Originally Maximus (company name was derived from the zoological name for the Sri Lankan Elephant – Elephus Maximus Maximus) was set up to Recycle waste printing paper. Soon after entering into this venture we realized that many more waste products, that were often just thrown away, could also be used and recycled. For example: - rice paddy straw, cinnamon and banana bark are all used to add flavour and colour, thus enhancing the products.

The original Maximus operation was located at what is now the “Millennium Elephant Foundation” near Kegalle in Sri Lanka. We started with just seven employees producing paper from a small factory on site. It did not take long however to realize that the six resident elephants are a living, walking natural material source. We soon established that elephant dung was a perfect material to produce paper with. Hence the introduction of our signature “Elephant Dung” paper range.

Operations soon started to increase and the operating center was moved to a new head office in Dam Street Colombo. The existing factory at Kegalle has been expanded to handle the increased production. We now employ over thirty-five staff located between the two sites. At Maximus we use a number of value adding sources but key competitive advantage comes from our flexibility. We can vary colour, texture and thickness to suit individual needs.

Despite being registered as a Limited Liability Company, our company objectives and mission are very clear. At Maximus we strive to enhance conservation and as a result make it profitable and sustainable. The stakeholder theory is adhered to and influences business thinking, our key stakeholder is the Elephant. In other words, the foundation on which Maximus rests is based Conservation, primarily that of the Sri Lanka elephant.