Reinforcing its commitment to the nation, Unilever Sri Lanka, has embarked on a journey to localise the production of its malted food drink brands with the commencement of the construction of its first Malted Beverage Plant at the Lanka Industrial Estate Limited (LINDEL) zone in Sapugaskanda.
Unilever at present manufactures 97% of all its products in Sri Lanka at its manufacturing facility in Horana and local third-party manufacturing sites and the latest venture will enhance its locally manufactured portfolio further.
This will come in the form of an investment of Rs. 4 billion and will manufacture Viva and Horlicks, as part of its journey of nourishing a million Sri Lankan lives.
Adapting state-of-the-art technology, the plant is equipped with Vacuum Bran Dryer technology which helps ensure the quality and consistency of products.
This ensures a sustainable supply of high-quality Viva and Horlicks products, enriched with the goodness of malt and barley to enable Sri Lankan families to start their day with the energy required to keep them active throughout the day.
The foundation stone ceremony saw the participation of Unilever Sri Lanka Chairperson and Managing Director Hajar Alafifi, BOI Director General Renuka Weerakoon and District Secretary of Gampaha Darshana Pandikorala.
Over the past 85 years, Unilever has been deeply rooted in Sri Lankan society, curating a landscape that preserves and nurtures the true Sri Lankan way of life.
It is one of the largest Fast-Moving Consumer Goods (FMCG) companies in the country. The company has invested over Rs. 19.8 Billion in local manufacturing capacity to date.
State Ministry of Investment Promotion Secretary M. M. Nayeemudeen said: “Unilever’s investment in the new Health Food Drinks plan is a testament to Sri Lanka’s potential as an investment destination.
This investment not only creates employment opportunities but also strengthens the local economy by reducing the dependence on imports.
It is commendable that Unilever is not only investing in the country’s growth but also contributing to the nation’s food security through the production of high-quality malted food drink brands. We welcome Unilever’s continued commitment to Sri Lanka, and we look forward to more investments in the future.”
Board of Investment and Colombo Port City Economic Commission Chairman Dinesh Weerakkody said: “In the midst of economic challenges, it is indeed refreshing to see companies like Unilever supporting the country’s growth and development through meaningful investments.
Unilever Sri Lanka Chairperson and Managing Director Alafifi said: “Unilever began its journey in investing behind Sri Lanka’s future 85 years ago. Investing in our new Malted Beverages plant, will not only minimise forex outflow for imported products but also creates over 125 direct employment opportunities and much more indirect employment, to help further stimulate economic growth,he added
