What Stassen Group does

Stassen Group is a privately-held Sri Lankan conglomerate founded in 1977 and headquartered in Colombo, with a diversified portfolio spanning tea, dairy, produce exports, FMCG imports, distilleries, plantations, power generation, and hospitality. The group began as a tea exporter and progressively built scale through landmark acquisitions: Lanka Milk Foods in 1991 (operating Asia's largest milk powder packing plant), plantations Madulsima (1996) and Balangoda (1997), the Distilleries Company of Sri Lanka (DCSL) via joint venture with Groupe Pernod Ricard in 1996, and Aitken Spence PLC as a full subsidiary in 2018. The corporate structure was re-architected in 2016 when Melstacorp PLC became the parent of DCSL through Sri Lanka's first 180-degree share swap, and Melstacorp now manages over Rs. 40 billion in assets across beverages, plantations, telecommunications, insurance, power, textiles, leisure, logistics, and BPO.

The business model combines vertically integrated production (12 Madulsima estates covering 5,505 ha, 22 Balangoda estates covering 9,000 ha, Ambewela dairy farm producing 11 million litres annually), exclusive distribution rights for international brands (Happy Cow, Red Bull, Mars, Snickers, Lurpak, Pedigree, San Remo, Arla) reaching 55,000 outlets nationwide, and direct produce exports to 35+ countries. Stassen earns revenue primarily through commodity sales (tea, dairy, coconut, spices), distribution margins on imported FMCG brands, spirits sales via DCSL/Periceyl, power generation tariffs, and capital returns from its Melstacorp investment portfolio. GTM motions span B2B export sales, B2C retail distribution, food service supply, and a Stassen Tea e-commerce storefront launched in 2017.

Customer segments span vertical-specific tea industry buyers (international), the dairy industry (Sri Lankan retail), Sri Lankan retail and food service (horizontal, 55,000+ outlets), international produce buyers (desiccated coconut, VCO, spices, coir), and the wine/spirits market (domestic). Heritage differentiators include the world's first internationally certified organic tea garden (Idulgashinna, 1987), pioneering Sri Lankan commercial green tea production (1982), and Rainforest Alliance certification across 9 Balangoda estates.

Name

Stassen Group

Legal name

Stassen Exports Pvt Ltd.

Website

https://stassengroup.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1977

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

Stassen Group is a Sri Lankan conglomerate founded in 1977 operating across tea, dairy, FMCG distribution, produce exports, distilleries, plantations, power generation, and hospitality, serving domestic retail through 55,000+ outlets and exporting to 35+ countries under subsidiaries Lanka Milk Foods, DCSL, Melstacorp, and Aitken Spence.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Food and Beverage Manufacturing and Distribution

NAICS

Dairy Product Manufacturing (3115), Food Manufacturing (311)

SIC

Dairy Products (2020)

akta.pro primary industry

Butter, Cream & Dairy Fats (CRADACAD)

Keywords

• Tea exports
• Dairy products
• FMCG distribution
• Plantation agriculture
• Spirits production

Headquarters

HQ city

Colombo

HQ country

Sri Lanka

HQ region

Asia

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Supply Chain, Operations, Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Tea Production and Exports: Stassen began in 1977 as a tea company exporting bulk tea, tea bags and packeted tea. The company pioneered green tea production in Sri Lanka in 1982. Today the Group produces specialty teas, organic teas and green tea through its plantation subsidiaries.
2. Dairy Products Manufacturing and Distribution: Managing Asia's largest milk powder packing plant, Lanka Milk Foods (LMF) is involved in providing quality dairy products. Products include Ambewela Dairy Range (milk, cheese, yogurt), Lakspray Milk Powder, Daily UHT Flavoured Milk. Reaches 55,000 outlets nationwide.
3. Produce Exports: Produce export division initiated in 1982 exporting desiccated coconut, whole fresh coconuts, Virgin Coconut Oil, spices (nutmeg, cinnamon, cloves, black pepper, cardamom) and Coir Fibre Pith to countries worldwide.
4. FMCG Imports and Distribution: Sole local agent for several leading international food and household brands including Happy Cow, Red Bull, San Remo, Snickers, Mars, Pedigree, Whiskas, Lurpak, and others. Distributions extend to all Retail, Wholesale and Food Service sections across Sri Lanka.
5. Wine and Spirits: The Distilleries Company of Sri Lanka (DCSL), Sri Lanka's oldest wine and spirits establishment founded 1913, produces and distributes spirits through DCSL and Periceyl (joint venture with Groupe Pernod Ricard).
6. Diversified Investments: Portfolio investments in Melstacorp PLC (holding beverages, plantations, telecommunication, insurance, power generation, textiles, leisure, logistics, BPO), Aitken Spence PLC (tourism, maritime, logistics), and Hatton National Bank (banking).
7. Power Generation: Leading independent power producer in Sri Lanka with interests in thermal, wind and hydro power generation plants across the island including Bogo Power's mini hydropower plant.
8. Hotels and Travel: Destination management entity with internationally acclaimed hotels and niche properties situated locally and overseas.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

Stassen Group is a diversified conglomerate that produces, manufactures, distributes, and exports tea, dairy products, alcoholic beverages, agricultural produce, and a wide range of imported consumer brands. Its offerings include Stassen Tea (bulk, tea bags, organic, and green tea), Lanka Milk Foods dairy range (Ambewela fresh milk, cheese, yogurt, Lakspray milk powder, Daily UHT flavoured milk), wine and spirits via DCSL, exports of coconut and spice products, and exclusive distribution of major international brands such as Happy Cow, Red Bull, San Remo, Mars, Pedigree, and Arla.

Product overview

Stassen Group is a Sri Lankan conglomerate with a diversified portfolio spanning multiple business segments. The company operates through distinct divisions including Stassen Tea (tea products from bulk to organic), Produce Exports (coconut, spices, coir products), FMCG Imports (distribution of international consumer brands), and Dairy (through Lanka Milk Foods with Ambewela, Lakspray, and Daily product lines). The Group also holds significant investments in Distilleries (DCSL and Periceyl), Plantations (Madulsima and Balangoda Plantations), and Diversified Investments (Melstacorp, Aitken Spence, Hatton National Bank). The product portfolio ranges from agricultural commodities (tea, coconut, spices) to processed foods, beverages, and financial services investments.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Ambewela: Premium dairy brand including milk, cheese, and yogurt produced at Ambewela Farm with TetraPak packaging meeting international standards.
• Lakspray
• Daily
• Happy Cow
• Melstacorp
• Ceylon Garden Coir
• Kirkoswald Estate

Products and services

• Stassen Tea Tea products including bulk tea, tea bags, packeted tea, green tea, and certified organic tea, sold to consumers domestically and exported internationally. Includes the world's first internationally certified organic tea (Idulgashinna Bio Tea Garden) and Sri Lanka's first commercial green tea production.
• Ambewela Dairy Range Premium dairy products including fresh milk, Gouda and Edam cheese, and yogurt produced at Ambewela Farm using mechanised milking systems and TetraPak packaging, distributed across 55,000+ outlets in Sri Lanka.
• Lakspray Milk Powder Milk powder brand with 45-year heritage in Sri Lanka, produced in New Zealand from 100% pure cow's milk and certified by New Zealand Food Safety Authority.
• Daily UHT Flavoured Milk UHT-treated flavoured milk in aseptic packaging — the first UHT product introduced in Sri Lanka — produced from Ambewela Farm milk and available in multiple flavours, also exported to the Maldivian market.
• Daily ACTIV UHT Treated Malt Chocolate Food Drink Malt-based chocolate food drink extension of the Daily brand combining taste and nutrition, with UHT treatment for shelf stability and exported to the Maldives.
• DCSL Wine and Spirits Wine and spirits produced and distributed by The Distilleries Company of Sri Lanka (DCSL), Sri Lanka's oldest wine and spirits establishment, including locally distilled spirits and Periceyl international brands (joint venture with Groupe Pernod Ricard).
• Produce Exports (Coconut, Spices, Coir Fibre Pith) Export of desiccated coconut, whole fresh coconuts, Virgin Coconut Oil, spices (nutmeg, cinnamon, cloves, black pepper, cardamom), and Coir Fibre Pith manufactured by Ceylon Garden Coir (Pvt) Ltd, distributed to international buyers in 35+ countries.
• FMCG Distribution (Imported Consumer Brands) Sole-distributor distribution in Sri Lanka of international consumer brands including Happy Cow cheese, Red Bull, San Remo pasta, Mars/Snickers/Bounty confectionery, Pedigree and Whiskas pet food, Lurpak butter, Arla dairy products, Fontana juice, Coopoliva olive oil, Daawat rice, Pfanner juice, and Dona Vita pasta across Retail, Wholesale, and Food Service channels.

Quantifiable outcome

• Reaches 55,000+ outlets nationwide for dairy products
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers7 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature5 records

Partnerships

Eight partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Aitken Spence PLCcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2018Aitken Spence is one of Sri Lanka's most geographically diversified conglomerates with 43% of profits from overseas operations in tourism, maritime and logistics sectors across eight countries. Became a full subsidiary of Melstacorp PLC in 2018. It has been an associate of DCSL since 1999.
• Melstacorp PLCcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2011Melstacorp is a powerful investment arm established in 2010, managing over Rs. 40 billion in assets across beverages, plantations, telecommunication, insurance, power generation, textiles, leisure, logistics, BPO and media services. In August 2016, Melstacorp became the parent company of DCSL PLC through a share restructure arrangement.
• Groupe Pernod Ricard (France)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 1996Groupe Pernod Ricard of France entered into a joint venture with DCSL in 1996/97 to form Periceyl (Pvt) Ltd, which has become a wholly-owned subsidiary of DCSL. The partnership enabled distribution of international spirits brands in Sri Lanka.
• Hatton National Bank PLC (HNB)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerHatton National Bank is Sri Lanka's second largest private sector bank in terms of assets with nationwide branch network. The Group acquired a major shareholding in 1988 and increased stake in 1999, though this was later divested in July 2010.
• Rainforest AllianceminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerRainforest Alliance certification partnership where Balangoda Plantations PLC has achieved certification for 9 estates, meeting sustainable agricultural practices standards.
• Ceylon Garden Coir (Pvt) LtdminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSubsidiary company under Stassen Group that manufactures and exports coir fibre pith products to countries including Japan, Australia, Germany, England and South Korea.
• WOERLE (Austria)minorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorAustrian cheese manufacturer whose WOERLE brand is distributed by Stassen as Happy Cow cheese, Sri Lanka's leading cheese brand available in over 25,000 outlets.
• International FMCG Brands (Red Bull, San Remo, Mars, Snickers, Pedigree, Whiskas, Lurpak, Arla)minorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorStassen is the sole local agent/distributor for several leading international food and household brands, enabling a rich and diverse offering at competitive prices.

Scale indicators10 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• John Keells Holdings PLC: Sri Lanka's largest listed conglomerate spanning FMCG (Ceylon Cold Stores), retail (Keells Super), hospitality, transportation, and real estate. Directly comparable as a diversified Sri Lankan conglomerate with similar breadth across consumer-facing verticals.
• Hayleys PLC: Sri Lankan conglomerate with diversified interests in agriculture, plantations, transportation, FMCG, and industrials. Highly comparable to Stassen's plantation (tea/rubber) holdings and diversified investment structure.
• Dilmah (MJF Group): Sri Lankan family-owned tea company founded by Merrill J. Fernando, focused on single-origin Ceylon tea and global brand building. Directly comparable to Stassen Tea in vertically integrated Sri Lankan tea production and export.
• Cargills (Ceylon) PLC: Sri Lankan conglomerate operating Food City retail chain, FMCG manufacturing, and banking (Cargills Bank). Comparable to Stassen in combining retail distribution, food manufacturing, and diversified financial services exposure.
• Hemas Holdings PLC: Sri Lankan conglomerate with significant presence in FMCG (personal care, home care), healthcare, and leisure. Comparable to Stassen's diversified consumer brand portfolio and distribution-led business model.
• ITC Limited: Indian diversified conglomerate with major operations in FMCG (including branded tea), hotels, paperboards, packaging, and agribusiness. Highly comparable to Stassen's combination of branded consumer products, plantations, and hospitality verticals.

Broad incumbents

• Tata Consumer Products: Global tea and consumer products company with Tata Tea as flagship. Comparable to Stassen Tea in branded tea production, exports, and distribution, though at significantly larger scale and broader geographic reach.

Others

• Aitken Spence PLC: Sri Lankan geographically diversified conglomerate in tourism, maritime, and logistics (43% of profits from overseas). Became a full subsidiary of Melstacorp in 2018; relevant as a comparable Sri Lankan services-led conglomerate now within Stassen's broader Group structure.
• Fonterra Co-operative Group: New Zealand dairy cooperative that supplies milk powder for Stassen's Lakspray brand. Relevant as the upstream supplier to Stassen's flagship dairy franchise and a key counterparty in the Group's dairy supply chain.
• Melstacorp PLC: Sri Lankan conglomerate that became the parent company of DCSL PLC and other Stassen Group entities via Sri Lanka's first 180-degree share swap in 2016. Listed entity through which Stassen's distilleries, plantations, and diversified investments are held.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/stassen_tea
• Facebookfacebook.com/stassengroup
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/stassen-exports-pvt-ltd

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles9 records

Subsidiaries12 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Stassen Group