Business
‘Record Q4 enables Teejay to end 2021 strong despite pandemic’
Strong revenue and profit growth in the fourth quarter at both Group and Company level have enabled Teejay Lanka PLC to significantly minimise the impact of the pandemic-affected first quarter on the Group’s full-year results and end 2020-21 on a resilient footing.
Sri Lanka’s top textile manufacturer has reported profit before tax of Rs 902.8 million at Group level for the three months ending 31st March 2021, reflecting growth of 67% over the corresponding quarter of the previous year, with revenue growing 40% to Rs 9.770 billion, its highest quarterly revenue since inception.
Group profit after tax improved by an even more impressive 80% to Rs 760.8 million. Over the preceding three quarters of the year, Teejay Lanka posted a Q1 net loss of Rs 31.5 million, a net profit of Rs 631.3 million in Q2, and a net profit of Rs 778.4 million for Q3.
Revenue for the quarter at company level was up 56% to 6.297 billion, profit before tax grew by 52% to Rs 599.4 million and net profit increased by 65% to Rs 575 million, Teejay Lanka said in a filing with the Colombo Stock Exchange (CSE).
As reported in previous disclosures of quarterly results, the impact of the extreme adversity of the first quarter of the year continued to be visible in the Group’s cumulative results for the full year, albeit at substantially lower levels than witnessed at the preceding quarters. Group revenue for the year ending 31st March 2021 was down 4% to Rs 31.853 billion, in contrast to the 16% decline at the end of Q3.
Similarly, Group profit before tax for the year, at Rs 2.650 billion reflected a reduction of 6% as against 26% at the end of Q3, while profit after tax for the year declined by 10% to Rs 2.139 billion, improving significantly from 30% negative as at 31st December 2020.
Commenting on these results, Teejay Lanka chairman Bill Lam said: “I’m happy to announce that as a Group, Teejay has performed well in the 2020-21 financial year while battling with the pandemic. The Group was able to continue its operations at all three plants by adhering to government health protocols to cater to the world fashion and textile industry.”
He disclosed that the Group closed the year with a consolidated debt-free balance sheet, with a cash balance of Rs 6.2 billion.
Teejay Lanka CEO Pubudu De Silva said the Group had kept administration costs to Rs 1.356 billion which is a decline of 5%, while marketing and distribution costs were curtailed to Rs 148 million, a decline of 24%. An increase in yarn prices seen in the fourth quarter will continue to be prevalent in the first quarter of the new year, he said.
De Silva said the expansion of Teejay’s India plant is within the planned timeline despite the disruptions of the Covid-19 pandemic. The investment of US$ 26 million will result in the plant’s daily output increasing to 20 tons, and contribute to the Group’s target of becoming a US$ 300 million business. “Furthermore, our investments to modernise the plants in both India and Sri Lanka are in progress,” he said. “These investments made in these turbulent times will undoubtedly position Teejay as the leader in the textile arena of South Asia and will establish the company’s footprint to compete in the market in the new normal environment.”
Teejay Lanka was adjudged the Best Textile Exporter in Sri Lanka at the Presidential Export Awards presented by the Export Development Board (EDB) in 2019, moved up three places in the Business Today Top 30 companies ranking that year and was named among the 100 Most Respected Companies in Sri Lanka by LMD.
An ISO 9001:2015, ISO 14001:2015 and OHSAS 18001:2007 compliant company and the first in the industry to develop green fabric, Teejay has been listed on the Colombo Stock Exchange (CSE) since 2011 and was included in the S&P Top 20 Index in Sri Lanka. The Company has also been named among the Forbes ‘200 Best under a Billion in Asia’ and been recognised as the ‘International Textile Firm of the Year’ and the ‘International Dyer and Finisher’ by World Textile Institute, London.
–Teejay Lanka
Business
AHK Sri Lanka champions first-ever Sri Lankan delegation at Drupa 2024
The Delegation of German Industry and Commerce in Sri Lanka (AHK Sri Lanka) proudly facilitated the first-ever Sri Lankan delegation’s participation at Drupa 2024, the world’s largest trade fair for the printing industry and technology. Held after an eight-year hiatus, Drupa 2024 was a landmark event, marking significant advancements and opportunities in the global printing industry.
AHK Sri Lanka played a pivotal role in organising and supporting the delegation, which comprised 17 members from the Sri Lanka Association for Printers (SLAP), representing eight companies from the commercial, newspaper, stationery printing, and packaging industries. This pioneering effort by AHK Sri Lanka not only showcased the diverse capabilities of Sri Lanka’s printing sector but also facilitated vital bilateral discussions with key stakeholders from the German printing industry.
Business
Unveiling Ayugiri: Browns Hotels & Resorts sets the stage for a new era in luxury Ayurveda Wellness
In a captivating reimagining of luxury wellness tourism, Browns Hotels & Resorts proudly unveiled the exquisite Ayugiri Ayurveda Wellness Resort Sigiriya. This momentous occasion, celebrated amidst a vibrant and serene grand opening on the 6th of June, heralds a new chapter in the Ayurveda wellness tourism landscape in Sri Lanka. Nestled amidst 54 acres of unspoiled natural splendour, Ayugiri features 22 exclusive suites and stands out as the only luxury Ayurveda wellness resort in the country offering plunge pools in every room, rendering it truly one-of-a-kind.
The grand opening of Ayugiri Ayurveda Wellness Resort was an enchanting event, where guests were captivated by the melodies of flutists and violinists resonating through Sigiriya’s lush landscapes. As traditional drummers and dancers infused the air with vibrant energy, Browns Hotels & Resorts’ CEO, Eksath Wijeratne, Kotaro Katsuki, Acting Ambassador for the Embassy of Japan and General Manager, Buwaneka Bandara, unveiled the resort’s new logo, marking a significant moment witnessed by distinguished guests from the French Embassy, Ayurveda and wellness enthusiasts along with officials from the Sigiriya area, LOLC Holdings and Browns Group.
“Our strategic expansion into wellness tourism with Ayugiri Ayurveda Wellness Resort Sigiriya symbolises a significant milestone for Browns Hotels & Resorts. Wellness tourism has consistently outperformed the overall tourism industry for over a decade, reflecting a growing global interest in travel that goes beyond leisure to offer rejuvenation and holistic well-being. By integrating the timeless wisdom of Ayurveda with modern luxury, we aim to set a new standard in luxury wellness tourism in Sri Lanka. Whether your goal is prevention, healing, or a deeper connection to inner harmony, Ayugiri offers a sanctuary for holistic well-being” stated Eksath Wijeratne.
Ayugiri encapsulates the essence of life, inspired by the lotus flower held by the graceful queens of the infamous Sigiriya frescoes. Just as the lotus emerges from the murky depths, untainted and serene,
Ayugiri invites guests on a journey of purity and rejuvenation, harmonised with a balance of mind, body and spirit, the essence of nature, echoes of culture and the wisdom of ancient Ayurvedic healing.
Business
HNB General Insurance recognized as Best General Bancassurance Provider in Sri Lanka 2024
HNB General Insurance, one of Sri Lanka’s leading general insurance providers, has been honored as the Best General Bancassurance Provider in Sri Lanka 2024 by the prestigious Global Banking and Finance Review – UK.
The esteemed accolade underscores HNB General Insurance’s unwavering commitment to excellence and its outstanding performance in the field of bancassurance. Through dedication and hard work, the HNB General Insurance team has continuously endeavored to deliver innovative insurance solutions, cultivate strong relationships with banking partners, and provide unparalleled service to customers nationwide. This recognition is a testament to the team’s dedication and relentless pursuit of excellence in the bancassurance business.
“We are honored to receive this prestigious award, which reflects our team’s tireless efforts and dedication to delivering value-added insurance solutions and exceptional service through our bancassurance partnerships,” said Sithumina Jayasundara, CEO of HNB General Insurance. “This recognition reaffirms our position as a trusted insurance provider in Sri Lanka and motivates us to continue striving for excellence in serving our customers and communities.”