George Steuart Teas commissions “Value Creation Complex”

■ George Steuart Teas unveiled one of the largest tea processing and packaging plants in Sri Lanka

Georg e Steuart Teas commissioned its first machine at the new “Value Creation Complex” on 26 January 2023. Located at Talwatte, Kelaniya, the new “Value Creation Complex” is one of Sri Lanka’s largest and most modern tea processing and packaging facilities. The company will now begin outfitting the facility with the machinery aspiring to launch full operations shortly.

The purpose- built, modern manufacturing complex has a capacity of processing 18 million kgs of tea yearly. The 182,000 square feet of space includes large areas of blending lines and packaging lines to create, process and packet bulk and value- added teas.

The factory will operate modern tea processing and packaging equipment and machinery that enable scale and speed, while conforming to the requisite global quality standards. The factory’s operations will be managed on the principles of sustainable business, with particular focus on energy efficiency, rainwater harvesting and equal opportunity employment.

The occasion attended by the Group Chairman, Group Directors and members of the Api family, marked an epoch in the history of the firm, established by James and George Steuart in 1835. George Steuart Tea is the George Steuart Group’s oldest business segment; the firm was in fact one of the pioneers of the tea industry in Sri Lanka and prides itself on the intrinsic knowledge of tea that come from being the “Original Ceylon Tea People”.

Group Chair man Dilith Jayaweera hailed the milestone in the nearly 190- year journey of George Steuart & Co. He said: “Our new ‘ Value Creation Complex’ will enable us to enhance our export offering; this means we can continue to support and strengthen Sri Lanka’s economy through external trade and foreign exchange revenue generation.”

Discussing the significance of the new “Value Creation Complex”, George Stuart Te a s Managing Director Dai Pathmananthan commented: “We are happy to have been able to accomplish this herculean task during the most challenging times of the country. The company has shown resilience and continued its growth momentum, owing to the tireless efforts of a dedicated team. We believe that this is an important milestone to take George Steuart Teas to the next level.”