Rhino is a pioneer in the Sri Lankan roofing industry, a market leader in manufacturing and supplying roofing and ceiling sheets and has become a Sri Lankan household name. The company has a proud history; it began operations in 1962 under the leadership and guidance of the late Sir Cyril De Soysa and underwent a significant transformation in 1978 when Deshamanya A.Y.S. Gnanam took over as its Chairman/ Managing Director. His insightful and ingenious ideas led to vital changes taking the company and the roofing industry to new heights.
With the company and brand changing to Rhino and initiating new technology that rapidly increased production and enhancing quality, the company grew expeditiously over the years and today leads the roofing products field, with a market share of over 50%.
MILESTONES THAT
PUSHED EVERY SUMMIT.
As a pioneer in the roofing industry in Sri Lanka, we mapped out our own route to excellence. Today Rhino is a household name, having earned the trust of the big names in the construction sector and millions of home builders across the island. We are hailed as the market leader in manufacturing and supplying roofing and ceiling sheets.
We set out on our journey in 1962 under the leadership of the late Sir Cyril de Zoysa. In 1978, when Deshamanya A.Y.S Gnanam took over as Chairman/ Managing Director, the company surged ahead in a different direction.
Under his stewardship, the name of our company changed to Rhino, with the logo depicting an animal symbolizing strength and the inherent ability to charge ahead. It is his vision that continues to inspire us to blaze new trails.
Cool Timeline
1962
Incorporated
The company was incorporated as a Public Limited Liability Company under the leadership of late Sir Cyril De Soysa.
1978
Mr. A. Y. S. Gnanam
Mr. A. Y. S. Gnanam was appointed as the company’s Chairman and Managing Director.
1979
Rhino is Born
Company and brand name changed to Rhino under the guidance of Mr. A. Y. S. Gnanam.
1980
Introducing Technology
Advanced technology helped improve productivity and achieve the highest quality.
1994
Increase Production
Second production line was introduced to substantially increasing our efficiency and production capacity by over 180% metric tons per day.
1997
Production Expansion
Third production line enabled us to commence operations on the production of flat ceiling sheets, increasing our overall production capacity by 35% per day.
2001
Certification
The Company obtained ISO 9001 QMS certification as well as the certification by the DNV GL; a testament to the consistency and quality of our products.
2004
Environmental Friendly
Obtained the ISO 14001 Environmental Management System certification. In the same year we diversified into the steel roofing market under the brand name Rhino Supermet, strengthening our positioning as experts in the field and complementing our vision to provide complete roofing solutions.
2006
Production Expansion
Fourth production line was commissioned with a production capacity of 250 metric tons per day. This increased our total capacity to 750 metric tons per day. Another momentous feat in the same year was the obtaining of the OHSAS 18001 certification. Occupational Health & Safety certification, underpinning our commitment to the wellbeing of our workforce.
2007
More colors
Our continuous process coating plant began operations, creating a gamut of color-coated roofing sheets under the brand name Colorup.
2008
A new subsidiary
A fully owned subsidiary named ‘Rhino Products Limited’ was formed. In the same year, Rhino launched Colorup roofing and ceiling sheets, revolutionized the roofing industry as we were able to offer a wider color palette to homebuilders and architects. It gave consumers greater creative freedom to build the home of their dreams. These sheets were manufactured using fully automated manufacturing technology meeting the highest quality. Rhino was the first factory in South Asia to achieve this exemplary status.
2011
Certification
Obtained the coveted Soorya Singha certification given in proud recognition of the finest locally manufactured products that make a sizeable impact on the national economy.
2012
Golden Jubilee
Rhino celebrated its Golden Jubilee. On this momentous occasion the company set up a fifth production line which was introduced in early 2012 through our subsidiary ‘Rhino Products Ltd.’ The company opened a third depot at Embilipitiya and a third showroom in Nawala.
2013
New Department Store
As the demand for our products and services grew, Rhino opened a fourth depot in Bandaragama.
2015
Diversification
The Rhino Group introduced Supermet, which was to run as an independent company under the name Supermet Building Solutions Ltd, focusing entirely on the steel roofing industry. Supermet Building Solutions Ltd. offers a wide range of high-quality building solutions under the brand name ‘Supermet’ and ‘Supermet Turnkey.’ This resulted in us diversifying our clientele and focusing on specific needs, while being a front runner in the industry with two plants in Ekala and Kurunegala.
2018
Going Virtual
The Group formulated a new strategy to strengthen our sales by introducing our products to the virtual world through our website Roofing.lk. It drives itself as a ‘one stop shop’ for high quality, reliable and durable roofing products and accessories. Roofing.lk helped expand our business with the opening of our first showroom in Malabe. We went on to open showrooms in Kadawatha and Wennappuwa as well.
2019
SDG
As a Group we launched our long-term business strategy for Sustainable Development in order to mitigate the impact of climate change. During this year, Roofing.lk opened its new showroom in Nawala.
2020
Green House Gas
Rhino focused on obtaining the ISO14064.2018 Green House Gasses Inventory Verification.
2021
Presidential Export Award
Rhino Roofing wins the prestigious Presidential Export Award! Another reason to raise the roof, even as we celebrate a milestone of sheltering homes for 60 years. Being the first cement roofing manufacturer from Sri Lanka to reach global shores, this award further validates our world-class quality and production capabilities that helps the world sleep soundly under a secure roof.
2021
Best Exporter
Rhino, the nation’s leading provider of roofing solutions, marked the key milestone of exporting its first 1,000 containers of roofing sheets to South Asian locations.
Cool Timeline
Incorporated
The company was incorporated as a Public Limited Liability Company under the leadership of late Sir Cyril De Soysa.
Mr. A. Y. S. Gnanam
Mr. A. Y. S. Gnanam was appointed as the company’s Chairman and Managing Director.
Rhino is Born
Company and brand name changed to Rhino under the guidance of Mr. A. Y. S. Gnanam.
Introducing Technology
Advanced technology helped improve productivity and achieve the highest quality.
Increase Production
Second production line was introduced to substantially increasing our efficiency and production capacity by over 180% metric tons per day.
Production Expansion
Third production line enabled us to commence operations on the production of flat ceiling sheets, increasing our overall production capacity by 35% per day.
Certification
The Company obtained ISO 9001 QMS certification as well as the certification by the DNV GL; a testament to the consistency and quality of our products.
Environmental Friendly
Obtained the ISO 14001 Environmental Management System certification. In the same year we diversified into the steel roofing market under the brand name Rhino Supermet, strengthening our positioning as experts in the field and complementing our vision to provide complete roofing solutions.
Production Expansion
Fourth production line was commissioned with a production capacity of 250 metric tons per day. This increased our total capacity to 750 metric tons per day. Another momentous feat in the same year was the obtaining of the OHSAS 18001 certification. Occupational Health & Safety certification, underpinning our commitment to the wellbeing of our workforce.
More colors
Our continuous process coating plant began operations, creating a gamut of color-coated roofing sheets under the brand name Colorup.
A new subsidiary
A fully owned subsidiary named ‘Rhino Products Limited’ was formed. In the same year, Rhino launched Colorup roofing and ceiling sheets, revolutionized the roofing industry as we were able to offer a wider color palette to homebuilders and architects. It gave consumers greater creative freedom to build the home of their dreams. These sheets were manufactured using fully automated manufacturing technology meeting the highest quality. Rhino was the first factory in South Asia to achieve this exemplary status.
Certification
Obtained the coveted Soorya Singha certification given in proud recognition of the finest locally manufactured products that make a sizeable impact on the national economy.
Golden Jubilee
Rhino celebrated its Golden Jubilee. On this momentous occasion the company set up a fifth production line which was introduced in early 2012 through our subsidiary ‘Rhino Products Ltd.’ The company opened a third depot at Embilipitiya and a third showroom in Nawala.
New Department Store
As the demand for our products and services grew, Rhino opened a fourth depot in Bandaragama.
Diversification
The Rhino Group introduced Supermet, which was to run as an independent company under the name Supermet Building Solutions Ltd, focusing entirely on the steel roofing industry. Supermet Building Solutions Ltd. offers a wide range of high-quality building solutions under the brand name ‘Supermet’ and ‘Supermet Turnkey.’ This resulted in us diversifying our clientele and focusing on specific needs, while being a front runner in the industry with two plants in Ekala and Kurunegala.
Going Virtual
The Group formulated a new strategy to strengthen our sales by introducing our products to the virtual world through our website Roofing.lk. It drives itself as a ‘one stop shop’ for high quality, reliable and durable roofing products and accessories. Roofing.lk helped expand our business with the opening of our first showroom in Malabe. We went on to open showrooms in Kadawatha and Wennappuwa as well.
