Don Carolis celebrates 150 years in business

Don Carolis and Sons  Limited ,  a household   name in the country's furniture  industry commemorated  its 150 years in business on Tuesday at its show room at Vauxhall  Street Colombo.
 

Joint Managing Director  H. Don Carolis  and Sons Sudhammika Hewavitarne told media that  company was established by Mudaliyar Don Carolis Hewavitarne in 1860  and made its first export to Australia in 1900.
 

"Our exports of furniture commenced in 1886 when the first shipment was sent to Australia & by the turn of the 20th century, Don Carolis was exporting to the UK, India, Burma, South Africa & the USA," he said.

He also said that its Pettah showroom, occupied a space of nearly three acres, displaying furniture of every description. It was the first department store in Asia with over 50 departments offering everything from cutlery to carpeting & the introduction of the mail order catalogue in 1907 was perhaps the first in the region.
 

Company  also said that  it obtained Gold and Silver medals for furniture exhibited at the Ceylon Agricultural Exhibitions, the Indian Industrial Exhibition of 1901, the Paris Exhibition of 1900, and the St. Louis Exposition of 1904.
 

Joint Managing Director also said that in 1948 the Government of Ceylon commissioned H. Don Carolis & Sons to create a 17 piece bedroom suite as a wedding gift to her Majesty Queen Elizabeth the II.
 

Don Carolis  said that  company had the unique privilege of providing furniture to both the new and old Parliaments of Sri Lanka, the President's residence and office, Prime Minister's residence and office, ministries & government institutions and the Armed Forces.
 

Commenting on its durability and quality of its furniture is achieved primarily from the timber used and their manufacturing processes that have built in stringent quality controls at all stages.
 

Company also said that  all of its timber requirements are purchased from the State or from private merchants. In order to ensure that they do not purchase illegal felled timber, which is quite common in the local furniture trade, Don Carolis only purchase plantation grown timber, felled with the necessary Government Issued permits.
 

Plantation grown timbers are generally harvested after 25 years and in some cases over 40 years. Once the trees are felled, these lands, be it state or private, are replanted.
 

 "All Don Carolis furniture is manufactured at two factories, one in Moratuwa, which also houses their chemical treatment & kilning plants & the other is their ultra modern & streamlined factory situated in Galpatha, in the Kalutara District, which commenced operations in late 2009",  company said
This state of the art factory, spread across 60,000 sq ft., handles every single aspect of the manufacturing process in house. This enables Don Carolis to guarantee that the highest standards of quality are maintained throughout every stage.
 

With the opening of the new factory in Galpatha, the company commenced the employment of women in the production process for the first time.
 

This has enabled many women residing in & around this area & whose employment was limited to the garment sector to venture out & find employment in a hitherto male dominated industry.
 

Combining traditional methods and commitment to craftsmanship with new advanced technology and modern equipment, Don Carolis are able to offer the very best to their customers. Every piece of timber used is carefully chosen and acclimatized to suit the varying weather conditions for overseas orders. Each & every single step of the manufacturing process is monitored with intense attention to detail & stringent quality control checks.
 

Commneting on its diversification and  expansion of its business company said that company is continues to evolve and expand .The company is owned by the descendents of the founder & currently managed by the 4th & 5th generation.
 

In 2005, Don Carolis looked within for inspiration & opened a home store "The Warehouse" at Vauxhall Street - the largest in Sri Lanka.
 

In keeping with today's styles & trends, the "Warehouse" offers a vast range of furniture, accessories, gifts & gift vouchers.
 

The Don Carolis client list includes leading hotels in Sri Lanka, India & the Maldives, apartments, clubs, restaurants, hospitals & officers.