KVPL Plantations PLC, Sri Lanka

Kelani Valley Plantations PLC (KVPL) was incorporated as a Regional Plantation Company in June 1992, as a preliminary to the privatization of the then state owned segment of the plantation industry. This Company is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Dipped Products PLC (DPL), a leading manufacturer of hand protection wear worldwide. Both enterprises come under umbrella of Hayleys PLC. Kelani Valley Plantations comprises 27 estates, approximately 13,000 hectares in total, with almost equal extents of tea and rubber. The plantations are located in Nuwara Eliya, Dickoya and Yatiyantota-Bulathkohupitiya, thus spanning three distinct agro-climatic regions, employing over 14,800 workers. All 13 of the Company’s Black Tea Factories have received the internationally recognized, HACCP (Sri Lanka), ISO 22000:2005 (Switzerland) accreditations. In 2008, the Company obtained the GLOBALG.A.P (New Zealand) accreditation for all 19 of its tea estates, a voluntary conformance, certifying the Company’s commitment to Good Agricultural Practices which minimize detrimental impacts on the environment, whilst signifying a responsible approach to worker safety and health and the preservation of the biodiversity within the plantations. In 2011, in furtherance of its policy of sustainability, the Company secured the Rainforest Alliance Certification for 17 of its tea plantations. Two of our green tea processing estates (Oliphant, Glassaugh and one Black Tea factory are certified with UTZ certification which scope covers various worker and social wellbeing of the community and this conformance mandates adherence to many highly desirable standards, ranging from bio-diversity and environment conservation and land use to ethical business practices. The rubber plantations in the Yatiyantota-Bulathkohupitiya region produce several varieties of Crepe Rubber and Centrifuged Latex at its plant in Kiriporuwa Estate. Sole Crepe from Dewalakande, Panawatte and Kiriporuwa Estates are internationally synonymous with supreme quality. The product range and the process flexibility enable the Company to adjust product mix to meet changing market demands. All of the Company’s rubber plantations have been certified by the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC), as being environmentally and socially sensitive entities. This accreditation has also been extended to the dry rubber and latex from the Dewalakande and Panawatte factories. In 2003, KVPL formed a strategic alliance with Mabroc Teas (Pvt) Ltd., a leading Sri Lankan tea marketing Company engaged in the export of bulk and branded tea to nearly 50 countries. In 2006, in association with Mabroc, KVPL became a signatory to the UN Global Compact, a member of the UNGC Charter and has since used this platform to launch a range of unique tea products, including Single Origin Tea from select tea gardens and positioned as, “The Ethical Tea Brand of the World”. In 2010, KVPL secured total control of Mabroc, in order to pursue direct marketing initiatives more aggressively. In 2003, in association with ECO Power (Pvt) Ltd., a dedicated hydro power development company, KVPL established Kalupahana Power Company (Pvt) Ltd., initially setting up a 01 MW mini-hydro power plant linked to the national grid, at Kalupahana Estate. Our policy of plantation community development is a key component of our management strategy and has been further reinforced by a unique, multi-dimensional initiative branded as “A Home for Every Plantation Worker”, launched in 2006. Designed to uplift the quality of life of our people in all aspects, it has been featured as a benchmark in the booklet, ‘Globally Positioning Sri Lanka’s Best’, released by the Global Compact Sri Lanka Network, at the UNGC International Network Conference in Mexico in 2007. The Company’s continuous search for excellence is reflected in its operational practices, its many internationally recognized accreditations and the voluntary subscription to non-regulatory concepts of ethical business management. In furtherance of this policy, the Company has also engaged with several other organizations in environment and biodiversity protection initiatives within its plantation boundaries. Its present position in the industry is a testimony to the commitment and the spirit of innovation demonstrated by its 14,000 employees, led by a closely knit management team.