Aitken Spence Printing celebrates 55 years

As it celebrates 55 years, Aitken Spence Printing, which had its beginnings as a small, in-house printing operation for the group’s stationary has grown and flourished, becoming one of the best printing and packaging companies in Sri Lanka and catering to both the local and the export market.

Although it started as the in-house printing division for Clark Spence & Co., printing the company’s stationary requirements, the 1960s saw a growth in the company’s outside business that prompted a shift to Colombo from its original headquarters within the Galle Fort.

Aitken Spence Printing has an expansive product range that runs the scope, from coffee table books and corporate publications, to packaging for a varied customer base, encompassing a diversity that covers the breadth, from tea and FMCG to garments, cosmetics and pharmaceuticals.

Aitken Spence Printing prides itself on being able to cater to customer requirements, a trait that has made them pioneers in many areas. Not satisfied with being one of the first printing companies to establish itself in Sri Lanka, the company later branched out into the global packaging segment that continues to be highly lucrative, bringing buyers, from UK and Europe.

However, Prasanna Karunathilaka, Managing Director, says, “Even with the company’s commitment to investing in better technology and facilities, it has been our experienced valued employees, with their continual dedication that has helped us through the years. In fact there are members of the team who have persevered with the company for over 20 years.”

Backed by an asset-rich parent company, Aitken Spence Printing not only attracts the industry’s best talent, but also enables in-house training, that ensures that customers continuously liaise with a highly skilled technical team to provide the customer an unparallel service.

When asked about the future, Karunathilaka says, “We are committed to offering our customers the best, for without them we would not have made it this far. We are continuing in our efforts to offer a state-of-the art facility, from the printing arena to technology and training of our staff, in order to ensure that our customers are always assured of the quality they have come to rely on.”