Brandix Lanka Expands its Horizons with a State-of-the-art Apparel City
Brandix Lanka Limited is taking the South Asian
garment industry to a new frontier by setting up ‘Brandix
India Apparel City’ (BIAC) in Andhra Pradesh, India.
BIAC will be an integrated apparel supply chain city, which
will be managed by Brandix.
The potential of India - one of the fastest growing economies of the world, its ability to offer scale advantages and other strong business fundamentals makes it an ideal platform to leverage Brandix capabilities. This would make Sri Lanka the hub for all front-end and product development activities, whilst leveraging on the scale advantage that India can offer.
In addition to the expertise Brandix brings to the development of BIAC, it invites experts in apparel manufacturing and related services from across the world to set up operations within the park. As a vertically integrated operation it is envisaged that investors will benefit from being able to rely on global expertise to fulfill its designing, manufacturing, sourcing, logistics, technological and training requirements, all under one roof.
Renowned world players such as Brandot, Sara Lee, Fountain Set, Crystal Group have expressed interest in the project and have visited the site. Yamato, a machine supplier has agreed to establish a machine servicing centre in Andhra Pradesh. Sri Lanka’s Hayleys Advantis has also visited the site as a potential logistics and warehousing service provider. The expressions of interest from the local industry and related services highlights the opportunities for growth for local organizations with global aspirations, which in turn has the potential to become a boon to the Sri Lankan economy.
Brandix is Sri Lanka’s largest exporter with a consolidated annual turnover of over USD 280 million. Its corporate philosophy is to deliver innovative products from concept-to-shop, faster, better and at competitive prices. Brandix has pursued an aggressive growth strategy to counter the challenges of the post quota regime. Over the last three years it has invested LKR 3.1 Billion and in the last year alone the Group has invested more than LKR 1.1 Billion to expand its Sri Lankan operations.
Key projects included the development of the Brandix Centre of Inspiration, a 250,000 square foot state-of-the art, uniquely designed facility housing a top notch product development and design centre, central warehousing and cutting facility, marketing and merchandising operations and recreational facilities. Key players in the supply chain are also invited to sit alongside its associates to deliver ‘inspired solutions’ to its customers. It has expanded its product range into Activewear and Denim. It has invested in an automated Denim facility and doubled Cutting and Finishing capabilities. It has also enhanced its Research and Development facility at Brandix Finishing, which enables the development of innovative wash and finishing options; all key initiatives in strengthening its position as a total solutions provider. This year the Group has planned to triple its investments in Sri Lanka, with a Capital Expenditure of LKR 3.2 Billion.
There have also been considerable investments in Human Resources Development, Compliance and Environmental management initiatives. Brandix complies with global standards and practices and espouses the highest standards of Corporate Governance. The high ethical standards of the local Apparel industry and the Brandix commitment to above the norm industry practices have been recognized by the Indian Ministry of Commerce who has granted the organization Special Economic Zone (SEZ) Certification. BIAC is also a duty-free enclave treated as a foreign territory.
Brandix pioneered the concept of total solutions in the Sri Lankan apparel industry, armed with the expertise of three decades in the apparel industry it is poised to expand its horizons to encompass the South Asian region, with its Sri Lankan operation remaining firmly at its core.
27th September, 2006 |
