John Keells Holdings PLC
FormerlyJohn Keells Limited
Company typePublic
ISINLK0092N00003
IndustryConglomerate
Founded1870; 154 years ago (1870)
Headquarters
Colombo
,
Sri Lanka
Key people
Krishan Balendra (Chairman)
Brands
RevenueIncrease LKR260.687 billion (2023)
Increase LKR12.691 billion (2023)
Decrease LKR18.896 billion (2023)
Total assetsIncrease LKR744.506 billion (2023)
Total equityIncrease LKR360.418 billion (2023)
Owners
Number of employees
Increase 22,250 (2022/23)
Subsidiaries
Websitewww.keells.com
Footnotes / references
[1]

John Keells Holdings PLC (JKH) is one of the largest conglomerate companies in Sri Lanka. From managing hotels and resorts in Sri Lanka and the Maldives to providing port, marine fuel and logistics services to IT solutions, manufacturing of food and beverages to running a chain of supermarkets, tea broking to stock broking, life insurance and banking to real estate, the Group of companies has made its presence felt in virtually every major sphere of the economy.

JKH is a full member of the World Economic Forum and has issued Global Depository Receipts on the Luxembourg Stock Exchange, and was the first Sri Lankan company to be listed overseas. As a Member of the Global Compact – the United Nations-sponsored international corporate citizenship initiative, JKH is also committed to sustainable development and greater social responsibility, in a multi-stakeholder context. Keells continues its position as the most valuable company in Sri Lanka since the 1980s.[2]

History

Edwin and George John founded John Keells in the 1870s. They incorporated the company in Colombo, Ceylon with the name E.John & Co. In 1960 they changed the name to John Keells. It was initially set up as a manufacturer of tea and essential foods. In 1948 E. John & Co. merged with two UK based companies including Thompson and White & Co. Ltd.[3]

During the 1970s and 1980s, the company mainly focussed on new opportunities in the tourist industry. In 1986, the name was changed again, from John Keells Ltd to John Keells Holdings Ltd. In 1986/87 John Keells went public.[4]

Shareholding

The number of shares of John Keells is approximately 1.32 Billion. In 2021, the share price of JKH reached Rs. 147. The promoter group, the SK Captain family, hold 11.62% of the total shares whereas the remaining 88.38% shares are held by public shareholders, including Citigroup.[5]

Listing

The company's equity shares have been listed on the Colombo Stock Exchange since the 1980s. As of 2021, JKH's market capitalization stood at Rs195 billion, making it the largest company in Sri Lanka. Approximately 6% of its total market cap.[2] In 1994 the Global Depository Receipts issued by the company were listed on the Luxembourg Stock Exchange.

Company has received domestic credit rating of AAA (lka) from Fitch.[6] It was to become the 10th most valuable brand in Sri Lanka worth Rs. US$103 million in 2020 (excluding Elephant House).[7]

Businesses and investments

Transportation Sector

John Keells' total revenue from logistics was 10%, from transporting 12% and 5% from supply chain management.

John Keells Logistics (Pvt) Ltd. is a logistic, supply chain management and transportation management company. It is a subsidiary of John Keells. It is a recipient of the ISO 9001:2015 and ISO 45001:2018 certifications.[8]

Mackinnons is one of the oldest logistic companies in Sri Lanka. It was founded by India Steamship Company in 1917. Mackinnons Group was acquired by John Keells in the 1970s.[9]

Startup Accelerator

John Keells Holdings launched John Keells X in 2016 to boost creative and intellectual business talent in Sri Lanka via a competitive programme conceptualized and administered by John Keells Holdings PLC. It includes investment in Blue lotus 360, DirectPay, HeliosP2P, SenzAgro.[10]

Finances

John Keells Holdings financial performance
Year Revenue in bil. LKR EBIT in bil. LKR Profit in bil. LKR Equity in bil. LKR Capital employed in bil. LKR Earnings per share LKR
2023 276.640 40.392 18.896 360.418 624.478 13.12
2022 218.075 34.359 20.443 330.091 598.319 15.13
2021 127.676 7.931 3.951 242.987 415.891 3.62
2020 138.956 15.508 9.741 243.723 344.630 7.14
2019 135.456 20.198 16.237 230.358 284.871 11.13
2018 121.215 28.155 23.120 224.864 254.587 15.2
2017 106.273 23.324 18.117 194.331 217.097 11.9
2016 93.710 20.192 15.792 168.481 189.231 10.5
2015 91.852 19.226 15.745 150.077 174.011 12.6
2014 86.706 16.537 12.958 134.319 160.458 10.5

Source: Annual Report, 2022/23 (p. 305)[1]

References

  1. ^ a b "Annual Report 2022/23" (PDF). cse.lk. John Keells Holdings PLC. Retrieved 24 May 2023.
  2. ^ a b "Colombo Stock Exchange". Colombo Stock Exchange. Retrieved 21 April 2021.
  3. ^ "History | John Keells Holdings PLC, Sri Lanka". www.keells.com. Retrieved 21 April 2021.
  4. ^ "Times Treasured in History" (PDF). John Keells Holdings.
  5. ^ "John Keells Holdings PLC, JKH.N0000:CSE summary - FT.com". markets.ft.com. Retrieved 21 April 2021.
  6. ^ LBO (19 August 2013). "Sri Lanka's John Keells Holdings 'AAA(lka)' rating confirmed: Fitch". Lanka Business Online. Retrieved 21 April 2021.
  7. ^ "Sri Lanka 100 2020 | Brand Value Ranking League Table | Brandirectory". brandirectory.com. Retrieved 21 April 2021.
  8. ^ "John Keells Logistics | About Us". John Keells Logisitics. Retrieved 21 April 2021.
  9. ^ "Mackinnon Mackenzie building : Preserving the old world charm". Sunday Observer. 31 August 2018. Retrieved 21 April 2021.
  10. ^ "John Keells X Open Innovation Challenge". www.dailymirror.lk. Retrieved 26 May 2021.
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