Irresistible dedication towards success
Since 1982, the journey of embarking on the true identity of Sri Lankan traditional herbs and spices to the international markets was a tremendous achievement for Dharmasiri De Silva that gained a lot of value to the country.
THE CINNAMON STORY
Dharmasiri De Silva’s lifelong bond with Cinnamon laid the foundation for his business. The spicy taste of true Ceylon Cinnamon was so close to his life from his childhood. The nature’s bountiful treasures paved his way for a successful journey which emerged as a blessing that came across for the love and the strong connection he had with the flora and fauna surrounding him.
The initiation of Dharmasiri De Silva’s traditional Cinnamon business shifted up with a new step by buying bulk Cinnamon and selling them to traders for export. The ultimate journey to the export industry fueled up for a successful bunch of business ventures.
H.D De Silva (Pvt) Ltd, came into life with the leadership and vision of Dharmasiri De Silva and received its first order in 1980 from France. The growth was unstoppable. The bark, leaves, and stem of Cinnamon went across the world, carrying the name of Sri Lanka with pride.
Chemistry Special
Dharmasiri De Silva utilized his subject knowledge and novel methods to elevate his business to a very high level. The increased global demand for value-added Cinnamon was an opportunity for the company that was not fulfilled by the majority of the suppliers around the world. Dharmaisiri De Silva confidently accepted the challenge and started to distill oil from Cinnamon in 1987. He carefully followed the advices gained from Dr. Brugali of Metro Essences Company in Milano and used the scientific methods of extracting oils from many spices. The use of Chemistry in the process of distilling oil from Cinnamon bark and leaves were not used by any country during that time.
Today, the HDDES Group with its finest state-of-the-art facilities, manufactures and produces the best products including essential oils, floral extracts, spice-based oleoresins and herbal products to serve the world with its demands.
INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS PROFILE
HDDES Group expanded beyond the boundaries setting a successful breakthrough in the history of Sri Lankan businesses. Dharmasiri De Silva was able to establish the first foreign branch of the HDDES Group in Nuremberg, Germany in 2017. HDDES brand in Germany is directly involved in supplying company products to the east of Russia. The local ownership of the Nuremberg branch held a smooth run-on company vision and policies to promote local products giving a place of prestige to local people who are exposed to the business world.
The second manufacturing plant of HDDES was established in Myanmar to produce oil and a range of other HDDES products. The company gained the market’s trust and confidence through its environmental friendliness and the medicinal value of the ingredients.
THE TEAM LEADER
Dharmasiri De Silva held true leadership qualities inspired by the life of Buddha and his teachings. Dharmasiri has applied the essence of Buddhism to his business activities by knowing the way to face profits, losses, fame, blame, happiness and sadness with a balanced mind. He lived a spiritual life with a proper understanding about Atalo Dahama. He was always up for challenges that came in life and emerged victorious upon battling with the problems that came in different phases of his life. The urge to be innovative and step ahead the traditional businesses were unique traits that took HDDES to an international arena while taking the pride of the nation beyond the boundaries.
Achievements of Pride with Quality
HDDES Group was recognized as the Best Exporter by NEC and the Export Development Board in 2004. The company was able to secure Presidential Export Awards and Best Exporter awards in 2019-2020 and 2020-2021. The overwhelming dedication of Dharmasiri De Silva’s leadership and his guidance directly influence the company to thrive in its existence for a longer period.
List of awards
- 2021 – Sri Lanka’s 1st Company to obtain COSMOS Organic certificate, Control Union, Netherlands.
- 2020/2021 – The Best Exporter | Spices and concentrates, Presidential Export Awards.
- 2019 – RUNNERS UP for the most outstanding exporter, NCE Export Awards.
- 2021 – GOLD AWARD for Spice & Spice-based products Sector | Extra Large, NCE Export Awards.
- 2019/2020 – The Best Exporter | Spices and concentrates, Presidential Export Awards.
- 2019 – WINNER in Excellence in Business & Financial Results | Large, National Business Excellence Awards.
- 2019 – GOLD AWARD for Spice & Spice based products Sector | Extra Large, NCE Export Awards.
- 2018 – GOLD AWARD for Spices & spice based products & Horticulture & Horticulture Products Sector, NCE Export Awards.
- 2018 – GOLD AWARD for Spice & Spice based products Sector | Extra Large, NCE Export Awards.
- 2017 – GOLD AWARD for Agriculture Sector Value added|Large Category, NCE Exports Awards.
- 2017 – Most Outstanding Exporter- Agricultural Sector Value Added.
- 2013 – MERIT AWARD for Manufacturing non Traditional Sector, National Business Excellence Awards.
- 2013 – Certificate Winner in Manufacturing Non Traditional Sector, National Business Excellence Awards.
- 2012 – 1st Runner Up | Medium Category.
- 2012 – WINNER in Manufacturing Non-Traditional Sector | Medium Category, National Business Excellence Awards.
- 2011 – GOLD AWARD for Agricultural Sector Value Added | Large Category, NCE Exports Awards.
- 2011 – 1st Runner Up in Manufacturing Non-Traditional Sector | Large Category, National Business Excellence Awards.
- 2011 – WINNER in Manufacturing Non-Traditional Sector, National Chamber of Commerce.
- 2010 – GOLD AWARD for Agricultural Sector Value Added | Large Category, NCE Exports Awards.
- 2010 – Runner Up in Manufacturing Non-Traditional Exports Sector, National Chamber of Commerce.
- 2010 – 2nd Runner Up in Medium Category of Business Excellence, National Chamber of Commerce.
- 2009 – SILVER AWARD for Agricultural Sector Value Added | Large Category, NCE Exports Awards.
- 2009 – Runner Up in Manufacturing Agro-Processing Sector, National Business Excellence Awards.
- 2008 – MERIT CERTIFICATE for Export Performance in Non-Traditional Products & Service Category, Presidential Export Awards.
- 2008 – GOLD AWARD for Agricultural Sector Value Added | Large Category, NCE Exports Awards.
- 2008 – Provincial Productivity Awards.
- 2007 – SLIVER AWARD for Agricultural Sector Value Added | Large Category, NCE Exports Awards.
- 2007 – 1st Runner Up in Agriculture & Plantation Sector, National Business Excellence Awards.
- 2006 – SLIVER AWARD for Agricultural Sector Value Added | Large Category, NCE Exports Awards.
- 2005 – MERIT CERTIFICATE for Export Performance in Non-Traditional Products & Service Category, Presidential Export Awards.
- 2005 – WINNER for Agriculture, Livestock, Minning, Quarrying & Fisheries Sector, National Business Excellence Awards.
- 2005 – BRONZE AWARD for Agricultural Sector Value Added | Large Category, NCE Exports Awards.
- 2004 – 1st Runner Up for Agriculture, Livestock, Minning, Quarrying & Fisheries Sector, National Business Excellence Awards.
- 2004 – SLIVER AWARD for Agricultural Sector Value Added | Large Category, NCE Exports Awards.
- 2003 – GOLD AWARD for Agricultural Non-Traditional Sector | Large Category, NCE Exports Awards.
- 2003 – SILVER AWARD for National Award for Export Excellence.
- 2003 – NATIONAL BRONZE AWARD for Sri Lankan Entrepreneur of the Year.
- 2003 – BRONZE AWARD for Sri Lankan Entrepreneur of the Year.