YOO: Sarasavi Industries launches world-class shoe brand

Industry and Commerce Minister Wimal Weerawansa, Minister of Trade Bandula Gunawardena and State Minister of Education Reforms, Open Universities and Distance Learning Promotion Susil Premajayantha cutting the ribbon to declare open the new YOO Brands shoe manufacturing plant in Makumbura, on Wednesday

• A 100% Sri Lankan company ready to take the shoe market by storm

Sarasavi Industries MD Hemantha Perera

Sri Lankan manufacturers are adapting to current global trends as the country is witnessing a boom in local productions which are ready to fulfil the needs of both the domestic and export markets.  

In light of this, the latest addition to the highly competitive shoe market, a 100% Sri Lankan brand – YOO – was launched at a grand ceremony held at the factory premises in Makumbura, on Wednesday.

Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa joined the ceremonial inauguration via video conferencing technology while Industry and Commerce Minister Wimal Weerawansa, Minister of Trade Bandula Gunawardena and State Minister of Education Reforms, Open Universities and Distance Learning Promotion Susil Premajayantha attended the occasion as special guests.

The all new YOO brand which is ready to take the highly competitive shoe market by storm, introduces a wide range of world class sport and casual shoes, manufactured by YOO Brands Ltd., which is an affiliated company of Sarasavi Industries Ltd.

Sarasavi Industries Ltd. is no stranger when it comes to manufacturing quality products.

The company is already the largest socks manufacturer in the island nation – accounting for approximately 75% of domestic market. Sarasavi Industries constantly ensures the hosiery market in Sri Lanka, maintaining premium standards for nearly three decades since 1991. Due to their innovative technological enhancement and skilled workforce, the company has drastically reduced the need for the import of socks to Sri Lanka, helping Sri Lanka cut down the efflux of money. 

Their affiliated companies are Sarasavi Exports Ltd. and Isabella Ltd., the second largest socks and tight manufacturer in the South Asian region.

In January 2021, YOO Brands Ltd. started manufacturing 100% seamless knitted shoes for the first time in the country introducing YOO brand. The YOO brand production line adapted a specific knitting technology that uses specialised circular looms to develop a perfectly fitting shoe upper that adapt perfectly to the foot. The new production method also made possible for the company to manufacture and supply locally made premium performance shoes with a 50% lesser price tag than those which are already in the market. 

The YOO products support premium performance and are able to compete with world renowned brands when it comes to durability. 

YOO offers a variety of shoe categories such as Ladies’ and Gents’ Sports and casual shoes, Children’s sports and casual and fashion shoes under the Splendor brand and Premium collection of School Shoes under the Sky Runner brand. YOO Brand also assigned with Lanka Sathosa to manufacture school shoes for an affordable price to reach all the people.

YOO-brand shoes which merge together unique designs with premium quality, are now out for sale under affordable price tags and are ready to challenge the highly competitive market.

Industry and Commerce Minister Wimal Weerawansa, Minister of Trade Bandula Gunawardena and State Minister of Education Reforms, Open Universities and Distance Learning Promotion Susil Premajayantha at the new YOO Brands shoe manufacturing plant in Makumbura, which was declared open on Wednesday

Industry and Commerce Minister Wimal Weerawansa and Minister of Trade Bandula Gunawardena at the new YOO Brands shoe manufacturing plant in Makumbura, on Wednesday