Our wooden toys come from Lanka kade, a company founded in 1994 by Upul and Diane when they returned to the UK from Sri Lanka. They met in Sri Lanka whilst working for the Red Cross. They did not want to lose contact with the country and the people they both love, so they set up a small import business to maintain links with Sri Lanka.
The name Lanka Kade translates to ‘The Sri Lankan Shop’.
Lanka Kade has grown to become an important business based in Market Harborough Leicestershire. They specialise in the design, craft and supply of fair trade wooden toys and gifts for children. The toys are top quality.
Anne and Helen design Lanka Kade products to inspire learning through play. They are educational, bright and colourful.
Over the last twenty years the company ethos has remained the same; to build long-term, sustainable trading partnerships that provide stability and protects local skills. They encourage their producer’s independence and growth at every level. They offer interest-free loans, training and independent financial support. In this way they help them grow into independent businesses.
As director Upul comments “Seeing our producer groups flourish over the years into the healthy, independent businesses they are today has been inspiring to see and a privilege to be a part of. The ten groups we work with have given employment to over 180 local people. This has allowed them to provide for themselves and their families with pride. We are most proud of the independence our producers now demonstrate. They have seized the opportunities we offered over the years. We look forward to working with more groups in the future.’