NCE Export Awards Archives

December 19, 2023

Sri Lanka’s No. 1 natural roofing & floor tiles, Samson Rajarata Tiles a subsidiary of DSI Samson Group added another feather to its cap by winning the prestigious Gold Award at the NCE Export Awards 2022 -2023, under the Ceramic, Porcelain & Other Clay Product sector. The glittering award ceremony took place on December 8th at the Shangri- La Colombo, where industry leaders gathered to celebrate excellence in export. The national chamber of exports has bestowed an Award upon Managing Director Mr. Chandula Rajapaksha & the certificate upon General Manager Mr. Wipul Kularathne.

The remarkable win is a testament to Samson Rajarata Tiles unrelenting commitment to innovation, quality and sustainability over the past year. Winning this award is a clear sign that our natural roofing & floor tiles are the best, not just in Sri Lanka, but in the worldwide. We proud to be recognized for our excellence & innovation exporting meticulously crafted tiles to the UK, India, Germany, Australia, UAE, US and Lebanon. The exported tiles undergo rigorous testing by CERAM, a leading UK tile testing body, ensuring compliance with the highest CE standards.

Responding to the momentous milestone, Chandula Rajapaksha, Managing Director, Samson Rajarata Tiles said, “We are honored to receive the Gold Award in the medium category of the Ceramic, Porcelain & Other Clay product sector. It is a testament to the dedication and excellence of our team. The accolade reaffirms our commitment to setting industry benchmark in the international market and we are excited to continue our journey with providing innovative, quality products to both local and international markets.”

Dilshan Rajapaksha, Executive Director, Samson Rajarata Tiles, added, “The award is not just a recognition of our past achievements but a catalyst for our future endeavors. We play a vital role in manufacturing natural clay tiles, addressing market demands with our heat reduction and recyclability features. We extend our gratitude to our customers for their trust as we aim to continue to pledge to uphold our commitment to delivering quality and innovative solutions.”

Diversifying its business in to new ventures. The service arm, roof doc offers comprehensive roofing and construction solutions. To date, with a robust portfolio covering new roofing, re- roofing, roof replacement, roof laying, fixing of ridges, roof repairs, roof cleaning, roof painting, and flooring, the company has successfully completed over 100 projects. The diversification underlines the dedication of Samson Rajarata Tiles to being the premier choice for reliability and craftsmanship in construction.

As a sustainability -rooted company holding ISO 9001 and Green Label certifications, the Gold Award celebrates Samson Rajarata Tiles accomplishments and environmental commitment. With this milestone, Samson Rajarata Tiles looks to expanding globally while continuing its legacy of industry excellence.

January 3, 2023

Sri Lanka’s legendary and favourite household consumer food brands Elephant House and Keells Krest clinched two Gold awards along with the NCE Challenge Trophy at the 30th annual NCE Export Awards 2022, held recently.

Backed by a rich and strong heritage since 1866, the brands have triumphantly steered through the business arena and securely established themselves as one of the most recognised and reliable brands in the local and international business environment.

Having bravely propelled itself to reach the pinnacle of success, Ceylon Cold Stores PLC reaped the benefits of its stringent business acumen by winning the Gold award in the Medium category in the Confectionery Products Sector and the Gold award in the Small category in the Processed Food Products for Keells Foods PLC this year.

Receiving the NCE Challenge Trophy under the Medium Category for “The Best Ethical Trading Exporter” was an honoured achievement as it highlighted Ceylon Cold Stores’ ability to produce innovative products and retain market share amidst rising competition. The award further highlighted the long-standing values that the brand believes in and its determination to operate with ethics and principles.

Sharing the joy of the achievements, Sudantha Victoria, Head of International Marketing, commented, “We are truly encouraged to be recognised and awarded for our contributions and efforts. Ceylon Cold Stores PLC will undoubtedly continue to push into new territories and international markets through product innovation and expansions. Our presence in over 15 markets worldwide and our entry into challenging markets over the past few years, has proven our capabilities. In addition, our established partnerships with renowned international partners have helped us achieve significant growth in the export sector.”

“We will continue planning for the next growth and expansion stage through product innovation and entry into new markets. This will be a continuation of our contribution to and growth of the export revenue of Sri Lanka, which is critically important for the nation’s growth and sustenance. We are confident that we match the international standards in terms of our standout product attributes and superior quality,” Sudantha further stated.

This is the fifth consecutive year that Ceylon Cold Stores PLC exporting Elephant House branded Frozen Confectionary and Beverages has won the Gold award in the Medium category in the Confectionery Products Sector, reiterating the excellence the brand has showcased and maintained consistently. It goes on to display a strong indicator of the popularity and demand the brand has established among consumers across generations.

Keells Foods PLC bettered itself by winning this year’s Gold award in the Small category in Processed Food Products. Having won a silver award at the last NCE Awards, this year’s achievement clearly shows that the brand has set a higher bar and excelled in achieving success.

These awards are testimonies of the commitment and determination Ceylon Cold Stores PLC and Keells Food Products PLC have in satisfying the consumer’s taste buds by providing enriched products and supporting the country’s economy through prudent business practices.

As a trusted and undisputed leader in the industry, Elephant House showcases its Sri Lankan roots and culture, elevating the brand into the international arena through new ventures and expansions. Strengthened by truly unique product ranges, the brand, synonymous with wholesome goodness and fun, has established a long-standing tradition and culture of excellence that has truly won the hearts of consumers, local and global.

The National Chamber of Exporters (NCE) of Sri Lanka is a recognised trade chamber in Sri Lanka exclusively serving the Export Sector. The membership of the chamber represents leading exporters of all product and service sectors in Sri Lanka and is open to all exporters of products & services and suppliers of products and services to the export industry.

February 23, 2022

Elephant House, Sri Lanka’s iconic and most respected household consumer foods brand, has been awarded Gold and Silver awards at the 29th annual NCE Export Awards 2021.

As a brand established in 1866, Elephant House is supported by a strong and vibrant heritage that has propelled it to reach its pinnacle as one of the most trusted brands in the country, winning the hearts of consumers across many generations.

Having securely established itself as one of the most recognised brands in the local and international arena, Elephant House has overcome challenges and hardships, confidently navigating through the business environment to achieve success and recognition. Winning Gold in the “Confectionary and Beverage Products ” and Silver in the “Processed Food Products ” categories have displayed the strong dedication and continued commitment Elephant House has towards their loyal consumers in international markets. These awards will undoubtedly add value to the long outstanding history of Elephant House’s achievements on multiple occasions in numerous categories.

Commenting on the new achievements, Sudantha Victoria, Head of International Marketing stated, “We are humbled and encouraged to be recognised and awarded for our contributions. At Elephant House, we are passionate and committed to venture into new territories and international markets. At the same time, our existing global brand presence in countries such as the Maldives, UK, Australia, Japan, France, Italy, UAE, India, and Seychelles were further strengthened and solidified during the last year.”

“As an organisation, we are keen to continue contributing to the export revenue of Sri Lanka, which is critically important for the nation’s growth and sustenance. Our product attributes and quality will be focused upon to ensure they meet international standards and expectations.”

The Gold award for “Confectionary and Beverage Products” in the medium category has proven and established the popularity and demand Elephant House has gained in the market. Having won a Gold award in the same product category in 2020, the current achievement of Elephant House reiterates the excellence that the brand has showcased and maintained consistently. This is the fourth consecutive year that Elephant House has been recognised and awarded for this category.

Receiving the Silver award for “Processed Food Products” in the small category displays Elephant House’s ability to produce innovative products and retain market share amidst the vast competition. Furthermore, the organisation has repeatedly proven its willingness to explore and expand whilst remaining resilient during the pandemic.

As a trusted and undisputed leader in the industry, Elephant House showcases its Sri Lankan roots and culture, elevating the brand into the international arena through new ventures and expansions. Strengthened by truly unique product ranges, Elephant House has been instrumental in placing Sri Lankan food products in global markets bringing recognition to the brand and country.

February 10, 2022

In recognition of its unwavering commitment in driving export revenue into Sri Lanka and excellence in performance in international markets, innovative technology company 99x was felicitated with two golds at the recently concluded National Chamber of Exporters’ (NCE) Export Awards 2021, with a gold in the ICT Services (extra-large category) and being recognized as the Best Value-Added Exporter – Services.

The two achievements were a fitting conclusion to a successful year for 99x. 2021 saw the company attract USD 20 million investment from a Scandinavian private equity company and acquire of Norway-based Seeds Consulting AS, to increase its presence in Europe and strategically position 99x to build new offerings to the enterprise market. The company also onboarded more customers than in any other year so far, diversifying its customer portfolio by expanding into new markets with clients spread across Norway, Sweden, Germany, and Singapore. This growth was supplemented with a notable increase in talent at 99x’s Sri Lankan offices, with over 100 employees recruited virtually last year.

“As we strive to become an innovative value-added export driven economy, it requires us to think global. The rapid digitization across the world, fuelled by the pandemic, has levelled the playing field in the international marketplace and as exporters, it is up to us to seize these opportunities,” observed 99x Founder and CEO Mano Sekaram. “The validation of export efforts from esteemed entities such as the National Chamber of Exporters of Sri Lanka support us exporters in reaching milestones globally as it assures external entities of the strength of our performance. Additionally, it’s a platform that allows us to benchmark ourselves against the best in the industry.”

99x has continued to shine at NCE’s flagship event, receiving gold in the ICT Services (extra-large category) for five years and recognized as the Best Value-Added Exporter – Services for two years.

The annual NCE Export Awards have been crafted to recognize the outstanding performance of exporters across industries in Sri Lanka. Through its stringent evaluation process conducted by an eminent panel of judges, the Chamber conducts a holistic assessment of each business, focusing on the three key areas of ‘People, Profit and Planet’. This includes a careful consideration of areas such as innovation, value addition, research and development, and more.

99x is a technology company co-creating well-engineered, innovative digital products for the Scandinavian market. Its expertise has been proven through a portfolio of over 150 impactful global digital products, developed together with leading Independent Software Vendors (ISVs). 99x employs over 350 technology and product specialists, who are high achievers, creative thinkers and team players. The company is one of Asia’s Best Workplaces for 2021 and has been named a Best Workplace in Sri Lanka for nine consecutive years.

February 10, 2022

Sri Lanka’s largest aluminium extrusion manufacturer, Alumex PLC, is celebrating its first export win after taking home the Gold at the 29^th edition of the annual NCE Export Awards held on 21 January. A subsidiary of the Hayleys Group, Alumex was conferred the title for the ‘Machinery & Light Engineering Products’ sector in the Medium Category – cementing its position as a leading exporter and contributor to the country’s growing economy.

2021 has been a challenging year for export-led corporations navigating the ongoing pandemic, and this year’s NCE Export Awards was a testament to resilience and recovery. The ceremony was founded by the National Chamber of Exporters of Sri Lanka with the aim to acknowledge and reward the outstanding achievements of export industry players, and in turn, celebrate their valuable role towards the industry and national economy.

“We are honoured to have achieved this prestigious recognition, which fuels our commitment to continue to provide top tier products to our stakeholders, both locally and internationally,” said Pramuk Dediwela, Managing Director of Alumex PLC. “Aside from being awarded for ramping up our export growth strategy and consistently meeting the needs of international trade, this milestone also highlights our adherence to ethical and green practices that contribute towards a more sustainable future for our industry as a whole.”

Having pioneered the role of fully integrated aluminium manufacturing at its inception in 1986, Alumex has since grown its portfolio and earned for itself a reputation as Sri Lanka’s leading provider of best-in-class and specialized commercial, industrial, residential, and architectural aluminium extrusion profiles; committed to sustainability and shaping industries around the world. Spearheading the country’s reach into international markets in 2019, Alumex has since experienced a rapid growth and expansion trajectory; currently exporting its products to Australia, Bangladesh, Canada, India, Kenya, the Maldives, Nepal, New Zealand, the Seychelles, Switzerland, the United Kingdom, and the United States, while simultaneously continuing to expand its operations across the globe.

More recently -in recognition of its sustainable manufacturing processes- the Company’s entire aluminium extrusion portfolio was certified with the Eco-Label by the Green Building Council of Sri Lanka (GBCSL).

Alumex is a subsidiary of Sri Lankan multinational and diversified conglomerate Hayleys Group, which maintains a global presence across five regions, with business interests spanning 16 diverse sectors. Accounting for USD 600 million of the country’s foreign earnings and 4.2% of the nation’s total export income, Hayleys is a champion of sustainable innovation and represents one of Sri Lanka’s most prominent success stories.

January 31, 2022

Lanka Hydraulic Institute Ltd (LHI) is once again recognized with GOLD award at 29th annual NCE Export Awards Ceremony. The event acknowledged and honoured Sri Lanka’s export performers for their excellence in the financial year 2020/2021. Over its 37 years of untiring service for country’s economy, LHI has steadily emerged to be an exporting giant in the professional services export sector. Being able to bag two consecutive Golds is a tell-tale sign of a company who truly championed the art of being global.

Lanka Hydraulic Institute Ltd (LHI) majors in the export of knowledge through consultancy services in Coastal Engineering, Water Resources and Urban Water related designs and studies. Equipped with state of the art hydraulics laboratory, and wide variety of in-house expertise, LHI offers port planning and design, field investigations, and numerical & physical modelling of coastal / inland water structures etc. Since its inception, LHI has conducted over 450 projects in Sri Lanka and overseas. All its processes are streamlined, quality assured, and in accordance with ISO 9001:2015. LHI’s services are proudly relied upon by number of international clients in Algeria, Bangladesh, Belize, Bhutan, Brunei, Eritrea, France, India, Iran, Maldives, Mauritius, Oman, Senegal, South Korea, and UAE.

The financial performance of Lanka Hydraulic Institute Ltd (LHI) has been remarkable last year as its turnover shot up to LKR 236 million with almost 45% of which is coming from exports. It is also is the first time the company surpassed LKR 100 million export revenue, says its Chief Executive Mr. Janaka Kurukulasuriya. This is truly remarkable achievement particularly when the industry struggles with impacts of Covid 19 pandemic. Refusing to be at the receiving end, LHI has instead revitalised its policies to reach higher and wider in the intentional market while safeguarding the best interests of the employee base. Thus, LHI goes onto the record as one of the few consultancy giants in the country who declared profits and dividends when the industry, on average, was exercising layoffs and salary cuts.

Elaborating the success story further, Dr. Sanjeewa Wickramaratne, senior specialist of LHI told that the company has always prioritised customer satisfaction that enabled to develop the foundation of trust on which the future success is built. The company strives to make a profound impact in the consultancy milieu on the pillars of economic, social and environmental sustainability. “Branded as one of the few Carbon-negative engineering service providers in the country, our approach is to be sensitive and considerate in every aspect of our work” he added. LHI with its unique potential for export of services, continues to excel in the global market in coastal and inland water sectors. LHI’s key for the success is its unmatched technical capabilities coupled with greater flexibility it offers to the clientele.

April 26, 2021

Samson International PLC (SIL) recently won their 6^th consecutive Gold Award at the 28^th annual NCE Export Awards for the Rubber and Rubber product sector. The organization also secured the Gold Award for Overall Best Performance in Research and Development activities, for their extensive steps towards innovation and product development.

With over 450 employees, Samson International PLC is a subsidiary of the DSI Samson Group (Pvt) Ltd. At present, it manufactures and exports moulded and extruded rubber products such as hot water bottles, jar sealing rings, rubber mats, rubber floorings, beadings and mud flaps mainly to international markets, and also rubber and PVC-related products to the local market. Their products range across diverse industries such as food packaging, health and fitness, automotive, agriculture, marine and irrigation.

A pillar to the national economy, they have now expanded to add new countries to their product range, extending their reach across the globe. Countries such as Austria, Australia, Bangladesh, Belgium, Canada, China, Germany, India, New Zealand, Norway, Switzerland, United Kingdom and the United States are among the 32 countries across 16% of the world that feature the products of Samson International PLC, including global franchises such as Aldi, Ikea, Coles, Woolworths, Harrods supermarkets and Hyundai supermarkets.

The efforts of Samson International PLC to reduce their carbon footprint and minimize pollution focus on diverse avenues including obtaining the ISO 50001 for Energy Management System, ISO 14001 for Environmental Management and BSCI for Business Social Compliance. Furthermore, they produce a range of fair trade and FSC (Forest Stewardship Council) certified products.

Speaking about the sustainable manufacturing processes carried out by Samson International PLC, Joint Managing Director Dilshan Rajapaksa stated, “Having recognized the demand for environmentally friendly products, we have taken steps to ensure the development of several products that comply with FSC Certification and Fair Trade practices. Being recognized for our efforts for the 6^th consecutive time, is something that we take great pride in and will continue to strive towards a more sustainable future.”

Accordingly, their efforts have not been in vain as the organization was recognized as the Overall Best Performer in Research and Development Activities at NCE Awards.

Speaking about the award for Overall Best Performance in Research and Development Activities, Priyantha Abeygunawardana, Director General Manager, said, “We consistently aim at and have made strides in innovation as we look to provide our customers with the best of the best. We have collaborated with state universities such as the University of Colombo and Moratuwa to support innovation through future generations. By providing students with industrial experience we hope to motivate them to benefit our country further and enrich their education.”

Samson International PLC’s perspective of ‘fundamentally believing that success comes from patented and innovative products and processes, high quality manufacturing, and the ability to provide customer support in all markets around the globe,’ showcases their dedication to providing the best options for their customers.

April 21, 2021