Pussalla Meat Producers (Pvt) Ltd will invest over Rs. 2 billion to set up Sri Lanka’s biggest meat processing plant in Kurunegala, said founder Chairman of the Company, Philip J. Wewita after winning the Overall Gold Award at the National Business Excellence awards at the Shangri La Hotel on Tuesday.
The event was conducted by the National Chamber of Commerce Sri Lanka and the media sponsor was Lake House.
“We have already launched construction work and the plant will be commissioned at the end of the year and it will provide over 100 direct employment opportunities,” Wewita said.
He said that they are already exporting ‘broiler chicks’ Malaysia, Nepal and Thailand and with the opening of the factory they will commence export of chicken and other frozen foods adding a new item to Lanka’s export catalogue.
Pussalla which was launched 30 years ago introducing the international concept of ‘meat shop’ to Sri Lanka, now have 120 outlets. “With the opening of the factory we will add 10 more outlets and for the first time will also open in the North,” he said.
Pussalla Meat Producers is a local company owning fully vertical integration by having a Grandparent farm, Breeder farms, Hatcheries, broiler farms, processing factory, further processing factory, meat shop chain and poultry feed mill; thus having the advantage of being able to manage the entire process under one umbrella. The company process is certified for ISO 9001, ISO 22000, HACCP and ISO 14001 for its quality, food safety and environment management.
The company provides quality fresh chicken on a daily basis directly from factory to consumers’ hands and during the C-19 pandemic introduced home deliveries and this concept is still continuing.
Commenting on the NBEA awards he said that this award is a bonus for their hard work. “The award also is an endorsement of our quality and hard work and is a good marketing tool to go overseas as it has a very high local and international recognism.”