Dipped Products Archives

August 8, 2023

Hayleys-Solar-team-with-the-Dipped-Products-PLC-Team-LBN.jpg

Hayleys Solar, the renewable energy arm of Hayleys Fentons, is proud to announce its partnership with Dipped Products PLC (DPL), on a groundbreaking corporate sustainability initiative.

Commencing on June 21st, 2023, the installation of a cutting-edge 1MW system at DPL’s Premier Gloves Manufacturing complex within the Biyagama Industrial Zone marked a key milestone in DPL’s commitment to embracing clean energy solutions. This development follows Hayleys Solar’s successful projects at DPL’s Sports Gloves Manufacturing complex in May 2023 and its site in Hanwella, which together account for 2.1 MW, saving an impressive 2,125.69 Metric Tonnes of CO2 annually.

As an export manufacturer, it is crucial to align with the global shift towards sustainability and carbon-friendly practices, strengthening brand reputation and appeal in international markets. Through its collaboration with Hayleys Solar, DPL has taken a bold step towards achieving energy self-sufficiency, harnessing solar power on-site, and aligning with its ambitious target of achieving 95% renewable energy usage by 2030.

As companies strive to mitigate their environmental impact and meet increasingly critical sustainability goals, partnerships like these demonstrate the positive change that can be achieved.

Hayleys Solar specializes in renewable energy and energy storage solutions for domestic, commercial, and industrial requirements, with over a decade of experience in catering to Sri Lanka’s clean energy needs. To date, the company has completed over 140MW of rooftop solar systems island-wide, making it the largest solar-based Engineering, Procurement, and Construction (EPC) company in the country, partnering with global tier-one and selected local suppliers to offer high-quality durable solutions at affordable prices.

April 26, 2023

Producing specialised gloves for leading global brands across 10 sports
Eco-friendly facility fulfils requirements for platinum LEED certification
Up to 60% of raw materials sourced locally including recycled PET fabrics

Global pioneers in sustainable integrated glove manufacturing, Dipped Products PLC (DPL), a subsidiary of the Hayleys Group, commenced commercial operations at its state-of-the-art manufacturing plant in Biyagama, in line with its ambitious diversification into precision engineered sports gloves.

Constructed with an investment of Rs. 1.3 Billion, the new facility aims to leverage DPL’s exceptional scientific and technical expertise in producing gloves for industrial, household and medical applications to design and build sports gloves that offer the maximum in performance, protection and comfort.

“We are excited to formally commence the production of DPL’s precision-engineered sports gloves. Globally the segment is expected to hit US$ 1.7 billion by 2027, and we see immense potential for DPL to capture significant market share. Our goal is to combine our nation’s well-established apparel manufacturing capabilities with DPL’s highly advanced technical capabilities in industrial hand protection to produce high quality, premium sports gloves right here in Sri Lanka,” DPL Managing Director Pushpika Janadheera said.

DPL will initially produce 10 new categories of custom-designed sports gloves including cycling, mountain biking, golf, baseball batting, American football, equestrian, winter sports, running and functional fitness, motorbikes and weight lifting.

Weaving sustainability into its core process, the manufacturer has taken measures to locally source up to 60% of its raw materials – which include recycled yarn from PET bottles and recyclable/biodegradable packaging.

DPL is pursuing Platinum LEED certification: the highest level of certification awarded by U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC). Developed by USGBC, LEED is a globally recognized programme for buildings that are designed, constructed, maintained, and operated for improved environmental and human health performance. LEED buildings have a positive impact on the triple bottom line: people, planet and profit—reducing pollution, increasing efficiency and lowering emissions, while also creating healthier places for people.

Accordingly, DPL will be investing into the holistic enhancement of sustainability standards spanning energy and water consumption – including the establishment of comprehensive water treatment and recycling as well as rainwater harvesting facilities, in addition to waste management, materials, health, and indoor environmental quality.

The facility will also feature significant solar power generation capabilities, utilising 17,000 square feet of rooftop to produce 325 kilowatts – equivalent to approximately 110% of the facility’s total energy requirements

Established in 1976, Dipped Products is one of the world’s leading rubber glove manufacturers and accounts for a 5% global market share. With a manufacturing capacity of 16 million, DPL is the largest household gloves producer in Sri Lanka. The company’s products now reach 70 countries.

February 21, 2023

Targets emerging opportunities in Middle-East, Africa, South America, Asia and Oceania
Invests in expanded manufacturing capacity, new product lines

Global integrated rubber glove manufacturer, Dipped Products PLC (DPL), is taking aim at lucrative emerging opportunities in new export markets, and high-value niche product segments, as part of an ‘innovation-led’ growth agenda spearheaded by new Managing Director, Pushpika Janadheera.

A member of Sri Lanka’s largest diversified conglomerate, the Hayleys Group, DPL currently offers a wide variety of specialised industrial, medical, and household gloves to customers in over 70 countries across the globe, including major retailers across the European Union and North America.

With more than 24 years of experience in working in industries connected to the rubber sector, Janadheera joined DPL in 2017 as Director Operations, where he oversaw many of DPL’s most transformative initiatives. This included significant manufacturing process optimization, total manufacturing capacity expansion, and a continuous focus on research and development leveraged towards development of innovative products.

During his tenure with DPL, Janadheera has also actively championed the company’s progressive approach to implementation and continuous enhancement of Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) standards, and the company’s more recent alignment to Group-wide targets set out under the Hayleys Lifecode.

Over the coming year, Janadheera explained how DPL would be working to further consolidate its presence in established market strongholds, while exploring new opportunities in Oceania, Asia, the Middle-East, Africa, and South America.

“For nearly half a century, DPL has steadily moved up the value chain in hand protection. In that time, we have developed an unmatched reputation for quality, and served as a hub for high-level product innovation and best practices in sustainable manufacturing and an authentic commitment to ESG.

In addition to consolidating our reputation as a global leader in sustainable and ethical manufacturing, we are also committing substantial investments towards expansion of our production capacity. Similarly, we are exploring high value-niches like sports gloves, while accelerating our research and development programmes in order to create new innovations that will unlock even greater growth potential over the short-medium term,” he stated.

Janadheera added that DPL had already committed significant investments towards the establishment of a state-of-the-art manufacturing facility for the production of sports gloves at the Biyagama BOI Investment Zone.

“Relative to our larger international competitors, DPL’s value proposition has always been built on delivering high value product innovations and unmatched service while maintaining a powerful commitment to ethical, sustainable manufacturing.

From everyday home and garden usage, to the specific needs of high-performance athletes, electrical engineers, cleaning professionals and medical practitioners; we understand the challenges people face around hand protection and provide solutions to meet all aspects of industry and life. We pride ourselves on providing a superior service for customers, through customized, flexible manufacturing. This potent blend of quality, customer-centric product development, and a total commitment to continuous elevation of ESG standards, is what we will leverage to capture new ground,” Janadheera said.

Together with DPL’s efforts to vertically integrate smallholder rubber farmers into its supply chain with a fair pricing mechanism, the company continues to pioneer a ‘grassroots’ led approach to Sri Lanka’s export development.

DPL’s outstanding commitment to sustainability is also being leveraged to support broader efforts to drive a 30% group-wide reduction in Scope 1 and Scope 2 carbon emission by 2030 and increase reliance on renewable energy.

February 20, 2022

Firstlight now supports over 5,000 farmers’ livelihoods
Enabled savings of annual foreign outflow of $15m
Kegalle farmer network grown to 2^nd highest region for latex collection

Dipped Products PLC (DPL), international gloves exporter and part of the Hayleys Group, has expanded its smallholder network to Kegalle with over 1100 new farmers now connected to its DPL Firstlight farmer empowerment initiative.

DPL Firstlight, the company’s flagship award-winning ethical business initiative was spearheaded in the Monaragala and Kaluthara Districts and today empowers 3,000 farmers to be self-reliant. Since July 2020 the company began to implement the Firstlight programme in Kegalle to help rubber smallholders in the area achieve greater yields and prosperity. After continuous capacity development and provision of key input materials over the last two years, Kegalle has become the company’s second highest region for latex collection.

Having increased the volume of rubber sourced locally, the DPL Firstlight programme has also enabled savings of $15m in annual foreign outflow from Sri Lanka.

“One of our primary responsibilities is to care for the rubber farmers, the first link in our value chain. Our journey in Kegalle started in 2020 with 17 farmers at Thalgahadeniya – Warakapola. After seeing Firstlight in action, interest spiked amongst the farmer community and our network in the region increased to a thousand smallholders in just 500 days,” said Deputy Managing Director, Pushpika Janadheera.

“We are thankful for the support from Thurusawiya and the Rubber Development Department of the Ministry of Plantation Industries for partnering us to engage the rubber farmers in the area and solve these issues together. With the programme’s expansion to Kegalle, Ratnapura, and 5 other districts, Firstlight is now supporting the livelihoods of over 5,000 farmers every day. We will continue our regular education programmes on latex preservation and collection and plan to extend our network to a further 2,000 farmers this year.”

Under Firstlight, training and education workshops, the provision of 85,000 plastic collection cups and 7000 rain guards have all supported farmers to increase productivity and overcome issues around poor quality related to latex coagulation and climate resilience.

Mr. and Mrs. Samaranayake Banda, Smallholder Agents said “Now we have around 150 farmers and our income has improved as well. They are genuine in their transactions, where they measure and bill us transparently. The DPL team distributed stationary and school bags for our children. At first, I didn’t understand what Firstlight was all about, but now I understand that it’s a long-term, important journey to prosperity.’’

Rubber smallholders have praised the support provided, welcoming the increase in income and yield. Mr. Muttappuliyalage, a Kegalle Cooperative Society Farmer said, “There used to be just a little yield every time we go to remove the rubber since the animals would have eaten it before us, leaving us with a huge loss which threatens our income. Now, thanks to Hayleys and Dipped Products, we are living a better life. With my savings, I was able to buy a computer for my grandchildren, a water tank for the house and even a golden ‘’kothak’’ for the temple.”

Mr Nimal Pushpakumara, a Kegalle Cooperative Society Farmer says, “DPL didn’t just buy latex – they also looked after us, holding frequent workshops to educate us. Even during the pandemic, they helped us a lot.’’

January 27, 2022

International rubber gloves exporter Dipped Products PLC has distributed 30,000 rubber saplings in its sustained drive to support the future yield and income of its Monaragala farmer network.

The company’s distribution initiative began in March 2021, when DPL established its first rubber plant nursery and will culminate with one million rubber trees in total planted by 2025.

The rubber trees will begin to yield latex after five years of vegetative development and will generate a steady source of income to farmers for the next twenty to thirty years.

“Dipped Products PLC has always been committed to empowering its smallholder rubber farmer communities. Under Firstlight, we initiated our very own plant nursery to reinforce the rubber tapping potential of the community, which will help elevate their future income. Over the course of this year, we look to distribute 100,000 rubber saplings in Monaragala and 30,000 in Kegalle to support our loyal farmer networks in those regions,” said Dipped Products PLC Deputy Managing Director, Pushpika Janadheera.

Presently, smallholder rubber farmers produce approximately 65% of Sri Lanka’s annual rubber crop making the sustainable livelihood of rubber smallholder farmers a mission of national significance.

In addition to providing latex, full-grown rubber trees have the potential to sequester atmospheric carbon into biomass and soil, each reducing 20kg of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere every year. The sustainability of rubber lands also plays a key role in maintaining the balance of sensitive ecosystems, as a natural extension of Sri Lanka’s forest cover.

Established in 1976, Dipped Products is one of the leading non-medical rubber glove manufacturers in the world, and accounts for a 5 percent share of the global market. The company’s products now reach 70 countries. DPL Firstlight is the company’s unique, multi award-winning supplier development initiative which empowers over 6,000 farmers island-wide and contributes to their socio-economic progress.

November 6, 2017

Dipped Products Group posted Rs. 14.6 billion turnover during the 1st half of the financial year, 26 percent increase from a year ago. Group Profit before Tax (PBT) for the period improved to Rs 229 million.

The Hand Protection segment contributed Rs. 8 billion to the revenue, 14 percent higher than the previous year. The sector was able to grow its sales across global markets consistently by developing high quality products catering to customer specific needs. However due to steep increase in latex prices the contribution to PBT from the segment dropped to Rs. 65 million.

The Plantation segment reported Rs. 6.6 billion in revenue, 44 percent higher than the previous year. Contribution to PBT from the segment improved to Rs. 164 million. Plantation segment performance was affected by adverse weather conditions and restrictions on weedicides.

The Board of Directors of Dipped Products PLC comprises Messrs. Mohan Pandithage (Chairman), Dr. K. I. M. Ranasoma (Managing Director), F. Mohideen, S.C.Ganegoda, Dhammika Perera,M.Bottino,S.Rajapakse, N. A. R. R. S Nanayakkara,S.P.Peiris,K.D.G.Gunaratne,H.S.R.Kariyawasan and R.H.P.Janadheera.

Leading the Charge: Hayleys Solar Spearheads Dipped Products’ Renewable Energy Transition

Dipped Products launches ambitious new venture into high-tech sports gloves for EU & US

Export market diversification and product innovation a top priority for new Dipped Products MD

Dipped Products Firstlight initiative creates prosperity for Kegalle rubber farmers

DPL distributes 30,000 rubber saplings to boost farmers’ yield

DPL First Half Records Rs.14.6 Bn Revenue