About us
Just a few words

Where Timeless Craft
Meets Modern Fashion

Eskimo Fashion Knitwear (Private) Ltd was incorporated in 1982 as a foreign owned limited liability company for the purpose of manufacturing and marketing knitwear for international markets. It was one of the earliest foreign investment projects launched when Sri Lanka commenced a program of economic liberalization. The foreign owner - Eskimo Strickwaren GmbH - has a historical heritage of over a century, which is deeply rooted in European entrepreneurship, management, technical and marketing skills

The history of the company begins in 1870 when the Merkel family, the ancestors of the Michael – Lohs family, set up a family business to produce knitted gloves and socks in Germany. Over the past hundred years Eskimo developed its core competence in knitwear, diversified its product range, initially relocated production facilities from East to West Germany and finally to Asia, with the circle being finally completed in 1994 when an office was opened to co-ordinate sales at the very place where the old factory was originally started in 1870.

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Growth of Eskimo


As with many European industries in the last quarter of the 20th Century, rising cost of manufacturing in Europe was a major factor that led the company’s decision to move production of knitwear out of the continent, Thus Eskimo Fashion Knitwear came to be established in Sri Lanka.
Eskimo Fashion Knitwear commenced operations with a modern and integrated production plant built on 90,000 square meters of lush coconut land, which is just a few minutes drive from Sri Lanka’s international airport as well as the touristic town of Negombo. It then had a staff of around 200.

Over the years, the capacity of the plant at the Negombo site has been expanded to meet growing market demands. As a result a second plant was constructed on the Pallekele Industrial Estate, in 1999, and a third in Punanai in 2011.

Today Eskimo prides itself of being one of the best manufacturers on winter accessories with over 2,250 employees based at 3 locations.





MEET OUR TEAM

Carlo Thumbawila (CEO)

Carlo Thumbawila
Known to the Industry very well, his abilities in entrepreneurship and garment trade will guide the company and the team to cater nothing but the best what customers require. 27 years of experience behind him in the trade and his dedication and flexibility to the customers coupled with his innovative ideas and management expertise would surely delight the customers. Forward thinking and Personal Integrity coupled with Professionalism has been his strengths to create value addition to the industry. Mr. Thumbawila is a fellow member of Institute of Chartered Accountants of Sri Lanka.

Kavya Thumbawila

Director

Kavya Thumbawila with a professional background of Cost and Management Accountancy has strong capabilities in analyzing data both financial and commercial. She hails from an entrepreneurial and financial family background and was well-trained at prestigious institutes and companies prior to taking up the Position of Director at Eskimo Fashion Knitwear (Private) Limited. Her committed services and dedication to the company ensures that the company stays focused on its core activities while ensuring sustainability and growth into the future.

Ms. Priyangika Mendis

Head of Merchandising

Priyangika Mendis is a pioneering and dedicated member of Eskimo Fashion who has expertly climbed the corporate ladder to become the Head of the Merchandising and Marketing Department. With over 20years of experience and a steadfast commitment to the company, she has demonstrated exceptional leadership, strategic problem-solving, and a deep loyalty to customers. Her journey within Eskimo Fashion is marked by continuous growth, and a focus on creating lasting value for both the company and its customers. Her vision and leadership have been instrumental in driving the success and expansion of the Eskimo fashion.

Mr. Deepal Jayasundara

Head of Planning

Deepal Jayasundara brings over 20 years of diverse experience in planning and executing production strategies across various companies, playing a pivotal role in ensuring operations are delivered on time and in alignment with company objectives. As the Head of Planning and Operations at Eskimo fashion , Deepal Jayasundara’s extensive expertise has driven the company forward, ensuring that all projects are executed efficiently within the targeted timelines and with the highest level of operational excellence.
His strategic leadership and exceptional planning abilities have enabled the organization to meet its goals while fostering a culture of teamwork and collaboration.