DIMO
BLUEPRINT FOR A SUSTAINABLE, RESILIENT BUSINESS
Executive Director
In today’s rapidly changing world where sustainability has become paramount for long-term business success, DIMO has taken deliberate steps to centre its product portfolio on sustainable practices.
DIMO’s Sustainability Agenda 2030 is anchored on three key pillars: Business, Community and Planet, aimed at building resilient business and community while conserving a living planet.
Rajeev Pandithage, Executive Director of DIMO and Head of the Business Pillar in DIMO’s Sustainability Agenda 2030, shares insights into how the organisation aims to build resilient business through sustainable business practices. He emphasises that building a resilient business begins with a profound understanding of the business landscape and the transformative impact of sustainability on that environment.
Business risks are increasingly complex and multifaceted in an era marked by economic volatility, political instability and climate change. To mitigate these risks, DIMO has embarked on a journey to align all its business clusters with sustainability goals. This alignment is about addressing immediate challenges, and building a diversified and balanced portfolio that will stand the test of time.
“By fostering collaboration and alignment towards sustainability among our diverse business units, we strive to maintain a well balanced portfolio that supports our long-term strategic objectives,” says Pandithage, highlighting DIMO’s commitment to integrating sustainability into every facet of its corporate strategy.
The essence of this strategy is fostering innovation, sustainable entrepreneurship and dynamism in the execution of strategies within DIMO. In his view, resilient businesses are built on the foundation of innovative products and services that stem from sustainable practices. DIMO is focussing on creating an entrepreneurial ecosystem, aiming to cultivate innovation in product and service deployment with sustainability at the forefront.
“The Business Pillar is collaborating closely with DIMO’s Corporate Planning team to identify opportunities that seamlessly integrate with our existing expertise and product portfolio, and contribute positively to our sustainability initiatives, ensuring DIMO’s strategic growth aligns with our sustainability goals,” he adds.
Pandithage emphasises the increasing pressure on companies to uphold ethical and sustainable practices, noting that these principles are at the core of the company’s success: “Integrating ethical and sustainable practices into every step of the business process, from sourcing to after sales service, will enable us to create a competitive edge in the market. Our commitment to ethical business practices not only strengthens our foundation but also directly impacts the customer experience.”
One of the key areas where sustainability is being actively integrated is in DIMO’s upstream and downstream supply chain. Pandithage explains that ethical sourcing and circularity are no longer optional but necessary for survival in today’s market.
DIMO has embedded local and ethical sourcing into its agricultural product lines through an out-grower programme consisting of over 1,000 local farmers who supply organic crops for its Miditer and Flava brands in the agri-based value added foods sector. This initiative has paved the way for a more sustainable business model in agriculture, aligning the company’s operations with broader sustainability goals.
DIMO’s partnerships with globally recognised brands such as Mercedes-Benz and Siemens enable the company to source and bring sustainable products – such as electric vehicles and medical equipment with lower radiation emissions – to Sri Lanka, further reinforcing the company’s commitment to decarbonisation and resource efficiency.
Circularity is another key component of DIMO’s sustainability agenda. By enhancing the durability of products through proper after sales services, the company is extending product life cycles and contributing to resource efficiency.
He emphasises that this approach not only helps address the pressing issues of scarce and diminishing resources, but also optimises resource use and minimises waste: “Our comprehensive after sales services extend the lifespan of our products and promote circularity.”
DIMO is also making strides in measuring and improving its progress towards increasing revenue through sustainable products and services. The company has introduced a scorecard system to evaluate the environmental, social and economic benefits of each product and service in its portfolio. This rigorous evaluation process allows DIMO to identify areas for improvement, whether in sustainable packaging or reducing waste in service processes.
“We are actively assessing our product offerings to identify opportunities for enhancing their sustainability and reducing their carbon footprint,” he says. These efforts will take DIMO’s sustainability initiatives to the next level, pushing the boundaries of what is possible through innovation and responsible business practices.
As the global regulatory landscape evolves, DIMO is staying ahead of the curve by aligning its practices with emerging standards and policies. New regulations from the EU and other global bodies are transforming how companies report their business activities especially in terms of sustainability.
Pandithage acknowledges that these changes will be significant for DIMO as sustainability is embedded in its core. This shift also requires full transparency and accountability, ensuring that all claims made by the company are backed by verifiable data and sustainable actions.
In this context, the adoption of IFRS sustainability standards will play a crucial role in shaping DIMO’s reporting and operational practices in the coming years.
Consumer preferences are also evolving rapidly with sustainability becoming a key driver of purchasing decisions, particularly among younger generations. He highlights that today’s consumers, especially younger generations, are not only looking for products that meet their needs but are also demanding that companies operate in a socially and environmentally responsible manner.
This growing sustainability mindset among consumers has also opened up new market segments for DIMO, enabling the company to expand its business horizons across all generations. As regulations tighten and consumer expectations rise, DIMO is positioning technology at the core of its sustainable product offerings and empowering employees to embed sustainability throughout the organisation.
The impact of DIMO’s sustainable product portfolio extends beyond the company itself. By customising products and services with sustainability in mind, DIMO is reaching a broader and more diverse audience, addressing issues from healthy living and green buildings, to renewable energy and sustainable mobility. This wide-ranging impact allows DIMO to fuel the dreams and aspirations of the communities it serves while driving sustainable transformation.
DIMO’s focus on sustainability is not just about compliance or meeting external expectations; the company’s sustainable product portfolio has enhanced its reputation and earned consumer loyalty, positioning DIMO as a trusted provider of sustainable solutions.
“By maintaining the highest standards of excellence in how we operate, we set a precedent for the industry. This allows us to not only meet but exceed customer expectations, creating a deeper sense of trust and satisfaction in the long run. Our sustainability agenda enables us to create a competitive edge while making a positive impact on society and the environment. This focus on sustainability ensures that DIMO is well equipped to navigate the challenges of the future world,” Pandithage says.
By aligning its product portfolio with the sustainability approach, the company is not only positioning itself to meet the demands of an evolving market but also making a meaningful contribution to society and the environment. Through ethical conduct, responsible sourcing and a focus on circularity, DIMO is well on its way to building a resilient business that will thrive in the face of future challenges.
