Reference no: EM132202648
Arthur Senanayaka: Entrepreneur Par Excellence
I was educated at Mahinda College, Galle and then went overseas for further studies. Thereafter I worked in Europe, South America and South East Asia and was in charge of the region as a Technical Engineer for a German company. In 1980, I returned to Sri Lanka on hearing of the positive economic growth.
I started my first company here in 1980. It was called Germania which was associated with machine tools and subsequently fertiliser. This became the third largest fertiliser company and within a very short span it became a multimillion-dollar business. Thereafter we further expanded and ventured into being the leading supplier of state-of-the-art machinery for food processing and packaging.
At this time there were many development projects coming up in Sri Lanka with aid and grant from different countries. With a German aid projects, namely Randenigala and Ranthambe dam projects and with technical support from a then large German freight forwarder, Herman Ludwig, I started a logistics company, with total logistics support comprising, warehousing and transport facilities.
With the experience gained in international shipping, I was responsible in obtaining the first BOI joint venture shipping liner agency with Neptune Orient lines Singapore and became the Chairman of that company. With the acquisition of American President Lines by them, I was appointed chairman of American President Lines Colombo, and today we are one of the main hub operators at the Colombo Port. In order to support this industry, I started one of the largest container terminals to cater to two of the largest shipping lines namely, Maersk Shipping Line and American President Lines. With my background and affiliation to Singapore I was appointed the honorary trade representative to the Government of Singapore for the Singapore Trade Development Board.
I was the pioneer in the introduction of cellular communication to the region and started Celltell, the first cellular company in South Asia. In the communication industry, I also started the first mobile trunk radio system called Trunknet, with the technology from Motorola, who is the leading two-way communication supplier in the country today.
I also brought the first 24 hour terrestrial television transmission to the country. ART TV broadcasts CNN and local business news through its channel 24/7.
I have been a Founder Director of the Sampath bank and its Deputy Chairman since 1998 prior to being appointed as chairman last year. I am the Chairman of IWS Holdings - a conglomerate with diversified business interests in many industries in the country.
I like challenges and new technology which connect people together in this ever changing environment. I don't like to hold on to ‘a' business, if there is a profitable proposition, I'd rather sell that business and move to the next.
What Factors make Arthur to be a successful business leader? Discuss.
What are lessons that new entrepreneurs can learn and use at their start ups using above case? Discuss.