Stevensons Lanka (Pvt) Limited - exclusive garment dyeing plant opened in Sri Lanka
Apparel giants Quantum Clothing Group, UK, Brandix Lanka Limited and Lanka Equities (Pvt) Limited formed a three-way joint venture, which resulted in the opening of Stevensons Lanka (Pvt) Limited, an exclusive garment dyeing operation at the Biyagama Export Processing Zone, Walgama on September 13, 2006.
Ashroff Omar, CEO of Brandix Lanka Limited, Shahid Sangani, Managing Director, Lanka Equities (Pvt) Limited, Roshini Sangani, Director, Lanka Equities (Pvt) Limited, Mike Shotton, Chairman of Quantum Clothing Group, UK and Professor Lakshman Wattawala, Chairman of the Board of Investment (BOI) ceremoniously inaugurated its operations in the presence of a distinguished gathering, with the lighting of the traditional oil lamp.
Mike Shotton, Chairman of Quantum Clothing Group, UK speaking at the opening ceremony said “I want to thank my partners and the BOI for helping us to get this project off the ground. This venture will go a long way in reaching our goal of expanding our business. We aim to capitalise on the lower operational costs in Sri Lanka in comparison with the United Kingdom.”
Professor Lakshman Watawala, Chairman, BOI addressing the gathering said “I am happy that an investor from the UK has been able to identify the right partners in order to undertake this project. This is definitely going to be a success because of the expertise of Stevensons UK and the local operational knowledge of Brandix Lanka Limited and Lanka Equities (Pvt) Limited.”
The plant, which is the only exclusive dyeing plant in the country, will begin commercial operations at the end of September 2006. The first phase of the project included the installation of Dytex machines, which are mainly used for dyeing cotton garments as well as the Side Paddle garment-dyeing machines, used for dyeing softer garments such as lambs wool, cashmere, acrylic and more sensitive blends of cotton and woolen garments.
All these machines have a rated capacity of 5,500 pieces per day based on a 12-hour shift, which can be increased to 24 hours a day in response to increased demand. Additional machines will be installed at the plant resulting in the second phase of the project being initiated.
The plant has Mini Side Paddles as well as a Maino Sample Machine, which is equivalent to the Dytex machine. There is also a laboratory, which has a Colour Spectro photo meter, which measures colour by scanning and has software that recognises colour variations, which roots out reliance on visual comparison. A unique feature of the plant is the Zella Controller - which is a software and hardware package, which enables the running of the Dytex and Side Paddle machines.
As a means of quality control the Wascator machine replicates the process of washing an item of clothing in a washing machine for 6 months. This is in order to monitor whether the garment will hold up to continual washing over a period of six months.
The total investment for the complete project is US$ 1.32mn (LKR 132 million) with the joint venture equaling one third between all three parties.
The Quantum Clothing Group, UK was created as a result of a management buyout of Coats Viyella in December 2000. The group has an annual turnover of US$ 190mn and produces a range of products in 11 countries. Employing 4,000 people, the Group is represented in Sri Lanka through Quantum Clothing Lanka (Pvt) Ltd and now Stevenson’s Lanka Limited. They also have a company called Jeweltex, which is an underwear manufacturer based at Horana.
Brandix Lanka Limited is the single largest Apparel exporter in Sri Lanka with an annual consolidated group turnover that exceeds US$ 280mn. Brandix provides employment to 18,500 people as well as generating indirect employment of an equivalent number. The Group’s command of its supply chain in both woven and knits is its key strength; this includes Apparel Manufacturing and Finishing, Design and Development, Fabric and Accessories including thread, buttons and hangers. This partnership augments its ‘Finishing’ capacity.
Lanka Equities (Pvt) Limited is among the top apparel exporters in Sri Lanka. It has five apparel-manufacturing facilities, five strategic manufacturing partners as well as three apparel support services. It provides employment to 5,500 employees whilst generating turnover in excess of US$ 75mn from apparel-manufacturing operations in Sri Lanka and Bangladesh.
27th September, 2006 |
