ACL Cables
ACL Cables is a Sri Lankan cable manufacturer and publicly listed electrical-products company.
Last updated August 31, 2026
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Overview
ACL Cables PLC is a Sri Lankan manufacturer and seller of electrical cables and related products. Its principal product categories include power cables, electrical conductors, armoured cables and telephone cables. The company traces its origins to 1962, when Associated Cables Ltd was incorporated as a subsidiary of Associated Motorways. Manufacturing began in 1963 at the Associated Motorways industrial park in Kalutara, establishing the company as one of Sri Lanka's early domestic cable producers. The business developed through a series of ownership, technical and product milestones. It became a publicly quoted company in 1976 and separated from the Associated Motorways Group in 1980. The company adopted the ACL Cables name in 1990 to create a more independent corporate identity. It expanded its manufacturing capabilities by adding armoured cables in 1986 and entered a technical collaboration with Nokia Cables in 1988. International sales began in 1995, initially targeting Bangladesh and the Maldives, and the company later developed export activity in markets including India, Australia and African countries. ACL Cables has also used acquisitions to expand its position in the Sri Lankan electrical-products sector. It acquired Kelani Cables in 1999, a transaction that prompted concerns among smaller market participants about concentration in the cable industry. The Fair Trading Commission did not intervene because cables were not among the products then covered by the relevant anti-monopoly restrictions. A consortium comprising ACL Cables, National Development Bank and Trydan Partners also acquired Hemas Power from Hemas Holdings. In 2019, ACL Cables acquired a 51 percent interest in Cable Solutions (Pvt) Ltd for LKR 480.7 million, broadening its participation in the cable-related market. The brand has expanded beyond conventional cable products. It entered the ceiling-fan market in 2016, and its ceiling fans received certification from the Sri Lanka Standards Institution for energy efficiency and safety features. In 2015, ACL Cables introduced a new logo as part of its brand identity development. The company has been recognized in Sri Lankan brand rankings, including a 2022 Brand Finance ranking that placed it as the country's most valuable building-material brand and 37th overall brand. It has also been described as holding a substantial share of Sri Lanka's cable market. ACL Cables operates in an environment affected by raw-material costs, import requirements, construction demand and foreign-exchange availability. During Sri Lanka's economic crisis, shortages of foreign exchange made it more difficult for the company to import raw materials. In January 2022, ICRA Lanka upgraded the company's credit rating to [SL]AA- from [SL]A+, with a stable outlook, citing its financial position and market share. ACL Cables remains associated with Sri Lanka's electrical-infrastructure and building-materials sectors, serving domestic customers while maintaining an export presence.
History
ACL Cables began as Associated Cables Ltd, incorporated in Sri Lanka in 1962 as a subsidiary of Associated Motorways. Production of electrical cables commenced the following year at the Associated Motorways industrial park in Kalutara. This origin placed the company within the early development of Sri Lanka's domestic electrical-manufacturing industry, where locally produced cables supported construction, power distribution and communications requirements. The company became publicly quoted on the Colombo Stock Exchange in 1976. In 1980 it left the Associated Motorways Group, marking a significant change in corporate independence. The business continued to build manufacturing capability, adding armoured cables in 1986. Two years later it entered a technical collaboration with Nokia Cables, linking its production development to an established international cable specialist. In 1990, the company changed its name from Associated Cables to ACL Cables, reinforcing a distinct identity separate from Associated Motorways. ACL Cables began exporting in 1995, initially to Bangladesh and the Maldives. Its later export markets included India, Australia and parts of Africa. The company pursued consolidation and vertical expansion through corporate transactions. In 1999 it acquired Kelani Cables. The transaction generated concerns among smaller cable-market participants about possible monopolistic effects. The Fair Trading Commission did not block the acquisition because cables were not included among the products subject to the relevant statutory anti-monopoly restriction at that time. The company also participated in the acquisition of Hemas Power from Hemas Holdings through a consortium with National Development Bank and Trydan Partners. In 2015 ACL Cables refreshed its visual identity with a new logo. It entered the ceiling-fan market in 2016, extending its consumer and building-products offering beyond cables. Its ceiling fans subsequently received Sri Lanka Standards Institution certification relating to energy efficiency and safety features. In 2019 ACL Cables acquired 51 percent of Cable Solutions (Pvt) Ltd for LKR 480.7 million. This transaction added another cable-related business to the company's portfolio. By 2022, Brand Finance ranked ACL Cables as Sri Lanka's most valuable building-material brand and 37th overall brand in the country. The company was also described as controlling approximately 70 percent of Sri Lanka's cable market, although the precise measurement basis and date should be checked against the underlying source. The company has faced the operating pressures common to Sri Lankan manufacturers, including dependence on imported raw materials and exposure to foreign-exchange availability. During Sri Lanka's economic crisis, shortages of foreign currency complicated imports. In January 2022, ICRA Lanka upgraded ACL Cables' credit rating to [SL]AA- from [SL]A+, assigning a stable outlook and citing its financial position and market share. ACL Cables' documented business remains centered on power and electrical cables, conductors, armoured cables and telephone cables, supplemented by ceiling fans and export operations.
- 2022
Brand ranking recognition
[1]Brand Finance ranked ACL Cables as Sri Lanka's most valuable building-material brand and 37th overall brand.
- 2019
Investment in Cable Solutions
[1]ACL Cables acquired a 51 percent stake in Cable Solutions (Pvt) Ltd for LKR 480.7 million.
- 2016
Entry into ceiling fans
[1]The company entered the ceiling-fan market.
- 2015
Brand identity refresh
[1]ACL Cables introduced a new logo.
- 1999
Acquisition of Kelani Cables
[1]ACL Cables acquired Kelani Cables in a transaction that prompted market-concentration concerns.
- 1995
Export expansion
[1]ACL Cables started exporting to Bangladesh and the Maldives.
- 1990
Renamed ACL Cables
[1]The company adopted the ACL Cables name to establish an independent corporate identity.
- 1988
Technical collaboration with Nokia Cables
[1]ACL Cables began a technical collaboration with Nokia Cables.
- 1986
Armoured-cable production begins
[1]The company added armoured cables to its manufacturing portfolio.
- 1980
Leaves the Associated Motorways Group
[1]Associated Cables moved out of the Associated Motorways Group.
Products and positioning
A major Sri Lankan electrical-products and cable manufacturer serving infrastructure, construction, industrial and export markets.
Electrical cables
Power cables
Power cables are a core ACL Cables product category, supporting electrical distribution and construction applications. The company manufactures and sells power-cable products for the Sri Lankan market and export destinations. The available reference material does not specify individual voltage ratings, conductor materials or series names.
Electrical conductors
Electrical conductors
ACL Cables manufactures electrical conductors used in power and wiring applications. Conductors form part of the company's established cable portfolio and support its positioning as a domestic electrical-infrastructure supplier. Detailed specifications and product-family names are not identified in the available material.
Electrical cables · 1986
Armoured cables
Armoured cables were added to the company's manufacturing range in 1986. Their reinforced construction is intended for applications requiring additional mechanical protection. The source material confirms the product category and introduction year but does not provide detailed construction or performance specifications.
Telecommunications cables
Telephone cables
Telephone cables are part of ACL Cables' communications-related product offering. They complement the company's power and electrical-cable lines and reflect its broader role in cable manufacturing. Specific cable designs, network standards and current product ranges are not stated in the reference material.
Electrical appliances · 2016
ACL ceiling fans
ACL Cables entered the ceiling-fan market in 2016 as an adjacent electrical-products category. The company's ceiling fans received Sri Lanka Standards Institution certification associated with energy efficiency and safety features. The available sources do not identify model names or technical specifications.
Marketing campaigns
- 2015Logo and brand identity introduction
Sri Lanka
ACL Cables introduced a new logo to reinforce its independent corporate identity and refresh the presentation of the brand.
Outcome. The new logo became part of the company's updated brand identity. A broader campaign evaluation is not documented in the available material.
Brand decisions
2019
Acquire a controlling stake in Cable SolutionsM&ABackground
ACL Cables used an acquisition to expand its participation in the cable-related business.
Action taken
The company acquired 51 percent of Cable Solutions (Pvt) Ltd.
Aftermath
The transaction added a controlling interest in Cable Solutions to ACL Cables' corporate portfolio.
Acquisition consideration. LKR 480.7 million (2019)
2016
Enter the ceiling-fan categoryProduct launchBackground
ACL Cables sought to broaden its electrical-products business beyond cable manufacturing.
Action taken
The company entered the ceiling-fan market.
Aftermath
Its ceiling fans later received Sri Lanka Standards Institution certification for energy-efficiency and safety features.
1999
Acquire Kelani CablesM&ABackground
The acquisition was undertaken as ACL Cables expanded its position in Sri Lanka's cable industry.
Action taken
ACL Cables acquired Kelani Cables.
Aftermath
Smaller market participants expressed monopolistic concerns, but the Fair Trading Commission did not intervene because cables were outside the applicable list of restricted products.
1986
Add armoured cables to the portfolioProduct launchBackground
The company was expanding its manufacturing capabilities beyond its earlier electric-cable production.
Action taken
ACL Cables began manufacturing armoured cables.
Aftermath
Armoured cables became part of the company's documented product range.
1980
Separate from the Associated Motorways GroupStrategyBackground
Associated Cables had operated as a subsidiary of Associated Motorways since its incorporation.
Action taken
The company moved out of the Associated Motorways Group.
Aftermath
The separation preceded the adoption of the ACL Cables name in 1990 and the development of a more independent corporate identity.
Recent events
- 2022
ICRA Lanka upgrades ACL Cables' credit rating[1]
Other
ICRA Lanka upgraded ACL Cables from [SL]A+ to [SL]AA-, with a stable outlook, citing the company's financial position and market share.
- 2019
ACL Cables acquires a controlling stake in Cable Solutions[1]
M&A
ACL Cables acquired 51 percent of Cable Solutions (Pvt) Ltd for LKR 480.7 million.
- 2016
ACL Cables enters the ceiling-fan market[1]
Product launch
ACL Cables expanded beyond cable products by entering the ceiling-fan category.
- 2015
ACL Cables introduces a new logo[1]
Campaign
The company introduced a new logo as part of its corporate brand identity.
- 1999
ACL Cables acquires Kelani Cables[1]
M&A · Regulation
ACL Cables acquired Kelani Cables. Smaller market participants raised concerns about concentration, but the Fair Trading Commission did not intervene under the applicable rules.
- 1995
ACL Cables begins exports to Bangladesh and the Maldives[1]
Other
The company began exporting cable products to Bangladesh and the Maldives, initiating its documented international sales expansion.
- 1988
ACL Cables starts technical collaboration with Nokia Cables[1]
Other
ACL Cables entered a technical collaboration with Nokia Cables as part of its manufacturing and technical development.
- 1986
ACL Cables begins manufacturing armoured cables[1]
Product generation
The company expanded its manufacturing range by adding armoured cables to its product portfolio.
Foreign-exchange shortages affect raw-material imports[1]
Other
During Sri Lanka's economic crisis, restrictions on foreign-exchange availability created difficulties for importing raw materials needed for production.
Sources2 sources
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