Hayleys Fentons has completed a Rs. 1 billion-plus manufacturing facility for Shield Restraint Systems at Wathupitiwala Export Processing Zone, delivering the project on schedule in about 14 months.
Hayleys Fentons delivers Shield Restraint Systems project on schedule
Hayleys Fentons Ltd., the project arm of the Hayleys Group, has completed construction of a specialised manufacturing facility for Shield Restraint Systems Ltd. at the Wathupitiwala Export Processing Zone, marking another major industrial infrastructure project delivered by the company.
The project, valued at more than Rs. 1 billion, was completed from the laying of the foundation stone on January 7, 2025, to final handover in approximately 14 months. The on-time delivery is particularly significant given the technical requirements associated with a facility designed to serve an international automotive manufacturing supply chain.
The new manufacturing facility will be used by Shield Restraint Systems to produce premium safety restraint systems for international automotive industry customers. Its construction therefore required more than conventional industrial building capabilities, with the project having to accommodate precision engineering requirements and international compliance standards associated with automotive manufacturing.
Sujith De Alwis, Deputy Managing Director – Projects at Hayleys Fentons, said the project demonstrated the engineering and project management capabilities developed within the company. He noted that completing a facility of this complexity within the agreed timeframe showed that Sri Lankan construction expertise could meet demanding international requirements.
The development also represents an investment in Sri Lanka’s industrial capacity. By supporting a facility serving global automotive customers, the project contributes to the country’s efforts to expand its participation in international manufacturing and supply chains.
Roshani Dharmaratne, Executive Director of Hayleys Mobility Ltd., said projects of this nature require extensive planning, quality management and coordination across multiple technical disciplines. She added that the successful handover reinforced Hayleys Fentons’ position as a partner for high-value industrial and foreign direct investment projects in Sri Lanka.
The delivery timeline is one of the key aspects of the project. Completing the development in roughly 14 months required coordination across construction activities, technical specifications, regulatory requirements and the operational needs of a highly specialised manufacturing environment.
For industrial investors, the ability to deliver infrastructure within an agreed schedule can be an important consideration when establishing or expanding manufacturing operations. Delays in construction can affect production timelines, equipment installation and the eventual commencement of commercial operations. The on-time completion of the Shield Restraint Systems facility therefore carries significance beyond the construction contract itself.
The project also reflects the growing importance of specialised industrial infrastructure in supporting foreign direct investment. Manufacturing investments increasingly require facilities designed around specific production processes, quality systems and international standards rather than generic industrial space.
Against this backdrop, Hayleys Fentons is positioning its project operations to target developments where engineering precision and project coordination are central to successful delivery. The Shield Restraint Systems project adds another high-value industrial development to its portfolio while demonstrating its ability to manage complex construction requirements within a defined schedule.
The automotive sector is particularly demanding because manufacturers and suppliers operate within tightly controlled quality and safety frameworks. Facilities producing automotive components must support consistent manufacturing standards, reliable processes and compliance with requirements set by international customers.
For Sri Lanka, investments linked to the global automotive supply chain can provide opportunities to strengthen manufacturing capabilities and diversify the country’s industrial base. Facilities such as the Shield Restraint Systems plant can also create demand for supporting services, technical expertise and local supply-chain participation.
Hayleys Fentons said the completed project further establishes its reputation as a contractor capable of delivering precision-engineered industrial infrastructure to global standards. The company sees such developments as part of a broader strategy to become a contractor of choice for foreign direct investment projects requiring specialised construction expertise.
The successful completion of the Wathupitiwala facility consequently represents both a construction milestone for Hayleys Fentons and an industrial development for Sri Lanka. As the facility begins supporting Shield Restraint Systems’ manufacturing operations, the project brings together local construction capabilities, international manufacturing requirements and investment aimed at strengthening Sri Lanka’s position within global supply chains.