A Life Devoted to Tea
Merrill J. Fernando’s devotion to Tea is a tale of uncompromising commitment to quality and purpose that lies beyond profit. Here is how he converted Dilmah Tea into a cup of kindness.
“I devoted my life to tea”
Merrill J. Fernando
#DoTryIt
Merrill J. Fernando’s devotion to Tea is a tale of uncompromising commitment to quality and purpose that lies beyond profit. Here is how he converted Dilmah Tea into a cup of kindness.
Merrill J. Fernando born in Negombo.
MJF learns tea tasting under O P Rust, Ceylon Tea Controller’s Advisor.
Merrill J. Fernando starts to work as a Tea Assistant with Arthur Frederick Jones and his sons Dennis & Alan Jones at AF Jones & Co.
In October that year he departs for London on MV Himalaya and spends 12 months in London with Joseph Travers & Sons Ltd., 119 Cannon Street, London EC4.
Appointed Managing Director by the owning family of A. F. Jones & Co.
Malik J. Fernando is born.
Dilhan C. Fernando is born.
MJF Co Ltd., cited by the Agency House Commission as the most successful Ceylon bulk tea trading company recording the highest net profit.
MJF temporarily retires from the Sri Lankan Tea Trade and hands over Merrill J. Fernando Company to his former partner.
Merrill J. Fernando establishes Ceylon Tea Services Ltd., floated as a public company on the request of the government to support a fledgling Colombo Stock Exchange.
The launch of Sri Lanka’s first valued added Ceylon Tea Brand “Dilma” with Mauri Foods.
Merrill J. Fernando was invited to supply Dilmah branded Ceylon Tea to V/O Sojuzplodoimport in Moscow, Russia. Dilmah Tea was supplied across the Soviet Union.
Dilmah Founder launches the “Do Try it!” campaign, directed by Daron Curtiss, of New Zealand agency Curtiss & Spence.
Dilmah Tasting and Packing Factory awarded ISO 9002 Certification.
New Dilmah factory built at 111, Negombo Road, Peliyagoda, Colombo.
MJF Group acquires 70% share in Forbes & Walker (Pvt) Ltd.
Dilmah sponsors Sri Lanka National Cricket Team.
MJF Plantations purchases a controlling interest in Kahawatte Plantations Ltd.
The MJF Charitable Foundation is established, formalising a commitment to making business a matter of human service with mandatory contribution to social impact.
December 26th a tsunami hits Sri Lanka with over 35,000 lives lost.
The MJF Charitable Foundation immediately launched the Small Entrepreneur Programme for families affected so that they may regain their livelihoods.
The Merrill J. Fernando Foundation undertakes its first major relief effort, with the Small Entrepreneur Programme benefiting survivors of the tsunami. The project has gone on to empower over 2,000 startup businesses.
Dilmah Launches the Tea Gastronomy Revolution with “Thé Culinaire”.
Launch of Ceylon Tea Trails - An iconic collection of 5 colonial era tea planters’ bungalows restored to impeccable style.
Dilmah wins People’s Export Brand of the year at the SLIM-Nielsen Peoples Awards.
Dilmah awarded Superbrands.
In 2007, Dilmah Conservation was announced as a business objective of the MJF Group of companies, with the aim of protecting the environment by encouraging a harmonious co-existence between man and nature.
Inaugural Dilmah Chefs and the Teamaker Australia programmes.
Dilmah celebrates its 21st Anniversary and the Founder’s 60th year in tea.
Dilmah pledges a core commitment to sustainability.
British Retail Consortium Global Standard for Food Safety certification obtained.
Merrill J. Fernando celebrates his 80th birthday.
Dilmah Conservation launches ‘Greening the East Project’.
Launch of Cape Weligama, Sri Lanka’s most luxurious beach resort, the 2nd of 3 Relais & Chateaux resorts to be established by Resplendent Ceylon.
Dilmah Founder, Merrill J. Fernando pledges to make Dilmah carbon neutral by the year 2017.
Dilmah Founder Merrill J. Fernando named an Honouree of the Oslo Business for Peace Award, chosen by a committee of Nobel laureates for ethical and sustainable business.
The Dilmah School of Tea receives World Chefs certification.
Merrill J Fernando addresses the main forum at the World Chefs Congress.
Merrill J Fernando named Global Businessman at the Sri Lankan of the year Awards. Merrill J. Fernando felicitated as ‘Honoured Citizen’ by the Mayor of Colombo.
Merrill J. Fernando honoured with FIRST Award for Responsible Capitalism for improving the lives of underprivileged children and deprived communities.
Dilmah is a Carbon Neutral facility fulfilling its pledge made in 2014 to become Carbon Neutral by 2017.
Dilmah Founder, Merrill J. Fernando recognized by Business Today in the ‘Passionate 2017’ list of Sri Lankans.
Dilmah Ceylon Tea product becomes Carbon Neutral covering over 1800 products.
Dilmah Tea Founder honoured by World Chefs with Lifetime Achievement Award.
Dilmah Founder Merrill J. Fernando honoured by the International Chamber of Commerce in Sri Lanka as one of the 3 Most Admired Leaders and Dilmah as one of Sri Lanka’s Most Admired Companies.
Dilmah Founder, Merrill J. Fernando was bestowed with the “Deshamanaya” title at the recent National Honours Ceremony presided by President Maithripala Sirisena.
Dilmah Tea Founder Merrill J. Fernando was capped as a Doctor of Science by Massey University in New Zealand.
Marine Environmental protection Authority (MEPA) of Sri Lanka recognised Dilmah’s dedication to Marine Conservation and Coastal Area protection with an award to Dilmah Founder, Merrill J Fernando.
Dilmah’s Founder Merrill J. Fernando celebrates 70 years of tea inspiration.
