Company
Darley Butler & Co. Ltd has a good history of operations in Sri Lanka and is engaged in marketing a variety of well-known brands in the FMCG categories. The history of Darley Butler may be traced back to 1848, when Edward J. Darley and Samuel Butler, two pioneering gentlemen from Ceylon, formed a partnership. Darley Butler’s interests included estate agencies, commission agents, imports/exports, and ship chartering. He was a major exporter of tea and local goods as well as the island’s first known coffee exporter. In the year 1920, the partnership became a limited liability corporation. The company’s focus has switched from exports to imports, local sales, and consumer goods distribution as a result of the fall in export activity. Following the 1967 acquisition, the business was made into a fully owned subsidiary of Colombo Stock Exchange-listed E B Creasy & Company Plc.
Network
Darley Butler (DB) has been an integral part of the Sri Lankan culture for more than 176 years. Offering well-known brands fulfilling the basic necessities of every Sri Lankan is regarded as the mother of all well-known and prominent brands in Sri Lanka. The mission and excellent quality of DB’s broad and varied selection of fast-moving consumer items are to raise the standard of living for millions of Sri Lankans.
Network
Darley Butler (DB) has been an integral part of the Sri Lankan culture for more than 176 years. Offering well-known brands fulfilling the basic necessities of every Sri Lankan is regarded as the mother of all well-known and prominent brands in Sri Lanka. The mission and excellent quality of DB’s broad and varied selection of fast-moving consumer items are to raise the standard of living for millions of Sri Lankans.
History
Darley Butler is a multifaceted company in Sri Lanka founded in 1848 by a partnership between Edward J. Darley and Samuel Butler. The business was initiated as a tea and native goods exportation and then developed as Sri Lanka’s first Coffee exporter. Growing its wings over time in ship chartering, imports, exports, commission agents, and estate agencies.
This partnership later became a limited liability company in 1920. E B Creasy & Company PLC bought the business in 1967, making it a wholly-owned subsidiary, listing E B Creasy & Company PLC under the Colombo Stock Exchange.
Transforming lives for a better future
Darley Butler is dedicated to delivering value for the triple bottom line based on a thorough and precisely defined ESG framework. We are committed to promoting long-term growth in the economy, facilitating social development, and investing in ecological sustainability while maintaining integrity and good governance, as we believe these are prerequisites for long-term stakeholder value creation.
Environment-friendly practices
Our efforts are directed to combat climate change, lessen plastic waste, and preserve the environment. Our bold initiatives are having an effect and boosting the growth of our brands contribution to community.
Sustainability has always been at the core of all that we do. We adopt a three-pillar-based approach that enables us to continuously focus on sustainable growth while maintaining the trust and confidence of our loyal customers who span across generations towards our products and services. This approach to managing operations and business has enabled us to focus on ensuring accountability in all areas of business, and also derive positive results from our products and practices on the economy, environment, and people. By creating long-term value for all our stakeholders, we focus on ensuring long-term sustainability and growth through strategic transformations and innovations.
Sustainability framework
At E. B. Creasy & Co. PLC, we continue to integrate sustainability into our verticals, especially in those that fall within the operational framework and business practices of our subsidiaries. We focus on responsible manufacturing processes, promoting the well-being and health of all our employees and concerned stakeholders, while also reinforcing gender equality, non-discrimination, and equal learning opportunities. Ensuring access to affordable, clean, and renewable energy, providing sustainable practices in water management, ensuring hygiene, and sustainable consumption of natural resources, while minimizing any negative impact on the environment have always been our priorities. Thereby ensuring that all our processes of production and operations have positive impacts with minimal or no negative consequences on the economy, environment, and people. Therefore, we have aligned all operations to make a positive contribution toward the triple-bottom line.
The Group has always emphasized providing products and services that would enhance the quality of life of our consumers. It is for this reason that we ensure that products are of a high standard and that those that meet stringent quality requirements are provided through our Healthcare, Personal, and Home Care segments. Furthermore, we believe we must offer products that have been manufactured to stringent health and safety standards. With production being one of our core operations, we ensure that the raw material used by our manufacturing subsidiaries meets the necessary quality and industry standards by conducting a thorough evaluation of our suppliers. Our manufacturing facilities contribute to the triple bottom line through the assurance of quality products, sustainable green practices, and occupational health and safety of employees.
Operational sustainability
Sustainability is at the core of our business and manufacturing operations including product creation and generating employment opportunities. Therefore, the Group continuously focuses on,
- The provision of quality and safe products that elevate standards of living
- Ensuring no negative impacts from operations on people and the environment
- Commitment to on-time deliveries
- Providing customer requirements
- Fulfilling supplier expectations
- Compliance with quality standards, and adherence to laws, regulations, and policies
These focus areas are constantly assessed with corrective action taken through periodic corporate audits. In addition, we conduct annual assessments to renew our quality and environmental management standards while taking an in-depth look into issues that require ratification from the management, supervisory staff, and employees. We continue to focus on developing and implementing innovation to maximize the efficient use of resources while ensuring that the risk and impact on the environment are minimized. We focus on increasing efficiency in waste management, water management, ventilation, renewable energy, and measuring and monitoring systems.
We have also focused on improving energy efficiency through several projects, where we contribute to affordable, reliable, sustainable, and modern energy. Schemes include,
- Optimising efficiencies in the compressed air system, wastewater treatment, solar power generation, and grid supply
- Awareness programs and monitoring carbon emissions from the air conditioners and machinery usage
- Production-based subsidiaries maintain modern energy-saving machinery.
- Indoor plants absorb internal CO2 emissions and skylights to reduce reliance on electrical lighting
Our sustainable development-oriented activities align with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). As a result, the Group has implemented several projects since 2010 intending to achieve triple-bottom-line objectives, which has brought us much recognition while also reaffirming our commitment to the sustainable development of our society. We have always taken our responsibilities toward the nation very seriously, as such we are extremely proud that we are one of the companies that are making a significant contribution towards achieving UN SDG Goals for the Sri Lankan Government by 2030.
Optimising efficiencies in the compressed air system, wastewater treatment, solar power generation, and grid supply
Optimising efficiencies in the compressed air system, wastewater treatment, solar power generation, and grid supply
Optimising efficiencies in the compressed air system, wastewater treatment, solar power generation, and grid supply
Optimising efficiencies in the compressed air system, wastewater treatment, solar power generation, and grid supply
Sustainable Manufacturing
the 3R concept of Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle.
This entails the following;
Reduction of water usage, electricity, and power consumption, damage or defective production.
Reuse of damaged production trays and heavy metals, packaging, sawdust, and chemicals.
Recycling of water, chemicals, and wood powder.
We have invested in a chemical recycling system at our home care factory to ensure zero chemical emissions to the earth. We treat our wastewater at our water treatment plants per the Central Environmental Authority standards so that the wastewater is not contaminated and not harmful to the environment and living beings. Domestic wastewater is treated before being reused for gardening and landscaping. Proper disposal of waste is also an area that we have invested in, and we procure external services to ensure the proper and safe disposal of all waste.
Our SLS and ISO-certified manufacturing plants received carbon-neutral certification from the Sri Lanka Climate Fund, for offsetting our carbon footprint and high eco-friendly processing standards in all aspects of production. This is a testament to the efforts we have made to reduce our carbon footprint and ensure sustainability.
Employee development and occupational safety
Employee development is another central tenet across the Group; hence, employees are provided with regular training programs in areas such as soft skill development, emergency preparedness, first-aid training and opportunities to engage in personality-building initiatives.
Furthermore, employees are recruited with no gender biases and are provided with equal opportunities to progress – irrespective of age, gender, or social backdrops. The Group also complies with all statutory labor laws and offers competitive salaries and wages. Ensuring occupational health and safety, trained teams provide assistance during accidents and emergency situations. Employees, especially within manufacturing plants are routinely updated on ensuring a safe workplace and are educated on maintaining personal as well as co-worker safety at all times – especially within factory premises. Employees are trained by qualified and experienced trainers. The economy is also a concern – where monthly complaints are recorded which results in corrective actions for a supportive work environment.
Employee development and occupational safety
Employee development is another central tenet across the Group; hence, employees are provided with regular training programs in areas such as soft skill development, emergency preparedness, first-aid training and opportunities to engage in personality-building initiatives.
Furthermore, employees are recruited with no gender biases and are provided with equal opportunities to progress – irrespective of age, gender, or social backdrops. The Group also complies with all statutory labor laws and offers competitive salaries and wages. Ensuring occupational health and safety, trained teams provide assistance during accidents and emergency situations. Employees, especially within manufacturing plants are routinely updated on ensuring a safe workplace and are educated on maintaining personal as well as co-worker safety at all times – especially within factory premises. Employees are trained by qualified and experienced trainers. The economy is also a concern – where monthly complaints are recorded which results in corrective actions for a supportive work environment.
Environmental management standards and continuous improvement
We comply with international and Sri Lankan standards such as SLS and ISO, which mandate an environmental management system that fosters better practices in environmental sustainability. We continue to focus on improvements in production and management practices and maintain our compliance with certifications and standards which enable us to continually improve practices. This in turn will enable continuous improvement of manufacturing processes, efficiencies, and products. In our commitment to ensure sustainability, we maintain relevant documentation relating to all ISO environmental standards, with deviations reported and relevant changes implemented. We follow due diligence and conduct internal audits for SLS and ISO and external assessments by principals.
Accountability and transparency
As a responsible conglomerate, E. B. Creasy takes proactive steps to maintain transparency of its strategic decisions and transformations amongst shareholders and investors, while also informing and involving middle management and subordinates at all relevant junctures – mainly in critical operational decision-making. In disseminating information with stakeholders, the Group uses the Annual Report in publishing yearly financial results and strategic actions. In addition, the Group works in unison with its principals to ensure complete abidance with expected standards in the manufacturing of franchised products and distribution of imported products, including after-sales services. Moreover, the Group maintains all reporting timely and accurate.