Our Story
The story of how Sena Mills transformed into SMR Consolidated, rising to become Sri Lanka's leading edible oils and fats manufacturer, is a remarkable one, involving the fortunes of a spirited entrepreneur and the impact of his modest company on an entire industry.
Sena Mills was launched over fifty years ago in the 1960s as a family business, starting as a small-scale coconut oil mill in the south of Sri Lanka. Over the next few decades, the company grew and thrived, driven to make their mark in the competitive business of oils and fats, not just in Sri Lanka but also across the world.
In 1997, Sena Mills Refineries incorporated as the first continuous edible oil refinery in Sri Lanka. The company placed strong emphasis on innovation, R&D and quality control, which powered its forward momentum over the subsequent years.
Starting with the refining of coconut oil, the company gradually expanded its offering to include refining and fractionation of palm oil while also manufacturing margarine, shortening, compound and frying fat for baking and confectionery.
Today, the dream of market domination has been realized, for SMR Consolidated as it is now known, is one of Sri Lanka's biggest producers and exporters of coconut oil and related products.
Beginning of the journey establishing a coconut oil mill
Sena Mills Refineries (Pvt) Ltd was incorporated
The company built the first continuous physical coconut oil refinery in Sri Lanka
The refinery was upgraded to facilitate the refining of crude palm oil and became the first continuous physical palm oil refinery in Sri Lanka
A custom bonded warehouse was established to facilitate the export of edible oil and fat-based products
Sena Mills pioneered the first fully-owned Sri Lankan company exporting intensified vegetable fat made of palm oil
Margarine plant was installed
A fractionation plant was established, and the company begun RBD palm oil fractionation to produce edible RBD olein and RBD palm stearin
A nationwide retail chain was formed to distribute SMR products across Sri Lanka
Company commenced export of coconut oil in private label and bulk packaging.
Became the first coconut oil refinery in Sri Lanka to obtain Organic Certification for its manufacturing facilities and range of exports
ISO 22000 certified virgin coconut oil plant was added to the portfolio of manufacturing facilities
The refinery was certified for ISO-22000, HACCP & GMP
The margerine production facility was upgraded in order to expand manufacturing
SMR Consolidated obtained GFSI-recognised FSSC 22000 certification, thus advancing beyond ISO-22000 standards
As part of its CSR activities, SMR launched, Good Hands Initiative; an Island wide coconut seed planting campaign with the theme 'One coconut tree per individual'
SMR oil exports reached a new milestone, exporting to over 30 countries across 5 continents
The company's virgin coconut oil manufacturing plant was expanded and relocated in coconut triangle
SMR achieved SMETA standards with the key pillars of Labour Standards, Health & Safety, Environment and Business Ethics
The company obtained Fairtrade International Certification
The virgin coconut oil plant obtained BRC A grade certification
