United Tractor and Equipment (Pvt) Limited (UTE) continues its mission to be the best engineering service provider in all the markets it serves and, from its 75 year history, recognizes that being the best means caring about its employees to take care of. Continuing its mission, on September 13, 2022, UTE inaugurated its “Grow Your Own Food” cultivation initiative. The project is designed to promote employee well-being and equip them with skills needed to overcome potential food shortages in the future. Considering the ongoing economic situation in the country, this would further help UTE employees with sustainable means of food production. The launch of Grow Your Own Food was graced by the presence of the United States Ambassador to Sri Lanka, Ms. Julie Chung, as the main guest, along with representatives from the American Embassy and American Chamber of Commerce in Sri Lanka (AMCHAM).
The initial phase of the project began in June 2022 with the overwhelming support of all UTE employees at UTE’s headquarters in Wattala, where a large area was allocated for cultivation.
The collected harvest from the project is distributed to the more than 325 employees according to their needs, so that they benefit directly from the fruits of their own work. To ensure the success of the Grow Your Own Food initiative, UTE has enlisted the help of agricultural officers in developing the project and plans to expand the project to its facilities across the island.
Accordingly, the Grow Your Own Food initiative represents UTE’s latest step to make a meaningful contribution to employee well-being by ensuring its employees remain self-sufficient during this current time of need by empowering all employees across the business are encouraged to engage in gardening at home meet their nutritional needs. This initiative will not only provide employees with much-needed easy access to groceries, but will also deepen their family engagement and happiness, and allow them to enrich both their professional and personal lives. As part of this initiative, UTE launched an art campaign for children on the theme of ‘home gardens’, in which children of UTE employees drew their own home gardens. Using the collection of art submissions, UTE created an art wall that was also unveiled by Ambassador Chung at the launch event.
Ms. Julie Chung, Ambassador of the United States to Sri Lanka, praised the project in her address to the congregation: “Through these home gardens that you are developing, you are not just planting seeds; They plant seeds of hope, seeds of victory. And I hope that other companies will follow your example. You set an example for others to follow so that others can offer solutions that help. Thank you all for your commitment, for your service and for the love of your country.”
Prasan Fernando, Chairman of United Tractor and Equipment (Pvt) Limited, commented on UTE’s initiative: “As a longstanding presence in the Sri Lankan business landscape, UTE has over the years made it its mission to contribute to the communities, in which we operate. We do so very pleased and proud to launch the Grow Your Own Food initiative at this time given the uncertainty of potential food shortages around the world and the uncertainty we face as Sri Lankans. UTE remains committed to contributing to the well-being of our employees and our communities, and with this latest initiative to encourage home gardening, we aim to improve their standard of living to meet today’s challenges.”
UTE represents over 75 years of engineering excellence and has consistently delivered high quality technical solutions to a variety of disciplines in Sri Lanka and around the world. The UTE Parts Store/PCC (Parts.Cat.Com) is the fastest, easiest and most reliable website to find and order over 1.4 million genuine CAT® parts online. As the only authorized Caterpillar dealer in Sri Lanka, UTE also offers retail distribution of CAT® lubricants. Orders can be placed 24/7 via the mobile-friendly interface and parts will be delivered to any location on the island or can be picked up at any of the UTE branches. The company is home to the industry’s most experienced and largest team of customer service representatives and Caterpillar-trained technicians on the island. Serving customers across the island, the company has offices in Panchikawatta, Matara, Kurunegala, Anuradhapura and Kilinochchi, adding to its strength.
