Teema to manufacture school shoes

Kavin Ploymers Ltd, will invest nearly Rs. 20 million for a Direct injection molding plant and factory expansions to manufacture school shoes to the local market.

Managing Director, Kavin Ploymers, Sarath Perera that that the plant would be set up adjoining their factory in Ambatenne Kandy. “We already manufacturer Teema footwear and as there is growing demand for high quality school shoes decided to enter this market,” he said.

The company was started in 1984 mainly to outsource slippers to Bata. “This was a Rs. 3 million annual business,” he said.

However recently they ran in to problems and decided to manufacture under their own brand. “We still have to get nearly Rs. 20 million as outstanding payments for items out soured,” he said.

Perera said that they would install the production line early next year and supply school shoes from next August.

The company also exports slippers to United Kingdom and would soon expand to Europe for the brand name ‘Urban Thumbs’. “We are now looking to export to Caribbean next year,” he said.

Currently over 200 are employed in the factory and the company is hoping to double their production next year.

(SS)