August 26, Colombo (LNW): Australia’s United Petroleum is planning a substantial investment of US$ 20-30 million in a food manufacturing venture in Sri Lanka, aiming to produce pies and other convenience foods under the iconic Australian brand ‘Pie Face’, a report by Daily Mirror disclosed.
This new venture is expected to commence by the first quarter of 2025, according to Dr. Prabath Samarasinghe, Director and CEO of United Petroleum Lanka (UPL), a fully-owned subsidiary of the Australian company.
While the exact location of the manufacturing facility is yet to be confirmed, Dr. Samarasinghe mentioned that the plant would be situated in a Board of Investment (BOI) zone.
The company’s strategic focus is on exporting 80 percent of its production to key markets such as India, Malaysia, Singapore, South Africa, and the Middle East.
To achieve this, UPL plans to relocate one of its four existing factories from Australia to Sri Lanka, primarily to cut down on logistics costs for exports to Europe and Asia.
Once operational, the plant is projected to produce an impressive 15,000 units of pies and other convenience food items per minute. The Pie Face brand is well-known for its premium French-style pies, which have garnered multiple awards for their quality.
United Petroleum’s venture in Sri Lanka also aims to tap into the Indian market, leveraging Sri Lanka’s geographic proximity and logistical advantages.
In addition to the food manufacturing project, UPL has plans to invest heavily in establishing 50 new fuel stations across Sri Lanka. This development is part of a broader mixed-use strategy that may include the creation of full-scale convenience centres featuring residential apartments, entertainment zones, and food outlets.
The company has already identified over 70 locations for these ventures, with ambitions to convert the sites into comprehensive convenience centres offering diverse services and real estate opportunities.
Dr. Samarasinghe highlighted that these ventures are designed not only to expand United Petroleum’s footprint in Sri Lanka but also to create a range of integrated services that align with evolving market needs and consumer preferences.
