Founded in 1841 by Captain William Mackwood, Mackwoods has the distinction of being the second oldest Mercantile Firm in Sri Lanka. The Company remained in the Mackwoods family until 1956 when the ownership passed on to Mr. N.S.O. Mendis, a visionary Sri Lankan entrepreneur. The family tradition at Mackwoods continued with Mrs. Sriyani Nonis, daughter of Mr. N.S.O. Mendis who steered the Mackwoods Group as Director, Deputy Chairperson, and Chairperson over a period spanning 40 years and was the only Sri Lankan female to head a plantation company.

Today, Mackwoods enters its 167th year of business, with Dr. Chris Nonis, the son of the late
Mrs. Sriyani Nonis, at its helm and with offices in the UK and Sri Lanka, continues to foster British-Sri Lankan trade, and is involved in Healthcare (Pharmaceuticals, Medical Equipment, Scientific & Lab Equipment); Agribusiness and Plantations (Tea, Rubber and Oil Palm); ICT Education and Software Development; Imports and Exports; Industrial Machinery and Equipment; Industrial Chemicals; Energy Sector; Leisure Sector; and Manufacturing Sector.

The name Mackwoods is synonymous with the finest Ceylon Tea, as Mackwoods has been associated with tea almost since it's inception. Today, Mackwoods manages 27,000 acres of plantations comprising 15 Tea, Rubber and Oil Palm estates, and brings you tea direct from the producer thus ensuring a fairer return to the local community.