AS BROWNS MARKS ONE HUNDRED AND FIFTY YEARS OF PIONEERING EXCELLENCE, IT CONTINUES ITS LEGACY OF CHARTING NEW PATHWAYS THROUGH INNOVATION, RESILIENCE, AND DIGITAL TRANSFORMATION.

FROM THE FIRST MACHINES THAT TRANSFORMED FIELDS TO TODAY’S INTELLIGENT TECHNOLOGIES, BROWNS CONTINUES TO WEAVE TRADITION WITH MODERNITY, CRAFTING VALUE ACROSS GENERATIONS, SHAPING INDUSTRIES AND INSPIRING PROGRESS. TODAY, BROWNS EMERGES RENEWED — TIMELESS IN SPIRIT, YET EVER FORWARD IN ITS JOURNEY.

This year marks Browns’ 150th anniversary—a remarkable legacy of pioneering innovation. How is Browns contributing to this milestone by transforming traditional industries through digitalisation?

As Browns commemorates 150 years of pioneering excellence, we are aligning this historic legacy with a bold, future-ready vision. The company’s commitment to digital transformation is gradually reshaping traditional industries — from agriculture and plantations to energy and manufacturing — by embedding smart technologies, automation, and real-time data analytics into the heart of operations.

We’re not just adopting new digital tools; we’re reimagining value chains. Through innovations like IoT-enabled monitoring systems, we track machine effectiveness, delivery logistics, and even chemical levels in water ensuring precision, efficiency, and sustainability. The company’s transition from printed warranty cards to in-house developed e-warranty systems — a first in the local automotive battery industry — demonstrates our drive to lead with purpose and agility.

Browns is building resilient, tech-enabled ecosystems that enhance traceability, streamline operations, and empower data-driven decision-making. Through these efforts, the company is laying the foundation for the next 150 years of growth, innovation, and leadership.

Browns has a deep-rooted history of mechanisation across sectors. What parallels do you see between the company’s early advancements in mechanisation and today’s digital transformation initiatives led by Browns?

Browns has long been a trailblazer in mechanisation, having introduced Sri Lanka’s first tractor in 1920—revolutionising agriculture and setting the stage for industrial progress. Today, that same pioneering spirit fuels our digital transformation journey.

Where our predecessors brought machines to the field to increase output and reduce manual labour, the company now deploys digital tools to optimise performance, enhance decision-making, and unlock new business models. The context has evolved, but our purpose remains unchanged: to empower local industries through innovation.
Browns is transforming agriculture through precision technologies. We use IoT devices to monitor the effectiveness and fuel efficiency of harvesting equipment, while drones assess plant nutrition levels.

Through the Govisaviya app, farmers receive tailored recommendations on chemical usage, enabling smarter, more sustainable farming practices. These end-to-end digital solutions simplify operations while making farming more cost-effective and resilient.
This seamless evolution from mechanisation to digitalisation demonstrates Browns’ unwavering commitment to progress, ensuring we remain a catalyst for innovation across generations, illuminating the lives of millions of Sri Lankans from sunrise to sunset.

Browns eCare has been recognised as Sri Lanka’s first digital warranty platform. What inspired its development, and how has it changed the landscape of after-sales service and customer relationship management?

Browns eCare was inspired by a clear need to modernise the after-sales service experience in Sri Lanka. Traditionally, warranty processes were manual, and often frustrating for customers. Recognising this gap, Browns introduced eCare — a digital-first solution designed to simplify and streamline warranty registration, tracking, and claims through both mobile and web interfaces.

This innovation has significantly transformed the landscape of after-sales service and customer relationship management. By offering real-time visibility into warranty status and claims, Browns eCare has enhanced transparency and eliminated the uncertainty that was once part of the process. Customers now enjoy a more efficient and reliable service experience.

Moreover, the platform has improved operational efficiency by digitising the entire warranty journey, reducing processing times and administrative overhead. It also fosters stronger customer engagement by delivering a seamless, user-friendly interface that builds trust and loyalty. As a result, Browns eCare has become a benchmark for customer-centric service across both consumer and B2B segments.

The solution’s impact has not gone unnoticed. In 2024, Browns eCare was awarded the Sri Lanka Technology Award under the Enterprise Software – Automotive category. Building on that success, the eCare web platform was honoured again in 2025 at the Best Web Competition, winning in the Automotive category.

These accolades highlight Browns’ commitment to innovation and excellence in customer service, positioning eCare as a pioneer in Sri Lanka’s digital transformation journey.

Beyond eCare, Browns’ suite includes smart solutions for GPS tracking, fuel station monitoring, cold storage, agriculture, AC systems, and even digital weighing systems on tea estates. How do you ensure these technologies stay accessible, scalable, and relevant for Sri Lankan industries?

Browns’ approach is rooted in localisation and collaboration. We work closely with industry stakeholders to co-create solutions tailored to Sri Lankan conditions—be it terrain, climate, or infrastructure. Affordability and scalability are core design principles, and we continuously update our platforms to stay ahead of evolving market needs. Integration with cloud and IoT technologies allows us to deliver real-time insights and modular upgrades, ensuring long-term value and sustainability.

Browns was the first company in Southeast Asia to implement Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central Cloud. What were some of the challenges and rewards of being such an early adopter, and how has it benefitted your clients?

Browns achieved a notable milestone as the first company in Southeast Asia to implement Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central Cloud, marking a bold step in digital transformation. As with any pioneering move, the journey came with its share of challenges, particularly in customisation, regulatory alignment, and managing organisational change. However, the long-term rewards have been immensely transformative.

By adopting Dynamics 365 early, Browns was able to offer its clients unmatched agility, robust data integrity, and the resilience of a cloud-native ERP system. This has empowered businesses to make faster, data-driven decisions while reducing operational complexity and IT overhead.

The implementation also significantly elevated Browns’ standing in the region. It strengthened the company’s reputation as a trusted Microsoft partner, positioning it as a leader in enterprise resource planning and digital finance transformation. Today, Brown and Company PLC ranks among the Top 5 customers for Microsoft Business Central across Sri Lanka, Nepal, Bangladesh, Maldives, Myanmar, and Cambodia in terms of licensing.
This achievement reflects Browns’ commitment to innovation and its significant role in shaping the future of digital enterprise solutions in the region.

Education and training appear to be strategic pillars of your growth. Could you elaborate on your collaborations with local universities, particularly in advancing agri-tech, drone farming, and internships?

At Browns, we view talent development as a strategic pillar and a long-term investment in Sri Lanka’s future. Through dynamic partnerships with leading local universities, we are actively shaping the next generation of innovators in agri-tech, drone farming, and IoT applications.

These collaborations are multifaceted. We offer hands-on internships that often lead to permanent roles, giving students valuable real-world exposure and clear career pathways. In addition, we engage in joint R&D initiatives with academic institutions to co-develop solutions that address real industry challenges—particularly in agriculture and technology.
Our practical training programmes are designed to ensure trainees gain job-ready skills. These range from technical training on tractors to on-site IT initiatives for graduates. Veterinary pharmaceutical students also benefit from clinical and lab-based experience, effectively bridging the gap between academic theory and practical application.

In the agri-tech space, Browns is leading in innovation. Our initiatives include drone-based farming, precision agriculture, and smart farming solutions. Through platforms like the Govisaviya app, undergraduates and farmers alike can access cutting-edge tools that provide recommendations on optimal chemical usage and modern farming techniques—making agriculture smarter, more sustainable, and cost-effective.

To formalise these efforts, we have signed MoUs with several universities, reinforcing our commitment to long-term collaboration. Notably, with the Informatics Institute of Technology (IIT), we offer a five-year fully sponsored scholarship programme, further demonstrating our dedication to nurturing future talent.

These initiatives not only bridge the academic-industry divide but also accelerate innovation by nurturing engineers, data scientists, and agronomists who will carry forward the Browns’ legacy of transformation and leadership.

Browns IT has been honoured with prestigious awards such as the Asian Technology Award, Galaxy Award, and ISO 9001:2015 certification. What do these accolades mean for your company, team and clients?

At Browns IT, being honoured with prestigious accolades such as the Asian Technology Award, Galaxy Award, and ISO 9001:2015 certification is more than a mark of achievement—it’s a testament to our unwavering commitment to excellence, innovation, and quality.
These recognitions validate the dedication and hard work of our team, while reinforcing the trust placed in us by our clients and partners. They endorse our ability to deliver cutting-edge solutions to the highest global standards.

Our success at the Asian Technology Awards — where we won under two categories for Browns eCare and iGen (Generator Monitoring) — highlights our leadership in enterprise software and IoT innovation. The Best Web Competition Award for the Browns eCare website further emphasises our focus on user-centric design and digital experience. Additionally, receiving the Digital Workplace Award from the FITIS Chapter at the Digital Excellence Awards reflects our internal culture of agility, collaboration, and digital empowerment.

Moreover, all our IoT products have received CE certification, affirming our adherence to rigorous safety and compliance protocols — an assurance of reliability for our clients across industries.

These accolades not only elevate Browns but also inspire us to continuously raise the bar, setting new benchmarks in digital transformation—not just in Sri Lanka, but across the region.

Looking ahead, how is Browns IT preparing to integrate next-generation technologies like AI, blockchain, and machine learning? What future innovations can the business community expect from you in the years to come?

Looking ahead, Browns is strategically preparing to integrate next-generation technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI), blockchain, and machine learning to drive innovation and sustainable growth across Sri Lanka’s industries. We are actively investing in AI-driven predictive analytics to forecast trends, assess and monitor business risks, and track customer potential and demand. Blockchain is being explored to enhance supply chain transparency and security, while machine learning is being applied to improve operational intelligence, cost-saving mechanisms, and process efficiencies.

Our robust R&D pipeline already includes pilot projects in smart farming, automated energy management, and smart logistics. These initiatives are laying the foundation for end-to-end digital ecosystems that are intelligent, secure, and future-proof. In the coming years, we can expect Browns to lead the way in delivering transformative solutions that not only optimise performance but also redefine how industries operate—ensuring resilience, agility, and long-term value creation.