DIMO: Fostering an Industrial Renaissance

DIMO, recognized as a linchpin in the railway and maritime sectors of Sri Lanka, has also expanded its operations to the Maldives, identifying growth prospects in marine infrastructure due to the unique geographical layout of the island nation.

Bandara also elucidates on DIMO Refrigeration Solutions’ emergence as a game-changer in the industrial refrigeration realm, catering to multiple sectors and playing a pivotal role in the nation’s economic surge. Within the industrial engineering spectrum, the future is painted with innovation and sustainable choices. Embracing cutting-edge technologies like remote monitoring systems and AI-driven control modules, DIMO’s focus remains unwavering: to advance not just in financial metrics but in fostering a holistic, thriving ecosystem while fuelling the dreams and aspirations of the industrialists. As DIMO continues its expedition, it exemplifies a marriage of progressive aspirations with sustainable, state of the art solutions, propelling the company and the nation into a prosperous tomorrow. Excerpts of the interview are as follows:

How does DIMO elevate local industries through its diverse product range in marine, railway, industrial engineering and refrigeration solutions?

As the official representative for Rolls Royce Power Systems (MTU) in Sri Lanka and the Maldives, DIMO stands as a key contributor to Sri Lanka’s railway transportation and maritime industry.

Our journey in the railway sector took off in 1991 with the launch of the Class S8 Diesel Multiple Units (DMUs), driven by MTU diesel engines. These units quickly became a hallmark of advancement and ingenuity in the railway realm. Today, MTU engines propel a broad range of Sri Lanka Railway locomotives, renowned for their steadfastness and longevity. This commitment to railway transportation is not just limited to supplying engines. DIMO also offers expertise in automation, mechanical engineering, and routine maintenance, consistently pushing the boundaries in the railway domain.

In the maritime arena, we harness Sri Lanka’s geographic advantage to amplify maritime activities, thereby boosting the nation’s foreign currency earnings. Our Marine Solutions arm, an affiliate of esteemed global brands like MTU, Detroit Diesel and MGDUFF specializes in providing marine spare parts and undertaking comprehensive repairs and overhauls for vessels and offshore structures. Sri Lanka Navy has an MTU Engine fleet of approximately 100 numbers on board their ships and crafts which DIMO provides necessary aftersales services and parts. Our foray into the fisheries sector underlines our dedication to supporting pivotal industries and heightening efficiency.

Our ambitious outreach into the Maldivian market mirrors our unwavering commitment to all-encompassing maritime solutions. We foresee a vibrant future for Sri Lanka’s maritime sector, with growth in areas such as fisheries, marine tourism, and shipping supplies. Our strategy revolves around strategic investments and global partnerships, setting the stage for Sri Lanka’s emergence as a dominant marine epicentre.

In industrial engineering, we are at the forefront, navigating post-COVID-19 shifts and presenting DIMO as a solutions-driven ally. We guarantee uninterrupted plant operations, complemented by our cutting edge mechanical engineering, electrical and electronic solutions with our  world-renowned partners MTU and John Deere to name a few. Our after-sales service for plant and machinery equipment in corporates thorough pre-check protocols. DIMO’s pledge to sustainability shines through our embracement of Industry 4.0 techniques, like remote surveillance and emission management, aligning with anticipated industry standards.

As pioneers in the cooling solution industry, DIMO Refrigeration Solutions is sculpting Sri Lanka’s industrial horizon by offering state-of-the-art refrigeration solutions to diverse sectors such as dairy, pharmaceuticals, food and beverage, seafood processing, and healthcare. Our proficiency in maintaining precise temperature parameters bolsters these sectors, making a notable impact on the national GDP. From design to maintenance, our refrigeration services encompass a wide range of ammonia and Freon-based systems, fortifying essential infrastructure that allows local sectors to thrive. Through its Refrigeration Solutions arm, DIMO caters to leading companies like Cargills Dairies, Ceylon Cold Stores, and Lanka Milk Foods.

In essence, DIMO stands as a beacon of progress, epitomizing Sri Lanka’s economic metamorphosis. Our extensive involvement across rail transportation, maritime, refrigeration, and industrial sectors emphasizes our passion for fostering growth and perfection in Sri Lanka’s multifarious domains.

DIMO recently expanded its industrial solutions to the Maldives. What kind of growth prospects does DIMO see in this market?

The Maldives, with its unique geographical dispersion of islands, inherently requires a robust marine transportation, logistics, and tourism framework. The imperative to effectively transport goods, passengers, and services inter-island presents fertile grounds for investing in marine infrastructure, vessels, and ancillary services.

DIMO’s marine and general engineering operations in the Maldives stand as a testament to our unwavering pursuit of excellence. As the sole Authorized Service Dealership for both Sri Lanka and the Maldives, we proficiently manage a fleet of MTU engines in Maldives. Our recently completed engine rehabilitation project for the Maldivian Marine Police, executed with specialized tools and deep-seated expertise, underscores our capabilities. Beyond this, our exhaustive portfolio covers a broad spectrum of marine products, accessories, and spare parts. This positions DIMO as an indispensable ally for a wide array of maritime vessels, from luxurious yachts and boats to massive ocean-bound ships. As we gaze into the future, we’re setting our sights on expanding further in the Maldives. Our emphasis will be on amplifying our marine engine and industrial engineering services, signalling our steadfast dedication to bolstering the region’s maritime and industrial sectors.

What is your view on the refrigeration industry in Sri Lanka?

As Sri Lanka strides towards an economic boom, DIMO Refrigeration Solutions stands alongside it as an essential infrastructure provider for the food and beverages industry to healthcare while ensuring products are maintained at optimal temperatures. Our impact stems from an unwavering dedication to providing avant-garde refrigeration solutions to a broad spectrum of local industries through our strategic partnerships with world-renowned brands Johnson Controls, SABROE, YORK, GRAM, FRICK, and STAL in the refrigeration sphere.

Our extensive offerings range from designing, supplying, installing, and commissioning, to maintaining refrigeration systems. These systems can cater to varied requirements, be it ammonia chiller plants, block ice makers, flake ice machines, cold storage rooms, IQF machines, or bespoke refrigeration setups for food processing.

In DIMO Refrigeration Solutions, Sri Lanka finds not just a service provider, but a dynamic force of change, an architect of dreams, and the emblem of its flourishing economic narrative.

What is the future that you envision for the industrial engineering segment?

At DIMO, we’re not just engineering pioneers; we’re architects of a sustainable future. We recognize that true progress encompasses more than just financial growth—it extends to the well-being of people and the planet. Our vision is a world where progress is measured not just in numbers but in a thriving ecosystem economically, socially, and environmentally.

As staunch advocates of MTU engines, we’re fervently educating industries about the unparalleled emission standards and enduring quality of MTU technology. In championing this, we reaffirm our allegiance to sustainability and propel our nation’s overarching environmental aspirations.

The modern industrial landscape is rapidly adopting remote monitoring systems, a technology that transcends mere downtime reduction. This innovation doesn’t just minimize breakdown durations; it anticipates potential problems and mitigates them preemptively. We’re at the vanguard of this technological evolution, partnering with elite commercial entities, and initially targeting pivotal sectors like banking and aviation. This progression underscores our allegiance to state of the art solutions and unmatched service quality.

Our vision transcends Sri Lanka’s borders. By leveraging remote monitoring, we’re extending our industrial engineering expertise globally, enhancing our footprint while bolstering our nation’s economic stature.

Our ambition in engineering is expansive. Beyond post-sales services, we’re charting new horizons—from design, manufacturing, assembly to even rebranding, we’re poised to stretch the boundaries of the imaginable.

With the advent of AI, control systems are undergoing a paradigm shift. We at DIMO are delving deep into self-adaptive control modules, offering tailored solutions that fortify our stature as industrial engineering trailblazers.

In essence, innovation is the heartbeat of DIMO. We’re relentlessly scouting and integrating leading edge technologies—  from diverse engines and alternators to ingenious electrical solutions. It’s not merely about leading the race; it’s about pioneering sustainably.