McLarens Group celebrates 75 years of Vision, Growth, and Excellence
View(s):McLarens Group, a name synonymous with Sri Lanka’s maritime industry, marked its 75th anniversary in December 2024, a significant milestone in its journey of vision, growth, and excellence.
What began as an entrepreneurial endeavour by John Duncan McLaren, a Scottish gentleman who sailed to Sri Lanka in 1935, soon evolved into a thriving enterprise formally registered in 1949 as J.D. McLaren and Co.
Initially focused on serving the interests of international shipowners as shipping agents and coal suppliers, McLarens has since grown into a diversified conglomerate with a strong presence in maritime and logistics, as well as new sectors such as petroleum and energy, manufacturing and distribution, property and strategic investments, and leisure, the company said in a media release.
Celebrating 75 years of excellence at McLarens MDs Awards 2024 held in November. Left to Right : Hastie Smith (grandson of Thomas Hunt- a former director), Jayden Jayawardena, Yaanik Jayawardena, Shehara De Silva, Rohan De Silva, Oshan Fernando, Ravi Edirisinghe and Seonaid Smith (wife of Hastie Smith)
A turning point in the company’s history came in 1972 when it was acquired by Hubert De Silva, a seasoned professional and former chairman of the Port of Colombo, then known as the port cargo corporation. Under his leadership, McLarens diversified into shipping ancillary services and the tourism sector by construction and operation of hotels complex in the heart of Kandy under the names hotel Topaz and the Tourmaline.
The next generation of leadership saw Rohan De Silva, son of Hubert De Silva and current Chairman, joining the company in 1982. The younger Mr. De Silva played a pivotal role in driving strategic growth, forging key partnerships, and establishing McLarens’ first joint venture with GAC to provide ship supply services. The 1990s saw the establishment of a holding company to streamline and unify the group’s diverse operations across shipping, logistics, hotels, manufacturing, and beyond.
In the early 2000s, the turning of the millennium marked the restructuring of McLarens with the entry of Shehara De Silva, the third generation of the family and the current Managing Director. During this period, McLarens implemented a professional board of directors, introduced cutting-edge systems and processes, and undertook a strategic restructuring that solidified its position as a market leader across multiple sectors maritime and beyond.
Today, McLarens stands as a formidable conglomerate, representing several global brands, including Fortune 500 companies such as ExxonMobil and 3M.
Hitad.lk has you covered with quality used or brand new cars for sale that are budget friendly yet reliable! Now is the time to sell your old ride for something more attractive to today's modern automotive market demands. Browse through our selection of affordable options now on Hitad.lk before deciding on what will work best for you!