Company History

Since 1960, the ANTON name has been synonymous with product excellence, innovation and leadership in Sri Lanka's polymer industry. We count many pioneering products and processes and have introduced timely and user-friendly products which have enhanced the efficiency of professional systems, industry and the domestic sector. All the products from ANTON conform to recognized international standards, including ISO 9001:2000 certification for quality management systems since 2002. Today ANTON is the market leader for many categories of products in various segments and is regarded as 'the first in many field'. Our clientele include government bodies, local markets and reputed international buyers.

Founders Message

Starting work in my father’s small grocery store, I was determined someday to prosper in a venture of my own. The grocery store was not a success, but I did not despair, I believed that failures were the pillars of success, and every failure gave me more courage, determination and confidence to overcome every challenge and achieve success.

Then came the early 1940’s and the 2nd World War where I started a business on a small scale. That was the first step and the foundation for our present success. Due to inadequate capital, we dealt in second hand hardware and scrapped iron while gradually increasing the area of operation to include many more products. Soon, in a short period of time we had become the Island’s largest importer of building materials, sanitary ware and various types of electrical items. In the early 1960’s the Government banned most of the imported items with the aim of encouraging the local industrial sector. The concessions extended by the state encouraged me to take to the industrial sector.

We were reorganized as a pioneer in the field of industry when we open a factory to manufacture wire nails and subsequently in all type of hardware products. When the Government of that era granted license to the private sector to manufacture synthetic textiles the textile industry began. Today, the St. Anthony’s Group of Companies is the leader in the manufacturing of building materials, including PVC products, industrial fasteners, cement, fiber cement corrugated roofing sheets and garments. The group employs over 12,000 personnel and has an annual turnover of Rs. 6000 million, while the Group’s manufacturing and trading facilities occupy an extent of 34 hectares.

Looking to the future, the St. Anthony’s Group is poised to enter the 21st century with diversification into property development. The Group intends to continue dominating the market in the manufacturing of building materials including roofing, cement, and PVC products with frequent modernization and expansion while utilizing available technology and continuing the export of garments.

Deshamanya A. Y. S. Gnanam - Founder