The Silvermill story: 95 years of delivering excellence

In 1920 Anthony Silva opened his first desiccated coconut factory in Giriulla

Mirigama manufacturing facility

The Silvermill story began in 1920 when Anthony Silva opened his first desiccated coconut factory in Giriulla. Today, nearly one century later, Silvermill has become a leading local and global brand that is synonymous with excellence, quality and innovation. 

The business is now managed by the third generation of the Silva family, who has mastered the art and craft of cultivating coconuts and producing a diverse range of value-added coconut products.  

 

A lifetime of innovation and strategic partnerships

Silvermill has evolved into a dynamic company that has forged strategic partnerships with some of the world’s leading FMCG and confectionary brands. In the mid-1960s, Mars Incorporated conducted the world-famous Bounty Bar trials at the Giriulla manufacturing facility. Thereafter in the mid-1980s, Silvermill joined hands with Nestlé Lanka PLC, to process coconut milk powder in Sri Lanka for the first time. 

By the late 1980s, the company had achieved pioneering status from the Government of Sri Lanka and was acknowledged as a leader in processing desiccated coconut. Staying true to its spirit of innovation, the company was recently recognised by the Government once again for pioneering the value addition of coconut water in Sri Lanka.  

 

A sustainable business model and a commitment to keeping the planet green

Over the years, Silvermill has focused on ensuring sustainable business growth and reducing its impact on the planet.  In 2007, the company started using coconut shells (a by-product of its production processes), to launch its foray into the emerging sector of renewable energy, more specifically biomass energy solutions. 

This endeavour made environmental and global climatic concerns a priority on the company’s agenda, and now all aspects of the company’s operations, are geared to promote greener and more sustainable processes. The company also regularly conducts a variety of environmental and CSR initiatives that uplift communities in Giriulla and Mirigama, the main areas where the company operates. 

 

Award-winning success and meticulous attention to delivering quality

In May 2013, Silvermill (S.A. Silva & Sons Lanka) received ISO 22000 certification from the Sri Lanka Standards Institution, for its processing lines and manufacturing facility. The company adheres to meticulous processes to ensure quality, and all products are manufactured in accordance with international standards of hygiene and safety. 

 

Catering to the tastes and needs of the local market

In order to cater to the requirements and preferences of the local market, Silvermill provides a variety of products that are distributed across Sri Lanka. Silvermill Real Coconut Milk for instance is the company’s high quality coconut milk product, which offers customers the goodness and freshness of coconut milk, with added convenience. 

The company uses state-of-the-art Tetra Pak packaging solutions, to help retain the nutritional qualities of the milk. Tetra Pak is the world leader in complete packaging systems for liquid food products and works with customers to incorporate the use of Ultra High Temperature (UHT) technology in milk processing as it is the safest and most reliable option for ensuring the freshness of milk. 

Under UHT treatment, the coconut milk goes through a flash heating process where the milk is heated at a high temperature and then cooled in commercially sterile conditions, thus ensuring that all microorganisms are eliminated whilst all the essential nutrients found in the coconut milk are retained within the liquid.

The unique packaging ensures that Silvermill Real Coconut Milk retains its excellent quality and freshness until it is opened, and provides easy and secure storage thereafter.  In the future, Silvermill also has plans to launch this product in 1 litre cartons, to meet the growing demand in the catering and food and beverage industry. 

As Silvermill (S.A. Silva & Sons Lanka), looks ahead to the future, the company remains dedicated to enhancing its product portfolio and production volumes, to meet the growing demand for high quality coconut products in both local and global markets.