M. Afzal Nazlie, the Managing Director of Colors & Shades, is a name synonymous with innovation and excellence in Sri Lanka’s construction industry. His journey from a professional in the coatings industry to a pioneering entrepreneur is a testament to his commitment to excellence, visionary leadership, and ability to navigate a competitive market’s complexities. Through Colors & Shades, he has not only transformed the local building and construction industry but has also set the foundation for regional expansion.
Before establishing Colors & Shades in 2013, Afzal built a formidable career working across different countries in Asia, including Singapore and India. These years provided him with a deep understanding of the global business environment and a strong foothold in the coatings industry. However, despite having a stable career, he was driven by a desire to build something innovative and fill a significant gap in the Sri Lankan market.
“As a professional in the sales and marketing sector of the building and construction industry, I noticed that Sri Lanka lacked many advanced product and service offerings. The realization of this gap, combined with my passion for business, fuelled my decision to establish Colors & Shades,” he recalls.
Starting a business from scratch is never easy, and Afzal had to overcome numerous challenges in the early days. “At the beginning, I wore multiple hats—I was the sales executive, the project manager, and the administrator. There was no set working schedule; I worked around the clock to ensure everything ran smoothly. I had to prove that our company could provide value in a way that the market had never seen before,” he recalls.
From the start, Afzal’s vision for Colors & Shades was clear: to become the benchmark for premium building materials and coatings solutions in Sri Lanka and beyond. “A vision should be a living, breathing part of an organization. It is not meant to be framed and displayed on a wall but should drive every decision we make,” he says.
This vision was the foundation for introducing innovative, high-quality products and services that addressed the gaps in Sri Lanka’s construction sector. Rather than competing with existing players in saturated markets, Colors & Shades focused on creating a niche for itself. This was achieved by pioneering innovative product offerings, particularly in specialized coatings and surface finishes that were previously unavailable in the local market.
From its humble beginnings, Colors & Shades has evolved into a multi-dimensional organization that offers a comprehensive range of solutions for the building and construction industry. Today, the company carries a portfolio of international brands and specializes in high-quality products, including specialized coatings, floor coatings, high-pressure laminate (HPL) panels, Tiles, mosaics, special ceilings, partitions, heat & sound proofing, construction chemicals, bathroom & sanitary ware and other innovative construction materials.
The company has been a part of some of the most iconic projects in Sri Lanka, including the Altair residential development, Cinnamon Red Kandy, and the landmark Shangri-La project in Colombo. These accomplishments are a testament to the company’s commitment to delivering top-tier products and services that exceed client expectations.
Leading a company is no easy feat, especially in an industry as dynamic and demanding as construction. According to Afzal, leadership starts with a clear and compelling vision. At Colors & Shades, every member of the organization understands the ultimate goal: to be the market leader in premium construction products. “Our vision guides every step we take and every decision we make,” he explains.
By maintaining a razor-sharp focus, he has successfully led Colors & Shades to differentiate itself from competitors. Instead of following the industry’s conventional paths, the company has carved its own niche by prioritizing innovation, quality, and customer-centric solutions.
Every successful business has a robust strategy, and Afzal ensures that Colors & Shades operates with a clear roadmap. “Short-term and medium-term goals must always align with a well-thought-out strategy,” he states. “We do not just chase immediate profits. Instead, we focus on sustainable, long-term growth that aligns with our core values and business direction.”
With a strategic focus, Colors & Shades has managed to expand its product range and services beyond just coatings and paints, venturing into various other aspects of the construction industry. This diversification has enabled the company to remain resilient even during economic downturns.
Afzal believes that leadership is about people. “Finding the right talent is one thing, but keeping them engaged and motivated is another challenge entirely,” he says. “We believe in a lean, flat organizational structure that fosters open communication and allows for agility in decision-making.”
At Colors & Shades, the work culture is built on collaboration, continuous learning, and ownership. The company invests in training and development to ensure that every employee has a clear understanding of their roles and responsibilities, creating a strong foundation for growth. The company is also a ISO 9001-2015 accredited company maintaining high quality standards in its processes, products & services.
The past few years have been turbulent for businesses in Sri Lanka, with major economic fluctuations and political uncertainties creating numerous obstacles. However, Afzal’s ability to be flexible and agile in response to changing market conditions has allowed the company to stay on course.
“We are always aware that we operate in an unpredictable environment,” he explains. “The key is to remain agile, make timely decisions, and take calculated risks. Sometimes, the best course of action is to ensure that employees, customers, suppliers, and other stakeholders all have a net benefit from their association with us and the company staying afloat, even in the most challenging times.”
With more than a decade of success, Colors & Shades is now gearing up for the next phase of its journey—regional expansion. While challenges exist, Afzal is optimistic about the company’s future in markets beyond Sri Lanka, particularly in the Middle East and other Asian countries.
“Our long-term goal is to establish Colors & Shades as the benchmark for innovative high quality building materials not just in Sri Lanka, but across the region,” he states. “We are strategically preparing for expansion while being mindful of global economic and political conditions that may affect the pace of our growth.”
Under Afzal’s leadership, Colors & Shades has grown into a powerhouse in Sri Lanka’s construction industry. With a steadfast commitment to innovation, a clear long-term vision, and a motivated team, the company has set the benchmark for quality in its products and service offerings.
As Afzal and his team look toward the future, their commitment to delivering world-class products and services remains unwavering. Through strategic expansion, razor sharp focus, resilience, and agility, Colors & Shades is on the path to making an even greater impact in the industry—both locally and internationally. With a philosophy centered on leadership, quality, and focus, Afzal’s legacy is set to inspire the next generation of business leaders in Sri Lanka and beyond.