu Valley have been known for their expertise in the jewellery business. Family of Bashanta Bahadur Sakya, one of the founders of the group was continuing the lineage of jewellery business and had a store at Ason of Kathmandu until early 1970s. When he turned colour blind, he had to deviate from his ancestral profession.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	The journey of their business took a new turn with the establishment of Kathmandu Guest House (KGH) at Thamel in 1970s. Basanta Bahadur Sakya and his brother Karna Sakya turned their residential property, a Victorian palace built by Ranas into a 13 room hotel. Thamel then was a field where jackals roamed freely even during the day, say its promoters. KGH was followed by new hotels namely, Hotel Ambassador (1978), Marcopolo Business hotel (1998) and Club Himalaya Nagarkot (1998). Later, this joint-family split around the year 2000 and the KHG, a well-known brand, went to Karna Sakya while his nephews got some other businesses.&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	<span style="font-size:14px;"><strong>The New Brand Journey</strong></span></div>
<div>
	Yogendra Sakya, Chairman of Sakya Group, says it was painful to suddenly lose the KGH association and start fresh. He adds that it was painful also because he was personally looking after the KGH. Meanwhile, he invested in Ace Institute of Management and Ace Development Bank as one of the major promoters. He branded his hotels as Ace Hotels and Resorts. Currently, Hotel Ambassador Lazimpat and Chhauni, Marcopolo Business Hotel, Club Himalaya Nagarkot, Trek-O-Tel Hotel, The Tea House Inn and Shanti Ban Resort are in operation under this umbrella brand of Ace Hotels. Though he lost the KGH brand name, his expertise gained since 1970s as professional hoteliers remained intact with him. This proved to be strong base needed for advancing in the hospitality business.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	One of the transformation during the rebranding process was promoting Ace Hotels and Resorts as a mid range hotels, a move from the image of budget hotel. Club Himalaya Resort is the signature hotel that assisted in this transformation. Sakya explains, &ldquo;We are not five star hotels and we have targeted our brand at adventure tourists. We know that they don&rsquo;t come for luxury. This is the market of Nepal and our speciality too.&rdquo;</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	Sakya family invests and also manages the groups&rsquo; hotel wing while Sakya Investment Company makes investment in various sectors. According to Sakya, the company has invested in banking and financial sectors and they are one of the promoters in Nepal Investment Bank and Ace Development Bank. Likewise the company has investments in real estate as well as a printing press. Similarly, Idea Group has investment in the education industry through Malpi Group of Schools. Sakya says that the group&rsquo;s total investment crosses Rs 1 billion and makes an annual turnover of around Rs 1.25 billion.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	<span style="font-size:14px;"><strong>Business Expansion</strong></span></div>
<div>
	The group is rebuilding Hotel Ambassador Lazimpat from the ground. The group demolished its building when the road expansion drive of Kathmandu needed to break a portion of hotel. Sakya says that the hotel will be built as a four star property in next two years. He reveals that Rs 300 million is invested in the rebuilding and he is expecting that the budget will cross its limit. Sakya says that he took the challenge as an opportunity and only the time will tell that it is for the better.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	For the time being, guests of Hotel Ambassador, Lazimpat are accommodated at Hotel Ambassador, Chh auni. Sakya says that the buildings at Chhauni were designed as apartment for the Sakya family. But the need turned it into the hotel and he adds that it was mainly done to keep the Hotel Ambassador open for two years &ndash; until the construction completes at Lazimpat. However, Sakya says that he has plans to continue this property at Chhauni as an apartment hotel. Ambassador Chhauni has 25 rooms and 14 apartments.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	The group has a couple of other hotels in the pipeline. Sakya says that the group had planned to complete Sakya Heritage Hotel targeting upmarket clients at Nagpokhari. The plan has been postponed because of the demolition of Ambassador that required priority to reconstruct. Along with that the group is planning to complete the resort project in Chitwan &ndash; Club Wilderness, after present projects are completed. Sakya says that the Club Wilderness project was postponed considering the surge in the number of new hotels and lodges in Chitwan.Stating that the project is not dropped, he adds that the resort will be built with a new concept of serving tourists especially visiting both Chitwan and Lumbini.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	Sakya says that he wants to go step by step in the business rather than jumping at once into 10 hotel projects. &ldquo;We start a business small and let it grow. Once it stands firmly on solid ground, we move forward,&rdquo; says Sakya.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	<img alt="" src="/userfiles/images/SP3%20(Copy).jpg" style="width: 550px; height: 629px; margin-left: 10px; margin-right: 10px;" /></div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	<span style="font-size:14px;"><strong>Opportunities Galore</strong></span></div>
<div>
	Sakya believes that China and India are Nepal&rsquo;s two economic giant neighbours, from where tourists can walk, fly or ride to Kathmandu. He predicts that these two countries will be the biggest tourism market for Nepal. &ldquo;Nepal&rsquo;s tourism was discovered. We never planted it,&rdquo; he says expressing discontent with the tourism promotion strategy. He suggests that Nepal should be going directly to the consumers when it comes to promotion rather than to the tour operators. &ldquo;There is a huge untapped market for us. &nbsp;If we can explore Chinese and Indian markets, we can bring two million tourists every year. The only challenge is in finding way to reach the consumers,&rdquo;&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	he adds.&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	The trend of bringing international chain hotel brands has revived in Nepal with big names like Marriot and Sheraton landing in Nepal soon. &nbsp;However, Sakya rules out the possibility of his group&rsquo;s partnership with an international brand.&ldquo;You don&rsquo;t have to borrow international name to succeed. Rise of the Internet, and e-marketing, has enabled clients to analyse features of local brand right on their devices. Local names too can be sold through this channel. Individual products can be directly brought to the customers attention and sold well.&rdquo; At present, 20 per cent of total sales in the tourism industry are made through online booking, says Sakya. He explains that there are big opportunities for local products for creating independent brand name. &ldquo;We would like to make our own hotel chain at the domestic level, if not international,&rdquo; adds Sakya.&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<table border="0" cellpadding="10" width="99%">
	<tbody>
		<tr>
			<td bgcolor="#E5E4E2">
				<div>
					<div>
						<div>
							<div>
								<div>
									<div>
										<span style="font-size:16px;"><strong>Some Companies under Group</strong></span></div>
									<div>
										&bull;<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Hotel Ambassador, Lazimpat</div>
									<div>
										&bull;<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Hotel Ambassador, Chhauni</div>
									<div>
										&bull;<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Marcopolo Business Hotel</div>
									<div>
										&bull;<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Club Himalaya Nagarkot</div>
									<div>
										&bull;<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Trek-O-Tel Hotel</div>
									<div>
										&bull;<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Shati Ban Resort</div>
									<div>
										&bull;<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>The Tea House Inn</div>
									<div>
										&bull;<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>MarcoPolo Travels Nepal</div>
									<div>
										&bull;<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Ace Development Bank</div>
									<div>
										&bull;<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Nepal Investment Bank</div>
									<div>
										&bull;<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Malpi Group of Schools</div>
									<div>
										&bull;<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>IT Himalaya &ndash; A Dutch- Nepali Joint Venture</div>
									<div>
										&bull;<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Mata International</div>
									<div>
										&nbsp;</div>
									<div>
										<img alt="Ace Development Bank" src="/userfiles/images/SP4%20(Copy).jpg" style="width: 550px; height: 458px; margin-left: 10px; margin-right: 10px;" /></div>
									<div>
										&nbsp;</div>
									<div>
										<span style="font-size:16px;"><strong>Hands-on Management&nbsp;</strong></span></div>
									<div>
										Being professional hoteliers, Sakyas love to invest as well as manage their hotel and resort projects. So, the Sakya couple and also the next generation businessmen are looking after their hospitality ventures. Yogendra Sakya looks after finance and planning while his son and daughter are looking after product development and marketing respectively. &ldquo;Weare professionally hoteliers. Elsewhere we are just investors,&rdquo; Sakya explains who is also a Hotel Management graduate.</div>
									<div>
										&nbsp;</div>
									<div>
										Currently,300 employees are working in the hotel projects alone. Lately unionisation has become one of the major challenges for the management, Sakya says. His companies do not have unions apart from Club Himalaya because he deals directly with the staff in other hotels. Though some responsibilities are taken by the promoters too, the management team looks after all major responsibilities. Sakya communicates personally with his managers daily and spends around two hours every day to review the progress of the hotel. He says that the Internet and technology has greatly assisted the management process.</div>
									<div>
										&nbsp;</div>
									<div>
										<span style="font-size:16px;"><strong>Direct &amp; Holistic CSR</strong></span></div>
									<div>
										Sakya Group believes more in direct involving in activities that contribute to the overall development of the community and the area, rather than providing financial support to causes. &ldquo;There must be something that we do on our own,&rdquo; he said while giving an example of group&rsquo;s contribution to Nagarkot.</div>
									<div>
										&nbsp;</div>
									<div>
										He recalls that there was no proper road when Club Himalaya was established in Nagarkot and the group strongly advocated for proper road construction. Sakya takes the road development in Nagarkot as an important part of tourism development there and an important corporate social responsibility undertaken by his group.</div>
									<div>
										&nbsp;</div>
									<div>
										Similarly, the group also provided drinking water facility to the locals and installed telephone tower at its resort premises. Likewise, a police station was established through the resort&rsquo;s initiation. Sakya claims that electricity supply was extended in the area due to his company&rsquo;s initiation. Staircase construction is ongoing at Mahadev Pokhari in Nagarkot. According to Sakya, various trainings are provided and a health post too is established in his company&rsquo;s partnership with local bodies. According to him, these development works are part of the group&rsquo;s belief in directly involving in development initiatives rather than just providing financial support.</div>
									<div>
										&nbsp;</div>
								</div>
							</div>
						</div>
					</div>
				</div>
			</td>
		</tr>
	</tbody>
</table>',
			'published' => true,
			'created' => '2013-12-16',
			'modified' => '2013-12-23',
			'keywords' => 'the corporate weekly from Nepal, nepali corporate events – news – interviews – reviews, nepali corporate focus, nepali corporate status and news, news from nepali corporate industry, corporate happenings – events – news from nepal',
			'description' => 'Sakya Group is a journey from gold craftsmanship to the glittering hospitality business. Sakyas of Kathmandu Valley have been known for their expertise in the jewellery business. Family of Bashanta Bahadur Sakya, one of the founders of the group was continuing the lineage of jewellery business and had a store at Ason of Kathmandu until early 1970s. When he turned colour blind, he had to deviate from his ancestral profession.',
			'sortorder' => '2119',
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	),
	(int) 12 => array(
		'Article' => array(
			'id' => '2227',
			'article_category_id' => '122',
			'title' => 'Hama Group: Strong As Steel',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => null,
			'content' => '<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	<strong>--By Gaurav Aryal</strong></div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<table align="right" style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 10px;" width="25">
	<tbody>
		<tr>
			<td>
				<img alt="Bal Krishna Shrestha, Chairman, Hama Group" src="/userfiles/images/bks%20(Copy).jpg" style="border-width: 0px; border-style: solid; width: 200px; height: 221px;" /></td>
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				<div align="center">
					<div style="text-align: center;">
						<div>
							<div>
								<strong>Bal Krishna Shrestha</strong></div>
							<div>
								<em>Chairman, Hama Group</em></div>
						</div>
					</div>
				</div>
			</td>
		</tr>
	</tbody>
</table>
<div>
	Hama Group was not built in a day. The group developed through rigorous planning and hard work of its ChairmanBal Krishna Shrestha. Though belonging to a lineage of traders,who have been in the trading business for several generations, Shrestha laid the foundation of the group on his own. His family inspired him to dream and to work hard to materialise them. He envisioned the group and till date actively continues to plan its future, along with his partners</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	Shrestha&rsquo;s family was in the garment business for five generations when he learned business basics. However, the learning process for him was not as smooth as butter. Being the first person in the Shrestha family to get educated, he was criticised and questioned about his formal learning and education by his seniors. His parents were involved in retailing of garments imported from India. The store at Makhan of Kathmandu,established by his great-great-grandfather,is still in operation.&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	While Shrestha was pursuing his graduate degree, his uncles used to ask him the worth of his studies as his pursuit would only land him as an employee. And, it pinched Shrestha deep and was determined to have a business of his own without getting any financial support from his family. Consequently he completed his B.Com.,joined government serviceas a Section Officer and completed M.Com., and Masters in Economics without any financial assistance from his family members.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	<span style="font-size:14px;"><strong>Start-up Business</strong></span></div>
<div>
	While in public service, he sensed the need and demand for development goods such as steel, cement, galvanised sheets, pipes and other goods to address the needs of an emerging and developing Nepal.But, to materialize such vision one needs capital, and during those days all he had with him was education and trust of people around him. He borrowed some money from his colleagues and started a hardware store at Teku along with three partners.This marks the inception of Hama Group.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	Shrestha had started teaching at a college and during the same time he was transferredto National Planning Commission. There, he learned much more about development process. While he was busy with his job, his partners looked after the store and he used to join them after office hours.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	Shrestha says that business performed way better than he had imagined initially. &ldquo;We all worked hard and we wall were dedicated and honest to our work. And, we kept the fire in us hot,&rdquo; he says. While the business of hardware sales was doing well, he started importing goods from China and selling here.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	<span style="font-size:14px;"><strong>Impediments</strong></span></div>
<div>
	Shrestha had ordered goods from China for the third time in 1977. Unfortunately, goods were stolen at Calcutta Port. He says that incident made a loss of Rs 5 million to the company.&ldquo;That did not discourage me. I did not lose anything. I just lost what I had earned,&rdquo; he shares. &nbsp;He recalls that he sold everythinghe had, to payback bank loans. Additionally, dealers and suppliers with whom he had been working denied supplying goods.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	This unfortunate event did not discourage him, but forced him &nbsp;to start from the scratch to bounce back into business. After being refused of goods delivery by existing dealers and traders, he took it as a challenge and decided to produce steel products.But, starting a factory was not free of hurdles. Though financing was challenging Shrestha says that money is not a problem for a working person. He acquired operational license of Hama Steel in 1988 and started the factory by borrowing loans from banks.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	<span style="font-size:14px;"><strong>Venture Expansion</strong></span></div>
<div>
	After the success of steel company, the group started production of various other products through its specific companies such as Allied Industries, Hama Wires, Hama Tech and factories producing water pumps and pipes. The group now has a cement factory in its pipeline.&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	Similarly, Shrestha says that the group has recently upgraded its Hama Steel factory for the third time. The factory, started in 1988, was upgraded to fully automated system in 2000 through an investment of Rs 250 million. Now the factory is &nbsp;fully computerised. Shrestha claims that Hama Steel is probably the only steel factory in Nepal to be fuly computerised. He says that the production through the new system will begin next month. The group has invested Rs 480 million for the latest upgradation.&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	The factory has an installed production capacity of 400 tonnes a day when operated for 16 hours. According to Shrestha, the capacity will be even more if the factory can be operated for 20 hours. He adds that the new system will also help reduce the cost of production.&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	<span style="font-size:14px;"><strong>Quality Promises</strong></span></div>
<div>
	The group has never compromised with the quality offerings. Shrestha says that the company never uses low quality billets for producing steel products. &ldquo;Our products meet the highest quality standards and have been used by corporate houses, embassies, government agencies and the general public,&rdquo; says Shrestha. Hama brand has been a trusted name by national and international projects operating in Nepal. US Embassy is one of them along with Russian and Japanese projects that have used Hama products in their construction projects.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	<span style="font-size:14px;"><strong>The Roadmap</strong></span></div>
<div>
	Shrestha sees everlasting needand demand for development goods. He believes that new business possibilities and new market will be created once political problems start getting resolved. He says that domestic industries would be encouraged if the government&rsquo;s provision of using local products for public procurement is materialised..</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	The group is dedicated to take its companies to the next level in its area of specialisations. Shrestha is content over the progress made by the group so far. As a part of business expansion, the group has also invested in service industry, particularly in health, education, banking and insurance sectors.&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	The group has plans to establish a hotel soon in partnership with an international hotel chain. Once the recent upgradation comes into form, Shrestha says that his group will concentrate on new ventures. He reveals that the group is also planning factories for melting steel and wire drawing.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	The group has plans to set up a cement factory that will be producing cement under its brand name Hama. Currently, HamaTech and Shalimar brands of cement are being produced by the group in partnership with other investors from the business fraternity. Shrestha says that the new factory will come into operation within a year.Similarly, energy is also one of the sectors of interest for the group. The group has a 4.5 MW Maikhola hydropower project in its portfolio and another new project in its pipeline.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	The group has invested over Rs 1 billion in its various ventures and registers an annual turnover of Rs 5 billion and has been annually adding Rs 500 million to the state coffers through taxes and other payments. Shrestha says that the turnover for the next year is targeted at Rs 10 billion.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<table border="0" cellpadding="10" width="99%">
	<tbody>
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			<td bgcolor="#E5E4E2">
				<div>
					<div>
						<div>
							<div>
								<div>
									<span style="font-size:16px;"><strong>Naming of Hama</strong></span></div>
								<div>
									Bal Krishna Shrestha, Chairman of Hama Group borrowed the name Hama for his steel company from the Port of Yokohama from where Japan used to import raw materials for steel production and export finished goods. Hama was a lucky charm for Shrestha. Similarly, Shrestha who considers himself a devotee of Harati Mata linked the brand name to his devotion too. Likewise, Shrestha says that HA in Newari means seed and MA means fruit. He says that if seeds are good, the harvest of that fruit is eventually high.</div>
								<div>
									&nbsp;</div>
								<div>
									<span style="font-size:16px;"><strong>Management</strong></span></div>
								<div>
									Shrestha and his group have always had belief in professional management and professionalism as corporate philosophy. Independent management teams of each of the group&rsquo;s 10 companies looks after the daily management and human resources of their respective companies. The HR department looks after issues related to 450 employees working in various companies of the Hama Group. Shrestha says that employees are his assets and the company has been able to make them happy and satisfied. Likewise, the promoters do not have to look after the daily management and functioning of any of the companies. Shrestha gets updated about the daily progress through periodic meetings and through the Internet.He says that corporate culture is well developed in the group.</div>
								<div>
									&nbsp;</div>
								<div>
									<span style="font-size:16px;"><strong>CSR&nbsp;</strong></span></div>
								<div>
									Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) activities are highly prioritised by the group. Shrestha believes in creating benefits to larger number of people and the society rather than just making profits through business. As a part of CSR activities, the group provided scholarships to 14 needy students under SOS from Far Western Region. Similarly, the group has been providing education to children of employees of the group for free. Shrestha shares a plan to establish an elderly home in the name of his parents. Out of its social service fund, the group has invested in hospital projects too.&nbsp;</div>
								<div>
									&nbsp;</div>
								<div>
									<span style="font-size:16px;"><strong>Major Milestones of the Group</strong></span></div>
								<div>
									1988: Establishment of Hama Steel&nbsp;</div>
								<div>
									1995: Hama Steel received the Nepal Standard (NS) mark</div>
								<div>
									1997: Hama Steel upgraded production capacity&nbsp;</div>
								<div>
									1998: Hama Wires established</div>
								<div>
									2000: Hama Steel further upgraded production capacity and received ISO 9001:2000 certification for excellent quality management system</div>
								<div>
									2001: Hama Steel received NS Quality Award</div>
								<div>
									2004: Hama Steel started production of HAMA TMT Re-bars</div>
								<div>
									2005: Started production of HAMA-500 Re-bars</div>
								<div>
									2007: TQM Activities were initiated to maintain quality management.&nbsp;</div>
								<div>
									2008: Hama Iron and Steel started production of Super Grip Re-bars (SG Re-Bars)</div>
								<div>
									2013: Upgraded Hama Steel into a fully computerised system</div>
							</div>
						</div>
					</div>
				</div>
			</td>
		</tr>
	</tbody>
</table>
<p>
	&nbsp;</p>',
			'published' => true,
			'created' => '2013-12-09',
			'modified' => '2013-12-16',
			'keywords' => 'the corporate weekly from Nepal, nepali corporate events – news – interviews – reviews, nepali corporate focus, nepali corporate status and news, news from nepali corporate industry, corporate happenings – events – news from nepal',
			'description' => 'Hama Group was not built in a day. The group developed through rigorous planning and hard work of its ChairmanBal Krishna Shrestha. Though belonging to a lineage of traders,who have been in the trading business for several generations, Shrestha laid the foundation of the group on his own',
			'sortorder' => '2071',
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	(int) 13 => array(
		'Article' => array(
			'id' => '2189',
			'article_category_id' => '122',
			'title' => 'Muktishree Group: Getting Ambitious',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => null,
			'content' => '<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	<strong>--By Gaurav Aryal</strong></div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<table align="right" style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 10px;" width="25">
	<tbody>
		<tr>
			<td>
				<img alt="Arun Raj Sumargi Founder, Muktishree Group of Companies" src="/userfiles/images/ars%20(Copy).jpg" style="border-width: 0px; border-style: solid; width: 200px; height: 219px;" /></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td bgcolor="#FFFFFF">
				<div align="center">
					<div style="text-align: center;">
						<div>
							<strong>Arun Raj Sumargi</strong></div>
						<div>
							Founder, Muktishree Group of Companies</div>
					</div>
				</div>
			</td>
		</tr>
	</tbody>
</table>
<div>
	M<span style="font-size: 12px;">uktishree Group of Companies, one of the emerging business houses of Nepal, has ambitious plans to grow as a successful enterprise that benefits the national economy and people at large. The group has a clear vision to create employment opportunity for 100,000 people in a decade. According to Arun Raj Sumargi, Founder of the group, this target is not only their vision but also a motto.</span></div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	&ldquo;We are not saying that we will employ 100,000 workers in one of our industries but we want to be the creator of employment to these many people through forward and backward linkages,&rdquo; Sumargi explains. To achieve this goal, the group is looking forward to explore sectors such as tourism, hydropower, telecommunication and manufacturing and take them to a new level. He believes that the group&rsquo;s investment in these sectors would be greatly contributing to create direct as well as indirect employment to people through both forward and backward linkages. Sumargi says, &ldquo;As entrepreneurs, we try to understand the need of the people as well as of the state, find a meeting point and work on that. Such projects are supported by people also.&rdquo;</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	<span style="font-size:14px;"><strong>New Attractions</strong></span></div>
<div>
	Muktishree group sees huge business potentials in the biggest scarcity the nation is currently facing &ndash; energy crisis. For over a decade, the group has been consistently working on setting a foothold in the energy production industry. &ldquo;Energy crisis is the biggest headache for Nepal now. We are focused on how to find a solution to this problem and working with an aim to create large number of jobs in the country and help to increase domestic production,&rdquo; explains Sumargi.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	The group has a number of hydropower projects ranging from small to megaprojects. According to Sumargi, a 32 MW hydropower project is currently under development in Dhading. He says that there are other megaprojects in the pipeline. &ldquo;We are in the process of finalising a 600 MW project in the near future,&rdquo; he reveals adding that the group is also eyeing large projects like Upper Karnali. He adds that the agreement with foreign investors is not yet finalised because of changing political scenario as large project cannot be completed without foreign investments. He believes that apart from foreign investment, large project also need technical and managerial resources from abroad.&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	Along with the hydropower generation, the group is coming up with a large scale cement factory in Surkhet. &nbsp;Sumargi says that the first phase work of the factory has been completed along with construction of the road leading to the factory site. The group has also been exploring potentialities of producing new varieties of cement that have been not produced earlier in Nepal.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	Similarly, the group is planning to establish a four to five star hotel in a prime location of Kathmandu. Sumargi says that land acquisition process for this venture has been completed and talks to find an international hotel chain for partnership are underway.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	<span style="font-size:14px;"><strong>Corporate Philosophy</strong></span></div>
<div>
	Muktishree group is working to develop itself as a model business group. Sumargi says, &ldquo;Rather than just making money and enjoying the wealth, we are looking on how to create greater benefits for the people.&rdquo; He says that cooperation and understanding is the way of working and making business decisions. &ldquo;We discuss every major issue and if two among five of us give different suggestions we think over that from different angles. We cooperate with each other, have positive thinking and communal thoughts and it has always been working for us,&rdquo; says Sumargi. He adds that if someone raises question over the group&rsquo;s activities, they try to find the reasons and point out the weakness so that they can improve themselves.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	The group has also kept its family values, culture and tradition intact. Sumargi shares his belief, &ldquo;Businesses guided solely on individual thinking and philosophies have vanished in the long run. We believe that the culture, tradition and belief must be kept intact. The name, culture and tradition we inherited from our father will be continued also in the future.&rdquo;</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	<span style="font-size:14px;"><strong>Specialisation Areas</strong></span></div>
<div>
	The group has always prioritised those industries that could utilise local resources and generate employment to local people. Sumargi says that the country can become self sustained only when local resources could be properly utilised within the country. &ldquo;Industries based on raw material imports would only be a short term business,&rdquo; he says giving examples of carpet and garment industries. He says that there are prospects of Nepal being self sustaining in tourism, hydropower and mining.&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	Along with usage of local resources, the group has always focused on local market. Though it exports some of its &nbsp;mining products and drinking, those exports have been a means to get international recognition for the group. Currently, mineral water under Himalayas&rsquo; ONTOP brand is being exported to Middle East, Hong Kong, Korea , Japan and next month the company is exporting it to Gulf countries too. The water plant in Rasuwa produces 120,000 bottles per shift and the company is planning to produce in three shifts every day to increase the supply to new markets. According to Sumargi, the brand was listed among one of the best water among 11 countries during an exhibition of water producers in China. Likewise, 90 per cent of water is being consumed in Nepal while 10 per cent is currently being exported.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	The group&rsquo;s current area of specialisation in manufacturing and service industry came after the group started looking into new areas of business after 1990&rsquo;s changing political environment. Young entrepreneurs from Hetauda came to Kathmandu with a vision to supply aggregates to Kathmandu via the ropeway but could not be realised for various reasons. Then the company ventured into the telecommunication sector and launched the then Mero Mobile brand of GSM telephony service that brought the group into limelight.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	<span style="font-size:14px;"><strong>Growth and Development</strong></span></div>
<div>
	The group started with a mineral based industry by Madhav Raj Sumargi in 1972. During that time, he also had timber and transportation business, but these were closed down later. However, the mining and mineral based industry is still intact with the group.&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	The group has now developed into a conglomerate of around 21 businesses. Sumargi says that talking about group&rsquo;s turnover is too early as the group is still in its growth phase. &ldquo;We are still investing and under development, so we are in loan,&rdquo; says Sumargi. The group has so far invested Rs 100 billion in various sectors. Sumargi says that the investment is made through both foreign and domestic partners.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	The group has created 5000 direct employment and out of them, 1100 are in Makwanpur alone and in its companies based in Bhairahawa, Hetauda, Surkhet, Dang, Kathmandu and Rasuwa. Similarly, the group is coming up with a teaching hospital soon. And Sumargi says that the hospital will be based in Makwanpur. Though the group has numerous plans in its pipeline, Sumargi says that the national political situation would be the determining factor for new moves.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<table border="0" cellpadding="10" width="99%">
	<tbody>
		<tr>
			<td bgcolor="#E5E4E2">
				<div>
					<div>
						<div>
							<div>
								<span style="font-size:16px;"><strong>Group of Companies</strong></span></div>
							<div>
								&bull;Muktishree Telecom&nbsp;</div>
							<div>
								&bull;Muktishree Energy</div>
							<div>
								&bull;Muktishree Cement Industry</div>
							<div>
								&bull;Everest Minerals Products</div>
							<div>
								&bull;Hetauda Lime Industries</div>
							<div>
								&bull;Bindabasini Media</div>
							<div>
								&bull;Hetauda Education Foundation</div>
							<div>
								&bull;Nepal Satellite Telecom</div>
							<div>
								&nbsp;</div>
							<div>
								<span style="font-size:16px;"><strong>Some Projects of Muktishree Group</strong></span></div>
							<div>
								&bull;Karnali Chasipani Multipurpose Hydropower</div>
							<div>
								&bull;Puldumki River Hydro-power Project</div>
							<div>
								&bull;Lungri (1)River Hydropower Project</div>
							<div>
								&bull;Lungri (2) River Hydropower Project</div>
							<div>
								&bull;Malagad River Hydropower Project</div>
							<div>
								&bull;Luma River Hydropower Project</div>
							<div>
								&bull;Badigad River Hydropower Project</div>
							<div>
								&bull;Surkhet Cement Project</div>
							<div>
								&nbsp;</div>
							<div>
								<span style="font-size:16px;"><strong>Telecommunication</strong></span></div>
							<div>
								The group has seen prospects since its involvement with Spice Nepal Pvt Ltd. After the group withdrew its investment there, it has been involved with Hello Nepal. The group plans to aggressively penetrate its presence across the country. The company has met the requirement of the regulators to provide services in the rural areas. Along with GSM telephony services, the company is planning to aggressively promote PSTN services. The company has its presence in far western and mid western regions. The company has plans to expand its services to Kathmandu and eastern region within few months. Arun Raj Sumargi says, &ldquo;In two months we will be entering Chitwan and soon reaching all over the country along with major cities like Pokhara and Kathmandu.&rdquo;</div>
							<div>
								&nbsp;</div>
							<div>
								<span style="font-size:16px;"><strong>CSR Activities</strong></span></div>
							<div>
								As a part of its corporate social responsibilities (CSR), Muktishree group within a few days, is planning to hand over a Bhojan Prasadi Griha at Pashupatinath to the government. The group has made an investment of Rs 70 million for the building. Similarly, the group has contributed for various schools, hospitals and other social causes. Madhav Raj Sumargi Trust donated Rs 10 million to construct 10.5 kilometres of road in Hetauda. Necessary equipment for the road was provided by the government. Sumargi said that the government has allocated budget for the road in the current fiscal year and black topping of the road is undergoing. He claims that the road has addressed various issues of Hetauda bazaar.</div>
						</div>
					</div>
				</div>
			</td>
		</tr>
	</tbody>
</table>',
			'published' => true,
			'created' => '2013-12-02',
			'modified' => '2013-12-09',
			'keywords' => 'the corporate weekly from Nepal, nepali corporate events – news – interviews – reviews, nepali corporate focus, nepali corporate status and news, news from nepali corporate industry, corporate happenings – events – news from nepal',
			'description' => 'Muktishree Group of Companies, one of the emerging business houses of Nepal, has ambitious plans to grow as a successful enterprise that benefits the national economy and people at large. The group has a clear vision to create employment opportunity for 100,000 people in a decade.',
			'sortorder' => '2033',
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		'Article' => array(
			'id' => '2144',
			'article_category_id' => '122',
			'title' => 'Lomus: Looking Beyond Borders',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => null,
			'content' => '<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	<strong>--By Gaurav Aryal</strong></div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<table align="right" border="0" cellpadding="1" cellspacing="1" style="float: right; margin: 0px 0px 10px 10px;">
	<tbody>
		<tr>
			<td>
				<img alt="Prabal Jung Pandey, Executive Director, Lomus Group" src="/userfiles/images/pjp%20(Copy).jpg" style="border-width: 0px; border-style: solid; width: 200px; height: 222px;" /></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td bgcolor="#FFFFFF">
				<div align="center">
					<div>
						<strong>Prabal Jung Pandey</strong></div>
					<div>
						Executive Director, Lomus Group</div>
				</div>
			</td>
		</tr>
	</tbody>
</table>
<div>
	If the Nepali government allows Nepali ventures to invest in foreign land, Lomus Pharmaceuticals and the group of companies would be one of the top industrial houses to rejoice. Prabal Jung Pandey, Executive Director of the group says that he would be happy when his group would go beyond borders. He wishes to take Lomus Pharmaceuticals Pvt Ltd, the group&rsquo;s flagship company and one of the leading pharmaceutical companies of Nepal, beyond borders.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	As a move towards this goal, the company is determined to increase the volume of its pharmaceutical products export to existing markets along with exploring new territories. According to Pandey, the company is exporting its products to four countries in Africa. &ldquo;We will be exporting to Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) countries soon. &nbsp;Necessary registration procedures have been completed and we are looking forward to exporting in large quantities,&rdquo; he shared.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	Pandey thinks that once the company starts mass export of products, of the current production plants capacities would not be enough. He opines that establishing plants in other countries would be helpful to supply products to meet the demand. However, existing laws restrict Nepali companies from investing in foreign land. &ldquo;The government should now think that the capable industries in Nepal should be allowed to invest in other countries. If someone is capable of investing abroad, and if s/he is working here successfully and if the profits come back to the country, there is no harm in allowing someone to invest abroad,&rdquo; Pandey said arguing against the government&rsquo;s restriction that is hindering the company&rsquo;s expansion plan.&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	He says that Lomus Pharmaceuticals has reached almost a saturation point in the Nepali market and there is very little room for expansion in the domestic market. He further claims that the company leads Nepal&rsquo;s pharmaceutical market with four per cent of the market share.&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	<span style="font-size:14px;"><strong>Group&rsquo;s Inception</strong></span></div>
<div>
	Lomus Pharmaceuticals is the first manufacturing venture of the group, started by Pradeep Jung Pandey, Vice President of Federation of Nepalese Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FNCCI) and father of Prabal Jung Pandey. Pandey gives credit to his father for establishing the company and taking it to the pinnacle. The company was established with its first factory at Gongabu in Kathmandu, 25 years ago. In its initial days, it used to produce around 40 pharmaceutical products. And, the group kept on taking gradual and careful steps for its expansion and growth. With a special focus on expanding the market, it kept on increasing the production capacity. A decade ago, a big move was made to establish a 15000 square feet production plant at Gothatar, one of the largest pharmaceuticals production units of the country.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	Pandeys always have had the belief that one should not be investing in a new venture unless the existing one is sustainable. &ldquo;We do not believe in jumping into many ventures at once. We try to stabilise the existing one and keep it expanding so that it is self sustaining,&rdquo; Pandey added.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	<span style="font-size:14px;"><strong>The Expansion</strong></span></div>
<div>
	The Pandey family came with its second venture 11 years ago - Cosmos Cement Industries Pvt Ltd.The company could not pick up immediately because of the ongoing armed conflict and the Madhesh movement that followed, recalls Pandey. The company was virtually in a status quo for almost five years after its establishment. The company is currently producing cement by grinding clinkers. However, it has plans to come up with its own clinker producing unit by utilising local raw material &ndash; limestone.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	Pandey reveals that as prerequisite of setting up a clinker production unit, two limestone mines are being excavated in Udaypur district. A feasibility study for setting up the plant has been completed and the essential land for it has been acquired after carrying out IEE and EIA.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	Likewise, another clinker producing unit is under construction in Janakpur. Initially this plant will be producing 700 tonnes of clinkers daily. Pandey says that once the unit completes its trial phase, its capacity will be increased gradually and is expected to reach 1200 tonnes per day within a year. He says that the plant will be catering to the high demand of cement in the eastern part of the country. Targeting this market, around nine months back, a cement factory with a production capacity of 400 tonnes per day was installed in Biratnagar. Similarly, one factory is under operation in Janakpur. The current expansion is being made with a total investment of Rs 1.5 billion.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	When the second generation businessmen in the Pandey family joined the business, set-up by their father, they took the business to new and varied sectors so that the three brothers can look after one of the sectors each. Now the group is involved in banking and financial sector, mining, cement production and pharmaceuticals. Pandey says that the group is willing to take pharmaceuticals and cement production companies to the next level in the near future. He reveals that the group is also planning to come with Ayurvedic medicines soon. These medicines will be branded uniquely and will be sold in the global market. Currently the group is employing 300 people in its group of companies other than financial institutions.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	<span style="font-size:14px;"><strong>Branding Consolidation</strong></span></div>
<div>
	The parent company of the group, Lomus Pharmaceuticals has become a well known brand name in the pharmaceutical industry. Pandey says that the recognition the company has got is because of the quality &nbsp;that the company has promised and delivered in its range of products. He says that the company does not compromise on quality and believes that products should be easily available at affordable price.&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	Similarly, Tej Cement is a popular brand in the eastern Nepal. Popularity of this brand has encouraged the company to expand its production unit and add new factories.&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	However the group has not yet given serious thoughts of branding the entire group under a consolidated name. Pandey hints the possibility of it in the future but not anytime soon.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	Pandey shares that all of the companies under the group are growing annually at a healthy rate of 20 per cent in average. The group registers an annual turnover of Rs 3 billion per year. He is quite satisfied with this progress but sees room for improvement. He adds, &ldquo;I will be the happiest entrepreneur if we can make our name popular worldwide. &nbsp;I dream of making Lomus an international company and a brand name recognised everywhere.&rdquo;</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<table border="0" cellpadding="10" width="99%">
	<tbody>
		<tr>
			<td bgcolor="#E5E4E2">
				<div>
					<div>
						<div>
							<span style="font-size:16px;"><strong>Companies Associated</strong></span></div>
						<div>
							&bull;<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Lomus Pharmaceuticals Pvt Ltd</div>
						<div>
							&bull;<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Cosmos Cement Industries Pvt Ltd</div>
						<div>
							&bull;<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>International Leasing and Finance Co Ltd</div>
						<div>
							&bull;<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Data Hub Pvt Ltd</div>
						<div>
							&bull;<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Lomus Investment Co Pvt Ltd</div>
						<div>
							&bull;<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Cosmos Quarries Pvt Ltd</div>
						<div>
							&bull;<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Udaypur Mineral Tech Pvt Ltd</div>
						<div>
							&nbsp;</div>
						<div>
							<span style="font-size:16px;"><strong>Core sectors of the group</strong></span></div>
						<div>
							<span style="font-size:14px;"><strong>Pharmaceuticals</strong></span></div>
						<div>
							Pharmaceutical is one of the core areas of the group and the parent business for it. Lomus Pharmaceuticals Pvt Ltd is one of the market leaders in Nepal&rsquo;s pharmaceuticals market. This company produces 400 products. However, its factory is operating for just 12 hours a day due to power supply problem. Apart from supplying its products to the general medicine market, the company also supplies to government.</div>
						<div>
							&nbsp;</div>
						<div>
							<span style="font-size:14px;"><strong>Cement and Mining Industry</strong></span></div>
						<div>
							Cement production is one of the strong sectors of the group. The group has allocated two mining companies for its cement industries. Cosmos Quarries Pvt Ltd and Udaypur Mineral Tech are taking up the responsibility of limestone mining. However, the group is open for exploring new area for mining. Pandey sees potentials in copper and iron mining but transportation and electricity are the pre-requisites which he expects that the government should ensure.&nbsp;</div>
						<div>
							&nbsp;</div>
						<div>
							<span style="font-size:14px;"><strong>Financial Sector</strong></span></div>
						<div>
							The group has presence in the banking and financial sector with three companies as one of the promoter shareholders. International Leasing and Finance Company Limited had a plan for upgrading to a commercial bank but could not do so in the lack of legal provision to do so. However, it has now plans to go for merger. Pandey says that merger talks are going with few financial institutions and he expects that these talks will conclude within the next five months. Apart from it, the group is involved with Citizens Bank International and Shikhar Insurance Company Limited. Similarly, the group has a presence in merchant banking sector through its Lomus Investment Co Pvt Ltd.</div>
						<div>
							&nbsp;</div>
						<div>
							<span style="font-size:14px;"><strong>Data Centre</strong></span></div>
						<div>
							Recently, the group has set up a data centre, Data Hub Pvt Ltd at Thapathali targeting financial institutions and corporate houses. The centre was established to mitigate the risk to the huge database of these companies due to natural and other accidents. &nbsp;The group has set up this centre in partnership with other business houses. According to Pandey, the centre was set up in coordination with a company from Singapore that meets international standards. As of now, the centre has around a dozen banks in its clients base. &nbsp;Currently the data bank has a capacity to store data of around 40 companies. Pandey is looking forward to have provision and guidelines regarding data management of financial institutions form the central bank.</div>
						<div>
							&nbsp;</div>
						<div>
							<span style="font-size:14px;"><strong>Hydropower</strong></span></div>
						<div>
							The group has investments in the hydropower sector too. One of its projects, Tawa Khola, a 5MW hydropower plant is currently in operation. Similarly, it is planning to come up with a 42 MW project in the near future.</div>
					</div>
				</div>
			</td>
		</tr>
	</tbody>
</table>',
			'published' => true,
			'created' => '2013-11-25',
			'modified' => '2013-12-01',
			'keywords' => 'the corporate weekly from Nepal, nepali corporate events – news – interviews – reviews, nepali corporate focus, nepali corporate status and news, news from nepali corporate industry, corporate happenings – events – news from nepal',
			'description' => 'Lomus Pharmaceuticals and the group of companies take every step carefully while investing in a new sector. The group, if allowed by the law, looks forward to invest abroad.',
			'sortorder' => '2025',
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			'title' => 'Begani Group Strengthening Its Network',
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			'content' => '<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	<strong>--By Gaurav Aryal</strong></div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<table align="right" style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 10px;" width="25">
	<tbody>
		<tr>
			<td>
				<img alt="Amit Kumar Begani, CEO, Begani Group" src="/userfiles/images/s2%20(Copy)(1).jpg" style="border-width: 0px; border-style: solid; width: 200px; height: 217px;" /></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td bgcolor="#FFFFFF">
				<div align="center">
					<div>
						<strong>Amit Kumar Begani</strong></div>
					<div>
						CEO, Begani Group</div>
				</div>
			</td>
		</tr>
	</tbody>
</table>
<div>
	Begani Group&rsquo;s business seeds were sowed two decades ago with the launch of trading company by the first generation businessperson of the family. This trading company imported goods from China based on market and customer needs. Though initially small in quantity, later on the trade volume expanded. The company imported products ranging from shoes, umbrella to cars.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	However, presently the trading wing is not as active as it was in the past. At present, the group has shed the trader identity and is trying to develop &lsquo;manufacturing house&rsquo; identity for itself. The company started the manufacturing industry around one and a half decades ago. Amit Kumar Begani, CEO of the Group, who is the second generation businessperson in the family, says that his group produces vegetable ghee, vegetable oils in the food industry and woven fabrics in the plastic segment.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	<span style="font-size:14px;"><strong>Manufacturing Shift</strong></span></div>
<div>
	Food items were one of the major imports from China of the group&rsquo;s trading wing. While importing food items and sellingthem in the local market, Beganis comprehended the potential market for food products and decided to manufacture their own products instead of just trading. Considering the potential and prospects, the group started manufacturing vegetable ghee. In the days thereafter, the group gradually decreased the volume of imports of goods from China and started concentrating in the newly established venture.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	At present, the group is fully committed to the manufacturing sector though it has only two manufacturing companies, Nandan Ghee and Oil Industries and Nekon-KB Plasto Engineering Industries Pvt Ltd, in its portfolio.The oil factory produces soyabean oil, sunflower oil and vegetable ghee under Nandan and Suruchi brands. Similarly, the plastic manufacturing unit produces packaging woven sacks for sugar, rice and other similar products.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	Elaborating on the factors for which the group invested in oil industry, Begani pointed that as a daily consumer product, the products have a stable and high demand. Similarly, he said that they invested in the plastic industry considering the need for supportive industry like theirs. He finds both of these industries essential for industrial development.&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	<span style="font-size:14px;"><strong>Market Positioning</strong></span></div>
<div>
	Terai and hilly regions are the niche market for the company&rsquo;s product. Though the company does not considers urban centres like Kathmandu as its target market, Begani informed that the Nandan and Suruchi oil brands do hold a small share of these markets. Likewise, the plastic factory has found its majority market abroad. Begani shares that 80 percent of woven fabrics and sacks are exported to India while 20 per cent is supplied to industrial customers within Nepal.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	The group has plans to improve its current market positioning. It is planning to expand its product portfolio and improve the quality of its existing products to gain competitive advantage in urban markets, where it looks forward to enter with a strongbranding and marketing campaign very soon. &nbsp;</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	<span style="font-size:14px;"><strong><img alt="Begani Group" src="/userfiles/images/s3%20(Copy)(1).jpg" style="float: right; margin: 0px 0px 0px 10px;width: 300px; height: 347px;" />New Activities</strong></span></div>
<div>
	Begani feels that the investment climate is yet to become favourable for investing in new ventures. One of the reasons, he finds acute in feeling so, is power shortage. Considering this feeling, he says that his company is working towards consolidating its existing market along with extending marketing for the company&rsquo;s product to reach new regions and new customers. With reduced focus on the trading business, the company is focused on strengthening its manufacturing business while keeping itself open to start new ventures once the overall investment scenario, including power cut, improves in the country.&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	<span style="font-size:14px;"><strong>Strengthening the Network</strong></span></div>
<div>
	Begani shares that company&rsquo;s products are doing fairly well in the targeted market segment. As targeted, the products are popular in the Terai and hilly region markets. The sale graph in this market has been steadily growing up. However, the focus in urban areas is missing, which the group is willing to rectify in the days to come.&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	For increasing the performance and visibility of the products in all parts of the country, the group is strengthening its distribution network. Begani says that one of the immediate plans of the company is to expedite branding and promotion activities. As of now, the group has expanded its network into around 40 towns and villages across the nation. &nbsp;Stating that within a year the company will meet its new marketing target, Begani says, &ldquo;a strong network is must for stronger branding and effective promotional campaigns.&rdquo;</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	<span style="font-size:14px;"><strong>Managing the Group</strong></span></div>
<div>
	As of now, the group is a family business and is managedby the father-son duo. All of its factories are located in Birgunj industrial town while its corporate office that looks after financial, marketing and other management responsibilities is in Kathmandu.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	The group, employees 1500 people in all of its companies. To keep them motivated the company organises various recreational programmes such as annual picnic along with other motivational packages. The HR department looks after the need of the company&rsquo;s human resource while making time induced and demand based amendments to company&rsquo;s HR policy.&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<table border="0" cellpadding="10" width="99%">
	<tbody>
		<tr>
			<td bgcolor="#E5E4E2">
				<div>
					<div>
						<div>
							<div>
								<span style="font-size:14px;"><strong>Begani Group&rsquo;s Competitive Advantages</strong></span></div>
							<div>
								Facing steep competition from national and international competitors that continue adding,&nbsp;</div>
							<div>
								the group has remained constantly on its toes for carve its own niche market and remain ahead of its competitors. According to the group, some of the factors instrumental for its growth and market rankings are:</div>
							<div>
								&nbsp;</div>
							<div>
								<strong><span style="font-size:14px;">Strategic Location</span></strong></div>
							<div>
								The group says that all of its factories and offices boast of an excellent infrastructure whether in physical network connectivity or human resource. Furthermore, this strategic location has allowed the group to enjoy quick access to every major markets in Nepal while maintaining quality standards in its chain of operation.</div>
							<div>
								&nbsp;</div>
							<div>
								<span style="font-size:14px;"><strong>Quality Products</strong></span></div>
							<div>
								Begani Group claims that its brands like Nandan and Suruchi and other products have been well established in the target markets for their quality and high performance reliability.&nbsp;</div>
							<div>
								&nbsp;</div>
							<div>
								<span style="font-size:14px;"><strong>Harnessing latest technical advancement</strong></span></div>
							<div>
								Moving in tandem with its customer needs, which is constantly increasing, Begani Group and its companies are not only equipped with competent laboratory but also have been using the latest technical advances.</div>
							<div>
								&nbsp;</div>
							<div>
								<span style="font-size:14px;"><strong>Production Facilities</strong></span></div>
							<div>
								Group&rsquo;s production plants is managed and operated bya team of quality oriented and competent personals. The reliability of the facilities is translated into action through continuity in the supply of high quality products to its customers, says Begani. The group aims to manufacture high quality products with the most efficient facilities, satisfying all safety standards and regulations. &ldquo;Our plants are built based on the latest technology and equipped with advanced engineering control and safety devices to ensure the protection of our employees, environment, and the community,&rdquo; he adds.</div>
							<div>
								&nbsp;</div>
							<div>
								<span style="font-size:14px;"><strong>Group&rsquo;s Strengths</strong></span></div>
							<div>
								Begani says that the group is flexible to innovate and launch new products that cater to the changing needs and demands of the market. &ldquo;We started with vegetable ghee and then added sunflower and soybean and mustard oil in our product range,&rdquo; says Begani. The company initially used to sell them in the packages of 15 kilograms but later adopted smaller packaging sizes to cater to general public&rsquo;s needs. &ldquo;Flexibility and making quick decisions is one of our strengths,&rdquo; boasts Begani.</div>
							<div>
								&nbsp;</div>
							<div>
								<span style="font-size:14px;"><strong>Market opportunities</strong></span></div>
							<div>
								The group sees numerous opportunities developing in the market. The growing demand because of increased purchasing capacity of customers is one of the opportunities the group sees. Begani says that Nepali consumers have become more brand conscious these days because of increased international exposure. He adds that the demand for premium and quality products is increasing along with demand for new range of products such as olive oil.&nbsp;</div>
							<div>
								&nbsp;</div>
							<div>
								<span style="font-size:14px;"><strong>Competition</strong></span></div>
							<div>
								Begani says the market competition is constantly increasing along with the swelling market size. He says that presence of 16 vegetable oil companies is making the competition tougher. Therefore, to overcome the competition, the group is focusing on branding to win over the competitors. He adds that the company is willing to bring its products to larger cities like Kathmandu and Pokhara through stronger branding and higher quality promises. He reveals that within two to three years, these products will be making inroads in these cities.&nbsp;</div>
						</div>
					</div>
				</div>
			</td>
		</tr>
	</tbody>
</table>
<p>
	&nbsp;</p>',
			'published' => true,
			'created' => '2014-03-10',
			'modified' => '2014-03-10',
			'keywords' => 'the corporate weekly from Nepal, nepali corporate events – news – interviews – reviews, nepali corporate focus, nepali corporate status and news, news from nepali corporate industry, corporate happenings – events – news from nepal',
			'description' => 'Begani Group of companies is creating ground for its growth and concentrating on increasing market visibility of its products.',
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	(int) 1 => array(
		'Article' => array(
			'id' => '2691',
			'article_category_id' => '122',
			'title' => 'ChaChaWhee FunPark: A Resort For Children',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => null,
			'content' => '<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	<strong>--By Surendra Paudyal</strong></div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	ChaChaWhee FunPark Resort, a resort especially for children has been established in Pokhara, a tourism town of Nepal. The one of its kind resort came into being about a month ago with an investment of Rs 20 million, informed its Director Pratikshya Chhetri.&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	The resort is located at Gharipatan of Pokhara and spreads over 20 ropanis of land. It has 15 rooms from where the beautiful Annapurna range in the north can be enjoyed. As the resort is established with children in mind, first priority is given to those who come along with their children. Chhetri says, &ldquo;ChaChaWhee FunPark Resort is the only exclusive resort of its kind for families with kids.&rdquo;</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	<span style="font-size:14px;"><strong><img alt="" src="/userfiles/images/s3%20(Copy).jpg" style="float: right; margin: 0px 0px 0px 10px;width: 300px; height: 363px;" />Getting Popularity</strong></span></div>
<div>
	Chhetri says that the resort has gained popularity within a short time of its opening. One of the most popular packages offered by the resort is &lsquo;Family Fun Package with Dinner and Breakfast&rsquo; for two adults and two kids in a room. This package, which costs Rs10,000 per night, also offers unlimited rides for children and some facilities for adults along with breakfast and dinner for all. Children can enjoy unlimited rides such as Joy Train, Battery Cars, Flying Chair, Merry-Go-Round, Ferris Wheel among others. Chhetri says that if the family purchasing this package has only three members, 15 per cent discount is given while if there are only two clients, 30 per cent concession is provided. She says that another Family Room and Fun Package is also much loved by the families visiting the resort.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	A room at the resort costs Rs 2500 without any package. The popularity of the resort is increasing and its Managing Director Dinesh Prasain credits the quality of services and the unique family environment provided by the resort for it. &nbsp;&ldquo;Fun Park is becoming centre of attraction for those visiting Pokhara along with&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	their children.&rdquo;&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	Chhetri says that schools in the surrounding areas bring school children to the fun park. Along with domestic tourists, the resort is getting popular among foreign visitors especially Indian families&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	with children.&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	<span style="font-size:14px;"><strong>Caring for Safety</strong></span></div>
<div>
	Prasain explains that when adults go for sightseeing, the resort has facilities to entertain their children at the resort. The resort has installed safety and security measures for all the rides and games for children. &ldquo;We realize that kids and families need to feel secure. A team of full time technicians monitor and supervise the rides as safety comes first for us,&rdquo; Chhetri said. A mechanical engineer led team of technicians constantly supervise the games and rides to ensure the security and smoothness of the rides. &nbsp;Likewise, the fun park has first-aid facilities on site as well as vehicles on standby in case of any emergency. &ldquo;We have invested in technologies and professional security companies that ensure security but in the friendliest ways,&rdquo; says Chhetri.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	<img alt="FunPark Pokhara" src="/userfiles/images/s2%20(Copy).jpg" style="width: 550px; height: 432px; margin-left: 10px; margin-right: 10px;" /></div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	<span style="font-size:14px;"><strong>Building theResort</strong></span></div>
<div>
	As of now, Rs 70 million has been invested in the resort. According to Chhetri, Global IME Bank has provided loan for developing the project. The resort houses various amenities for children such as revolving wheel, swimming pool, garden, joy train, video game parlour among others. The resort also organises birthday parties, family gathering and&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	other events.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	Chhetri explains, &ldquo;ChaChaWhee is the Nepali expression of fun, thrill and joy. Kids usually ChaChaWhee! in the ping-swings, especially during Dashain. Now you need not wait for Dashain and Melas. Nor is the traditional ping-swing the only thing that can ChaChaWhee the kids.&rdquo;</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	<span style="font-size:14px;"><strong>The Location</strong></span></div>
<div>
	ChaChaWhee FunPark Resort is located in the prime location of Pokhara. It is situated within five minutes driving distance from the Airport, Bus Park and Fewa Dam Site towards the International Mountain Museum at Himal Tole of Gharipatan. The upfront view of some of the most beautiful Himalayas &ndash; Machhapuchhre, Annapurna I, II, III, IV, Annapurna South and Lamjung Himal makes the resort special, say its promoters. Similarly, the beautiful scenery of the mountains and the garden within the resort premises make the stay at the resort more pleasurable. The garden was set up with the help of the gardener who also helped set popular Garden of Dreams at KesharMahal, Kathmandu.&nbsp;</div>',
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			'created' => '2014-03-03',
			'modified' => '2014-03-10',
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			'description' => 'Pokhara, a tourism hub of Nepal has been offering different tastes to travellers. ChaChaWhee FunPark Resort is a latest addition to its deliverables and this one offers unique experience to junior travellers.',
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	(int) 2 => array(
		'Article' => array(
			'id' => '2649',
			'article_category_id' => '122',
			'title' => 'MAW Engineering : Escalating On Expansion Path',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => null,
			'content' => '<p>
	&nbsp;</p>
<table align="right" style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 10px;" width="25">
	<tbody>
		<tr>
			<td>
				<img alt="Vishal Gadia, Executive Director, MAW Engineering Pvt Ltd" src="/userfiles/images/vg%20(Copy).jpg" style="border-width: 0px; border-style: solid; width: 200px; height: 232px;" /></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td bgcolor="#FFFFFF">
				<div align="center">
					<div style="text-align: center;">
						<div>
							<div>
								<strong>Vishal Gadia</strong></div>
							<div>
								Executive Director</div>
							<div>
								MAW Engineering Pvt Ltd</div>
						</div>
					</div>
				</div>
			</td>
		</tr>
	</tbody>
</table>
<p>
	MAW Engineering Pvt Ltd, previously an engineering division of the parent company, MAW Enterprises, has completed year-long journey as an independent company. Created with a motive of giving special focus on engineering solutions targeted at Nepali industries and institutional clients, the company says that it has been successful to establish itself as an independent entity in its first year.<br />
	<br />
	Vishal Gadia, Executive Director of MAW Engineering, says that its first year was a transitional phase though the company was in operation for the past one decade and thus not a completely new company. &ldquo;The business was good and now it is even better than what it was. We are moving on a progressive route,&rdquo; he adds. The company was officially started as an independent company from December 16, 2012.<br />
	<br />
	<span style="font-size:16px;"><strong>Moves Ahead </strong></span></p>
<p>
	Gadia shares that the company is planning to horizontally add new products to cater to the need of existing target market. He says that major clients for products of MAW Engineering are institutions, offices and factories. &ldquo;We were established to give special focus to the services we offer and we will continue to do so also in the future,&rdquo; explains Gadia.</p>
<p>
	The company, this year introduced new air conditioning products from Trane brand in the market. Gadia says that these products are high end premium products mainly targeted at top of the line hospitality industry and manufacturing units. MAW Engineering acquired Trane&rsquo;s dealership for Nepal last year and promises to enhance this relationship also in the future.</p>
<p>
	<br />
	<strong style="font-size: 16px;"><img alt="Timeline of MAW Engineering" src="/userfiles/images/vg3%20(Copy).jpg" style="float: left; margin: 0px 10px 0px 0px; width: 300px; height: 307px; border-width: 2px; border-style: solid;" /></strong></p>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<p>
	Gadia further says that the company plans to focus on its existing product line in 2014. The company currently has four products namely generators from Yamaha and Greaves brands, air compressors from Ingersoll Rand, weighing scales and bridges from Mettler Toledo and Air Conditioners from Trane. He shares that most of these products are targeted at institutional clients while gensets are targeted at household users also.<br />
	<br />
	<span style="font-size:16px;"><strong>Changing Market</strong></span></p>
<p>
	Yamaha is the most popular brand the company has been dealing with since MAW Enterprises&rsquo; initial days. Gadia says that Yamaha has always been the market leader holding a strong market share. Air compressors and weighing scales by Ingersoll Rand and Mettler Toledo too have quite promising market share, says Gadia. To prevent cannibalising of generator market, the company has positioned Yamaha and Greaves products as separate product range and target different clients. &ldquo;We don&rsquo;t overlap product ranges of Yamaha and Greaves and have completely different target markets for them. Yamahas are small products while products from Greaves are of larger scale and capacity,&rdquo; explains Gadia.<br />
	<br />
	As generators are one of the major products of the company at present, the company has already sensed the shrinking genset market in the future with the generation of more hydropower. Gadia also says that the market size of the gensets is decreasing as the power cut hours have now decreased to 12 hours from 18 hours a day and will further shrink with abundant production of hydroelectricity. &ldquo;It is good for the country to decrease load shedding hours. We are businessmen and when the market changes, we will adapt to those changes. We also believe that if a door closes, numerous other doors open up. If the country starts producing more energy, we will have other opportunities to invest in,&rdquo; says Gadia.<br />
	<br />
	Accordingly, the company has plans to cater to the changing market situations. Therefore, it has begun expanding into air conditioner business. Gadia explains, &ldquo;It has very good market prospects as commercial buildings and high rise building construction are in the rise. Manufacturing industries too will increase. So, we are making a base today and are hopeful that our product&rsquo;s need will grow in the future.&rdquo;<br />
	<br />
	<br />
	<span style="font-size:16px;"><strong><img alt="Some products of MAW Engineering" src="/userfiles/images/vg4%20(Copy).jpg" style="float: right; margin: 0px 0px 0px 10px;width: 300px; border-width: 2px; border-style: solid; height: 207px;" />Competing Tough </strong></span><br />
	The company believes that it is always kept on its toes by the market competition. Though the company has reputed and trustable brand names in its portfolio, the company is not staying idle only on the support of the sturdy brand names. Gadia says that the company concentrates on quality of services along with offering quality products. &ldquo;Though our brands are very good and they rarely need after sales service, they are machines and need regular servicing. Thus we have given special focus on services. Once there is good service offering, sales will automatically follow,&rdquo; he says.<br />
	<br />
	Competition has been healthy in the market, says Gadia. And he feels that the current market competition, though it has kept the company on its toes, has benefitted customers at large. &ldquo;We have always worked with an aim of bringing and promoting healthy competition. It is good that we are on our toes as it eventually benefits customers,&rdquo; describes Gadia.<br />
	<br />
	To ensure swift delivery of products and after sales services, the company has two branches in Bratnagar and Birgunj. Gadia reveals that this network will be extended to Pokhara and Butwal within this year. Similarly, Yamaha products have a network of 26 dealerships across the country while other brands are supplied through Kathmandu, Birgunj and Biratnagar branches of MAW Engineering.<br />
	&nbsp;</p>
<table border="0" cellpadding="10" width="99%">
	<tbody>
		<tr>
			<td bgcolor="#E5E4E2">
				<div>
					&nbsp;</div>
				<div style="text-align: center;">
					<span style="font-size:16px;"><strong>Expansion of MAW Enterprises</strong></span></div>
				<div>
					&nbsp;</div>
				<div>
					<img alt="Moranfg Auto Works" src="/userfiles/images/vg2%20(Copy).jpg" style="width: 550px; height: 339px; margin-left: 10px; margin-right: 10px;" /></div>
				<div>
					<br />
					MAW Enterprises, the parent company of MAW Engineering was founded by P.R. Agrawal in the year 1965 in Biratnagar. The company was established as an automobile workshop which was the first in Nepal. In the company&rsquo;s working history of four and a half decades, it has established itself as one of the leading names in automobiles business. The company&rsquo;s growth and expansion was fuelled when it became agency of various renowned international brands in the after years of its establishment. The company took up agencies of ancillary products like Yuasa batteries - Japan, Goodyear Tyres - Singapore, Talbros gaskets, Mahle Pistons, Goetze Rings etc. Similarly, in 1971, it took agency of Ford tractors and in 1975, took agency of Escorts/Rajdoot motorcycle which is now Yamaha.<br />
					<br />
					The various product segments later on grew as the division of the company. In 1999, the company started its Industrial Equipment Division and took agency of IR, ECEL, MTNIL, Greaves. Similarly, in 2003, the company started Construction Equipment division and took agency of JCB. In 2004, it also became agency for Yamaha Gensets. The company also established a factory of Aaron helmets in Sitargunj, India in partnership with other investors in 2006. Yamaha is one of the long standing brands of the company. The company started importing music products from this brand as an agency in 2006. In the same year, it also took agency of Greaves Concrete Equipment. The company also entered into four wheeler market being an authorised distributor of Skoda cars for Nepal in 2007. The expansion did not stop there. The company in 2011 started a new venture, Ready-Mix Concrete (RMC) in 2011 with the name of MAW RMC. Similarly, for financing the products sold by the company, it also promotes United Finance Limited.<br />
					<br />
					<span style="font-size:16px;"><strong>SWOT Analysis of MAW Engineering</strong></span><br />
					<br />
					<span style="font-size:14px;"><strong>Strengths</strong></span><br />
					&bull; Positive market reputation<br />
					&bull; Best practices implemented<br />
					&bull; Proven strong customer orientation<br />
					&bull; System dependent and resource independent<br />
					&bull; Proven success in establishing up market and value products in niche and mass markets<br />
					&bull; Dependable and reliable networking<br />
					&bull; Strong financial standing<br />
					&bull; Reputed brands and quality products in its portfolio<br />
					<br />
					<span style="font-size:14px;"><strong>Weaknesses</strong></span><br />
					&bull; Less product range for household consumers<br />
					&bull; Relatively new as an independent entity as it was earlier known as division of MAW Enterprises<br />
					<br />
					<span style="font-size:14px;"><strong>Opportunities</strong></span><br />
					&bull; Growing markets for consumer and industrial electronic equipment<br />
					&bull; Increase in purchasing capacity and demand for premium products<br />
					&bull; With the rise of housing sector demands for products of the company in the rise<br />
					<br />
					<span style="font-size:14px;"><strong>Threats</strong></span><br />
					&bull; Shrinking market for generators with increasing production of hydropower<br />
					&bull; Presence of strong competitors in some product range</div>
			</td>
		</tr>
	</tbody>
</table>
<p>
	&nbsp;</p>',
			'published' => true,
			'created' => '2014-02-23',
			'modified' => '2014-03-03',
			'keywords' => 'the corporate weekly from Nepal, nepali corporate events – news – interviews – reviews, nepali corporate focus, nepali corporate status and news, news from nepali corporate industry, corporate happenings – events – news from nepal',
			'description' => 'MAW Engineering has completed a year of its operation as an independent entity and has expansion plans in the pipeline.',
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	(int) 3 => array(
		'Article' => array(
			'id' => '2592',
			'article_category_id' => '122',
			'title' => 'Laxmi Group’s Organic Growth',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => null,
			'content' => '<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	<strong>--By Gaurav Aryal</strong></div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<table align="right" style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 10px;" width="25">
	<tbody>
		<tr>
			<td>
				<img alt="Anjan Shrestha, Executive Director, Laxmi Group" src="/userfiles/images/sp1%20(Copy)(1).jpg" style="border-width: 0px; border-style: solid; width: 200px; height: 233px;" /></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td bgcolor="#FFFFFF">
				<div align="center">
					<div style="text-align: center;">
						<div>
							<strong>Anjan Shrestha</strong></div>
						<div>
							<em>Executive Director, Laxmi Group</em></div>
					</div>
				</div>
			</td>
		</tr>
	</tbody>
</table>
<div>
	Laxmi Group&rsquo;s initial capital was Rs 100 invested in a hand-operated-machine to produce candies. Two brothers of the Shrestha family from Pokhara were government employees before they decided to change their career path and start-up a business of their own. One of them, Ajad Shrestha, had pondered on moving to Terai while the other brother decided not to leave Pokhara. During one of their visits to Butwal to explore new possibilities they came across a person who suggested them a business idea.&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	As suggested the two brothers established a confectionary factory in Pokhara that produced toffees and candies with a hand-operated-machine. Anjan Shrestha, Executive Director of Laxmi Group shares that the move then was driven by a necessity for a different career. Initial products of the venture were sold under the name of Muga Mithai and Laxmi Sweets.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	Having their business based in Pokhara, neighbouring towns and areas like Damauli and Syangja were emerging as a market for confectioneries. Shrestha brothers did not restrict themselves from exploring prospects that surrounded them. To cater to the growing demand, the company automated the confectionary production by installing automatic machine in 1976. With the increased production capacity, the company also decided to penetrate into the nation&rsquo;s capital, Kathmandu. Shrestha says that the move was largely successful and the taste of success gave confidence to his father and uncle to diversify their business portfolio.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	<span style="font-size:14px;"><strong>Broadening the Horizon</strong></span></div>
<div>
	The confectionary industry where the family had some experience and gained expertise over the years was further expanded in the first phase. Shrestha says that four factories were established in different places. &ldquo;We had very little capital. So, we started each factory with small investment and gradually moved up the ladder,&rdquo; he recalls. All those factories were consolidated under the Sujal Foods Pvt Ltd in the mid 1990s.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	&ldquo;Sujal Foods changed the dynamism of the Nepali confectionary industry,&rdquo; says Shrestha. Chocofun wafer produced by the company was that remarkable product that changed the market. He adds that the true value for money offered by the company to its customers helped the company gain its presence in the market. &ldquo;We have adhered to the principle of giving value for the money since we started out business. We believe consumers must get what they pay for,&rdquo; believes Shrestha. The confectionary business of the group has around 60 per cent market share of the total confectionary market of Nepal, according to Shrestha.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	Moreover, it was not only the success that inspired the growth of the group. The economic sanction imposed by the government of India in Nepal in 1989 created a shortage of packaging materials and wrappers for the company. Shrestha recalls that the existing stock of packaging materials was enough only for two months. So, the company was forced to close down for a while. Eventually, a decision was made to establish packaging material factory. This factory now produces wrappers, polythene-shopping bags, PET bottles, jars among others.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	<span style="font-size:14px;"><strong>Dairy Acquisition</strong></span></div>
<div>
	According to Shrestha, by 2004, the company had gained momentum in confectionary manufacturing. This new status of the company further encouraged diversifying the portfolio. The company acquired the Pokhara unit of Dairy Development Corporation (DDC), after a long haul of ten years in the privatisation. The family had an internal understanding that they will never venture into tobacco and alcohol production business. So, dairy was an appropriate industry for the group. When the company was eventually privatised in 2004, the group did not only have a new company in its portfolio but also a number of challenges.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	One of the biggest challenges was to keep the sales high even after rebranding the DDC into Safal. &ldquo;Changing the DDC brand that was on top of the mind of consumers into Safal was challenging,&rdquo; recalls Shrestha. As a rebranding campaign, one week prior to the launching of Safal brand, the company used shopping bags with Safal name printed on it. The company had mobilised a sales team one week before the company was handed over. Shrestha says that such move helped in creating the curiosity andtransforming the brand. He claims that sales of Safal milk equalled the sales of DDC within a week. At present, the Safal milk has over 60 per cent market share in Pokhara and five per cent in Kathmandu. Shrestha says that the company will increase the market presence in Kathmandu to 20 per cent within a year. It was launched in Kathmandu, last year.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	Looking at the excess milk production during the flush season and practice of milk holiday, the company decided to establish a powdered milk factory. Shrestha says that the factory was established feeling that it is their responsibility to address the problem of dairy farmers whose milk is wasted during milk holiday. However, immediately after the factory was established the company realised that the problem of milk holiday was not in existence to the extent it was expected to be. So, he says that the factory is currently operating below its installed capacity.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	In the trading business, the group came up with the distributorship of Hyundai Motors for Nepal in 2009. Laxmi InterContinental Pvt Ltd is expanding its distributor network across the country with an aim to offer uniform service from any sales point across the country. Showrooms with such look and feel are being set-up in Banepa, Birtamode, Biratnagar, Narayangarh, Butwal and Dhangadhi.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	<span style="font-size:14px;"><strong>Tourism Diversification</strong></span></div>
<div>
	The group is now willing to venture into the tourism and agro industry. The group had submitted a proposal to the government in 2011 to develop a cable car line from Basundhara Park to Shanti Stupa in Pokhara. The group had plans to consolidate the project along with amusement park and a resort. However, the project is not being developed due to a pending litigation at the court. Shrestha expects that this project would increase tourist flow and hence revenue collection in Pokhara. He hopes that that the case will soon be sorted out and project will be started.&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	The group has plans to establish hotels in Pokhara and Kathmandu. Shrestha reveals that these projects may begin services in 2016 as the group is presently conceptualising these projects. He explains that this is the sector in which Nepal has originality and competitive edgewhile forwarding it&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	as motivating factor for their groups involvement into the sector.&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	<span style="font-size:14px;"><strong>Management Transformation</strong></span></div>
<div>
	The group is not only expanding its business portfolio but also bringing changes in its management structure. The group, as of now is being managed as a family owned business. But, it is planning to hand over the responsibility of leading the group to professional managers. Presently, the members of Shrestha family are looking after various companies according to their expertise and experience in the respective fields. To expedite the transformation, the group is hiring managers, empowering and mentoring them. Shrestha expects that in three to four years, the leadership will be handed over to professional managers and the investors of the group will remain only in monitoring and supervision positions.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<table align="center" width="100">
	<tbody>
		<tr>
			<td>
				<img alt="Launching of Hyundai Grand i10" src="/userfiles/images/sp2%20(Copy)(1).jpg" style="border-width: 0px; border-style: solid; width: 550px; height: 217px;" /></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td bgcolor="#DDDDDD">
				<div align="center">
					<div style="text-align: center;">
						<strong>Launching of Hyundai Grand i10</strong></div>
				</div>
			</td>
		</tr>
	</tbody>
</table>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<table border="0" cellpadding="10" width="99%">
	<tbody>
		<tr>
			<td bgcolor="#E5E4E2">
				<div>
					<span style="font-size:16px;"><strong>Some Companies of Laxmi Group</strong></span></div>
				<div>
					&bull;<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Sujal Foods Pvt Ltd</div>
				<div>
					&bull;<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Jaya Confectionary Pvt Ltd</div>
				<div>
					&bull;<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Sujal Dairy Pvt Ltd</div>
				<div>
					&bull;<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Laxmi InterContinental Pvt Ltd</div>
				<div>
					&bull;<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Sujal Plastics Pvt Ltd</div>
				<div>
					&bull;<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Jaya Packaging Pvt Ltd</div>
				<div>
					&nbsp;</div>
				<div>
					<span style="font-size:16px;"><strong>Laxmi InterContinental Pvt Ltd</strong></span></div>
				<div>
					Laxmi InterContinental Pvt Ltd, automobile trader under the Laxmi Group has been importing and selling Hyundai vehicles in Nepal since February 2009. The company is not only selling vehicles but is also dedicated to provide after sales service to its customers. In order to achieve this aim, it has opened showrooms and service centres across Nepal. These showrooms promise to offer customers an improved service in terms of quality, space and ambience. Similarly, to capitalise the growing automobile market outside the Kathmandu valley, the company has established sub dealers at various locations such as Banepa, Pokhara, Narayangarh, Butwal, Nepalgunj, Dhangadi, Birgunj, Damak, Birtamode etc.</div>
				<div>
					&nbsp;</div>
				<div>
					<span style="font-size:16px;"><strong>Sujal Foods Pvt Ltd</strong></span></div>
				<div>
					&nbsp;Sujal Foods Pvt Ltd is the flagship subsidiary of Laxmi Group. This company with over five brands in different product categories holds around 60 per cent market share from its entire portfolio. &nbsp;It produces cocoa based confectioneries, strip gums, toffees, lollypops and bubble gums.</div>
				<div>
					&nbsp;</div>
				<div>
					The company also has been exporting some of its products to India and China since 2006.</div>
				<div>
					&nbsp;</div>
				<div>
					<span style="font-size:16px;"><strong>Major Brands of Sujal Foods</strong></span></div>
				<div>
					&bull;<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Chocofun<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>&bull;<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Smart Lollypop</div>
				<div>
					&bull;<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Love Birds<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>&bull;<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Sujal Eclairs</div>
				<div>
					&bull;<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Funstix Toffee<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>&bull;<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Sujal Gum</div>
				<div>
					&bull;<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Bubble Fun<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>&bull;<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Crave</div>
				<div>
					&bull;<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Candyman<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>&bull;<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Rasilo</div>
				<div>
					&bull;<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Lactofun Premium Malt</div>
				<div>
					&bull;<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Fresho Menthalyptus</div>
				<div>
					&nbsp;</div>
				<div>
					<span style="font-size:16px;"><strong>CSR</strong></span></div>
				<div>
					Laxmi Group has been undertaking various Corporate Social Responsibilities in various occasions. Mostly on the occasion of its anniversary, it provides financial and other support for social causes. However, most of the CSR activities are concentrated in Pokhara. The group has been supporting drinking water projects, schools and hospitals. In the group&rsquo;s last anniversary, it built a waiting unit for visitors. Similarly, Laxmi InterContinental Pvt Ltd has plans to launch extensive CSR activities within a year under the brand name of Hyundai.&nbsp;</div>
			</td>
		</tr>
	</tbody>
</table>',
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			'created' => '2014-02-17',
			'modified' => '2014-02-25',
			'keywords' => 'the corporate weekly from Nepal, nepali corporate events – news – interviews – reviews, nepali corporate focus, nepali corporate status and news, news from nepali corporate industry, corporate happenings – events – news from nepal',
			'description' => 'Laxmi Group started its commercial journey four decades ago in Pokhara when it was just a rustic village. The Group grew leaps and bounds to be positioned among the prominent business houses of Nepal.',
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	(int) 4 => array(
		'Article' => array(
			'id' => '2550',
			'article_category_id' => '122',
			'title' => 'Sneha Group: For Hospitality And More',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => null,
			'content' => '<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	<strong>--By Gaurav Aryal</strong></div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<table align="right" style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 10px;" width="25">
	<tbody>
		<tr>
			<td>
				<img alt="Bhawani Rana, Chairperson, Sneha Group" src="/userfiles/images/3%20(Copy)(2).jpg" style="border-width: 0px; border-style: solid; width: 200px; height: 203px;" /></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td bgcolor="#FFFFFF">
				<div align="center">
					<div style="text-align: center;">
						<div>
							<div>
								<strong>Bhawani Rana</strong></div>
							<div>
								Chairperson, Sneha Group</div>
						</div>
					</div>
				</div>
			</td>
		</tr>
	</tbody>
</table>
<div>
	The journey of Sneha Group of Companies began with the Nepalgunj based one star hotel - Sneha Hotel, as a family business of Asit SJB Rana. The hotel later expanded under the leadership of Bhawani Rana, Chairperson of Sneha Group. &nbsp; The hotel that started with 10 rooms has now grown into three star property with 65 rooms.&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	Rana says that the hotel is now the group&rsquo;s flagship company. Later, new companies in freight business, travel and tourism and agriculture were also named after Sneha as the name turned out to be a lucky charm for the group. The name is used as brand in the group&rsquo;s solo ventures. She reveals that the hotel is being upgraded to four-star category hotel with 75 rooms within a year. Likewise, the group is establishing a resort at Motipur of Bardiya district, near the Bardiya National Park. The resort will offer tourism packages including jungle safari and rafting. &nbsp;</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	The group has another ambitious resort project up its sleeves for Rara National Park as well. Rana says that land acquisition process is undergoing for this project and informed that the group will begin developing the project once the government gives green signal to its proposal. This eco-resort will have no concrete buildings thereby making it a truly eco-friendly resort. Rana says that the group plans to invest Rs 30 to 50 million in the project named as Sneha Eco Resort. The resort will have 20 to 25 rooms only.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	Similarly, the group is establishing Sneha Culture and Entertainment in Kathmandu soon that will present various cultural shows for international tourists. . However, Rana did not disclose details of this project. Likewise, the group is also expanding its agro processing and production business that is running under the name Sneha Agro. The group is planning to enter herb processing and expand &nbsp;fisheries and banana farming . At present, the group&rsquo;s banana farm spreads across 15 bighas of Bardiya. According to Rana, the group, as of now has invested Rs 20 million in the agriculture and herbs, Rs 250 million in the hotels and registers around Rs 150 million annual turnover from its various businesses.&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	The group is interested in developing cable car as medium of public transport in Kathmandu in partnership with other investors. The French expert has undertaken the responsibility to conduct feasibility study of the project. Rana says that the estimated investment has increased to around Rs 25 billion and the viability of the project will be known while the Detailed Project Report (DPR) is prepared.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	<span style="font-size:14px;"><strong>Focus on Mid and Far West</strong></span></div>
<div>
	The Sneha Group has focused its hospitality and tourism business away from oft-beaten destinations such as Kathmandu, Pokhara and Chitwan. Rana says, &ldquo;There were options for us to establish a project in Kathmandu Valley. But we decided to take the development out of the valley.&rdquo; The group had thought of developing Sanepa Tower Hotel at Sanepa of Lalitpur in a land spread over eight ropanis. However, the group concluded to offer tourists with services in off the beaten routes and destinations. She believes that the new resort project in Rara would open up new possibilities to explore the surrounding areas that have remained virgin as of now. She says that Nepalgunj is developing as a transit point for visiting numerous areas in the region such as Kailash-Mansarovar, Khaptad National Park and Swargadwari. She feels that the lack of promotion of Bardiya national park is holding off the possibility of developing tourism in the area in similar ways as that of Chitwan.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	<span style="font-size:14px;"><strong>Tourism Specialisation</strong></span></div>
<div>
	It is not only the tourism and hospitality that the group has put its hands into. It was also operating Bardiya Sugar Mill that was closed down during the armed conflict. The group now is making plans to reopen this factory. However, the company&rsquo;s main focus is on the service industry. . Rana says that this decision was made based on her and family&rsquo;s interests. She recalls numerous instances when she was advised to invest in the hydropower sector.&rdquo;But they could not lure me into that,&rdquo; she says. &nbsp;&ldquo;Tourism and service industry is where my interests and experiences are. So, we are expanding in this area and the soon to be established entertainment and cultural centre will be another addition to it.&rdquo;&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	<span style="font-size:14px;"><strong>Serving the Right Market</strong></span></div>
<div>
	Nepalgunj has become a transit point for visiting numerous tourist destinations in the Mid and Far Western Nepal. Be it domestic destinations like Dolpa, Jumla, Surkhet, Bardiya &nbsp;or &nbsp;few destinations located in Tibet like Kailash and Mansarovar. Nepalgunj is the point from where the journey begins. According to Rana, during the peak seasons, majority of clients residing at Sneha Hotel are the ones hailing from USA and Europe. She says that if tourism infrastructures can be developed and destinations in the region are promoted, the tourism industry can benefit the entire region. Recently, the number of Indian tourist is also significantly increasing, says Rana.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;Apart from pleasure seeking tourists, the major clientele of Sneha Group&rsquo;s hotel is made up of government officials and I/NGO and development workers. . Government and non-government institutions have set Mid and Far-Western region&rsquo;s development as their priority. Consequently, their activities in the region have spiked over the years. Nepalgunj is the base for these institutions where numerous conferences and conventions are organised every month thereby contributing a large chunk of sales and revenue to the hotel business.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	Unlike Pokhara and Chitwan, Nepalgunj offers little tourist attraction within the city. So, it has been acting as a one night transit. Rana feels that there are some religiously important places like Bageshwori temple within the city that can be promoted&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	to visitors.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	Being one of the oldest hotels in Nepalgunj, Sneha Hotel has remained strong throughout its operation despite the increasing competition. Responding to the changing market scenario, the group plans to rename the hotel as Hotel Sneha: Rana Boutique Hotel. Rana says, &ldquo;The region lacks boutique hotels. Hence this idea.&rdquo;</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<table border="0" cellpadding="10" width="99%">
	<tbody>
		<tr>
			<td bgcolor="#E5E4E2">
				<div>
					<div>
						<div>
							<span style="font-size:16px;"><strong>Turning Point</strong></span></div>
						<div>
							During the decade long conflict, the business of Sneha Group was also affected as Nepalgunj happened to be in the close vicinity of the conflict area. While the sugar mill was closed down, Sneha Hotel was also forced to close for two months. Bhawani Rana, Chairperson of the group recalls those days as terrorising for entrepreneurs in the area. However, her group, with the hope of better situation, did not hesitate in making additional investments. She recalls that most difficult days during the conflict period were when the group had borrowed loan from banks and the conflict immediately escalated to its peak.</div>
						<div>
							&nbsp;</div>
						<div>
							<span style="font-size:16px;"><strong>Managing the Business</strong></span></div>
						<div>
							Rana, who is also Vice President of Federation of Nepalese Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FNCCI), says she has been able to dedicate very little time to her business, as she has to spend most of her working hours at FNCCI. In her absence, businesspersons in the family and company&rsquo;s managers look after the business. &nbsp;The group has employed 200 people in its hotel, agriculture and travel businesses. Rana says that staff of the group are sincere and hardworking and she recalls the incident where they worked at half their salaries when the hotel remained closed during the conflict period. The group has always treated its employees as family members and &nbsp;motivated them by listening and understanding their problems, by treating them professionally and by providing incentives.</div>
						<div>
							&nbsp;</div>
						<div>
							<span style="font-size:16px;"><strong>CSR</strong></span></div>
						<div>
							The group is carrying out its social responsibilities through an organisation named Saathi Sanstha. The organisation has established a shelter for victims of women trafficking. Women in the shelter are provided with hotel management and other skill oriented trainings. Rana says that the organisation also tries offering them job placements. She shares that 15 women are trained annually by this organization. Similarly, the group also provides scholarships to needy children every year.&nbsp;</div>
					</div>
				</div>
			</td>
		</tr>
	</tbody>
</table>
<p>
	&nbsp;</p>',
			'published' => true,
			'created' => '2014-02-09',
			'modified' => '2014-02-18',
			'keywords' => 'the corporate weekly from Nepal, nepali corporate events – news – interviews – reviews, nepali corporate focus, nepali corporate status and news, news from nepali corporate industry, corporate happenings – events – news from nepal',
			'description' => 'Sneha Group of Companies, a business house based in the mid-western region of Nepal, is expanding its business roots into agriculture and tourism industry.',
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	(int) 5 => array(
		'Article' => array(
			'id' => '2503',
			'article_category_id' => '122',
			'title' => 'Vishal Group The Emerging FMCG Powerhouse',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => null,
			'content' => '<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	<strong>--By Gaurav Aryal</strong></div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<table align="right" style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 10px;" width="25">
	<tbody>
		<tr>
			<td>
				<img alt="Arpit Agrawal, Director, Vishal Group" src="/userfiles/images/sp2%20(Copy).jpg" style="border-width: 0px; border-style: solid; width: 200px; height: 226px;" /></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td bgcolor="#FFFFFF">
				<div align="center">
					<div style="text-align: center;">
						<div>
							<div>
								<strong>Arpit Agrawal</strong></div>
							<div>
								Director, Vishal Group</div>
						</div>
					</div>
				</div>
			</td>
		</tr>
	</tbody>
</table>
<div>
	Vishal Group&rsquo;s seeds were sown in Dharan. The first generation entrepreneurs from the Agrawal family had a textile shop there. When the family-owned textile business was passed onto the next generation, it took a shape of a manufacturing industrial house following their entry into steel manufacturing. The group has two steel factories in Biratnagar.&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	Then the group moved into the financial service which was further diversified into imports and distribution. United Distributors Nepal Pvt Ltd, one of the flagship companies of the group has around 50 top brands of the world in its portfolio that it distributes across Nepal. Similarly, the group has involvement in the automobiles, financial services, real estate, education and manufacturing among other sectors.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	<span style="font-size:14px;"><strong>Diversification</strong></span></div>
<div>
	Arpit Agrawal, Director of Vishal Group says that it was the efforts of his grandfathers, uncles and his father who took the group to the next level. He says that their exposure to the international business practices and the ideas they brought into the company worked well for the success of their family owned business. Though the group started diversification with the manufacturing of steel, the business that is as strong as the steel now comprises of 40 per cent of the distribution business.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	The Agrawal family has divided the business among themselves on sector basis. &nbsp;Agrawal feels that it is the expertise of the entrepreneurs in the family that helped in the diversification decisions. Agrawal, one of the youngest entrepreneurs in the family adds, &ldquo;If I am given with a choice between manufacturing and distribution business, I would go for the distribution. Manufacturing sector has small and clustered market. The latter offers me scope for my personal as well as professional development. And, more importantly, I enjoy this particular sector.&rdquo;</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	In the distribution sector, Vishal Group and its subsidiaries are authorised distributors for 50 different FMCG brands in personal care, food and beverages, electronics, liquor and medicines. When asked about the future concentration of the group, Agrawal says that Vishal Group wishes to be the number one FMCG powerhouse of the country. However, he hinted that the group will not completely abandon its manufacturing base.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	<span style="font-size:14px;"><strong>Days Ahead</strong></span></div>
<div>
	Agrawal says that the future of the group looks promising in his vision. &ldquo;Trading sector is the future for Vishal Group. And, we are certain that we will be the number one FMCG powerhouse of Nepal,&rdquo; he envisions. He is also hopeful that this target may be achieved sooner than three years. Agrawal says that the group has a wide range of products including small products like a mouth freshener to a luxury car. He adds that the group wants to be one stop solution to all the consumer goods and he says there is a possibility of establishing a department store selling only products that range from potato chips to luxury cars, distributed by the Vishal Group.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	<span style="font-size:14px;"><strong>Beating the Competition</strong></span></div>
<div>
	Vishal Group hardly feels the presence of its competitors. Though the group sells anything ranging from potato chips to cars, Agrawal says that the group hardly feels any competition. &ldquo;We are so much busy working that we don&rsquo;t get time to think a lot about competition. It is always nice to know what our competitors are doing but we don&rsquo;t really get affected by what they do. We just want to grow as a brand rather than getting involved in beating our competitors,&rdquo; he explains. Agrawal further says that arrogance affects the brand image and the group is not arrogant at all.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	To have a significant market share, the group has covered 35 cities and towns across the country. And, it has 60 distributors in those cities and towns. These distributors distribute the goods imported by the group and ensure that they reach the target customers at ease. Agrawal says that products dealt by the group are available in the smallest of the shops of smallest of the towns. He informed that there are more than 100 people working in the sales team of the group.&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	Various products offered by the group have their own distinct target markets from general public to premium niche clients. According to Agrawal, products of Procter &amp; Gamble on personal care segment has 35 per cent market share while chocolate brands like Mars and Snickers control about 40 per cent market. Similarly, Volkswagen targeted at premium customers has around 10 to 15 per cent market share in its class. Likewise, he adds that the recently introduced Royce energy drink aims to acquire the number two position, after Red Bull within a year.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	<img alt="Vishal Group Nepal" src="/userfiles/images/sp1%20(Copy).jpg" style="width: 550px; height: 196px;" /></div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	<span style="font-size:14px;"><strong>Unique Management Practices</strong></span></div>
<div>
	Vishal Group is designing one of its own kinds of offices in Nepal, says Agrawal. He adds that the working space is being modernised replicating the style of leading MNCs of the world. Agrawal says that in MNCs everyone sits in the same table, be it the highest ranking official or a junior employee, and this pattern is being incorporated at the Vishal Group&rsquo;s corporate office.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	Similarly, he says that directors of the group prefer working in the workstation rather than at their private cabins so that employees could have easy access to them. &ldquo;We don&rsquo;t want our employees whom we call our associates feel that we are superior to them. We want to be very accessible. And, when I am working at the workstation, anyone can easily meet me anytime,&rdquo; explains Agrawal.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	&ldquo;When we grow as a brand and a group, we call our employees our associates. We want them to grow not only financially but also professionally and personally along with the group,&rdquo; Agrawal shares. To ensure the employees develop a sense of belonging towards the company, the group has introduced various motivational packages. One of them is that the employees are allowed to take a half day leave to go to the movies every two months. Likewise, weekly off-work programmes are conducted at the office. The group has 2000 happy employees in all of its companies.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<table border="0" cellpadding="10" width="99%">
	<tbody>
		<tr>
			<td bgcolor="#E5E4E2">
				<div>
					<div>
						<div>
							<span style="font-size:16px;"><strong>Awards and Recognition</strong></span></div>
						<div>
							&nbsp;Vishal Group has been recognised as the highest taxpayer in 2010 by the government. United Distributors Nepal Pvt Ltd, one of the subsidiaries of group was awarded the Highest Tax Payer of Nepal in the foreign trade category. Similarly, the group&rsquo;s quality commitment has awarded it with the much coveted &lsquo;NS Quality Award 2002&rsquo; given to Mainawati Steel Industries Pvt Ltd. The group claims that it is the first industrial unit to obtain &lsquo;ISO 9002&rsquo; certification under the cables segment. Similarly, Nepal Industrial and Commercial Bank, one of the subsidiaries of the group was conferred with &lsquo;Commercially Important Person 2002&rsquo; award.</div>
						<div>
							&nbsp;</div>
						<div>
							<strong><span style="font-size:16px;">CSR Initiatives</span></strong></div>
						<div>
							Vishal Group believes in responsible business practices. The corporate social responsibilities (CSR) activities of the group are guided by the philosophy that the group must also give back to the society when it keeps growing larger. The group is involved in a number of social and community projects contributing generously and responsibly. For this purpose, the group runs Gordhandass Kamalawati Paropkari Pratisthan, named after the group&rsquo;s founder and his wife. The trust funds various charitable organisations and activities related to education.</div>
						<div>
							&nbsp;</div>
						<div>
							Similarly, Agrasen Bhawan, based in Dharan is a community centre constructed on the land donated by the group. This centre offers food and accommodation services at a highly subsidised price to those travelling to Dharan. The centre also has meeting halls that are being used for community activities and events.</div>
						<div>
							&nbsp;</div>
						<div>
							Likewise, the group supports various humanitarian causes for the welfare of the needy people in the society. It has been providing monetary and other basic materials like clothes to orphans and needy families in various parts of the country. The group adopts three orphan children each year and sponsors their education and also donates prosthetic limbs to disabled people.</div>
						<div>
							&nbsp;</div>
						<div>
							<span style="font-size:16px;"><strong>Some Brands Distributed by Vishal Group</strong></span></div>
						<div>
							<span style="font-size:16px;"><strong><img alt="" src="/userfiles/images/sp%20(Copy).jpg" style="width: 550px; height: 1473px;" /></strong></span></div>
					</div>
				</div>
			</td>
		</tr>
	</tbody>
</table>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>',
			'published' => true,
			'created' => '2014-01-26',
			'modified' => '2014-02-09',
			'keywords' => 'the corporate weekly from Nepal, nepali corporate events – news – interviews – reviews, nepali corporate focus, nepali corporate status and news, news from nepali corporate industry, corporate happenings – events – news from nepal',
			'description' => 'Vishal Group is working with a vision to establish itself as a fast moving consumer goods (FMCG) powerhouse of Nepal within three years.',
			'sortorder' => '2351',
			'image' => null,
			'article_date' => '0000-00-00 00:00:00',
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	),
	(int) 6 => array(
		'Article' => array(
			'id' => '2451',
			'article_category_id' => '122',
			'title' => 'Kedia Organisation Re-defining Diversity',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => null,
			'content' => '<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	<strong>--By TC Correspondent</strong></div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<table align="right" style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 10px;" width="25">
	<tbody>
		<tr>
			<td>
				<img alt="Manoj Kedia, Executive Director, Kedia Organization" src="/userfiles/images/sp1.jpg" style="border-width: 0px; border-style: solid; width: 200px; height: 221px;" /></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td bgcolor="#FFFFFF">
				<div align="center">
					<div style="text-align: center;">
						<div>
							<strong>Manoj Kedia</strong></div>
						<div>
							<em>Executive Director</em></div>
						<div>
							<em>Kedia Organisation</em></div>
					</div>
				</div>
			</td>
		</tr>
	</tbody>
</table>
<div>
	Kedia Organisation, a multi-million business conglomerate is not only one of the largest business houses in Nepal but also one of the oldest. The business house has diversified itself into agriculture, dairy, banking, trading among other industries without leaving a bit of the manufacturing sector that the group is focused on.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	Kedia Group is a well-known name in the cement, carpet and sugar industry. Manoj Kedia, Executive Director of the organisation says that his group has recently started manufacturing PVC carpet and is soon upgrading production capacity of Indusankhar Sugar Mill, one of Nepal&rsquo;s oldest and leading sugar factories.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	It is an established name in the service industry. With some significant investment in this sector the business house is major promoter of Siddhartha Insurance, Siddhartha Capital and Siddhartha Bank and apart from that has been running several schools and hospitals in various parts of the country.&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	The group has not limited itself with the sectors it has proven expertise in. It is continuously expanding. As part of its expansion plan, the group has made some investments in the housing and hydropower sector. Stating these investments to be insignificant, Kedia says that they are mainly made with a motive to get acquainted with these sectors.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	<span style="font-size:14px;"><strong>Hydro Interests</strong></span></div>
<div>
	The power shortage has taken its toll on the industrial sector. And, Kedia Organisation is not an exception. Therefore, the group has lately made investments in hydropower generation. Kedia explains the groups&rsquo; logic behind its involvement in energy sector, &ldquo;Power deficit is a national problem and it is obvious that major business houses want to engage in the power generation business as they are incurring heavy losses due to it.&rdquo; With the growing demand for energy and high market potentials, energy has become a lucrative industry.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	Kedia says that the group has not made substantial investment in the energy sector as of now. &ldquo;We have invested as shareholder in this sector to study the sectoral behaviour,&rdquo; he says. He further adds that the country needs friendly laws and policies to attract FDI in the energy sector terming it to be a capital-intensive.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	<span style="font-size:14px;"><strong>Service and Trade Focus</strong></span></div>
<div>
	The service and trading sector has lured a lot of business houses to divert from their traditional specialisation in manufacturing. They feel that it is difficult for manufacturing sector to prosper due to power shortage, open import of cheap goods from India and China. Kedia feels that it is extremely difficult for Nepali companies to compete with imported products in terms of cost. This is one of the reasons for the Kedia Organisation to diversify its portfolio into the service and trading businesses. Kedia adds, &ldquo;Lack of skilled and productive manpower, unfriendly labour environment and decrease in agricultural production has triggered increase in imports of agro products. These are other factors that are affecting the growth of the manufacturing industries in Nepal and discouraging investors to invest in manufacturing sectors.&rdquo;</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	<span style="font-size:14px;"><strong>Agro Player</strong></span></div>
<div>
	Kedia Group is one of the key players in the agriculture and food processing industry. &nbsp;The group is involved in agro-based industries with half a dozen companies that process and produce various food products such as rice, flour, lentils and sugar. Mahabir Adhunik Dal Udyog is one of the oldest manufacturing units in the lentil industry with a working history of more than 75 years. This unit recently upgraded its production capacity to 96 metric tonnes per day.&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	Along with producing agro-based products, the group is trying to create backward linkages with the farmers. Kedia says that the group has been regularly coordinating with farmers that it deals with. &ldquo;We regularly provide them with various skill-based trainings and loans. We have set up a sugar mill in Sarlahi district, country&rsquo;s major sugarcane-growing centre, and it is an instance that reflects how we work in coordination with farmers. In addition to that, we have been actively engaged with farmers in the dairy business as well,&rdquo; he said.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	<span style="font-size:14px;"><strong>Five Years Later</strong></span></div>
<div>
	With the changing political environment, business houses have found reasons to be optimistic about the future. Kedia says that his group is not only hopeful about the probable growth of his business but also looks forward for growth in the overall development of the country.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	The group has plans to diversify its business involvements. Kedia reveals that his group will be engaged in the infrastructure, tourism, power and in the manufacturing sector. &ldquo;All we need is a strong and stable government, business-friendly policies and fair competition between private sector players. &nbsp;The domestic market has huge potentials and Kedia Group looks forward to tap and invest in them to create more jobs in the domestic market itself,&rdquo; he says.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	<div>
		<hr />
		<p style="text-align: center;">
			<strong style="font-size: 16px;">The Rise of Kedia Organisation</strong></p>
	</div>
	<div>
		Kedia Organisation was established in 1909 as an evolution of the family owned trading business. The Kedia family started its business as a cloth merchant with stores in Birgunj and Kathmandu that selling imports from India. With the initiation and leadership of Brij Lal Kedia, first generation businessperson of the family, the business gradually expanded into food grains trading. It started small but as time progressed, it expanded across Nepal. Manoj Kedia, Executive Director of Kedia Organisation, narrates, &ldquo;He used to collect food grains from every corner of the country and supply them to even remote areas that lacked transportation facilities. For the first time in Nepal, he fixed prices of food grains and at a certain point, even the Khadya Sansthan (government owned Nepal Food Corporation) fixed food grain prices by consulting him. Later he established rice mills, dal mills and many more food grain factories. He established Nepal&rsquo;s first modern rice mill, Bhagwati Rice Mill.&rdquo;</div>
	<div>
		&nbsp;</div>
	<div>
		Shankar Lal Kedia expanded foothold in the manufacturing sector. He established factories related to steel furniture, stainless steel utensils, textile, umbrella, socks, wheat flour, corrugated steel, copper utensil etc. Kedia says that during that time, the steel, textile, and corrugated sheet industries from Kedias were pioneers in their respective fields. They then became the backbones of the present day Kedia Organisation. At the same time, the group also entered in general merchandising sector by importing goods from third countries and bulk-traded them in local market. Imported goods included clothes, electronics, food items, medical equipment, household products, hardware, cement, sugar, and edible oil among others. Meanwhile the company also exported rice to Tibet and pulses and lentils to Sri Lanka, Bangladesh and to some European countries.&nbsp;</div>
	<div>
		&nbsp;</div>
	<div>
		Similarly, the group established Caltex Company, a petrol pump agent in Nepal, and this is still in operation as Kedia Auto in Birgunj. Kedia claims that Kedia Group also is one of the first industrial houses to advertise its products. &ldquo;We sponsored the &ldquo;Sundar Sushil Sangeet&rdquo;, a popular song-on-request programme aired on Radio Nepal, to promote our products,&rdquo; he says.</div>
	<div>
		&nbsp;</div>
	<div>
		Today the group has over 1000 administrative staff, more than 100 technical staff and over 2500 skilled and semi-skilled workers. Today the group has investments in around four dozen companies, doing business in wide range of sectors.</div>
	<div>
		&nbsp;</div>
</div>
<table border="0" cellpadding="10" width="99%">
	<tbody>
		<tr>
			<td bgcolor="#E5E4E2">
				<div>
					<div>
						<span style="font-size:14px;"><strong>Banks and Financial Institutions</strong></span></div>
					<div>
						&bull;<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Gorkha Finance Ltd</div>
					<div>
						&bull;<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Siddhartha Bank Ltd</div>
					<div>
						&bull;<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Siddhartha Capital Ltd</div>
					<div>
						&bull;<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Siddhartha Insurance Ltd</div>
					<div>
						&nbsp;</div>
					<div>
						<span style="font-size:14px;"><strong>Fabrication and Iron and Steel</strong></span></div>
					<div>
						&bull;<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Narayani Metal Industries</div>
					<div>
						&bull;<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Sundar Wire and Nails</div>
					<div>
						&bull;<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Sundar Furniture Industries Pvt Ltd</div>
					<div>
						&bull;<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Sundar Steel Pvt Ltd</div>
					<div>
						&nbsp;</div>
					<div>
						<span style="font-size:14px;"><strong>Dairy and Agro Industries</strong></span></div>
					<div>
						&bull;<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Amarawati Madyashala Pvt Ltd</div>
					<div>
						&bull;<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Sitaram Gokul Milks Kathmandu Ltd</div>
					<div>
						&bull;<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Indushankar Chini Udyog Ltd</div>
					<div>
						&bull;<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Mahabir Adhunik Dal Udyog</div>
					<div>
						&bull;<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Ram Dal Udyog</div>
					<div>
						&bull;<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Brijlal Chamal Udyog Harion</div>
					<div>
						&bull;<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Birgunj Khadya Udyog Pvt &nbsp;Ltd</div>
					<div>
						&nbsp;</div>
					<div>
						<span style="font-size:14px;"><strong>Exports</strong></span></div>
					<div>
						&bull;<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Medical Herbs</div>
					<div>
						&bull;<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Red Split Lentils</div>
					<div>
						&bull;<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Flooring Carpets</div>
					<div>
						&bull;<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Refined Vegetable Ghee</div>
					<div>
						&bull;<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Pashmina (Cashmere) Products</div>
					<div>
						&nbsp;</div>
					<div>
						<span style="font-size:14px;"><strong>Imports</strong></span></div>
					<div>
						&bull;<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Paper Products</div>
					<div>
						&bull;<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Textile &amp; Fabrics</div>
					<div>
						&bull;<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Industrial Supplies</div>
					<div>
						&bull;<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Metals &amp; Minerals</div>
					<div>
						&bull;<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Printing &amp; Publishing</div>
					<div>
						&bull;<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Construction Supplies</div>
					<div>
						&bull;<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>General Merchandise</div>
					<div>
						&bull;<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Agro &amp; food Products</div>
					<div>
						&bull;<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Flooring &amp; Furnishing</div>
					<div>
						&bull;<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Fertilizers &amp; Chemicals</div>
					<div>
						&bull;<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Medical &amp; Pharmaceuticals</div>
					<div>
						&bull;<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Electronic &amp; Electrical Goods</div>
					<div>
						&bull;<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Cosmetics &amp; Household Appliances</div>
					<div>
						&nbsp;</div>
					<div>
						<span style="font-size:14px;"><strong>Foreign Brand Representation</strong></span></div>
					<div>
						&bull;<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Haier</div>
					<div>
						&bull;<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Hisense</div>
					<div>
						&bull;<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Toshiba</div>
					<div>
						&bull;<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Evernal</div>
					<div>
						&bull;<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Mitsuma</div>
					<div>
						&bull;<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Chin Yang Corporation (South Korea)</div>
					<div>
						&bull;<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Bharat Petroleum Corporation (India)</div>
					<div>
						&nbsp;</div>
					<div>
						<span style="font-size:14px;"><strong>Trading Companies</strong></span></div>
					<div>
						&bull;<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Trading Firm</div>
					<div>
						&bull;<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Sumit Impex</div>
					<div>
						&bull;<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Kanak New Traders</div>
					<div>
						&bull;<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Nepal Multinational Pvt Ltd</div>
					<div>
						&bull;<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Eshita Trading Pvt Ltd</div>
					<div>
						&bull;<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Yagya Shree Pvt Ltd</div>
					<div>
						&bull;<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Sauryn Exim Pvt ltd</div>
					<div>
						&bull;<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Infotech Solution Pvt Ltd</div>
					<div>
						&bull;<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Nepal Sagarmatha Traders</div>
					<div>
						&bull;<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Diamond Agro International</div>
					<div>
						&bull;<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Rohit International Pvt Ltd</div>
					<div>
						&bull;<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Sanjay Trade Links Pvt Ltd</div>
					<div>
						&bull;<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Kedia International Pvt Ltd</div>
					<div>
						&nbsp;</div>
					<div>
						<span style="font-size:14px;"><strong>Education</strong></span></div>
					<div>
						&bull;<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Sundarmal Ram Kumar Girls Higher Secondary School, Birgunj</div>
					<div>
						&bull;<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Maharaja Agrasen Faculty of Management, Birgunj</div>
					<div>
						&bull;<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>D.A.V. Rukamani Banarasi Kedia School, Birgunj</div>
					<div>
						&bull;<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>D.A.V. Sushi Kedia Vishwa Bharati, Harion, Sarlahi</div>
					<div>
						&bull;<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>D.A.V. Kedia Vishwa Bharati, Biratnagar</div>
					<div>
						&bull;<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>D.A.V. Kedia Vishwa Bharati Nepal, Kathmandu</div>
					<div>
						&bull;<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>D.A.V. Sushil Kedia Vishwa Bharati, Lalitpur</div>
					<div>
						&nbsp;</div>
					<div>
						<span style="font-size:14px;"><strong>Healthcare and Welfare</strong></span></div>
					<div>
						&bull;<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Ram Kumar Mahabir Prasad Kedia Eye Hospital, Birgunj</div>
					<div>
						&bull;<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Mahabir Prasad Brijlal Kedia Dental Institute, Birgunj</div>
					<div>
						&bull;<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Sitaram Kedia Sewa Sadan, Harion, Sarlahi</div>
					<div>
						&bull;<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Nepal Bodhi Tree International Society, Birgunj</div>
					<div>
						&bull;<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Mahabir Prasad Brijlal Kedia Sewa Trust, Birgunj</div>
					<div>
						&bull;<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Kedia Children&rsquo;s Scholarship Fund, Birgunj</div>
					<div>
						&bull;<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Sushil Kedia Sewa Foundation, Birgunj</div>
					<div>
						&nbsp;</div>
					<div>
						<span style="font-size:14px;"><strong>Other Manufacturing units</strong></span></div>
					<div>
						&bull;<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Brij Cement Pvt Ltd</div>
					<div>
						&bull;<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Sundar Candles</div>
					<div>
						&bull;<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Sushil Vanaspati Pvt Ltd</div>
					<div>
						&bull;<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Yeti Fabrics Ltd</div>
				</div>
			</td>
		</tr>
	</tbody>
</table>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>',
			'published' => true,
			'created' => '2014-01-20',
			'modified' => '2014-01-26',
			'keywords' => 'the corporate weekly from Nepal, nepali corporate events – news – interviews – reviews, nepali corporate focus, nepali corporate status and news, news from nepali corporate industry, corporate happenings – events – news from nepal',
			'description' => 'Kedia Organisation, a multi-million business conglomerate is not only one of the largest business houses in Nepal but also one of the oldest. The business house has diversified itself into agriculture, dairy, banking, trading among other industries without leaving a bit of the manufacturing sector that the group is focused on.',
			'sortorder' => '2296',
			'image' => null,
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			'user_id' => '0'
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	),
	(int) 7 => array(
		'Article' => array(
			'id' => '2446',
			'article_category_id' => '122',
			'title' => 'Chachan Group: Cementing Its Foundation',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => null,
			'content' => '<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	<strong>--By Gaurav Aryal and Om Prakash Khanal</strong></div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
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				<img alt="Satish Chachan, Director, Chachan Group" src="/userfiles/images/sptlght1%20(Copy).jpg" style="border-width: 0px; border-style: solid; width: 200px; height: 221px;" /></td>
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			<td bgcolor="#FFFFFF">
				<div align="center">
					<div style="text-align: center;">
						<div>
							<strong>Satish Chachan</strong></div>
						<div>
							<em>Director, Chachan Group</em></div>
					</div>
				</div>
			</td>
		</tr>
	</tbody>
</table>
<div>
	Chachan Group evolved into a manufacturing and trading house when it changed its course into manufacturing from the family owned trading business. This move not only made the group grow leaps and bounds but also established itself as a leading industrial and trading house. The group in its initial days traded various commodities such as leather and leather products, cement, vegetable ghee, food grains, lentils, oil seeds, spices, consumer goods, fertilizer, pulses, edible oils and animal feeds. Today, the group not only trades these commodities but also produces them. The group&rsquo;s expansion was not merely driven by the market force. There were visions and entrepreneurial skills of earlier generation of businessmen, Mahabir Prasad Chachan and Shree Maliram Chachan, who steered the business towards what it is today. When the group passed onto the new generation of businessmen, Babu Lal Chachan and Parmeshwar Lal Chachan who are Chairman and Vice-Chairman respectively, the group had reached to a position from where it would never have to look back.&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	<span style="font-size:14px;"><strong>Growing Larger</strong></span></div>
<div>
	Satish Chachan, Director of Chachan Group says that the group is continuously following the tradition established by its founders towards further growth of the company. He proudly says, &ldquo;Compared to the group&rsquo;s initial days, the company has achieved a remarkable success in cement manufacturing besides continuing its decades old cement selling business.&rdquo; Within the last decade, the group has established three cement grinding plants each having a production capacity of 350 metric tonnes (MT) of cement per day in Birgunj. Similarly, the group has begun the construction of fourth cement grinding plant in Nepalgunj with the same capacity as that of a single unit in Birgunj.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	Chachan says that the group had established a poly-plastic bag industry two years back in Birgunj. This factory has enabled the group&rsquo;s cement plants to use its own cement packing bags. &ldquo;This poly-plastic bag industry has also earned a big business faith in the major sectors of the country. This clearly indicates the satisfactory present and past situation of the company and its growing capability to contribute a large amount of revenue to the nation.&rdquo;</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	<span style="font-size:14px;"><strong>Gaining Strength</strong></span></div>
<div>
	The group has shown remarkable progress in goods manufacturing that it has decided to specialise on. At present, it is producing cement, vegetable oil, leather goods, poly-plastic goods and various food products through its food processing units. Likewise, the group is also involved in trading through its three companies who have direct presence in over 19 different cities across the country.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	Chachan Group is today considered one of the leading business houses of Nepal based in Birgunj for producing variety of commodities with a wide reach across the country. Chachan claims that the products range that the company trades in and its wide network are suggestive of their market &nbsp;and the robust financial strength of the group.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	He shares that the annual turnover of the group exceeds Rs 4 billion. He also adds that the staggering 70 per cent of the total turnover is generated by the cement wing of the group. While sharing the strength of the group, Chachan boasts that his business has been employing 1500 people directly along with a huge number of indirect employments in transportation and handling of the raw materials and finished products. He also adds that 300 employees are working in the cement wing alone. The group&rsquo;s beneficiaries such as construction companies, commercial enterprises, transporters, traders, farmers and consumers are spread over major parts of Tarai and hilly regions of the country.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	<span style="font-size:14px;"><strong>Changing the Course</strong></span></div>
<div>
	For decades, the group had been trading various commodities. Chachan says, &ldquo;This trade grew bigger and flourished gradually, which ultimately evolved into the establishment and identification of the Chachan Group. This can be regarded as the first and fundamental turning point of the company.&rdquo; Gradually the trading business expanded; meanwhile, various new manufacturing units were established.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	Around one and a half decade ago, the group decided to establish cement manufacturing units realising the growing demand of construction materials and cement in particular. This demand was identified when the state owned cement plants such as Hetauda Cement, Udaypur Cement and other private cement producers were unable to meet the major percentage of cement demands. This inspired the group to establish Narayani Cement Udyog Pvt Ltd in Birgunj. This company today has production capacity of 1050 tonnes per day.&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	<span style="font-size:14px;"><strong>Roadmap Ahead</strong></span></div>
<div>
	Chachan believes that the group has kept its promise of offering best quality products and services at a reasonable cost and claims that it would open up new avenues for the group to expand its manufacturing and trading businesses in the days ahead. &ldquo;Our past experience gives us confidence that we have further opportunities and scope for expansion. We want to establish our own clinker producing units so that we can stand as one of the leading cement and clinker manufacturer of Nepal,&rdquo; envisions Chachan.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	He reveals that the group has a clinker producing plant in the pipeline. He elaborated that this new plant will have a production capacity of 700 to 750 tonnes per day. Likewise, once the Nepalgunj based cement plant comes into operation, the group is planning to add another cement grinding plant there with production capacity and design similar to the existing one.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	Similarly, Chachan reveals that the group is planning to acquire a limestone quarry in a hilly area of Makawanpur district, few kilometres away from Hetauda. &ldquo;Besides this, we have been thinking to buy some additional land to establish the clinker producing plant.Though we are already in touch with some of the renowned Indian companies for establishing the clinker plant, we think this will materialise only after three to five years from now,&rdquo; he added. Similarly, Chachan is ready to expand other plants depending on the market demand and financial status.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	<img alt="Chachhan Group" src="/userfiles/images/sptlight%20(Copy).jpg" style="margin-left: 10px; margin-right: 10px; height: 333px; width: 550px;" /></div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	<span style="font-size:16px;"><strong>CSR Commitments</strong></span></div>
<div>
	As part of its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR), the group has given prime importance to environmental protection and freeing its locality from pollutants. The group is also strengthening and accelerating its sustainable environmental efforts through the reduction of environmental impacts and the conservation of the biodiversity. &ldquo;We have been aiming to provide satisfaction and gratification to as many stakeholders as possible. To this aspect, we believe and act ethically and relentlessly to seek improvement in the quality, safety, information security and reliability of our products and services,&rdquo; explains Chachan.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	Satish Chachan, Director of the group says, &ldquo;We respect our customer and their culture and the community they belong to while we deal with them in the course of our business activities. We also engage in dialogues with various stakeholders in society and incorporate their feedback to enhance our CSR activities so that we can contribute our best to improve our surroundings, quality and the effectiveness of our activities.&rdquo;&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	Similarly, the company has dedicated itself in creating a safe and comfortable work environment for all its employees so that they can realise their full potential and have a fulfilling career, as a responsible corporate culture.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
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				<div>
					<div>
						<span style="font-size:16px;"><strong>Sister Companies of Chachan Group</strong></span></div>
					<div>
						&bull;<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Narayani Cement</div>
					<div>
						&bull;<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Jaya Bageshwari Cement</div>
					<div>
						&bull;<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Narayani Oil Refinery Udyog</div>
					<div>
						&bull;<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Narayani Leather Manufacturing Industries</div>
					<div>
						&bull;<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Narayani Modern Pulses Industries</div>
					<div>
						&bull;<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Shree Adhunik Dal Udyog</div>
					<div>
						&bull;<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Shree Agro Processing Unit</div>
					<div>
						&bull;<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Adarsh Oil Industry</div>
					<div>
						&bull;<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Adarsh Tel Udyog</div>
					<div>
						&bull;<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Adarsh Polyplastic Pvt Ltd</div>
					<div>
						&nbsp;</div>
					<div>
						<span style="font-size:16px;"><strong>Independent Trading Concerns &nbsp;under the Group</strong></span></div>
					<div>
						&bull;<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Chachan Implex</div>
					<div>
						&bull;<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Devki International&nbsp;</div>
					<div>
						&bull;<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Manoj International Traders</div>
					<div>
						&nbsp;</div>
					<div>
						<span style="font-size:16px;"><strong>SWOT Analysis</strong></span></div>
					<div>
						&nbsp;</div>
					<div>
						<span style="font-size:14px;"><strong>Strengths</strong></span></div>
					<div>
						&bull;<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Customers&nbsp;</div>
					<div>
						&bull;<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Staff&nbsp;</div>
					<div>
						&bull;<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Good quality products and services</div>
					<div>
						&bull;<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Reasonable price&nbsp;</div>
					<div>
						&bull;<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Harmonic relationship with employees, customers and local surroundings</div>
					<div>
						&bull;<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Disciplined working attitude</div>
					<div>
						&bull;<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Timely revenue payments to the government&nbsp;</div>
					<div>
						&nbsp;</div>
					<div>
						<span style="font-size:14px;"><strong>Weaknesses</strong></span></div>
					<div>
						&bull;<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Inability to give hundred percent employment to the local residents&nbsp;</div>
					<div>
						&bull;<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Cannot fulfill the donation demands from local parties and their leaders&nbsp;</div>
					<div>
						&nbsp;</div>
					<div>
						<span style="font-size:14px;"><strong>Opportunities</strong></span></div>
					<div>
						&bull;<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Prospects for growth of construction material businesses</div>
					<div>
						&bull;<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Growing domestic market and purchasing capacity of people</div>
					<div>
						&bull;<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Rapidly emerging technological innovations</div>
					<div>
						&nbsp;</div>
					<div>
						<span style="font-size:14px;"><strong>Threats</strong></span></div>
					<div>
						&bull;<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Lack of smooth business environment</div>
					<div>
						&bull;<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Frequent bandhs and strikes&nbsp;</div>
					<div>
						&bull;<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Lack of environment to work peacefully and uninterruptedly where the group is based</div>
					<div>
						&nbsp;</div>
					<div>
						<span style="font-size:16px;"><strong>Market Positioning</strong></span></div>
					<div>
						Products of Chachan Group has a wide market coverage including major cities and towns such as Birgunj, Hetauda, Kalaiya, Narayanghat, Kathmandu, Bhaktapur, Banepa, Batar, Pokhara, Bhairahawa, Krishna Nagar, Dang, Nepalgunj, Dhangadhi, Nijgarh, Gaur, Lahan, Janakpur, Jhapa, Morang, Ilam and other places in hilly and Tarai region. According to the group, major market for cement is in all the belts extending from Birgunj to Jhapa and in Hetauda, Narayanghatand major cities and towns of Bagmati zone.</div>
					<div>
						&nbsp;</div>
					<div>
						According to Satish Chachan, Director of the group, product placement is done through various dealers and transporters. Group&rsquo;s contact or branch offices and dealers are channels for distribution. Major product range includes daily commodities, construction materials, leather goods, fertilizers among others.&nbsp;</div>
					<div>
						All the factories of the group are being operated in full capacity to meet the market demand. Products are sold under different brand names such as Trishakti and Bajrashakti in the cement segment while other commodities also have their own niche brand value recognised in their market targets.<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span></div>
				</div>
			</td>
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</table>
<p>
	&nbsp;</p>',
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			'created' => '2014-01-19',
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			'description' => 'Chachan Group evolved into a manufacturing and trading house when it changed its course into manufacturing from the family owned trading business. This move not only made the group grow leaps and bounds but also established itself as a leading industrial and trading house. The group in its initial days traded various commodities such as leather and leather products, cement, vegetable ghee, food grains, lentils, oil seeds, spices, consumer goods, fertilizer, pulses, edible oils and animal feeds.',
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	(int) 8 => array(
		'Article' => array(
			'id' => '2408',
			'article_category_id' => '122',
			'title' => 'Kabra Group: A Leading Confectioner',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => null,
			'content' => '<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	<strong>--By Gaurav Aryal</strong></div>
<table align="right" style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 10px;" width="25">
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			<td>
				<img alt="Shyam Kabra, Chairman, Kabra Group" src="/userfiles/images/spt1%20(Copy)(1).jpg" style="border-width: 0px; border-style: solid; width: 200px; height: 222px;" /></td>
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			<td bgcolor="#FFFFFF">
				<div align="center">
					<div style="text-align: center;">
						<div>
							<strong>Shyam Kabra</strong></div>
						<div>
							<em>Chairman, Kabra Group</em></div>
					</div>
				</div>
			</td>
		</tr>
	</tbody>
</table>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	The journey of Kabra Group began with the establishment of Kwality Biscuits Industries Pvt Ltd in 1985. However it was not the first venture for the Kabra family for it has been involved in the business for generations. They were involved in the business of consumer goods before the family decided to set up a factory. When the first biscuit factory performed well, it increased the hunger of the family to go for more. Shyam Kabra, Chairman of Kabra Group says that the Kwality Biscuits was a major success and it encouraged his family to expand this new business.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	Eventually, the business house came up with Kwality Diet and Food Processing Pvt Ltd and Kwality Food and Snacks followed up. These additions did not only make the business bigger, but also established the family as an industrial house of Nepal.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	<span style="font-size:14px;"><strong>Ruling the Roost</strong></span></div>
<div>
	Kwality Biscuits Industry was not only the first factory of the group but also one of the earliest companies in Nepal to manufacture biscuits, claims Kabra. &ldquo;With time we have consistently kept on establishing more companies that helped us diversify our portfolio,&rdquo; he adds. The group claims itself to be the largest investor in the biscuits industry of Nepal and has the largest production capacity.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	The group claims that has been the largest manufacturer of biscuits as well as soaps and confectionery for the past two decades. The mother industry was later gradually expanded into soaps, chocolates, flour and vegetable ghee and oil producing sister concerns. At present, the group has a dozen companies in manufacturing as well as in trading.&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	The group currently produces almost 35 types of biscuits and Kabra says that half of them are performing pretty well in the market. Tasty Tasty, Bonbon, Butter Cracker, Jackpot, Morning Touch are some of the most popular brands. Tasty-Tasty and a host of other popular brands under the brand umbrella of Kwality are loved by customers not only in Nepal but also in India. Kabra says, &ldquo;Many of the Kabra Group companies are market leaders in their industries and have won acclaim from the customers, since 1985.&rdquo; The group is also a source of employment to 100 permanent staff and 300 daily waged labours.&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	<span style="font-size:14px;"><strong>Encouraging Expansion</strong></span></div>
<div>
	Like any other business houses, Kabra Group too was hesitant to invest blindly during the conflict era and the unstable politics that followed thereafter. So, the group kept itself on the wait and watch mode and did not make any significant investment for expansion of its businesses. However, the group kept on adding new varieties of confectionaries and biscuits to its existing products range. Kabra says that Gold series Bonbon, Butter Cracker Gold and Coconut Gold are some of the additions made during the turbulent times. Considering Kwality Biscuits as its mother industry, the group has always kept this company in priority and promises it to take it to the next level in the days to come. The latest constituent assembly election has also brought hope and signs of stability and encouraged Kabra Group like other investors to expand its niche.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	Humans are never satisfied with what they and therefore yearn for more. The same follows for the Kabras too. Kabra says, &ldquo;We still have a lot to do. Though the growth rate we currently have is not unsatisfactory, we have seen scope to do better. And, the environment and situation is getting better where our initiatives will pay.&rdquo; He adds that his group is dedicated to its works and perform the best it can.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	<span style="font-size:14px;"><strong>Market Position</strong></span></div>
<div>
	The group has prioritised the domestic market as its major market for all of its products. Kabra says that local market and local customers, belonging to all the age groups, have been and will remain the target segment of the group&rsquo;s products. Along with that, Kabra hints that the group has no intentions of limiting itself to the domestic market only. &ldquo;We have plans to explore export markets too but it will take some time,&rdquo; Kabra added. &nbsp;</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	Being the largest producer and investor in the biscuits industry, Kabra says that the confectionary products hold an impressive share in the domestic market. &ldquo;However, market is an uncertain place. Therefore, marketing strategies need to be revised and updated corresponding to the changing time and situation,&rdquo; says Kabra. He adds that Nepali companies have their own strategies while the foreign companies have different roadmap to penetrate into the market here. The group believes that if the product is excellent then the customers will remain with it.&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	Kabra feels that Nepali products are not only facing competition from local products but also from the imported ones. &ldquo;But competition is natural as the same market is shared by all the players. What I believe is when the competition swells; the scope of market expansion also increases. However, we have to concentrate more on healthy competition than going for mere price wars,&rdquo; explains Kabra.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	<span style="font-size:16px;"><strong>Major milestones of Kabra Group</strong></span></div>
<div>
	1985 - Established Kwality Biscuits Industries Private Limited</div>
<div>
	1990 - Established Kwality Soap Industries Private Limited</div>
<div>
	1994 - Established NEPIND Flexipack Private Limited</div>
<div>
	1995 - Kwality Biscuits Industries Private limited launched Tasty Tasty which propelled the company as the second largest manufacturer in the Industry</div>
<div>
	1998 - Established Annapurna Maida Mills Private Limited</div>
<div>
	2000 - Established Kwality Confectionary Private Limited</div>
<div>
	2003 - Established a second company of Biscuits Kwality Diet &amp; Food Products Private Limited</div>
<div>
	2005 - Established a second company of Soaps &amp; Detergents Kwality Soap &amp; Chemical Industries Private Limited</div>
<div>
	2008 - Established Kwality Oil Refinery Private Limited</div>
<div>
	2012 - Established Kwality Food &amp; Snacks Industries Pvt Ltd</div>
<div>
	2012 - Established Siddharth Enterprises</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	<img alt="Kabra Group Products" src="/userfiles/images/spt2%20(Copy)(1).jpg" style="width: 550px; height: 191px; margin-left: 10px; margin-right: 10px;" /></div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<table border="0" cellpadding="10" width="99%">
	<tbody>
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			<td bgcolor="#E5E4E2">
				<div>
					<span style="font-size:16px;"><strong>Companies under the Group</strong></span></div>
				<div>
					&bull;<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Kwality Biscuit Industries Pvt Ltd</div>
				<div>
					&bull;<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Kwality Soap &amp; Chemicals Pvt Ltd&nbsp;</div>
				<div>
					&bull;<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Nep - Ind Flexipack Pvt Ltd&nbsp;</div>
				<div>
					&bull;<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Annapurna Maida Mills Pvt Ltd&nbsp;</div>
				<div>
					&bull;<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Kwality Confectionary Pvt Ltd&nbsp;</div>
				<div>
					&bull;<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Kwality Diet &amp; Food Production Pvt Ltd&nbsp;</div>
				<div>
					&bull;<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Kwality Chemicals Pvt Ltd&nbsp;</div>
				<div>
					&bull;<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Kwality Oil Refinery Pvt Ltd&nbsp;</div>
				<div>
					&bull;<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Kwality Food &amp; Snacks Industries Pvt Ltd&nbsp;</div>
				<div>
					&bull;<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Siddharth Enterprises Pvt Ltd&nbsp;</div>
				<div>
					&bull;<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Phoenix International Pvt Ltd</div>
				<div>
					&nbsp;</div>
				<div>
					<span style="font-size:16px;"><strong>Some Companies under Kabra Group</strong></span></div>
				<div>
					&nbsp;</div>
				<div>
					<span style="font-size:14px;"><strong>Kwality Soap and Chemical Industries Pvt Ltd</strong></span></div>
				<div>
					One of the major companies of Kabra Group, Kwality Soap and Chemical Industries Pvt Ltd, produces a variety of laundry and toilet soaps. &nbsp;According to Shyam Kabra, the company has recently upgraded its production plant for detergent manufacturing. The manufacturing unit at Kathari is upgraded to the latest technology. The group has been involved in soaps ranging from premium products to budget products, for over 15 years. Kabra says that the company utilises the unmatched infrastructure that consists of latest tools and is supervised by qualified professionals. The entire manufacturing process has been streamlined to minimize any manufacturing fault. The company is also utilising internationally approved formulation, raw materials to ensure best quality assurance. The factory also has its own fully equipped laboratory, for new product development and quality testing.</div>
				<div>
					&nbsp;</div>
				<div>
					<span style="font-size:14px;"><strong>Kwality Confectionery Pvt Ltd&nbsp;</strong></span></div>
				<div>
					This is the flagship company of Kabra Group that produces products such as confectionery, chewing-gums, chocolate, coated and plain wafers, among others. The company has established itself as a multi-product, multi-market company and is claimed to be one of the largest manufacturer of confectionery and toffees in Nepal since 2001. This company produces over 60 varieties of candies, toffees and wafers. &nbsp;Kabra says that the company has always endeavoured to satisfy the customers&rsquo; changing wants and desires with its special emphasis on quality, range and value for money. The Company is also strictly following the code of good manufacturing practice prescribed by ISO standards though it has not been certified by one yet. Quality confectionary products, produced at the company&rsquo;s factory located in Duhabi, Sunsari, are supplied to the market through its distribution network in Nepal and India. He says that products are distributed through stockiest within Nepal and reach more than 40,000 outlets throughout the country.</div>
				<div>
					&nbsp;</div>
				<div>
					<span style="font-size:14px;"><strong>Nep-Ind Flexipack Pvt Ltd&nbsp;</strong></span></div>
				<div>
					This company produces eight colour hi-tech rotogravure printing and packaging materials that are being used by the home companies as well as other domestic companies including well known MNCs. According to the company, products have uniform thickness, clear printing in attractive colours. &ldquo;Because of best design developments and high quality of printing with competitive rates, our print product is widely used by giant companies,&rdquo; says Kabra.</div>
			</td>
		</tr>
	</tbody>
</table>
<p>
	&nbsp;</p>',
			'published' => true,
			'created' => '2014-01-06',
			'modified' => '2014-01-19',
			'keywords' => 'the corporate weekly from Nepal, nepali corporate events – news – interviews – reviews, nepali corporate focus, nepali corporate status and news, news from nepali corporate industry, corporate happenings – events – news from nepal',
			'description' => 'The journey of Kabra Group began with the establishment of Kwality Biscuits Industries Pvt Ltd in 1985. However it was not the first venture for the Kabra family for it has been involved in the business for generations. They were involved in the business of consumer goods before the family decided to set up a factory. When the first biscuit factory performed well, it increased the hunger of the family to go for more. Shyam Kabra, Chairman of Kabra Group says that the Kwality Biscuits was a major success and it encouraged his family to expand this new business.',
			'sortorder' => '2252',
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	),
	(int) 9 => array(
		'Article' => array(
			'id' => '2358',
			'article_category_id' => '122',
			'title' => 'NE Group: Expanding Perpetually',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => null,
			'content' => '<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	<strong>--By Gaurav Aryal</strong></div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<table align="right" style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 10px;" width="25">
	<tbody>
		<tr>
			<td>
				<img alt="Ravi Bhakta Shrestha, Vice Chairman, NE Group" src="/userfiles/images/sptlt1%20(Copy).jpg" style="border-width: 0px; border-style: solid; width: 200px; height: 222px;" /></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td bgcolor="#FFFFFF">
				<div align="center">
					<div style="text-align: center;">
						<div>
							<strong>Ravi Bhakta Shrestha</strong></div>
						<div>
							<em>Vice Chairman, NE Group</em></div>
					</div>
				</div>
			</td>
		</tr>
	</tbody>
</table>
<div>
	As any other business houses, NE Group also envisions securing the top position among Nepal&rsquo;s corporate groups. Ravi Bhakta Shrestha, Vice Chairman of NE Group is content with the growth his business has been able to achieve so far, despite the turbulent economic and political environment of the country that has been in the scene. Similar to the business fraternity that stood the test of time, the group has held its roots strong to come this far since its inception.&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	With a belief and optimism for the better future, NE Group has some growth plans up its sleeve to expand in the days to come. The group that has been primarily been concentrated in the manufacturing and trade sectors is now looking into the service industry with much enthusiasm and dedication. Shrestha says that his group will be exploring more into the health and tourism sectors where it already has some investments.&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	<span style="font-size:14px;"><strong>Harnessing Prospects</strong></span></div>
<div>
	Shrestha optimistically says, &ldquo;We see numerous potentials in the future. The political situation has now shown signs of improvement. Once we achieve the much awaited stability, there are many reasons to get encouraged.&rdquo; Not only NE Group, but the business community will be more confident to make investments through domestic as well as foreign sources, he adds.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	Foreseeing the brighter days to come, the group promises to venture into newer sectors like herbal industry and high value agriculture. Hydropower is also one of the priority sectors of the group. Shrestha reveals that talks are going on with South Korean investors regarding energy development but added that details are yet to be finalised.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	The group sees itself prosper in the service industry. So, the group is planning to come up with boutique hotels outside the Kathmandu valley. Though Shrestha denied elaborating into details, he says that the group has identified a couple of places for establishing hotel. Likewise, the group is also planning to expand its SRL Diagnostic Centre as a wellness centre. He claims that SRL Diagnostics laboratory is South East Asia&rsquo;s largest diagnostic lab and the group has established it here which he says is the most modern lab in Nepal. Shrestha is hopeful that a couple of projects in the service sector will be launched within a year or two.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	With an aim to expand into the tourism sector, the group has acquired 1,020,144 shares held by Oberoi Hotels Pvt Ltd, an international hotel chain, in Soaltee Hotel Ltd. Sibkrim Land and Industries, subsidiary of the group acquired the entire stakes worth Rs 142.82 million in 2012.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	<span style="font-size:14px;"><strong>Prime Focus</strong></span></div>
<div>
	The prime line of business for the group has always remained manufacturing and trading but has now expanded into banking, insurance, distribution, international trading, consulting services and project development. Similarly, the group also has presence in hospitality, health and education sector. &nbsp;Likewise, the group is one of the major promoters in United Insurance and Himalayan Bank Limited. Shrestha claims that United Insurance comes among top five insurance companies of Nepal.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	In the manufacturing sector, the group used to export some of its products to the foreign markets but Shrestha now says that the domestic market has surged a lot so, the group has been concentrating only in the domestic market at present.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	As a recent move into the food and beverage business, the group has recently opened Barista-Lavazza, a chain of Italian coffee shops in Nepal.&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	In the manufacturing sector, the group has trusted multinational brand names as joint venture in its portfolio. With a joint venture with Unilever, it has been producing numerous consumer products needed for the domestic market from its factory in Hetauda. Shrestha says that it is the listed company &nbsp;that provides highest dividend to its shareholders every year.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	<img alt="NE GROUP" src="/userfiles/images/sptlt2%20(Copy).jpg" style="width: 550px; height: 319px; margin-left: 10px; margin-right: 10px;" /></div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	<span style="font-size:14px;"><strong>Management Approach</strong></span></div>
<div>
	Though the group was established as a family owned business, it has now taken the path of professionally managed corporate house. Shrestha says that it is the need of the time that has increased the value of human resource. &ldquo;Success depends on the quality of human resource,&rdquo; he says. The group has given utmost value to professionalism. And, it has assigned individual professionals with relevant responsibilities who look after the companies and regularly brief to the board of directors that gives necessary suggestions and takes action as needed.&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	The group is employing 250 people in its companies and factories. Human resource management is also done by the HR department of each of the companies. A weekly meeting is held where the issues are communicated and necessary action is taken. &ldquo;The group is moving ahead in a purely professional and independent fashion,&rdquo; says Shrestha.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	<span style="font-size:14px;"><strong>CSR Activities</strong></span></div>
<div>
	The group with a promise to give back to the society established IJ charitable trust in 1981. &nbsp;According to Shrestha, the Trust, a non-profit and self-funded organisation, is most active in aiding the good health and education of underprivileged children. Likewise it has been making contributions also for the preservation of Nepali culture. The Trust has also created a long-term sustainable fund for the Paediatric department of Tribhuvan University Teaching Hospital to provide financial help to needy children for medical treatment. It also honours renowned writers, artists and ethnic persons who have made significant contributions to the society. In 1985, the Trust established the I.J pioneer High School in Hattiban, Lalitpur which provides quality education and extra-curricular activities to more than seven hundred students. The school also provides free scholarship to 100 needy and talented students each year, shares Shrestha.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<table border="0" cellpadding="10" width="99%">
	<tbody>
		<tr>
			<td bgcolor="#E5E4E2">
				<div>
					<div>
						<div>
							<div>
								<div>
									<div>
										<div>
											<div style="text-align: center;">
												<span style="font-size:16px;"><strong>Growth as a Group</strong></span></div>
											<div style="text-align: center;">
												&nbsp;</div>
											<div>
												NE Group of today once was a small garment store, a family owned business initiated by Ravi Bhakta Shrestha&rsquo;s grandfather. The garment store gradually expanded into a business of money exchange service when there were no banks and other financial services in the country.</div>
											<div>
												&nbsp;</div>
											<div>
												When the trade relationship with India kept on growing along with the growth of trade volume with the southern neighbour, first generation businessmen of Shrestha family also involved in trading of tea. The trading business did not limit to India alone. Shrestha says that his family was the first in Nepal to establish trade relationship with South Korea in 1968. Then South Korea&rsquo;s economy was rapidly growing. Shrestha used to import garments and construction materials from there. However, the licensing system prohibited the group to expand the trade volume as it wished. Similarly, in the trade front, the group once exported some products like musk and peacock feathers to international market.</div>
											<div>
												&nbsp;</div>
											<div>
												As an important milestone towards industrial concentration, the NE Group in partnership with Jalan group of India acquired Ganapati Cotton Mill in Biratnagar that had remained closed for quite some time. However, the factory was again closed down after operating for few years because of labour and other issues. Likewise, the group acquired Nepal Synthetic Industry in Hetauda and expanded it. The group also once had two iron mills in Biratnagar and Hetauda.</div>
											<div>
												&nbsp;</div>
											<div>
												When the business moved onto Shrestha&rsquo;s shoulder, he kept on expanding his family business, following the footsteps of his father. He says that one of the most important and biggest moves he made was signing an agreement with Unilever. This tie-up has given extra edge to the group in its growth as a large business house that it is today, says Shrestha.</div>
											<div>
												&nbsp;</div>
											<div>
												<div>
													<span style="font-size: 16px;"><strong>Some Companies and Subsidiaries of NE Group</strong></span></div>
												<div>
													&nbsp;</div>
												<div>
													<span style="font-size: 14px;"><strong><img alt="" src="/userfiles/images/sl%20(Copy).jpg" style="float: left; margin: 0px 10px 0px 0px; width: 100px; height: 92px;" />National Ice Cream Industries Pvt Ltd</strong></span></div>
												<div>
													This company was established in 2009 as a joint venture between NE Group and The Nanglo Group. National Ice Cream Pvt Ltd produces premium frozen dessert in a state-of-the-art 18,500 sq ft manufacturing unit located at Balaju Industrial District, Kathmandu. The company claims that it has ensured high quality and maintenance of stringent hygiene standards throughout the manufacturing and distribution cycle with a fulltime team of professional food and dairy technologists. The company produces ice cream under Azzabko brand. Azzabko products are available in over 500 retail stores, restaurants and hotels across the country.</div>
												<div>
													&nbsp;</div>
												<div>
													&nbsp;</div>
												<div>
													<span style="font-size: 14px;"><strong><img alt="NICM" src="/userfiles/images/sl1%20(Copy).jpg" style="float: right; margin: 0px 0px 0px 10px; width: 100px; height: 133px;" />NICM</strong></span></div>
												<div>
													Established in 2006, National Investment &amp; Capital Market Limited (NICM) provides Asset Management, Investment Banking, Research, Consultancy And Training services all under one roof. The management is supported by Citizen Investment Trust, a public fund manager and merchant banker. NICM has an issued capital of Rs 150 million and is due to be listed on the Nepal Stock Exchange.</div>
												<div>
													&nbsp;</div>
												<div>
													&nbsp;</div>
												<div>
													<img alt="National Soap Industries Pvt Ltd" src="/userfiles/images/sl2%20(Copy).jpg" style="float: left; margin: 0px 10px 0px 0px; width: 100px; height: 69px;" /><span style="font-size: 14px;"><strong>National Soap Industries Pvt Ltd</strong></span></div>
												<div>
													National Soap Industries Pvt Ltd, established in 1996 is a large scale industrial until at Hetauda Industrial Estate, Makwanpur manufacturing laundry soaps, powdered detergents and hair oil. The company provides back-end production and packaging capabilities for the leading brands of Unilever Nepal such as OK laundry soap and Wheel detergent powder.</div>
												<div>
													&nbsp;</div>
												<div>
													&nbsp;</div>
												<div>
													<span style="font-size: 14px;"><strong><img alt="Unilever Nepal Ltd" src="/userfiles/images/sl3%20(Copy).jpg" style="float: left; margin: 0px 10px 0px 0px; width: 100px; height: 110px;" />Unilever Nepal Ltd</strong></span></div>
												<div>
													Established in 1993 as a joint venture between Hindustan Unilever (formerly Hindustan Lever) and Sibkrim Land &amp; Industrial Co (a subsidiary of NE Group), Unilever aims to meet the everyday needs of Nepali household, to anticipate the aspiration of consumers and to respond creatively and competitively with branded products and services to raise their quality of life. The company manufactures international brands such as Sunsilk Hair products, Close Up, Pepsodent, Wheel Detergent Powder, OK Laundry Soap, Axe Deodorants, Dove, Fair and Lovely, Lifebouy, Lux, Lakme, Ponds and Vaseline amongst others. The company is listed on the Nepal Stock Exchange.</div>
												<div>
													&nbsp;</div>
												<div>
													&nbsp;</div>
												<div>
													<span style="font-size: 14px;"><strong><img alt="United Insurance Co Ltd" src="/userfiles/images/sl4%20(Copy).jpg" style="float: right; margin: 0px 0px 0px 10px; width: 100px; height: 112px;" />United Insurance Co Ltd</strong></span></div>
												<div>
													United Insurance started its operation on December 1, 1993 (Mangsir16, 2050) after its registration with the Company Registrar&rsquo;s Office and approval by Insurance Board. The company is promoted by leading industrialists and reputed trading and commercial houses of Nepal and is publically listed on the Nepal Stock Exchange. The authorised capital of the company is Rs 150 million.&nbsp;</div>
												<div>
													&nbsp;</div>
												<div>
													&nbsp;</div>
												<div>
													<span style="font-size: 14px;"><strong><img alt="Life Care Services Pvt Ltd" src="/userfiles/images/sl5%20(Copy).jpg" style="float: left; margin: 0px 10px 0px 0px; width: 100px; height: 65px;" />Life Care Services Pvt Ltd</strong></span></div>
												<div>
													Established in 2010 as a joint venture between Life Care Services Pvt Ltd (a subsidiary of NE Group) and Super Religare Reference Laboratories India, it is one of the largest diagnostic networks in South and South-East Asia. Through SRL&rsquo;s expertise, the lab provides international standard diagnostic services in the country offering over 3500 tests covering most diseases. The lab is located at Mahrajgunj, Kathmandu and boasts 12 collections centres across the country in cities such as Dharan, Pokahara, Biratnagar, Nepalganj, Bhairawa, Bharatpur, Dhangadi, Dharan and Janakpur.</div>
												<div>
													&nbsp;</div>
											</div>
										</div>
									</div>
								</div>
							</div>
						</div>
					</div>
				</div>
			</td>
		</tr>
	</tbody>
</table>
<p>
	&nbsp;</p>',
			'published' => true,
			'created' => '2013-12-30',
			'modified' => '2014-01-06',
			'keywords' => 'the corporate weekly from Nepal, nepali corporate events – news – interviews – reviews, nepali corporate focus, nepali corporate status and news, news from nepali corporate industry, corporate happenings – events – news from nepal',
			'description' => 'As any other business houses, NE Group also envisions securing the top position among Nepal’s corporate groups. Ravi Bhakta Shrestha, Vice Chairman of NE Group is content with the growth his business has been able to achieve so far, despite the turbulent economic and political environment of the country that has been in the scene. Similar to the business fraternity that stood the test of time, the group has held its roots strong to come this far since its inception.',
			'sortorder' => '2205',
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	),
	(int) 10 => array(
		'Article' => array(
			'id' => '2317',
			'article_category_id' => '122',
			'title' => 'Fishtail Air Focus On Adventure & Rescue',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => null,
			'content' => '<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	<strong>--By Gaurav Aryal</strong></div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<table align="right" style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 10px;" width="25">
	<tbody>
		<tr>
			<td>
				<img alt="Suman Pandey, Chief Executive Officer, Fishtail Air" src="/userfiles/images/spt%20(Copy).jpg" style="border-width: 0px; border-style: solid; width: 200px; height: 222px;" /></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td bgcolor="#FFFFFF">
				<div align="center">
					<div style="text-align: center;">
						<div>
							<strong>Suman Pandey</strong></div>
						<div>
							Chief Executive Officer, Fishtail Air</div>
					</div>
				</div>
			</td>
		</tr>
	</tbody>
</table>
<div>
	Fishtail Air Pvt Ltd, established in 1887 has grown leaps and bounds to reach the current position of being one of the leading helicopter companies of Nepal. The company is currently operating with three helicopters and is planning to add two more for peak seasons. With the expansion of the fleet and strength of services, Suman Pandey, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Fishtail Air hopes to serve more customers and is quite satisfied with what the company has done so far.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	The company has never compromised on serving Nepalis either for bringing them from remote areas to the cities for medication, or in bringing pregnant women to hospitals in Kathmandu. And interestingly, three babies &nbsp;were delivered while the mothers were on board the Fishtail Air.&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	The Fishtail Air was closed down in 2004 because of the insurgency hitting hard in the tourism industry. However the company was re-established in 2007 under a new management team and new way of working that has taken the company to a new height.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	<span style="font-size:14px;"><strong>Leadership for Growth</strong></span></div>
<div>
	Pandey has been heading the company since 2007. It was the same year the company started its second innings. Pandey says that he is the first manager of the company who came from a non technical background. Pilots and engineers were the directors and promoters of the company. &nbsp;&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	Pandey, for the last 25 years has been working in the field of adventure tourism. His company Explore Himalaya Travel and Adventure is one of the top adventure tour operators in Nepal. &ldquo;In terms of diversification, it is considered number one among other tour operators,&rdquo; claims Pandey. Working for an adventure tour operator, he had an experience of utilising helicopters quite often and it gave him the confidence of managing a helicopter company.&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	Pandey feels that the need of adventure tourism has always been there in the tourism market. And, he saw the need of a helicopter operator to partner in this unique service offering. He says that during that time helicopter companies were not satisfying the need of adventure tourism. &ldquo;There were certain areas that were unexplored. I thought I could be helpful in bridging the gap and bringing new ideas and innovations as an adventure tour operator,&rdquo; adds Pandey.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	He shares that helicopters were serving only up to the altitude of 14,000 feet. After his involvement with Fishtail, he and his team came up with an idea to serve also in the higher altitudes. Then the company started serving into the thin air of high mountains. Recently, a rescue operation was carried out at the elevation of 7,800 metres at Mt Everest that saved the life of a Nepali mountaineer from Canada who was also disabled.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	<span style="font-size:14px;"><strong>Serving High Altitudes</strong></span></div>
<div>
	The company has been serving its clients up to the elevation of 23,000 feet. In the company&rsquo;s initial days, Mi-17 helicopters were serving Indian pilgrims visiting Mt Kailash and Mansarovar. Being a big helicopter, operations were not smooth as it required at least 100 passengers for one operation. So, Pandey says he came up with an idea of using small helicopter that have good high altitude performance.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	Accordingly, the company signed for two AS B3 helicopters from Eurocopter, a French company that had best service records in high altitude. Based in Simikot, these helicopters started serving Indian pilgrims to Kailash-Mansarovar. Pandey says that Mi-17s have been completely displaced. With the new high altitude performance of new helicopters, the company has gained the strength as a company that serves in high altitudes of the Himalayas.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	<span style="font-size:14px;"><strong>Rescue Operations</strong></span></div>
<div>
	&nbsp;In the last 4-5 years, the company has carried out numerous rescue operations and saved many lives in the mountains that were usually impossible without the use of helicopters. Pandey says that today, helicopters can even land at the second base camp of Mt Everest, Manaslu, Dhaulagiri and Annapurna.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	According to Pandey, a Swiss technology for rescue operations has been used by the company in collaboration with Air Zermatt. Since 2009, sling operations are being performed in Nepali Himalayas. He says that Air Zermatt has helped Nepali pilots by providing trainings both in Nepal and Switzerland.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	Rescue operations soar during the peak tourist seasons for rescuing people injured in accidents and as well as stuck with altitude sickness. Pandey says that the company sets its priorities according to the nature of the case and seriousness, and carries out its operations accordingly.&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	Apart from these operations, the company also performs mountain flights, transport flights and sightseeing flights to both foreigners and Nepalis. However, Pandey says that the priority is set on rescue operations as the company believes in saving lives first. Fishtail Air carried out a significant role in rescuing hundreds of tourists stranded in Lukla because of bad weather in 2011.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	<span style="font-size:14px;"><strong>Safety Concerns</strong></span></div>
<div>
	The company feels that the recent embargo by the European Union on Nepali airlines is a sad incident. The company has geared up &nbsp;to comply with the highest safety standards, whereby it is planning to review its safety aspects and take all the necessary &nbsp;improvement measures. &ldquo;We will try to prove that our operations are already up to the standards to European community. We will show the quality and reliability of our services both in operations and on paper,&rdquo; promises Pandey.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	Pandey says that a company can do extra than the listed safety concerns for adding value to the company&rsquo;s services. &ldquo;We are looking at adding some extra security features like bringing expert trainers from Europe and training our pilots and engineers and providing extra measures to support our safety standards to prove that Fishtail Air is a safe carrier.&rdquo;</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	<span style="font-size:14px;"><strong>New Ventures</strong></span></div>
<div>
	Looking at the latest safety concern, Pandey says that the company has decided to go slow because things look quite uncertain at the moment. He says that this strategy will prevail for the next six months to one year. He says that the situation during that time will decide how and where the future steps of the company will lead.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	However, the company is planning to go into the hospitality industry from the current area of working- aviation. Pandey reveals that land has already been acquired in Lamatar of Lalitpur that overlooks the entire Kathmandu Valley and a range of mountains in the north. He says that the company is going to start a 100 room luxury eco-resort, a new concept in Nepal targeting high-end clients. He says that the resort will come into operation within three years.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	<img alt="Fishtail Air" src="/userfiles/images/sptlght%20(Copy).jpg" style="width: 550px; height: 182px; margin-left: 10px; margin-right: 10px;" /></div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<table border="0" cellpadding="10" width="99%">
	<tbody>
		<tr>
			<td bgcolor="#E5E4E2">
				<div>
					<div>
						<div>
							<div>
								<div>
									<div>
										<div>
											<span style="font-size: 16px;"><strong>Tale of Fishtail Air</strong></span></div>
										<div>
											Fishtail Air Pvt Ltd is a helicopter charter company operating within Nepal, with its base in Kathmandu. Established in the year 1997 the company has been involved in operation throughout the country with occasional Trans-border flights to Bhutan and India. With a fleet of four helicopters, which includes two AS 350 B3 &ldquo;Ecureuil&rdquo;, one AS 350 B2 &ldquo;Ecureuil&rdquo;, and one Bell 206B III Jet Ranger helicopter, the company claims itself to be the largest helicopter operator in Nepal.</div>
										<div>
											&nbsp;</div>
										<div>
											Fishtail Air operates flights for sightseeing, rescue, medical evacuation, business travels, project support, expedition works or any other purposes that need the services of a Helicopter. The company also operates support flights for trekking, which is getting really popular these days in the name of &ldquo;Heli-Trekking&rdquo;. Aerial sightseeing flights over the heritage and tourist spots is being quite popular these days &nbsp;to have a glimpse of tourist spots within the Kathmandu Valley in a short time and from different angle.</div>
										<div>
											&nbsp;</div>
										<div>
											<span style="font-size: 16px;"><strong>Partnering Everest Skydive 2013</strong></span></div>
										<div>
											Fishtail Air has been operating flights for Everest Skydive from Syangboche Airport this year continuing the trend that has been in operations for seven years. &nbsp;AS350B3 Helicopter 9N-AJI of Fishtail Air is operating at least three flight loads for the Skydive every day. Exclusive partner for this extreme event since its launch in 2007, Fishtail Air also made the flight load with French national Marc Kopp who set a record for being the first disable person to skydive in the shadow of Everest from the ceiling altitude of above 22000 ft on 27 October 2013. Fishtail Air, has also been involved in carrying the skydivers back to Kathmandu after their successful dives.</div>
										<div>
											&nbsp;</div>
										<div>
											<span style="font-size: 16px;"><strong>Spring of 2013</strong></span></div>
										<div>
											The company says that the spring season of 2013 ended with a productive spell. From the beginning of the season in March, Fishtail Air carried out more than 200 rescue flights as well as cargo shipments of over 1,00,000 kilograms. A handful number of mountain flights and search flights were conducted specially in the Everest and Dhaulagiri regions. During this season, one of the highest helicopter rescue operation was carried out at the altitude of 7,800 metre between Camp III and Camp IV of Mt. Everest. During those few months, B3 Helicopter was stationed in Lukla to provide quick services to the foreigners as well as Nepalis. Similarly, one of the helicopters was stationed in Simikot to assist and support pilgrimage tours to Mount Kailash during emergencies.</div>
									</div>
								</div>
							</div>
						</div>
					</div>
				</div>
			</td>
		</tr>
	</tbody>
</table>
<p>
	&nbsp;</p>',
			'published' => true,
			'created' => '2013-12-23',
			'modified' => '2013-12-30',
			'keywords' => 'the corporate weekly from Nepal, nepali corporate events – news – interviews – reviews, nepali corporate focus, nepali corporate status and news, news from nepali corporate industry, corporate happenings – events – news from nepal',
			'description' => 'Fishtail Air Pvt Ltd, established in 1887 has grown leaps and bounds to reach the current position of being one of the leading helicopter companies of Nepal. The company is currently operating with three helicopters and is planning to add two more for peak seasons. With the expansion of the fleet and strength of services, Suman Pandey, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Fishtail Air hopes to serve more customers and is quite satisfied with what the company has done so far.',
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	(int) 11 => array(
		'Article' => array(
			'id' => '2271',
			'article_category_id' => '122',
			'title' => 'Sakya Group: Refined Hospitality',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => null,
			'content' => '<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	<strong>--By Gaurav Aryal</strong></div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<table align="right" style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 10px;" width="25">
	<tbody>
		<tr>
			<td>
				<img alt="Yogendra Sakya, Chairman, Sakya Group" src="/userfiles/images/SP1%20(Copy).jpg" style="border-width: 0px; border-style: solid; width: 200px; height: 221px;" /></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td bgcolor="#FFFFFF">
				<div align="center">
					<div style="text-align: center;">
						<div>
							<strong>Yogendra Sakya</strong></div>
						<div>
							Chairman, Sakya Group</div>
					</div>
				</div>
			</td>
		</tr>
	</tbody>
</table>
<div>
	Sakya Group is a journey from gold craftsmanship to the glittering hospitality business. Sakyas of Kathmandu Valley have been known for their expertise in the jewellery business. Family of Bashanta Bahadur Sakya, one of the founders of the group was continuing the lineage of jewellery business and had a store at Ason of Kathmandu until early 1970s. When he turned colour blind, he had to deviate from his ancestral profession.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	The journey of their business took a new turn with the establishment of Kathmandu Guest House (KGH) at Thamel in 1970s. Basanta Bahadur Sakya and his brother Karna Sakya turned their residential property, a Victorian palace built by Ranas into a 13 room hotel. Thamel then was a field where jackals roamed freely even during the day, say its promoters. KGH was followed by new hotels namely, Hotel Ambassador (1978), Marcopolo Business hotel (1998) and Club Himalaya Nagarkot (1998). Later, this joint-family split around the year 2000 and the KHG, a well-known brand, went to Karna Sakya while his nephews got some other businesses.&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	<span style="font-size:14px;"><strong>The New Brand Journey</strong></span></div>
<div>
	Yogendra Sakya, Chairman of Sakya Group, says it was painful to suddenly lose the KGH association and start fresh. He adds that it was painful also because he was personally looking after the KGH. Meanwhile, he invested in Ace Institute of Management and Ace Development Bank as one of the major promoters. He branded his hotels as Ace Hotels and Resorts. Currently, Hotel Ambassador Lazimpat and Chhauni, Marcopolo Business Hotel, Club Himalaya Nagarkot, Trek-O-Tel Hotel, The Tea House Inn and Shanti Ban Resort are in operation under this umbrella brand of Ace Hotels. Though he lost the KGH brand name, his expertise gained since 1970s as professional hoteliers remained intact with him. This proved to be strong base needed for advancing in the hospitality business.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	One of the transformation during the rebranding process was promoting Ace Hotels and Resorts as a mid range hotels, a move from the image of budget hotel. Club Himalaya Resort is the signature hotel that assisted in this transformation. Sakya explains, &ldquo;We are not five star hotels and we have targeted our brand at adventure tourists. We know that they don&rsquo;t come for luxury. This is the market of Nepal and our speciality too.&rdquo;</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	Sakya family invests and also manages the groups&rsquo; hotel wing while Sakya Investment Company makes investment in various sectors. According to Sakya, the company has invested in banking and financial sectors and they are one of the promoters in Nepal Investment Bank and Ace Development Bank. Likewise the company has investments in real estate as well as a printing press. Similarly, Idea Group has investment in the education industry through Malpi Group of Schools. Sakya says that the group&rsquo;s total investment crosses Rs 1 billion and makes an annual turnover of around Rs 1.25 billion.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	<span style="font-size:14px;"><strong>Business Expansion</strong></span></div>
<div>
	The group is rebuilding Hotel Ambassador Lazimpat from the ground. The group demolished its building when the road expansion drive of Kathmandu needed to break a portion of hotel. Sakya says that the hotel will be built as a four star property in next two years. He reveals that Rs 300 million is invested in the rebuilding and he is expecting that the budget will cross its limit. Sakya says that he took the challenge as an opportunity and only the time will tell that it is for the better.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	For the time being, guests of Hotel Ambassador, Lazimpat are accommodated at Hotel Ambassador, Chh auni. Sakya says that the buildings at Chhauni were designed as apartment for the Sakya family. But the need turned it into the hotel and he adds that it was mainly done to keep the Hotel Ambassador open for two years &ndash; until the construction completes at Lazimpat. However, Sakya says that he has plans to continue this property at Chhauni as an apartment hotel. Ambassador Chhauni has 25 rooms and 14 apartments.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	The group has a couple of other hotels in the pipeline. Sakya says that the group had planned to complete Sakya Heritage Hotel targeting upmarket clients at Nagpokhari. The plan has been postponed because of the demolition of Ambassador that required priority to reconstruct. Along with that the group is planning to complete the resort project in Chitwan &ndash; Club Wilderness, after present projects are completed. Sakya says that the Club Wilderness project was postponed considering the surge in the number of new hotels and lodges in Chitwan.Stating that the project is not dropped, he adds that the resort will be built with a new concept of serving tourists especially visiting both Chitwan and Lumbini.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	Sakya says that he wants to go step by step in the business rather than jumping at once into 10 hotel projects. &ldquo;We start a business small and let it grow. Once it stands firmly on solid ground, we move forward,&rdquo; says Sakya.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	<img alt="" src="/userfiles/images/SP3%20(Copy).jpg" style="width: 550px; height: 629px; margin-left: 10px; margin-right: 10px;" /></div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	<span style="font-size:14px;"><strong>Opportunities Galore</strong></span></div>
<div>
	Sakya believes that China and India are Nepal&rsquo;s two economic giant neighbours, from where tourists can walk, fly or ride to Kathmandu. He predicts that these two countries will be the biggest tourism market for Nepal. &ldquo;Nepal&rsquo;s tourism was discovered. We never planted it,&rdquo; he says expressing discontent with the tourism promotion strategy. He suggests that Nepal should be going directly to the consumers when it comes to promotion rather than to the tour operators. &ldquo;There is a huge untapped market for us. &nbsp;If we can explore Chinese and Indian markets, we can bring two million tourists every year. The only challenge is in finding way to reach the consumers,&rdquo;&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	he adds.&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	The trend of bringing international chain hotel brands has revived in Nepal with big names like Marriot and Sheraton landing in Nepal soon. &nbsp;However, Sakya rules out the possibility of his group&rsquo;s partnership with an international brand.&ldquo;You don&rsquo;t have to borrow international name to succeed. Rise of the Internet, and e-marketing, has enabled clients to analyse features of local brand right on their devices. Local names too can be sold through this channel. Individual products can be directly brought to the customers attention and sold well.&rdquo; At present, 20 per cent of total sales in the tourism industry are made through online booking, says Sakya. He explains that there are big opportunities for local products for creating independent brand name. &ldquo;We would like to make our own hotel chain at the domestic level, if not international,&rdquo; adds Sakya.&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<table border="0" cellpadding="10" width="99%">
	<tbody>
		<tr>
			<td bgcolor="#E5E4E2">
				<div>
					<div>
						<div>
							<div>
								<div>
									<div>
										<span style="font-size:16px;"><strong>Some Companies under Group</strong></span></div>
									<div>
										&bull;<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Hotel Ambassador, Lazimpat</div>
									<div>
										&bull;<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Hotel Ambassador, Chhauni</div>
									<div>
										&bull;<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Marcopolo Business Hotel</div>
									<div>
										&bull;<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Club Himalaya Nagarkot</div>
									<div>
										&bull;<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Trek-O-Tel Hotel</div>
									<div>
										&bull;<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Shati Ban Resort</div>
									<div>
										&bull;<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>The Tea House Inn</div>
									<div>
										&bull;<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>MarcoPolo Travels Nepal</div>
									<div>
										&bull;<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Ace Development Bank</div>
									<div>
										&bull;<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Nepal Investment Bank</div>
									<div>
										&bull;<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Malpi Group of Schools</div>
									<div>
										&bull;<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>IT Himalaya &ndash; A Dutch- Nepali Joint Venture</div>
									<div>
										&bull;<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Mata International</div>
									<div>
										&nbsp;</div>
									<div>
										<img alt="Ace Development Bank" src="/userfiles/images/SP4%20(Copy).jpg" style="width: 550px; height: 458px; margin-left: 10px; margin-right: 10px;" /></div>
									<div>
										&nbsp;</div>
									<div>
										<span style="font-size:16px;"><strong>Hands-on Management&nbsp;</strong></span></div>
									<div>
										Being professional hoteliers, Sakyas love to invest as well as manage their hotel and resort projects. So, the Sakya couple and also the next generation businessmen are looking after their hospitality ventures. Yogendra Sakya looks after finance and planning while his son and daughter are looking after product development and marketing respectively. &ldquo;Weare professionally hoteliers. Elsewhere we are just investors,&rdquo; Sakya explains who is also a Hotel Management graduate.</div>
									<div>
										&nbsp;</div>
									<div>
										Currently,300 employees are working in the hotel projects alone. Lately unionisation has become one of the major challenges for the management, Sakya says. His companies do not have unions apart from Club Himalaya because he deals directly with the staff in other hotels. Though some responsibilities are taken by the promoters too, the management team looks after all major responsibilities. Sakya communicates personally with his managers daily and spends around two hours every day to review the progress of the hotel. He says that the Internet and technology has greatly assisted the management process.</div>
									<div>
										&nbsp;</div>
									<div>
										<span style="font-size:16px;"><strong>Direct &amp; Holistic CSR</strong></span></div>
									<div>
										Sakya Group believes more in direct involving in activities that contribute to the overall development of the community and the area, rather than providing financial support to causes. &ldquo;There must be something that we do on our own,&rdquo; he said while giving an example of group&rsquo;s contribution to Nagarkot.</div>
									<div>
										&nbsp;</div>
									<div>
										He recalls that there was no proper road when Club Himalaya was established in Nagarkot and the group strongly advocated for proper road construction. Sakya takes the road development in Nagarkot as an important part of tourism development there and an important corporate social responsibility undertaken by his group.</div>
									<div>
										&nbsp;</div>
									<div>
										Similarly, the group also provided drinking water facility to the locals and installed telephone tower at its resort premises. Likewise, a police station was established through the resort&rsquo;s initiation. Sakya claims that electricity supply was extended in the area due to his company&rsquo;s initiation. Staircase construction is ongoing at Mahadev Pokhari in Nagarkot. According to Sakya, various trainings are provided and a health post too is established in his company&rsquo;s partnership with local bodies. According to him, these development works are part of the group&rsquo;s belief in directly involving in development initiatives rather than just providing financial support.</div>
									<div>
										&nbsp;</div>
								</div>
							</div>
						</div>
					</div>
				</div>
			</td>
		</tr>
	</tbody>
</table>',
			'published' => true,
			'created' => '2013-12-16',
			'modified' => '2013-12-23',
			'keywords' => 'the corporate weekly from Nepal, nepali corporate events – news – interviews – reviews, nepali corporate focus, nepali corporate status and news, news from nepali corporate industry, corporate happenings – events – news from nepal',
			'description' => 'Sakya Group is a journey from gold craftsmanship to the glittering hospitality business. Sakyas of Kathmandu Valley have been known for their expertise in the jewellery business. Family of Bashanta Bahadur Sakya, one of the founders of the group was continuing the lineage of jewellery business and had a store at Ason of Kathmandu until early 1970s. When he turned colour blind, he had to deviate from his ancestral profession.',
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	(int) 12 => array(
		'Article' => array(
			'id' => '2227',
			'article_category_id' => '122',
			'title' => 'Hama Group: Strong As Steel',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => null,
			'content' => '<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	<strong>--By Gaurav Aryal</strong></div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<table align="right" style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 10px;" width="25">
	<tbody>
		<tr>
			<td>
				<img alt="Bal Krishna Shrestha, Chairman, Hama Group" src="/userfiles/images/bks%20(Copy).jpg" style="border-width: 0px; border-style: solid; width: 200px; height: 221px;" /></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td bgcolor="#FFFFFF">
				<div align="center">
					<div style="text-align: center;">
						<div>
							<div>
								<strong>Bal Krishna Shrestha</strong></div>
							<div>
								<em>Chairman, Hama Group</em></div>
						</div>
					</div>
				</div>
			</td>
		</tr>
	</tbody>
</table>
<div>
	Hama Group was not built in a day. The group developed through rigorous planning and hard work of its ChairmanBal Krishna Shrestha. Though belonging to a lineage of traders,who have been in the trading business for several generations, Shrestha laid the foundation of the group on his own. His family inspired him to dream and to work hard to materialise them. He envisioned the group and till date actively continues to plan its future, along with his partners</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	Shrestha&rsquo;s family was in the garment business for five generations when he learned business basics. However, the learning process for him was not as smooth as butter. Being the first person in the Shrestha family to get educated, he was criticised and questioned about his formal learning and education by his seniors. His parents were involved in retailing of garments imported from India. The store at Makhan of Kathmandu,established by his great-great-grandfather,is still in operation.&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	While Shrestha was pursuing his graduate degree, his uncles used to ask him the worth of his studies as his pursuit would only land him as an employee. And, it pinched Shrestha deep and was determined to have a business of his own without getting any financial support from his family. Consequently he completed his B.Com.,joined government serviceas a Section Officer and completed M.Com., and Masters in Economics without any financial assistance from his family members.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	<span style="font-size:14px;"><strong>Start-up Business</strong></span></div>
<div>
	While in public service, he sensed the need and demand for development goods such as steel, cement, galvanised sheets, pipes and other goods to address the needs of an emerging and developing Nepal.But, to materialize such vision one needs capital, and during those days all he had with him was education and trust of people around him. He borrowed some money from his colleagues and started a hardware store at Teku along with three partners.This marks the inception of Hama Group.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	Shrestha had started teaching at a college and during the same time he was transferredto National Planning Commission. There, he learned much more about development process. While he was busy with his job, his partners looked after the store and he used to join them after office hours.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	Shrestha says that business performed way better than he had imagined initially. &ldquo;We all worked hard and we wall were dedicated and honest to our work. And, we kept the fire in us hot,&rdquo; he says. While the business of hardware sales was doing well, he started importing goods from China and selling here.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	<span style="font-size:14px;"><strong>Impediments</strong></span></div>
<div>
	Shrestha had ordered goods from China for the third time in 1977. Unfortunately, goods were stolen at Calcutta Port. He says that incident made a loss of Rs 5 million to the company.&ldquo;That did not discourage me. I did not lose anything. I just lost what I had earned,&rdquo; he shares. &nbsp;He recalls that he sold everythinghe had, to payback bank loans. Additionally, dealers and suppliers with whom he had been working denied supplying goods.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	This unfortunate event did not discourage him, but forced him &nbsp;to start from the scratch to bounce back into business. After being refused of goods delivery by existing dealers and traders, he took it as a challenge and decided to produce steel products.But, starting a factory was not free of hurdles. Though financing was challenging Shrestha says that money is not a problem for a working person. He acquired operational license of Hama Steel in 1988 and started the factory by borrowing loans from banks.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	<span style="font-size:14px;"><strong>Venture Expansion</strong></span></div>
<div>
	After the success of steel company, the group started production of various other products through its specific companies such as Allied Industries, Hama Wires, Hama Tech and factories producing water pumps and pipes. The group now has a cement factory in its pipeline.&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	Similarly, Shrestha says that the group has recently upgraded its Hama Steel factory for the third time. The factory, started in 1988, was upgraded to fully automated system in 2000 through an investment of Rs 250 million. Now the factory is &nbsp;fully computerised. Shrestha claims that Hama Steel is probably the only steel factory in Nepal to be fuly computerised. He says that the production through the new system will begin next month. The group has invested Rs 480 million for the latest upgradation.&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	The factory has an installed production capacity of 400 tonnes a day when operated for 16 hours. According to Shrestha, the capacity will be even more if the factory can be operated for 20 hours. He adds that the new system will also help reduce the cost of production.&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	<span style="font-size:14px;"><strong>Quality Promises</strong></span></div>
<div>
	The group has never compromised with the quality offerings. Shrestha says that the company never uses low quality billets for producing steel products. &ldquo;Our products meet the highest quality standards and have been used by corporate houses, embassies, government agencies and the general public,&rdquo; says Shrestha. Hama brand has been a trusted name by national and international projects operating in Nepal. US Embassy is one of them along with Russian and Japanese projects that have used Hama products in their construction projects.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	<span style="font-size:14px;"><strong>The Roadmap</strong></span></div>
<div>
	Shrestha sees everlasting needand demand for development goods. He believes that new business possibilities and new market will be created once political problems start getting resolved. He says that domestic industries would be encouraged if the government&rsquo;s provision of using local products for public procurement is materialised..</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	The group is dedicated to take its companies to the next level in its area of specialisations. Shrestha is content over the progress made by the group so far. As a part of business expansion, the group has also invested in service industry, particularly in health, education, banking and insurance sectors.&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	The group has plans to establish a hotel soon in partnership with an international hotel chain. Once the recent upgradation comes into form, Shrestha says that his group will concentrate on new ventures. He reveals that the group is also planning factories for melting steel and wire drawing.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	The group has plans to set up a cement factory that will be producing cement under its brand name Hama. Currently, HamaTech and Shalimar brands of cement are being produced by the group in partnership with other investors from the business fraternity. Shrestha says that the new factory will come into operation within a year.Similarly, energy is also one of the sectors of interest for the group. The group has a 4.5 MW Maikhola hydropower project in its portfolio and another new project in its pipeline.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	The group has invested over Rs 1 billion in its various ventures and registers an annual turnover of Rs 5 billion and has been annually adding Rs 500 million to the state coffers through taxes and other payments. Shrestha says that the turnover for the next year is targeted at Rs 10 billion.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<table border="0" cellpadding="10" width="99%">
	<tbody>
		<tr>
			<td bgcolor="#E5E4E2">
				<div>
					<div>
						<div>
							<div>
								<div>
									<span style="font-size:16px;"><strong>Naming of Hama</strong></span></div>
								<div>
									Bal Krishna Shrestha, Chairman of Hama Group borrowed the name Hama for his steel company from the Port of Yokohama from where Japan used to import raw materials for steel production and export finished goods. Hama was a lucky charm for Shrestha. Similarly, Shrestha who considers himself a devotee of Harati Mata linked the brand name to his devotion too. Likewise, Shrestha says that HA in Newari means seed and MA means fruit. He says that if seeds are good, the harvest of that fruit is eventually high.</div>
								<div>
									&nbsp;</div>
								<div>
									<span style="font-size:16px;"><strong>Management</strong></span></div>
								<div>
									Shrestha and his group have always had belief in professional management and professionalism as corporate philosophy. Independent management teams of each of the group&rsquo;s 10 companies looks after the daily management and human resources of their respective companies. The HR department looks after issues related to 450 employees working in various companies of the Hama Group. Shrestha says that employees are his assets and the company has been able to make them happy and satisfied. Likewise, the promoters do not have to look after the daily management and functioning of any of the companies. Shrestha gets updated about the daily progress through periodic meetings and through the Internet.He says that corporate culture is well developed in the group.</div>
								<div>
									&nbsp;</div>
								<div>
									<span style="font-size:16px;"><strong>CSR&nbsp;</strong></span></div>
								<div>
									Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) activities are highly prioritised by the group. Shrestha believes in creating benefits to larger number of people and the society rather than just making profits through business. As a part of CSR activities, the group provided scholarships to 14 needy students under SOS from Far Western Region. Similarly, the group has been providing education to children of employees of the group for free. Shrestha shares a plan to establish an elderly home in the name of his parents. Out of its social service fund, the group has invested in hospital projects too.&nbsp;</div>
								<div>
									&nbsp;</div>
								<div>
									<span style="font-size:16px;"><strong>Major Milestones of the Group</strong></span></div>
								<div>
									1988: Establishment of Hama Steel&nbsp;</div>
								<div>
									1995: Hama Steel received the Nepal Standard (NS) mark</div>
								<div>
									1997: Hama Steel upgraded production capacity&nbsp;</div>
								<div>
									1998: Hama Wires established</div>
								<div>
									2000: Hama Steel further upgraded production capacity and received ISO 9001:2000 certification for excellent quality management system</div>
								<div>
									2001: Hama Steel received NS Quality Award</div>
								<div>
									2004: Hama Steel started production of HAMA TMT Re-bars</div>
								<div>
									2005: Started production of HAMA-500 Re-bars</div>
								<div>
									2007: TQM Activities were initiated to maintain quality management.&nbsp;</div>
								<div>
									2008: Hama Iron and Steel started production of Super Grip Re-bars (SG Re-Bars)</div>
								<div>
									2013: Upgraded Hama Steel into a fully computerised system</div>
							</div>
						</div>
					</div>
				</div>
			</td>
		</tr>
	</tbody>
</table>
<p>
	&nbsp;</p>',
			'published' => true,
			'created' => '2013-12-09',
			'modified' => '2013-12-16',
			'keywords' => 'the corporate weekly from Nepal, nepali corporate events – news – interviews – reviews, nepali corporate focus, nepali corporate status and news, news from nepali corporate industry, corporate happenings – events – news from nepal',
			'description' => 'Hama Group was not built in a day. The group developed through rigorous planning and hard work of its ChairmanBal Krishna Shrestha. Though belonging to a lineage of traders,who have been in the trading business for several generations, Shrestha laid the foundation of the group on his own',
			'sortorder' => '2071',
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	(int) 13 => array(
		'Article' => array(
			'id' => '2189',
			'article_category_id' => '122',
			'title' => 'Muktishree Group: Getting Ambitious',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => null,
			'content' => '<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	<strong>--By Gaurav Aryal</strong></div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<table align="right" style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 10px;" width="25">
	<tbody>
		<tr>
			<td>
				<img alt="Arun Raj Sumargi Founder, Muktishree Group of Companies" src="/userfiles/images/ars%20(Copy).jpg" style="border-width: 0px; border-style: solid; width: 200px; height: 219px;" /></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td bgcolor="#FFFFFF">
				<div align="center">
					<div style="text-align: center;">
						<div>
							<strong>Arun Raj Sumargi</strong></div>
						<div>
							Founder, Muktishree Group of Companies</div>
					</div>
				</div>
			</td>
		</tr>
	</tbody>
</table>
<div>
	M<span style="font-size: 12px;">uktishree Group of Companies, one of the emerging business houses of Nepal, has ambitious plans to grow as a successful enterprise that benefits the national economy and people at large. The group has a clear vision to create employment opportunity for 100,000 people in a decade. According to Arun Raj Sumargi, Founder of the group, this target is not only their vision but also a motto.</span></div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	&ldquo;We are not saying that we will employ 100,000 workers in one of our industries but we want to be the creator of employment to these many people through forward and backward linkages,&rdquo; Sumargi explains. To achieve this goal, the group is looking forward to explore sectors such as tourism, hydropower, telecommunication and manufacturing and take them to a new level. He believes that the group&rsquo;s investment in these sectors would be greatly contributing to create direct as well as indirect employment to people through both forward and backward linkages. Sumargi says, &ldquo;As entrepreneurs, we try to understand the need of the people as well as of the state, find a meeting point and work on that. Such projects are supported by people also.&rdquo;</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	<span style="font-size:14px;"><strong>New Attractions</strong></span></div>
<div>
	Muktishree group sees huge business potentials in the biggest scarcity the nation is currently facing &ndash; energy crisis. For over a decade, the group has been consistently working on setting a foothold in the energy production industry. &ldquo;Energy crisis is the biggest headache for Nepal now. We are focused on how to find a solution to this problem and working with an aim to create large number of jobs in the country and help to increase domestic production,&rdquo; explains Sumargi.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	The group has a number of hydropower projects ranging from small to megaprojects. According to Sumargi, a 32 MW hydropower project is currently under development in Dhading. He says that there are other megaprojects in the pipeline. &ldquo;We are in the process of finalising a 600 MW project in the near future,&rdquo; he reveals adding that the group is also eyeing large projects like Upper Karnali. He adds that the agreement with foreign investors is not yet finalised because of changing political scenario as large project cannot be completed without foreign investments. He believes that apart from foreign investment, large project also need technical and managerial resources from abroad.&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	Along with the hydropower generation, the group is coming up with a large scale cement factory in Surkhet. &nbsp;Sumargi says that the first phase work of the factory has been completed along with construction of the road leading to the factory site. The group has also been exploring potentialities of producing new varieties of cement that have been not produced earlier in Nepal.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	Similarly, the group is planning to establish a four to five star hotel in a prime location of Kathmandu. Sumargi says that land acquisition process for this venture has been completed and talks to find an international hotel chain for partnership are underway.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	<span style="font-size:14px;"><strong>Corporate Philosophy</strong></span></div>
<div>
	Muktishree group is working to develop itself as a model business group. Sumargi says, &ldquo;Rather than just making money and enjoying the wealth, we are looking on how to create greater benefits for the people.&rdquo; He says that cooperation and understanding is the way of working and making business decisions. &ldquo;We discuss every major issue and if two among five of us give different suggestions we think over that from different angles. We cooperate with each other, have positive thinking and communal thoughts and it has always been working for us,&rdquo; says Sumargi. He adds that if someone raises question over the group&rsquo;s activities, they try to find the reasons and point out the weakness so that they can improve themselves.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	The group has also kept its family values, culture and tradition intact. Sumargi shares his belief, &ldquo;Businesses guided solely on individual thinking and philosophies have vanished in the long run. We believe that the culture, tradition and belief must be kept intact. The name, culture and tradition we inherited from our father will be continued also in the future.&rdquo;</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	<span style="font-size:14px;"><strong>Specialisation Areas</strong></span></div>
<div>
	The group has always prioritised those industries that could utilise local resources and generate employment to local people. Sumargi says that the country can become self sustained only when local resources could be properly utilised within the country. &ldquo;Industries based on raw material imports would only be a short term business,&rdquo; he says giving examples of carpet and garment industries. He says that there are prospects of Nepal being self sustaining in tourism, hydropower and mining.&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	Along with usage of local resources, the group has always focused on local market. Though it exports some of its &nbsp;mining products and drinking, those exports have been a means to get international recognition for the group. Currently, mineral water under Himalayas&rsquo; ONTOP brand is being exported to Middle East, Hong Kong, Korea , Japan and next month the company is exporting it to Gulf countries too. The water plant in Rasuwa produces 120,000 bottles per shift and the company is planning to produce in three shifts every day to increase the supply to new markets. According to Sumargi, the brand was listed among one of the best water among 11 countries during an exhibition of water producers in China. Likewise, 90 per cent of water is being consumed in Nepal while 10 per cent is currently being exported.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	The group&rsquo;s current area of specialisation in manufacturing and service industry came after the group started looking into new areas of business after 1990&rsquo;s changing political environment. Young entrepreneurs from Hetauda came to Kathmandu with a vision to supply aggregates to Kathmandu via the ropeway but could not be realised for various reasons. Then the company ventured into the telecommunication sector and launched the then Mero Mobile brand of GSM telephony service that brought the group into limelight.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	<span style="font-size:14px;"><strong>Growth and Development</strong></span></div>
<div>
	The group started with a mineral based industry by Madhav Raj Sumargi in 1972. During that time, he also had timber and transportation business, but these were closed down later. However, the mining and mineral based industry is still intact with the group.&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	The group has now developed into a conglomerate of around 21 businesses. Sumargi says that talking about group&rsquo;s turnover is too early as the group is still in its growth phase. &ldquo;We are still investing and under development, so we are in loan,&rdquo; says Sumargi. The group has so far invested Rs 100 billion in various sectors. Sumargi says that the investment is made through both foreign and domestic partners.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	The group has created 5000 direct employment and out of them, 1100 are in Makwanpur alone and in its companies based in Bhairahawa, Hetauda, Surkhet, Dang, Kathmandu and Rasuwa. Similarly, the group is coming up with a teaching hospital soon. And Sumargi says that the hospital will be based in Makwanpur. Though the group has numerous plans in its pipeline, Sumargi says that the national political situation would be the determining factor for new moves.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<table border="0" cellpadding="10" width="99%">
	<tbody>
		<tr>
			<td bgcolor="#E5E4E2">
				<div>
					<div>
						<div>
							<div>
								<span style="font-size:16px;"><strong>Group of Companies</strong></span></div>
							<div>
								&bull;Muktishree Telecom&nbsp;</div>
							<div>
								&bull;Muktishree Energy</div>
							<div>
								&bull;Muktishree Cement Industry</div>
							<div>
								&bull;Everest Minerals Products</div>
							<div>
								&bull;Hetauda Lime Industries</div>
							<div>
								&bull;Bindabasini Media</div>
							<div>
								&bull;Hetauda Education Foundation</div>
							<div>
								&bull;Nepal Satellite Telecom</div>
							<div>
								&nbsp;</div>
							<div>
								<span style="font-size:16px;"><strong>Some Projects of Muktishree Group</strong></span></div>
							<div>
								&bull;Karnali Chasipani Multipurpose Hydropower</div>
							<div>
								&bull;Puldumki River Hydro-power Project</div>
							<div>
								&bull;Lungri (1)River Hydropower Project</div>
							<div>
								&bull;Lungri (2) River Hydropower Project</div>
							<div>
								&bull;Malagad River Hydropower Project</div>
							<div>
								&bull;Luma River Hydropower Project</div>
							<div>
								&bull;Badigad River Hydropower Project</div>
							<div>
								&bull;Surkhet Cement Project</div>
							<div>
								&nbsp;</div>
							<div>
								<span style="font-size:16px;"><strong>Telecommunication</strong></span></div>
							<div>
								The group has seen prospects since its involvement with Spice Nepal Pvt Ltd. After the group withdrew its investment there, it has been involved with Hello Nepal. The group plans to aggressively penetrate its presence across the country. The company has met the requirement of the regulators to provide services in the rural areas. Along with GSM telephony services, the company is planning to aggressively promote PSTN services. The company has its presence in far western and mid western regions. The company has plans to expand its services to Kathmandu and eastern region within few months. Arun Raj Sumargi says, &ldquo;In two months we will be entering Chitwan and soon reaching all over the country along with major cities like Pokhara and Kathmandu.&rdquo;</div>
							<div>
								&nbsp;</div>
							<div>
								<span style="font-size:16px;"><strong>CSR Activities</strong></span></div>
							<div>
								As a part of its corporate social responsibilities (CSR), Muktishree group within a few days, is planning to hand over a Bhojan Prasadi Griha at Pashupatinath to the government. The group has made an investment of Rs 70 million for the building. Similarly, the group has contributed for various schools, hospitals and other social causes. Madhav Raj Sumargi Trust donated Rs 10 million to construct 10.5 kilometres of road in Hetauda. Necessary equipment for the road was provided by the government. Sumargi said that the government has allocated budget for the road in the current fiscal year and black topping of the road is undergoing. He claims that the road has addressed various issues of Hetauda bazaar.</div>
						</div>
					</div>
				</div>
			</td>
		</tr>
	</tbody>
</table>',
			'published' => true,
			'created' => '2013-12-02',
			'modified' => '2013-12-09',
			'keywords' => 'the corporate weekly from Nepal, nepali corporate events – news – interviews – reviews, nepali corporate focus, nepali corporate status and news, news from nepali corporate industry, corporate happenings – events – news from nepal',
			'description' => 'Muktishree Group of Companies, one of the emerging business houses of Nepal, has ambitious plans to grow as a successful enterprise that benefits the national economy and people at large. The group has a clear vision to create employment opportunity for 100,000 people in a decade.',
			'sortorder' => '2033',
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	(int) 14 => array(
		'Article' => array(
			'id' => '2144',
			'article_category_id' => '122',
			'title' => 'Lomus: Looking Beyond Borders',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => null,
			'content' => '<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	<strong>--By Gaurav Aryal</strong></div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<table align="right" border="0" cellpadding="1" cellspacing="1" style="float: right; margin: 0px 0px 10px 10px;">
	<tbody>
		<tr>
			<td>
				<img alt="Prabal Jung Pandey, Executive Director, Lomus Group" src="/userfiles/images/pjp%20(Copy).jpg" style="border-width: 0px; border-style: solid; width: 200px; height: 222px;" /></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td bgcolor="#FFFFFF">
				<div align="center">
					<div>
						<strong>Prabal Jung Pandey</strong></div>
					<div>
						Executive Director, Lomus Group</div>
				</div>
			</td>
		</tr>
	</tbody>
</table>
<div>
	If the Nepali government allows Nepali ventures to invest in foreign land, Lomus Pharmaceuticals and the group of companies would be one of the top industrial houses to rejoice. Prabal Jung Pandey, Executive Director of the group says that he would be happy when his group would go beyond borders. He wishes to take Lomus Pharmaceuticals Pvt Ltd, the group&rsquo;s flagship company and one of the leading pharmaceutical companies of Nepal, beyond borders.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	As a move towards this goal, the company is determined to increase the volume of its pharmaceutical products export to existing markets along with exploring new territories. According to Pandey, the company is exporting its products to four countries in Africa. &ldquo;We will be exporting to Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) countries soon. &nbsp;Necessary registration procedures have been completed and we are looking forward to exporting in large quantities,&rdquo; he shared.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	Pandey thinks that once the company starts mass export of products, of the current production plants capacities would not be enough. He opines that establishing plants in other countries would be helpful to supply products to meet the demand. However, existing laws restrict Nepali companies from investing in foreign land. &ldquo;The government should now think that the capable industries in Nepal should be allowed to invest in other countries. If someone is capable of investing abroad, and if s/he is working here successfully and if the profits come back to the country, there is no harm in allowing someone to invest abroad,&rdquo; Pandey said arguing against the government&rsquo;s restriction that is hindering the company&rsquo;s expansion plan.&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	He says that Lomus Pharmaceuticals has reached almost a saturation point in the Nepali market and there is very little room for expansion in the domestic market. He further claims that the company leads Nepal&rsquo;s pharmaceutical market with four per cent of the market share.&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	<span style="font-size:14px;"><strong>Group&rsquo;s Inception</strong></span></div>
<div>
	Lomus Pharmaceuticals is the first manufacturing venture of the group, started by Pradeep Jung Pandey, Vice President of Federation of Nepalese Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FNCCI) and father of Prabal Jung Pandey. Pandey gives credit to his father for establishing the company and taking it to the pinnacle. The company was established with its first factory at Gongabu in Kathmandu, 25 years ago. In its initial days, it used to produce around 40 pharmaceutical products. And, the group kept on taking gradual and careful steps for its expansion and growth. With a special focus on expanding the market, it kept on increasing the production capacity. A decade ago, a big move was made to establish a 15000 square feet production plant at Gothatar, one of the largest pharmaceuticals production units of the country.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	Pandeys always have had the belief that one should not be investing in a new venture unless the existing one is sustainable. &ldquo;We do not believe in jumping into many ventures at once. We try to stabilise the existing one and keep it expanding so that it is self sustaining,&rdquo; Pandey added.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	<span style="font-size:14px;"><strong>The Expansion</strong></span></div>
<div>
	The Pandey family came with its second venture 11 years ago - Cosmos Cement Industries Pvt Ltd.The company could not pick up immediately because of the ongoing armed conflict and the Madhesh movement that followed, recalls Pandey. The company was virtually in a status quo for almost five years after its establishment. The company is currently producing cement by grinding clinkers. However, it has plans to come up with its own clinker producing unit by utilising local raw material &ndash; limestone.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	Pandey reveals that as prerequisite of setting up a clinker production unit, two limestone mines are being excavated in Udaypur district. A feasibility study for setting up the plant has been completed and the essential land for it has been acquired after carrying out IEE and EIA.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	Likewise, another clinker producing unit is under construction in Janakpur. Initially this plant will be producing 700 tonnes of clinkers daily. Pandey says that once the unit completes its trial phase, its capacity will be increased gradually and is expected to reach 1200 tonnes per day within a year. He says that the plant will be catering to the high demand of cement in the eastern part of the country. Targeting this market, around nine months back, a cement factory with a production capacity of 400 tonnes per day was installed in Biratnagar. Similarly, one factory is under operation in Janakpur. The current expansion is being made with a total investment of Rs 1.5 billion.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	When the second generation businessmen in the Pandey family joined the business, set-up by their father, they took the business to new and varied sectors so that the three brothers can look after one of the sectors each. Now the group is involved in banking and financial sector, mining, cement production and pharmaceuticals. Pandey says that the group is willing to take pharmaceuticals and cement production companies to the next level in the near future. He reveals that the group is also planning to come with Ayurvedic medicines soon. These medicines will be branded uniquely and will be sold in the global market. Currently the group is employing 300 people in its group of companies other than financial institutions.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	<span style="font-size:14px;"><strong>Branding Consolidation</strong></span></div>
<div>
	The parent company of the group, Lomus Pharmaceuticals has become a well known brand name in the pharmaceutical industry. Pandey says that the recognition the company has got is because of the quality &nbsp;that the company has promised and delivered in its range of products. He says that the company does not compromise on quality and believes that products should be easily available at affordable price.&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	Similarly, Tej Cement is a popular brand in the eastern Nepal. Popularity of this brand has encouraged the company to expand its production unit and add new factories.&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	However the group has not yet given serious thoughts of branding the entire group under a consolidated name. Pandey hints the possibility of it in the future but not anytime soon.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<div>
	Pandey shares that all of the companies under the group are growing annually at a healthy rate of 20 per cent in average. The group registers an annual turnover of Rs 3 billion per year. He is quite satisfied with this progress but sees room for improvement. He adds, &ldquo;I will be the happiest entrepreneur if we can make our name popular worldwide. &nbsp;I dream of making Lomus an international company and a brand name recognised everywhere.&rdquo;</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>
<table border="0" cellpadding="10" width="99%">
	<tbody>
		<tr>
			<td bgcolor="#E5E4E2">
				<div>
					<div>
						<div>
							<span style="font-size:16px;"><strong>Companies Associated</strong></span></div>
						<div>
							&bull;<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Lomus Pharmaceuticals Pvt Ltd</div>
						<div>
							&bull;<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Cosmos Cement Industries Pvt Ltd</div>
						<div>
							&bull;<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>International Leasing and Finance Co Ltd</div>
						<div>
							&bull;<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Data Hub Pvt Ltd</div>
						<div>
							&bull;<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Lomus Investment Co Pvt Ltd</div>
						<div>
							&bull;<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Cosmos Quarries Pvt Ltd</div>
						<div>
							&bull;<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Udaypur Mineral Tech Pvt Ltd</div>
						<div>
							&nbsp;</div>
						<div>
							<span style="font-size:16px;"><strong>Core sectors of the group</strong></span></div>
						<div>
							<span style="font-size:14px;"><strong>Pharmaceuticals</strong></span></div>
						<div>
							Pharmaceutical is one of the core areas of the group and the parent business for it. Lomus Pharmaceuticals Pvt Ltd is one of the market leaders in Nepal&rsquo;s pharmaceuticals market. This company produces 400 products. However, its factory is operating for just 12 hours a day due to power supply problem. Apart from supplying its products to the general medicine market, the company also supplies to government.</div>
						<div>
							&nbsp;</div>
						<div>
							<span style="font-size:14px;"><strong>Cement and Mining Industry</strong></span></div>
						<div>
							Cement production is one of the strong sectors of the group. The group has allocated two mining companies for its cement industries. Cosmos Quarries Pvt Ltd and Udaypur Mineral Tech are taking up the responsibility of limestone mining. However, the group is open for exploring new area for mining. Pandey sees potentials in copper and iron mining but transportation and electricity are the pre-requisites which he expects that the government should ensure.&nbsp;</div>
						<div>
							&nbsp;</div>
						<div>
							<span style="font-size:14px;"><strong>Financial Sector</strong></span></div>
						<div>
							The group has presence in the banking and financial sector with three companies as one of the promoter shareholders. International Leasing and Finance Company Limited had a plan for upgrading to a commercial bank but could not do so in the lack of legal provision to do so. However, it has now plans to go for merger. Pandey says that merger talks are going with few financial institutions and he expects that these talks will conclude within the next five months. Apart from it, the group is involved with Citizens Bank International and Shikhar Insurance Company Limited. Similarly, the group has a presence in merchant banking sector through its Lomus Investment Co Pvt Ltd.</div>
						<div>
							&nbsp;</div>
						<div>
							<span style="font-size:14px;"><strong>Data Centre</strong></span></div>
						<div>
							Recently, the group has set up a data centre, Data Hub Pvt Ltd at Thapathali targeting financial institutions and corporate houses. The centre was established to mitigate the risk to the huge database of these companies due to natural and other accidents. &nbsp;The group has set up this centre in partnership with other business houses. According to Pandey, the centre was set up in coordination with a company from Singapore that meets international standards. As of now, the centre has around a dozen banks in its clients base. &nbsp;Currently the data bank has a capacity to store data of around 40 companies. Pandey is looking forward to have provision and guidelines regarding data management of financial institutions form the central bank.</div>
						<div>
							&nbsp;</div>
						<div>
							<span style="font-size:14px;"><strong>Hydropower</strong></span></div>
						<div>
							The group has investments in the hydropower sector too. One of its projects, Tawa Khola, a 5MW hydropower plant is currently in operation. Similarly, it is planning to come up with a 42 MW project in the near future.</div>
					</div>
				</div>
			</td>
		</tr>
	</tbody>
</table>',
			'published' => true,
			'created' => '2013-11-25',
			'modified' => '2013-12-01',
			'keywords' => 'the corporate weekly from Nepal, nepali corporate events – news – interviews – reviews, nepali corporate focus, nepali corporate status and news, news from nepali corporate industry, corporate happenings – events – news from nepal',
			'description' => 'Lomus Pharmaceuticals and the group of companies take every step carefully while investing in a new sector. The group, if allowed by the law, looks forward to invest abroad.',
			'sortorder' => '2025',
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