The contribution to Sri Lanka’s export economy by three companies in the Hayleys Group has been acknowledged with two Presidential Export Awards and a Certificate of Merit at the recent awards presentation organised by the Export Development Board (EDB).

Rileys Limited, the world's leading manufacturer of Coir and Rubber based Floor Mats and HJS Condiments, Sri Lanka’s largest exporter of fruit and vegetables accounting for 23% of the country’s exports of fruits and vegetables received the top awards in the Coconut and Coconut Based Products and Agricultural Products categories, while Ravi Industries Ltd., one of the leading brush and broom manufacturers in Asia received the Merit Certificate for Coconut and Coconut Based Products.

The awards for export performances in 2005 were based on an assessment of turnover, new markets penetrated, the number of successful new products introduced, patents and trade marks owned and own brands, overseas partners, R&D and innovation, quality compliances, employee benefits and HR initiatives and social and environmental responsibility.

Commenting on the awards received, a spokesman for Hayleys PLC said: “As a business group that has historically focused on value addition to and export of local produce and indigenous materials, it is most encouraging to be recognised for our contribution in these particular areas.”

Rileys, an ISO 9001 and 14001 accredited company and the owner of more than 400 international patents, is the world’s leading producer of boot scrapers, scraper mats, flocked mats, combination mats, pet scrapers, rubber mats, woven coir mats and utility mats. The company has international offices in Japan, Australia and the UK.

The ISO 9000, ISO 14000 and HACCP certified HJS Condiments exports a range of products to 25 countries. The company’s state-of-the-art processing plant in the Biyagama Export Processing Zone produces Gherkins, Red Bell Peppers, Jalapeño Peppers, Chillies, Silverskin Onions, Celery, Cauliflower, Baby Corn, Carrots, Pineapples, Papaya, Mango, Banana, Jack Fruits, Tamarind, and Cashew for export. The company has a network of 6,000 farmer out-growers to grow and supply these products, mainly in remote villages in agricultural districts such as Anuradhapura, Ampara, Polonnaruwa, Matale, Kurunegala, Moneragala, Badulla, Ratnapura and Puttalam.

Ravi Industries which has more than four decades of combined experience in the brushware industry, offers an array of products which are now literally sweeping the world, from U.K to Japan, Europe to the Middle East, Netherlands to U.S.A.