Finlays commissions Oolong tea factory

Brown & Co. PLC recently completed the task of converting Finlays Tea Estates' Waldemar orthodox tea factory in Udapussellawa to manufacture Oolong tea.

Waldemar had hitherto been manufacturing Black tea and as a value addition initiative, Finlays Tea Estates decided to convert it into a dual purpose factory that manufactures Green tea and Oolong tea. This gives the plantation company, the advantage of manufacturing either type of tea to suit market demand.

The manufacture of Oolong tea though new to the country, has a high demand in the world market. This type of tea, predominantly manufactured in Taiwan and China fetches a high price compared to orthodox teas.

With the current dip in prices in the tea market, Finlays, hopes to complement the sagging tea market with these value added products and enhance profitability.

Since Green and Oolong Tea do not need conventional withering, the space needed for withering and manufacturing is minimal. As a result the Waldemar factory which was originally a four loft factory, now operates as a modified two loft factory.

This is the third major contract that has been awarded to Browns. The others were - installation of the second CTC line at Duckwari Estate and the CTC line at Hapugastenne Estate to complement the existing orthodox rollers.

General Manager, Plantation Support Services, Jeremy Rajiah said, "The setting up of the first ever Oolong tea factory in Sri Lanka, is a turnkey project as it involved the transfer of knowledge in the manufacture of Oolong tea. Browns sent representatives from Finlays to Taiwan to master the manufacturing of Oolong tea and in turn bring in experts to Waldemar from Taiwan to train the factory personnel in the manufacturing of these specialty teas.

Today, Waldemar manufactures quality Oolong tea, which is on par with the best from Taiwan."

The factory nestled between the extreme cold temperatures in the highlands of Nuwara Eliya and the up and mid country climates of Uda Pussellawa has an agro-friendly climate which is ideal for the manufacture of Oolong tea.