Melwire Group has become a giant name in the steel industry in Sri Lanka with a decade of meeting the highest quality standards and today, gears up for a future of further expansion and success.
The Melwire Group continues its rapid expansion process with the setting up of the new block mill, and is geared to set up its second factory by the end of 2012. Since its inception in 2002 as the only fully Sri Lankan-owned steel manufacturer, the Melwire Group has been committed to making steel to the highest standards and today, continues to redefine the industry.
The Group can be dissected into Melwa and Melwire Rolling. Melwire’s capability to successfully meet stringent quality standards and rising demands is attributable to the fully automated factory in Ekala, Ja-Ela.In addition to this, to meet the rising demand for high quality steel, Melwire embarked on a development programme by establishing a second fully automated plant, which specialises in steel manufacturing.
The Melwire Group’s Breakthrough Project In Puttalam Is Set To Commence In 2014, Where The Company Will Begin Manufacturing High Quality Steel Billets For The Export Market Using The Revolutionary Electric Arc Furnace… Making It One Of The Largest Factories In The South Asia Region.
The company’s block mill facility earned the distinction of becoming Sri Lanka’s first plant, equipped to manufacture wire rods to fulfill Sri Lanka’s requirement for the same. “Prior to Melwire’s block mill commencing operations, wire rods were imported from overseas companies,” said Col Mahindaratne Tennakoon, Director, Melwire Rolling.
In terms of the quality standards that Melwire adheres to, Col Tennakoon added, “being certified to the ISO 9001:2008 Quality Management System certification standard and SLS 375 Sri Lanka Standard Specification requirements, represents the Melwire Group’s commitment to compliance with the highest standards of quality as well as our deep-felt commitment to continuous improvement.”
The two main products of Melwire are QST bars and wire rods. Quenched and Self Tempered or QST bars are a specialty of the Melwire Group’s state-of-the-art production process, and are used extensively in the construction sector for concrete reinforcement. Col Tennakoon attributes higher strength, ductility, weldability, bendability, earthquake resistance and corrosion resistance as key elements of the QST bars.He further added that Melwire’s QST bars also possess better ageing and fire resistance properties. Wire rods will be the main source of support for small industries such as wire nail, barbed wire and powder coated domestic products manufacture. The new automated block mill is technologically advanced to operate at a 50 metres per second finishing speed when manufacturing wire rods.
The Melwire Group’s break-through project in Puttalam is set to commence in 2014, where the company will begin manufacturing high quality steel billets for the export market using the revolutionary electric arc furnace with a capacity in excess of 75,000 Metric Tons per month, making it one of the largest factories in the South Asia region.
“We are currently pursuing a rigorous growth strategy and as a result are in the process of setting up our second factory, Melwa Lanka, which is to commence production in December this year. The factory is spread over 40 acres in the Mathugama Free Trade Zone and is set to create more than 300 jobs,” said Col Tennakoon. He further added, “2012 will mark yet another milestone in the Melwire Group’s proud history as we embark into the steel export market, yet another first for Sri Lanka.”
