Baurs marks historic milestone in corporate Sri Lanka with 1000th board meeting

From left: (seated) Healthcare Deputy MD/Director Nishantha Weerasinghe, Managing Director/CEO Rolf Blaser, Director – Information Technology Anoja Basnayake, (standing) Deputy MD/Director – Agriculture Janaka Gunasekera and Director – Finance and Compliance Pavithra Samarasinghe 

A. Baur & Co. Ltd, a leading and pioneering corporate with diversified business interests, held its 1000th board meeting on 10 April, a testament to its unwavering commitment to spurring innovation, building sustainability, and accelerating progress over the past 128 years. 

The meeting was held at the iconic Baurs building at Upper Chatham Street, Colombo 01.

This historic milestone marks not just the legacy of Baurs but also its resilience in navigating challenges and its steadfast contribution to Sri Lanka’s economy and people.

Since 1897, Baurs has grown and adapted to keep up with Sri Lanka’s changing needs, advancing in many of its industry verticals and going onto setting world-class benchmarks and best practices for others to follow suit. Its board meetings have played a pivotal role in shaping strategic decisions that have allowed Baurs to stay ahead of its time, whether pioneering advancements in agriculture, spearheading digital transformation, or revolutionising hospitality education and training. 

These forums have been crucial in fostering an environment of foresight and adaptability, ensuring that Baurs continues to drive meaningful impact across industries and to the communities it serves. 

Baurs has been at the forefront of sustainable organic agriculture in Sri Lanka, blending scientific expertise with practical applications to enhance sustainable farming. When Sri Lanka transitioned towards organic agriculture in 2021, Baurs stepped up with a well-researched master plan, collaborating with experts from Switzerland-based FiBL and HAFL to introduce sustainable organic farming methods. 

Today, it has successfully set up a comprehensive and holistic centre of excellence in this regard, with the participation of various stakeholders. More recently, Baurs revolutionised fertiliser application efficiency with its pioneering ‘super urea,’ a nitrogen dual stabiliser that improves crop yield while reducing environmental impact, showcasing its commitment to responsible agricultural innovation. This innovation aligns with the global goals outlined in the UN Colombo Declaration on Sustainable Nitrogen Management which calls for urgent, coordinated action to halve nitrogen waste globally by 2030. 

Beyond agriculture, Baurs has significantly expanded its presence in the pharmaceutical sector. Its strategic partnerships with global healthcare leaders underscore its role in ensuring Sri Lankans have access to world-class medicines and medical technologies. Baurs also represents renowned international brands such as GSK, Fresenius, Nestlé Health Science, Roche, Sanofi, Isispharma , OMRON, Viatris (formerly Mylan), Sandoz, Ajanta Pharma, Novartis, Alcon, Mega, Merck, Dexa, Eisai, MSD, Encube, CheplaPharm, Johnson &Johnson, Apex, Vitrolife, Unichem, Rohto, Medtronics, Wellch Allyn, Beckton Dickinson, and Geister, among many others. By leveraging an extensive distribution network and cutting-edge technology, Baurs is transforming healthcare accessibility and affordability across the nation.

Under its consumer division, Baurs offers best-in-class products across various categories, including food and beverage, personal care, household care, and nutrition, through partnerships with Turkey Brand, Marico, Emami, Energizer, to name a few. With state-of-the-art storage facilities and an island-wide distribution network covering over 15,000 direct outlets, Baurs ensures that its products are accessible throughout the country. The division operates through all modern trade channels, emphasising its commitment to expansion via both organic growth and new product lines.

Baurs’ Industrial Raw Materials division is a trusted partner to Sri Lanka’s manufacturing sector, supplying high-performance inputs from globally renowned brands such as Klüber, Vanessence, Everlight, SEFAR, Argus Shanghai, Colors India, Vibrantz Nubiola, SAM-A, Soltex India, Pon Pure Chemicals, Jaysynth, Meghmani, ITW, DATACOLOR, and Texpro. For food ingredients, it represents Pulviver and Confluence Valley. Serving a wide range of industries—including textiles, printing inks, ceramics, paints, pharmaceuticals, plastics, home and personal care, rubber, cement, glass, steel, and garment wet processing—Baurs ensures access to quality materials that enhance performance and meet international standards. With a focus on innovation and excellence, Baurs continues to drive the growth of Sri Lanka’s industrial landscape. Baurs’ impact extends beyond business, with a strong emphasis on education and workforce development. Through its Swiss Hotel Management Academy (SHMA) and the Skills for Sustainable Growth (SSG) project, Baurs is shaping the next generation of hospitality professionals in Sri Lanka. With 10 learning centres established, way ahead of its anticipated timeline, and a goal to skill 2,240 youth by 2025, the company is actively contributing to uplifting the country’s talent and human capital. 

Baurs’ digital transformation initiatives have always been a company-wide effort, staying ahead of its times in such advancements including sales force automation, data analytics, cybersecurity, and AI-driven business intelligence. The company’s sustainability agenda is a key pillar in its progress, part of a broader renewable energy strategy, dedicated to reducing its environmental footprint and championing a greener future, including its recent solar energy initiatives. 

The company’s deep-rooted Swiss heritage and alignment with the Foundation Alfred et Eugénie Baur have instilled a strong sense of responsibility towards Sri Lanka. Through its affiliation with the UN Global Compact, CSR initiatives and extensive employee welfare programs, Baurs continues to uphold its mission of being not just the best in Sri Lanka but the best for Sri Lanka. Continuing its legacy spanning over a century and a dynamic vision for the years ahead, Baurs reaffirms its commitment to shaping Sri Lanka’s future.