DIMO, one of the fastest-growing conglomerates in Sri Lanka, has integrated innovation into its corporate purpose of fuelling the dreams and aspirations of the communities it serves. By embracing cutting-edge technologies and collaborating with global brands, DIMO delivers advanced solutions across the sectors it represents. However, DIMO’s commitment to innovation extends beyond introducing the latest technologies through partnerships; the company actively identifies and addresses market gaps in Sri Lanka through its initiatives, solidifying its reputation as a forward-thinking and solution-driven organization.
Bringing Innovation to Vocational Education
One area of particular interest to DIMO is developing human capital for a modern economy. DIMO’s approach to vocational education exemplifies its commitment to building human capital with specialized skills. The DIMO Academy of Technical Skills has introduced Sri Lanka’s first vocational training course in LPG (Liquid Petroleum Gas) Technology in response to the growing demand for skilled technicians in industrial sectors such as hotels, garment factories, and multi-storey apartment complexes. While domestic households primarily rely on gas cylinders that require minimal maintenance, larger establishments use bulk tanks and sophisticated piping systems that demand regular maintenance and troubleshooting.
Traditionally, individuals with informal, experience-based training from gas supply companies handled these. However, the lack of standardized, formal training has created a critical gap in the availability of qualified professionals. The DIMO Academy’s course bridges this gap by offering comprehensive theoretical and practical training. Topics covered include LPG system design, installation, maintenance, safety protocols, combustion mechanics, and leak detection systems.
Technicians from organizations such as the Sri Lanka Navy and industry professionals have enrolled in the programme, which combines classroom instruction with hands-on experience. The initiative fills a crucial skills gap in the country and lays the groundwork for a safer and more efficient approach to LPG systems management.
Beyond addressing immediate industry needs, DIMO’s vocational training programmes foster an innovative, solutions-oriented workforce, aligning with DIMO’s broader vision of equipping individuals with the expertise required to meet the evolving demands of Sri Lanka’s industrial and service sectors.
Agriculture: Organic Food and Mechanization
DIMO has made significant strides in agriculture through its FLAVA and MIDITER brands, which focus on organic fruit-based products. These brands address consumer demand for healthier, more convenient food options in local and export markets. FLAVA caters primarily to domestic consumers, while MIDITER targets international markets.
Among DIMO’s innovations are preservative-free fruit drinks that achieve extended shelf life through minimal heat treatments, preserving nutritional content. The product range also includes sugar-free drinks sweetened entirely with natural fruit sugars and jams made exclusively from fruit, without preservatives, flavours, or colours, to prioritize health over cost reductions.
DIMO has expanded its product offerings to include ready-to-use canned items such as lotus roots and young jackfruit. These products cater to urban consumers seeking convenience without compromising on quality. By eliminating the need for extensive preparation, DIMO addresses the time constraints of modern lifestyles while promoting healthier dietary choices.
The company’s emphasis on value-added products, such as ready-to-eat fruit chunks, reflects its ability to combine consumer insights with technological advancements. These innovations demonstrate DIMO’s capacity to create solutions that enhance customer convenience and align with global organic and sustainable food production trends.
DIMO has introduced groundbreaking innovations to enhance productivity and versatility in the agricultural machinery sector. The company recently launched a multipurpose tractor by equipping the Mahindra Yuvo 4WD tractor with a front-end loader. This modification allows the tractor to perform diverse tasks, such as handling construction materials, organic fertilizer, coir, waste management, land preparation and more. The loader can be easily detached, enabling the tractor to revert to its original agricultural functions.
DIMO has also upgraded its Bison boat tractor, a pioneering innovation tailored to the unique agricultural needs of Sri Lanka. Initially launched as the first boat tractor capable of deep puddling in marshy Sri Lankan paddy fields, the Bison has undergone further enhancements. These include a rubber engine mount system to reduce vibrations, an upgraded clutch system for easy operation, and a safer platform with a redesigned dashboard featuring indicators and power sockets. Adding lubricated bearings and other refinements further ensures smoother and more reliable performance. These innovations highlight an unrelenting dedication to advancing agricultural mechanization in Sri Lanka, driving greater efficiency and sustainability in the sector while addressing the practical and operational needs of the farmer community.
Building Services
DIMO has brought transformative solutions to the Sri Lankan building services sector, addressing challenges ranging from power distribution to urban space constraints. One of its standout innovations is the introduction of pre-wired power distribution boards. Designed for domestic use, these boards simplify installation by integrating all necessary components into a single modular platform, eliminating the need to source individual parts or extensive wiring and reducing installation time and complexity.
The pre-wired boards are compatible with single-phase and three-phase electricity systems and are available in configurations ranging from 14 to 42 circuits. Built to withstand harsh environmental conditions, they offer enhanced safety and reliability. Additionally, the boards enable easy troubleshooting, with dedicated terminals for each circuit breaker. Manufactured at the DIMO Lumin Power Distribution Panel facility in Weliweriya, these boards meet international standards, and developers are increasingly using them in apartment complexes and other residential projects. This innovative product enhances customer convenience, providing reliability with superior components and hassle-free installation.
DIMO has introduced automated car parking solutions to address the growing demand for space-efficient parking systems in high-density areas in the sphere of urban infrastructure. These solutions maximize parking capacity while minimizing the space required, achieving up to 88% efficiency compared to traditional ramp-based designs. These solutions lower construction costs and environmental impact by eliminating ramps and reducing the number of concrete slab levels. Each system meets specific customer needs, fostering innovation in every project the company implements under automated car parking systems. These parking solutions are built through advanced technology that enhances operational efficiency while reducing energy consumption, making them a sustainable choice for modern urban development.
Innovative Financial Reporting
At DIMO, innovation is not limited to its products and services; the group has also transformed its corporate reporting practices. By embracing digital technology, DIMO has redefined how it engages with stakeholders through its annual reports. Launching a dedicated, dynamic microsite for its Annual Report for the second time marked a significant milestone in its digital transformation journey. The microsite allows users to analyse interactive graphs, view supplementary information, generate charts with customized data visualization, and access QR codes to view videos and additional resources.
These approaches enhance the accessibility of the report while offering stakeholders a more engaging and comprehensive experience.
DIMO has also integrated Augmented Reality (AR) technology into its reporting practices. Stakeholders can use their smartphones or tablets to scan designated pages of the annual report and access video messages from the Chairman and Managing Director/Group CEO. The inclusion of AI-powered dialogue capabilities allows users to ask questions and receive instant clarifications, creating a two-way communication channel.
These advancements demonstrate a commitment across DIMO to transparency and stakeholder engagement. By setting new benchmarks in integrated reporting, the company has enhanced its corporate communications and reinforced its reputation for strategic foresight and innovation.
A Unified Vision for Innovation
Across its diverse operations, DIMO consistently demonstrates a commitment to innovation that aligns with its corporate purpose. Whether through vocational education, agricultural advancements, building services, or corporate reporting, DIMO addresses local challenges with practical, scalable, and forward-looking solutions.
By identifying market gaps and leveraging global partnerships and local expertise, DIMO has established innovation in its core businesses, enhancing its value proposition and contributing to broader economic and social development. Through its unwavering focus on innovation, DIMO continues to fuel the dreams and aspirations of the communities it serves, driving progress across multiple sectors.