SMS HOLDINGS
PROUDLY CELEBRATING ITS 25TH ANNIVERSARY
Q: SMS Holdings celebrates its 25th anniversary this year. Looking back, how did it all begin?
A: SMS Holdings began with a simple observation that grew into a much larger vision. More than 25 years ago, I used paving stones for a project at my own home, and was impressed by its durability, clean finish and aesthetic appeal. What surprised me however, was that they were expensive, difficult to source and beyond the reach of the average customer.
That sparked a vision: to manufacture high quality paving solutions locally and make them affordable without compromising on quality.
As with every entrepreneur, the early years came with limited resources, a small team and the challenge of building customer confidence in a relatively unfamiliar product. Those experiences taught us resilience, discipline and the importance of never compromising on quality.
Q: What have been the key drivers behind SMS Holdings’ growth over the past 25 years?
A: Growth has never been about one factor. It has been driven by strong leadership, continuous investment in technology, a skilled workforce and a commitment to delivering quality in everything we do. Long-term customer relationships, timely project delivery and the ability to adapt to changing market conditions have also played important roles.
At the heart of this journey are our people. We have always believed that employees are our greatest asset. During the COVID-19 pandemic and the devastation caused by Cyclone Ditwah, protecting our workforce remained a priority.
We safeguarded jobs, continued paying salaries, and supported affected employees and their families because a business can only succeed when its people are looked after. That culture of care, loyalty and teamwork continues to be one of our greatest strengths.
Q: Was there a defining turning point that accelerated the business’ journey?
A: Absolutely. A major turning point came during the modernisation of international fuel station networks in Sri Lanka. At the time, paving stones for these projects were imported from countries such as Singapore and India because they had to meet demanding global standards.
We invested in advanced manufacturing technology and developed paving stones that matched – and in many cases, exceeded – the quality of imported products. Becoming a trusted supplier to leading fuel station networks proved that Sri Lankan manufacturing could compete with the best.
It strengthened our reputation, opened doors to larger commercial and infrastructure projects, and laid the foundation for the sustained growth and market leadership we enjoy today.
Q: SMS Holdings has grown well beyond paving solutions. How did the business evolve into the diversified group it is today?
A: Diversification happened naturally as our customers’ needs evolved. We began with paving stones before expanding into hard landscaping as infrastructure projects became larger and more sophisticated. As customers increasingly sought complete outdoor solutions, we added soft landscaping, horticulture and landscape design.
Our appreciation for Sri Lanka’s natural beauty then led us into plantation development with plantation villas gradually evolving into a unique leisure business. Building on that foundation, we recognised the enormous potential of authentic Ceylon cinnamon, investing in cultivation, value added products and exports.
Today, these complementary ventures operate under an integrated umbrella, creating operational synergies, diversifying revenue streams and strengthening our resilience, while remaining true to our core values of quality, innovation and sustainable growth.
Further expanding our global presence, we established Leaf Australia to export premium Australian wines to international markets.
Q: Looking back, which achievements make you the proudest?
A: We are proud of the landmark infrastructure and engineering projects we completed, the trust we earned from clients and the employment opportunities we created.
Equally rewarding is seeing our people grow alongside the organisation.
One milestone that stands out is winning the Platinum Award at the Sri Lankan Entrepreneur of the Year Awards in 2016, which is widely regarded as the country’s highest recognition for entrepreneurship. It was a proud moment but we have never viewed awards as the destination. They are benchmarks that remind us to keep improving.
We have also earned more than 38 local and international recognitions, alongside receiving globally recognised certifications including ISO 9001, ISO 14001 and ISO 45001, reflecting our commitment to quality, environmental responsibility and workplace safety.
Q: How important are exports and international markets to SMS Holdings’ future?
A: Our vision is to build globally recognised Sri Lankan brands by delivering premium, value added products that meet world-class standards.
Ceylon cinnamon is a perfect example. Rather than exporting raw materials, we want to create internationally recognised branded products that showcase the authenticity and superior quality of Sri Lanka’s true cinnamon.
With offices already established in Australia and Dubai, and exports reaching markets including the Maldives, Canada, Bangladesh and New Zealand, we are steadily expanding our international footprint while reducing reliance on any single market.
Q: What will continue to define SMS Holdings over the next decade?
A: Quality, innovation and sustainability will remain at the heart of everything we do. Every project is backed by rigorous planning, quality control, risk management and internationally recognised management systems.
Beyond construction and engineering, our premium cinnamon business also adheres to globally recognised food safety and quality standards, reinforcing customer confidence in our products.
– Compiled by Indrajit Lankeshwara
COMPANY DETAILS
- Telephone: 2813787
- Email: info@smspavers.com
- Website: www.smspavers.com
