HDDES, a manufacturer and exporter of organic and conventional spices and globally renowned for flavour and fragrance, plans to expand its global footprint with operations in niche markets, said HDDES Group General Manager Sumith Ponnamperuma.
The company currently operates in Myanmar, Germany, Japan, Dubai and USA.
The Group was recognised under the categories ‘Spice and Concentrates’ at the ‘Presidential Export’ awards ceremony organised by the Export Development Board last week.
HDDES clinched the coveted title the ‘Best Exporter’ award for the year 2019-20 and 2020-21 consecutively.
Achievements of HDDES are a result of the collective contribution and dedication of the management and the staff towards a common goal, said HDDES Group General Manager Sumith Ponnamperuma. The company drives new innovations and initiatives to expand its local and global footprint while maintaining its identity as a Sri Lankan enterprise under the leadership and guidance of HDDES Group Founder and the Chairman H.D.D.E. Silva, Managing Director Gehan De Silva, Finance Director Mevan De Silva and Director Operations, Jeevan De Silva.
The HDDES Group which has been in operation since 1982, is among the few companies that manufactures and exports organic and conventional spices, essential oils, oleoresins, herbal extracts, floral extracts, hydrolates, natural aromatic chemicals, coconut based products and instant tea.
The company strives to promote the true Sri Lankan identity while overcoming barriers of traditional business stereotypes to achieve various business dimensions in areas such as world-renowned flavor and fragrance houses, pharmaceutical and nutraceutical companies, Food and Beverages industries and Aromatherapy industries.
The HDDES Group of Companies is well established among internationally renowned Flavour and Fragrance manufacturers for producing high quality Spices and Essential Oils.
“Our history dates back to the early 1930s and then expanding as an exporter in 1982. HDDES blends innovation with ancestral traditions to produce the perfect essence of nature,” Ponnamperuma said.
In 2003, the group diversified its portfolio and invested in the latest technology to introduce floral and herbal extracts to the export market under HDDES Extracts (Pvt) Ltd. Currently the organisation has been able to achieve significant progress in the natural / organic product export business.
The driving force of HDDES has always been ‘Quality is our pride’. As a result the organisation has been recognised and rewarded at many National Export Events.
HDDES upgraded its quality standards recently by obtaining ISO 22000: 2018 and FSSC 22000 certifications for food safety and this has been of paramount importance in strengthening the company’s customer oriented processes in the export market.
The organisation has expanded and is now in a position to manufacture customer-made aromatic cosmetic products with the support of the Research and Development unit.
Many of the aromatic ingredients for cosmetics are 100% pure and natural. HDDES is the only company which manufactures fragrance tailor-made to individual customer needs and this has been its unique selling proposition.
HDDES manufactures essential oils and oleoresins in the conventional and organic form using the steam distillation and solvent extraction methods at its production facility at the BoI Zone, Horana since 2003.
The organisation manages its main operations such as production, stores, laboratory and other services successfully in accordance with its Food Safety Management System and the ISO 22000 -2018 & FSSC 22000 standards. The products under the brand name HDDES are manufactured to meet quality standards and buyers’ specifications with a focus on continual improvements, Ponnamperuma said, adding that the materials used at the facility not only ensures a safe environment for employees but also serves to preserve the aroma of spices within the limitations of the facility bearing no adverse impact on the environment.
The research and development unit set up in 2005 has been a major asset to the organisation not only to manufacture new products for the food and beverage, cosmetics, pharmaceuticals and aromatherapy industries but also to direct and drive the organisation to acquire the latest technology.
The natural cosmetic brand ‘D’las’ was awarded the ‘Cosmos Organic’ certification and became the first cosmetic brand in Sri Lanka to obtain such a recognition.