Heladiv Teas celebrate 20 years in business

The HVA Group was formed in 1990 as an offshore arm of the Dutch Trading Company Hans Veering Amsterdam or the Trading Company of Amsterdam and was established primarily to export tea from Sri Lanka. Although the company was keen to capitalize on its growth potential while continuing with its traditional core operations in the tea industry, there was a man who believed that tea was not a mere beverage but a symbol of an upwardly mobile and dynamic lifestyle.

He believed that the real business opportunity lay in this non-conventional thinking and laid the foundation for the creation of the company's flagship brand and its unique aura.

Under the stewardship of Rohan Fernando, the company began by initially focusing on consolidating its bulk business and shipping 'pure Ceylon tea' to large tea drinking countries like the Middle East and CIS. Although exporting to these traditional markets proved to be fruitful, there was always a yearning to explore new ground.

The birth of the company's flagship brand 'Heladiv' was the result.

Heladiv - spun from the word "Heladiva (our land)" with an European phonetic lilt was expected to carve out its unique niche in the world tea markets, as a premium quality brand of teas from the renowned tea gardens of Sri Lanka.

This brand was expected to carry the goodness and richness of a commodity deeply ingrained in tradition, culture and superior taste.

The response was good. As markets grew so did the product portfolio.

Each time, adding on that little something extra to the already endowed collection of teas - comprising of flavoured teas, black teas, golden & silver tips and the specialty gift packs.

The milestone achievement of the company was winning 'The Exporter of the Year Award' in 1998.

The company's success stemmed from the commitment towards Research & Development.