SMS Holdings expanding with new products

Sanjeevi JAYASURIYA

The production facilities of SMS Holdings (Pvt) Limited, the manufacturer of blocks and bricks for the construction industry has expanded with the company looking forward to further expand facilities in keeping with the country's construction industry growth. "We have expanded production facilities to Vavuniya and Hambantota and will set up another facility in Batticaloa next month.

Our factories facilitate the needs of the area and we focus on sales mobilization to increase turnover, SMS Holdings Chairman and Managing Director Shehan Senevirathne told Daily News Business.

Sri Lanka's construction industry was able to sustain the growth momentum created by the peaceful environment and road construction and beautification projects have increased over the years.

It has provided more business opportunities for companies like ours," he said.

SMS Holdings is mainly into the paving and flooring business. Most of the Colombo projects are done by the company which started its commercial operations in 2001.

The company produces 60,000 paving blocks per day in its four factories.

There are 480 direct employees related to production lines and 200 to 250 employees on construction projects.

There are also nearly 500 sub contractors and indirect employees involved with the company.

The company has obtained British Standards in 2004 followed by SLS in 2007 and also ISO 9001 2008 accreditation recently which are supported by the increase in product quality.

"We have entered the Maldivian market and is looking at Bangladesh as we are working on two orders.

Due to constraints in long haul transportation, we concentrate in regional markets and will focus on expanding the export base in the near future," he said.

SMS Holdings considers India to be the main competitor. However, due to the superior quality, the company has been able to sustain the Maldivian market. Over 60 percent of the local requirement is catered by the company at present and is the market leader in the industry.

Among the projects completed by the company are two cricket stadiums, R Premadasa and Sooriyawewa, the beautification of Torrington Square, Lanka IOC terminal road network and the Galle Dutch Fort.

SMS Holdings has won several wards in recognition of its quality products and among them - the Gold Award in national medium manufacturing sector at the CNCI Achievers Awards ceremony this year, Award of Excellence in the category of cement based products by the Sri Lanka Institute of Architects in 2005, 2007, 2009 and 2010.

It is the only ISO certified company in the paving industry.