Aberdeen Holdings stands as a formidable conglomerate with an expansive reach across six diverse industries and sectors including pharmaceuticals, packaging and paper, commodities, transport and logistics, power generation, recycling, and information technology. With a commitment to excellence, the conglomerate encompasses 15 thriving companies including Ex-pack Corrugated Cartons, Expoteas, Expo Commodities, FitsAir, Bio Extracts, Neptune Recyclers, Lanka Commodity Holdings, Fits Express, Fits Retail, Damn Fine Coffee Roasters, Fits Cargo, Hienergy Services, Ruhunu Farms, Antler Foundry and the Snehadhana Foundation. Aberdeen Holdings employs over 1,300 dedicated professionals, impacting over 1.2 million lives.

Q: What is your perspective of ‘corporate respect’?

A: Corporate respect is built on a foundation of trust, integrity and sustained excellence. At Aberdeen Holdings, we prioritise ethical practices, innovation and social responsibility.

Our diverse portfolio and the dedication of our employees enable us to not only achieve business success but also positively impact the communities we serve. Respect is not earned through achievements only but also by our unwavering commitment to values that resonate with all our stakeholders.

This commitment is evident in our initiatives, from pioneering environmental sustainability to fostering inclusive work environments. We believe that true respect comes from making meaningful contributions to society and setting standards that others aspire to follow.

Q: Many Sri Lankan corporates are expanding their boundaries overseas. What does it take for companies to earn respect internationally?

A: When it comes to gaining respect on an international stage, it’s about more than merely expanding – it’s about expanding with purpose and precision.

And when we looked beyond our borders with our subsidiary Expo Commodities Global, we didn’t simply scatter seeds at random. We meticulously planted our operations in seven countries including Sri Lanka, Indonesia, Vietnam, Madagascar, Comoros and Egypt.

By forging direct connections with local farmers, we ensure that quality and ethical practices are the roots of our supply chain. Establishing a trading office in Dubai was a strategic move to streamline our international trading efforts, making us a respected name in the global spices and agricultural products market.

Bio Extracts, the manufacturer of the renowned brand Baraka – a subsidiary that was celebrated for winning Presidential Export Awards – proudly supplies over 50 countries spanning America, Africa, Europe, the Middle East, Russia and Asia. Its indigenous and Ayurveda medical products have earned international acclaim.

Moreover, Fits Express – as the exclusive authorised service contractor for UPS in Sri Lanka and part of the Aberdeen Group – offers seamless door-to-door services across 220 countries and territories. FitsAir, starting 25 years ago, became the first privately owned airline in Sri Lanka under the Aberdeen umbrella.

Our international ventures are a testament to our strategic foresight and dedication to delivering unparalleled solutions, cementing our reputation on the global stage.

Sattar Kassim
Chairman

Q: How should corporates instil environmental, social and corporate governance (ESG) practices in their operations to contribute to garnering corporate respect?

A: At Aberdeen, instilling ESG practices into our operations is akin to nurturing a tree to bear the fruits of respect.

Our journey with Ex-pack has been one of constant evolution and commitment to sustainability. We are thrilled to be carbon neutral for the second year running.

This achievement, coupled with our Worldwide Responsible Accredited Production (WRAP) certification, underscores our dedication to producing goods under ethical labour, health, safety and environmental standards.

Our vision for a sustainable future began in the early 1990s when we launched Ex-pack, our corrugated cartons production facility.

Recognising the need for responsible waste management, Neptune Recyclers was established in 1994.

Since then, we have exported over 600,000 metric tons of wastepaper, injecting over US$ 170 million into the economy, and reducing environmental impact.

Additionally, Expo Commodities Global’s initiative in Madagascar exemplifies our ESG commitment. For every metric ton of cinnamon exported, we plant eight cinnamon trees, actively contributing to reforestation.

Our work with over 10,000 farmers globally, guiding them towards organic farming practices, further reflects our dedication to sustainability and social responsibility.

These practices are integral to our operations and are the key to earning corporate respect.

Q: How do employees play a role in the corporate respect equation?

A: Our employees are the heartbeat of Aberdeen Holdings, pumping life and respect into everything we do. While they don’t appear as assets on the balance sheet, our employees are indeed crucial to our organisation’s success.

Their skills, dedication and productivity drive the company’s performance and growth. And this perspective emphasises the importance of investing in employee development, wellbeing and satisfaction to foster a thriving organisation.

At Ex-pack Corrugated Cartons, Neptune Recyclers, Fits Express and Bio Extracts, we pride ourselves on being recognised among the top workplaces in Sri Lanka and Asia. This recognition is a testament to the supportive and inclusive environment we foster.

We believe in taking care of our team, which is why we provide complimentary lunches during the working week, alleviating the stress of meal preparation and fostering a sense of unity and community.

Our group workforce – with over 40 percent being women – exemplifies our commitment to gender diversity. Empowering our employees to thrive not only boosts our internal culture but also elevates our corporate reputation and respect.

Q: What are the key attributes of your company’s image, in your opinion?

A: The vibrant and dynamic initiatives we undertake paint a vivid picture of our company’s image. One of our notable undertakings is the Snehadhana Community Kitchen, launched in March.

This programme provides nutritious meals to over 100 underprivileged individuals every working day, addressing the critical issue of food security and uplifting lives in the process.

Diversity is embedded into the very fabric of Aberdeen Holdings, from our extensive range of operations across multiple industries to our ethnically and gender diversified employee base and board of directors.

This commitment to diversity not only enhances our company’s image but also drives innovation and inclusivity, making Aberdeen Holdings a respected and admired entity.

Our employees are the heartbeat of Aberdeen Holdings, pumping life and respect into everything we do. While they don’t appear as assets on the balance sheet, our employees are indeed crucial to our organisation’s success

QUICK-FIRE ROUND

Three vital ingredients that earn corporate respect

Trust
Integrity
Sustained excellence

Three global organisations that you respect  

Unilever – for its sustainable business practices
Toyota – for its innovation and quality
Microsoft – for its commitment to technological advancement and CSR

Aberdeen Holdings’ strategic growth, robust ESG practices, commitment to employee welfare and dedication to community support solidify its position as one of the most respected corporate entities in Sri Lanka – and beyond. Through its multifaceted approach, the conglomerate continues to earn and maintain corporate respect on a global scale.

Telephone 2301335 | Email info@aberdeenholding.com | Website www.aberdeenholdings.com