Brandix honours Supply Chain partners at Vendor Summit

100 top supply chain partners congregate in Sri Lanka to recognise performance and prepare for future

Inspired performances by supply chain partners in FY 2015-16 contributed to the best year to date for apparel powerhouse Brandix, which honoured its top vendors at a gala Vendor Summit in Sri Lanka last week.

The top 100 vendors from the 350 that account for Brandix’s annual raw material spend attended the summit, half of them from 14 overseas locations. Presenting these key suppliers with an insight into the dynamics that propel the industry and a glimpse into the future, Brandix forecast it would double sales in the next five years, through a concentration on speed, quality, innovation and price.

Brandix had 530 vendor partners on its supply chain when the Group hosted its last Vendor Summit in 2011. While its business grew by 63 per cent in the five years that followed, the number of vendors supplying raw materials reduced to 350, and could fall to 150 by 2020, the summit was told.

“Our industry is one of intense competition where the dynamics are highly emotional on the one hand, and quite rational on the other,” Brandix Group Chairman Priyan Fernando said in his keynote address titled ‘A journey to best-in-class.’ “Brandix recognises both elements, the emotional and the rational, in its effort to produce phenomenal products better, faster and cheaper,” he said emphasising the need for continuous improvement through a focus on processes, speed and comprehensive management of risks.

Brandix CEO Ashroff Omar cautioned that 2016 would be a ‘rough year’ given the headwinds that the retail industry is facing, but said the Group is confident it will ride the storm successfully and prevail with the support of its supply chain partners.

Brandix CEO Ashroff Omar cautioned that 2016 would be a ‘rough year’ given the headwinds that the retail industry is facing, but said the Group is confident it will ride the storm successfully and prevail with the support of its supply chain partners. Presentations were also made by Ranga Ranmadugala, CEO of Brandix Apparel Solutions Limited – Essentials and Brandix Lanka Chief Financial Officer, Hasitha Premaratne among others who spoke on Speed, Agility and Inspired Solutions, as well as Brandix’s long range plan respectively.

Brandix recognised the contributions of its best supply chain partners at this event with awards in two groups, one for ‘speed partners’ and one for top vendors in 12 categories, covering suppliers of bra cups & padding; packaging; thread; packing trims; sewing trims; labels, tags & stickers; lace; embellishments; elastics; knitted synthetic fabric; woven fabric and knitted woven fabric. A total of 33 awards were presented, including 19 Speed Partner awards.

The top award of the night — presented to Brandix’s Vendor of the Year — was won by Pacific Textiles Ltd., while the award for the Best Stall at the Vendor Road Show that preceded the summit was won by Coats Thread Lanka (Pvt) Ltd.

Ranked Sri Lanka’s most valuable export brand in Brand Finance’s 2016 ranking of the country’s leading brands, Brandix is the pioneer of the concept of ‘total solutions’ in Sri Lanka’s apparel sector and is a preferred supplier to some of the top retail brands in the US and Europe. Brandix is also a benchmark and international award winner for eco-friendly manufacture and commitment to environmental best practice. The Group employs more than 48,000 people in its manufacturing facilities in Sri Lanka, at the Brandix India Apparel City in Andhra Pradesh and its large operation in Bangladesh.

Brandix felicitated on World Blood Donor Day

In recognition of the valuable contribution of Brandix, which has been the largest donor of blood in the private sector for the past six years, the National Blood Transfusion Service (NBTS) awarded the company an Honorary Memento at a ceremony to mark World Blood Donor Day on the 14th of June. Employees of Brandix donated 3,448 units of blood in 2015 alone. In the picture, the Brandix Group’s Chief People Officer Ishan Dantanarayana (extreme right) receives the memento from Dr P. G. Mahipala, Director General of Health Services. Dr Anil Dissanayake, Director of the NBTS is also in the picture.

Brandix reaffirms it cares with 367 water projects in 18 districts in 2015-16

The Brandix Group’s continuing efforts to improve access to water in rural communities resulted in 367 water supply projects being completed in 2015-16, Sri Lanka’s largest apparel exporter reports.

The projects implemented included wells, pipe-borne water connections, water supply systems, tube wells, deep tube wells, rainwater harvesting systems and water filters over the 12 months, all funded or donated by the Group under its ‘Care For Our Own’ (CFOO) initiative.

The projects benefitted families in far-flung villages in 18 districts of Sri Lanka, including Anuradhapura, Polonnaruwa, Batticaloa, Ampara, Hambantota, Matara, Moneragala, Puttalam and Badulla.

The primary beneficiaries of these projects are Brandix employees with identified needs, but in many instances, they serve an extended beneficiary group as the water supply system provided is shared with several families similarly affected.

The case of two beneficiaries, Gopalapillai Gajenthini of Kadukamunai, and Rajendran Pushpamalar of Chinna-urani, both living two kilometres from the closest source of water in the Batticaloa District, are typical examples. They received a well apiece from Brandix, and Gajenthini who lives with her mother and four siblings, shares her well with seven other families, while Pushpamalar who lives with her parents and two children shares hers with ten other families.

“Access to clean water remains a serious problem in many villages despite efforts by the authorities to address this basic need,” said Anusha Alles, Head of CSR & Corporate Communications at Brandix. “Over the past ten years, Brandix has completed more than 3,000 water supply projects via the Care For Our Own programme, but we will continue to identify and assist families in need of help in the years ahead.”

The Ratnapura District with 63 projects topped the beneficiary districts in Brandix’s Care For Own Programme in 2015-16, followed by Polonnaruwa with 60, Kurunegala with 57, Kegalle with 55 and Gampaha with 35, the Group said. Interviews to identify beneficiaries in the current financial year are scheduled to commence in July.

In addition to these projects, Brandix has in previous years partnered with several corporate entities to build large community water supply projects for areas or institutions that are faced with serious water shortages.

In a separate, but cause-linked initiative titled ‘Jalavahini,’ the Group is conducting a series of interactive training programmes across the country to empower women community leaders involved in water resources management in rural Sri Lanka.

The Brandix Group’s principal CSR efforts are driven by the central corporate theme of ‘Water’ and constitute a long term commitment to increasing the availability of water and the provision of safe drinking water to those most in need. These projects are planned and executed by the Bindu Foundation – the CSR arm of Brandix. The Group’s community outreach initiatives also include providing wells and pipe-borne water to communities in and around its manufacturing plants and the improvement of sanitation facilities in needy areas.

    

Brandix ranked Sri Lanka’s top exporter in 2014 and 2015

Takes top honours winning 11 awards at Presidential Export Awards

The Brandix Group won a remarkable 11 awards including the Exporter of the Year awards for 2014 and 2015 at the Presidential Export Awards this evening, taking the top honours at this prestigious event conducted by the Export Development Board (EDB).

The awards presented by President Maithripala Sirisena at the BMICH recognise the contribution of Brandix to the national economy as the country’s largest exporter overall; as the Highest Net Foreign Exchange Earner in 2014 and 2015; the Highest Foreign Exchange Earner in the Apparel Sector in those two years; the Highest Employment Provider in the Export Industry in 2014 and 2015 and the Highest Value Added Exporter in the Apparel Sector last year.

The Group also won the award for Excellence in Sustainable Development and the award for Highest Contributor from the Regions to the Export Supply Chain, both in respect of 2014.

The two Exporter of the Year awards presented to the Group this year confirm Brandix as Sri Lanka’s top exporter across all industries for the past four years. In all, the Group has won 25 awards to date at the Presidential Export Awards.

“As a premier provider of inspired solutions to global apparel brands, we continue to focus on building value as we grow in size and capability,” Brandix CEO Ashroff Omar said. “While these awards reaffirm that we are on the right path, it is with due humility that we accept them for our contribution to Sri Lanka’s export earnings.”

At the Presidential Export Awards presented in 2015, Brandix was recognised as the Sri Lankan Exporter of the Year in respect of 2012 and 2013, was adjudged the Best Exporter in the Apparel Sector in those two years, and was honoured with four Special Awards for being the Highest Net Foreign Exchange Earner and the Highest Employment Provider in the Export Industry in 2012 and 2013.

Brandix was ranked Sri Lanka’s most valuable export brand in Brand Finance’s 2016 ranking of the country’s leading brands. The Group is the pioneer of the concept of ‘total solutions’ in Sri Lanka’s apparel sector and is a preferred supplier to some of the top retail brands in the US and Europe. Brandix is also a benchmark and international award winner for eco-friendly manufacture and commitment to environmental best practice.

Brandix wins two awards at Gap Inc.’s 2016 vendor summit

The Brandix Group has won two top awards including the award for Outstanding Vendor  Overall Excellence from Gap Inc., a leading global retailer of clothing.

The awards, presented at the Gap Inc. Global Supply Chain’s 2016 Vendor Summit in Hong Kong, recognise Brandix’s contribution to Gap in terms of business volumes, product quality, speed and flexibility, on-time delivery and response to in-market issues. The second award presented to Brandix was for ‘Outstanding Vendor Performance ‘ Bottoms.

The Brandix Group also won Gap Inc.’s 2015 Supplier Award for Product Innovation at an awards presentation in San Francisco last year.

One of the largest retailers in the USA with over US$ 16 billion in sales, Gap Inc. has an extensive base of global vendors many of them considerably larger than Brandix. Gap Inc. retails clothing, accessories, and personal care products for men, women, and children under the Gap, Banana Republic, Old Navy, Athleta, and Intermix brands.

Ranked Sri Lanka’s most valuable export brand in Brand Finance’s 2016 ranking of the country’s leading brands, Brandix is the pioneer of the concept of total solutions in Sri Lanka’s apparel sector and is a preferred supplier to some of the top retail brands in the US and Europe. Brandix is also a benchmark and international award winner for eco-friendly apparel manufacture and commitment to environmental best practice. The Group employs more than 48,000 people in its manufacturing facilities in Sri Lanka, at the Brandix India Apparel City in Andhra Pradesh and its large operation in Bangladesh.

Brandix designated ‘Exclusive Apparel Partner’ of World Export Development Forum 2016

The Brandix Group has come forward to support the hosting of the World Export Development Forum (WEDF) in Sri Lanka in October as ‘Exclusive Apparel Partner’ and Platinum sponsor of this prestigious event.

Sri Lanka’s single largest apparel exporter, Brandix will be one of the principal corporate sector partners of the Export Development Board (EDB), which is a joint organiser of the 2016 Forum with the International Trade Centre (ITC).

Between 400 and 600 international and local delegates are expected to attend the WEDF sessions in Colombo on 12th and 13th October 2016. The theme for the Forum, the 16th of its kind, is ‘Trade for Success: Connect, Compete, Change.’

“We believe the World Export Development Forum represents an excellent opportunity for Sri Lanka to effectively showcase the depth and maturity of its capability as an exporter, not just of apparel, but of many other exciting and complex products,” Brandix CEO Ashroff Omar said. “As a Group that is driven by the power of inspiration, Brandix is committed to collaborate with the EDB to make this year’s event a resounding success.”

A unique global conference and business-to-business matchmaking event dedicated to supporting trade-led development, the WEDF is expected to look at the changed game in sustainable trade and its impact on businesses, including small and medium-sized enterprises, which form the backbone of economies.

Ranked Sri Lanka’s most valuable export brand in Brand Finance’s 2016 ranking of the country’s leading brands, Brandix is the pioneer of the concept of ‘total solutions’ in Sri Lanka’s apparel sector and is a preferred supplier to some of the top retail brands in the US and Europe. Brandix is also a benchmark and international award winner for eco-friendly apparel manufacture and commitment to environmental best practice. The Group employs more than 48,000 people in its manufacturing facilities in Sri Lanka, at the Brandix India Apparel City in Andhra Pradesh and its large operation in Bangladesh.

Textured Jersey amongst Forbes Asia’s 200 Best Under a Billion

South Asia’s largest textile manufacturer Textured Jersey (TJ) have been placed on the Forbes Asia’s 200 Best Under a Billion list of 2016. The 200 companies in the Forbes’ Best Under a Billion Asia-Pacific list must have an annual revenue between $5 million and $1 billion and be publicly traded for at least a year. The 200 are picked from a universe of over 15,000 companies across the Asia-Pacific exchanges based on earnings growth, sales growth and return on equity in the past 12 months and over 3 years.

TJ has been on a major expansion drive in the last few years extending its regional presence with the acquisition of Ocean India in 2015 and acquiring one of the region’s best fabric printing facilities Quenby Lanka in the same year. The recently strengthened Management Team, and the operations teams, then transformed these companies, delivering great synergy. The Company ended its last financial year on a resounding note recording a strong net profit of Rs. 2,175 Mn, a 63% growth over the last year. Continuing its performance momentum in the new financial year, TJreported 8 straight quarters of strong quarterly profit growth. TJ share price has been on a steady rise and reached an all time high of Rs. 41/- just this week. The stock however still trades at lower PE ratios compared to many of the companies featured on this prestigious list, and the CEO of Textured Jersey, Sriyan de Silva Wijeyeratne says this is a company to watch out for in the future.

The CEO adds that he was delighted and honoured to be named amongst Asia’s Best. “To be recognized by a prestigious brand like Forbes is a benchmark achievement for the Company as well as the industry. This is a proud moment for the TJ team, and a testament of our groundbreaking work and milestone achievements in being a part of the ever evolving global supply chain for the garment industry. We will continue to work closely with our Customers and Partners; our teams have put in phenomenal efforts to consistently provide new Innovations, Costs savings and Faster Delivery to the many Brands we service” he elaborated.

Whilst being placed on the Forbes list is TJ’s crowning glory for 2016, the Company has been on an exuberant journey ever since it won the prestigious Firm of The Year Award the London World Textile Awards, whilst being selected Best Dyer and Finisher of the Year at the same time. TJ who is featured in the Most Respected list locally, was selected Worldwide Best Dyer and Finisher for the second year running in 2015, as well as winning a number of coveted accolades at the National Business Excellence awards locally as well as the Green Era Award in Italy. TJ says they will continue their aggressive expansion plans for both Sri Lanka and India in the coming years with several new innovations already in the pipeline. The Company plans for Synthetic manufacture and Digital Printing are already in the public domain.

An expert panel of Asia-based senior executives and internationally-recognized knowledge management and intellectual capital experts select the finalists. This year’s roster saw an average 60% growth in annual sales and in total generated a combined $47 billion in revenue, $10 billion in profit, and has a combined market value of $349 billion. This list reflects companies that have navigated the global credit crunch with little to no debt on their balance sheets. Asia’s leading organizations have been listed for their ability to leverage enterprise knowledge to deliver superior performance in the areas of innovation, operational effectiveness and excellence in products and services. TJ Chairman Bill Lam said the Board was thrilled to hear this exciting news, and felt that the company was receiving due recognition for some excellent work done over the recent past. “The Global Fashion Industry is in a transformative stage, and to have a Textile firm manage this turbulence while outshining thousands of businesses in Asia to be featured in the top 200, is indeed something to be proud of” he added.

Listed on the Colombo Stock Exchange, TJ is backed by two leading industrialists – Pacific Textiles Hong Kong and Brandix Lanka as its main shareholders. The Company currently has a Market Capitalisation of Rs. 28.6 billion.

Brandix pays tribute to its people at inspiring ‘Rasadiya Mangalya’

The power of inspiration that animates the Brandix Group was in conspicuous evidence when Sri Lanka’s top exporter honoured high-achieving associates from manufacturing operations in three countries at the Group’s flagship annual event for employees recently.

The 2016 Rasadiya Mangalya at the Sugathadasa Indoor Stadium brought together Brandix associates from Sri Lanka, India and Bangladesh at a scintillating multi-dimensional celebration of excellence, just days after the Group was named Sri Lanka’s Exporter of the Year for 2014 and 2015.

The Group recognised and rewarded 28 Employees of the Year (EOYs) and five Supervisors of the Year (SOYs) from Sri Lanka as well as 10 EOYs and four SOYs from Brandix factories overseas at a day-long event at the Sugathadasa Indoor Stadium. Each Employee of the Year and Supervisor of the Year received a handsome trophy of appreciation as well as a company-sponsored study tour to China, India or Bangladesh, and in Sri Lanka for those attached to the Group’s overseas plants.

As in past years, the sixth edition of the event included the finals of the annual Brandix Rasadiya Kusalanaya Volleyball tournament for non-executive staff, the awards for the winners of the Brandix Mech Challenge  an annual group-wide competition in mechanical proficiency, and the colourful finals of the Rasadiya Gee Tharuwa and the Rasadiya Narthana Tharu competitions that promote and recognise the singing and dancing skills of members of the 48,000-strong Brandix family in Sri Lanka.

Speaking at the event, Brandix Chief People Officer Ishan Dantanarayana said: The Rasadiya Mangalya inspires the many thousands we employ to rally as one family and one company on a journey of inspiring our stakeholders with a common goal that extends across the Group. Employees are the lifeline of our business, and this event, which is undoubtedly the single largest employee recognition event held by any enterprise in our country, is a good example of the degree to which Brandix appreciates the skills, potential and passion of its 48,000 associates. Let’s portray the camaraderie of the Brandix family, have fun and take our Company to even greater success by achieving our vision of providing inspired solutions to our global customers.

The Brandix Group’s Employees of the Year and Supervisors of the Year are selected through a comprehensive process designed to identify the best employees in the Associate, Staff and the Supervisory categories that have met or exceeded performance expectations and made significant contributions to the overall business and the Brandix team, while demonstrating potential to grow further.

More than 5,000 Brandix associates packed the Sugathadasa Indoor Stadium to applaud their colleagues rewarded for operational excellence and to encourage the teams that competed in Volleyball, and in the performing arts.

Entertainment for the event was provided by the evergreen Gypsies, while the Rasadiya theme song was performed by the dynamic Umaria and Sachith Pieris. Associates who won the Brandix Rasadiya Gee Tharuwa singing competition and the troupes that won the Rasadiya Narthana Tharu dancing competition also entertained the audience.

The Brandix Group recently won 11 awards at the Presidential Export Awards, which was held on the 9th of August 2016, including the awards for the Highest Employment Provider in the Export Industry in 2014 and 2015. Brandix was also ranked Sri Lanka’s most valuable export brand in Brand Finance’s 2016 ranking of the country’s leading brands. The Group is the pioneer of the concept of total solutions in Sri Lanka’s apparel sector and is a preferred supplier to some of the top retail brands in the US and Europe. Brandix is also a benchmark and international award winner for eco-friendly manufacture and commitment to environmental best practice.

Textured Jersey & Brandix Fast Fashion are 2016 ‘Mercury Trophy’ Volleyball champs

Virtuoso volleyball was on display when teams from Textured Jersey Lanka PLC (TJL) and Brandix Fast Fashion Mirigama won the Men’s and Women’s finals of the annual ‘Rasadiya Kusalanaya’ (Mercury Trophy) Volleyball Tournament conducted by the Brandix Group at the Sugathadasa Indoor Stadium.

The Men’s team from TJL Avissawella defeated Brandix Athleisure, Polonnaruwa 22  25, 25  23, 26  24 while in the Women’s final, the team from Brandix Fast Fashion 2, Mirigama won the trophy in straight sets, soundly beating Brandix Casualwear, Giritale 25  15, 25  15.

More than 300 players participated in the preliminary rounds of the tournament. In its sixth year, the Brandix ‘Rasadiya Kusalanaya’ is the largest volleyball tournament conducted by a private sector entity Sri Lanka. Conducted for non-executive employees (or associates, as they are referred to at Brandix), the tournament provides an opportunity for Brandix associates to develop and showcase their skills in the country’s national sport, while promoting employee interaction and team spirit.

For their individual performances in this year’s men’s final, Sujeewa Jayathunga and Haritha Fernando of Textured Jersey Lanka PLC were adjudged Best Setter and Best Player respectively, while Amila Ishan of Brandix Athleisure, Polonnaruwa was declared Best Attacker. Among the women players in the final, Dilhani Madhushika, Deepika Bandara and Oshini Chapa all of Brandix Fast Fashion 2, Mirigama received the awards for Best Setter, Best Attacker and Best Player respectively. The finals, on Saturday, 13th August, were witnessed by more than 5,000 Brandix associates.

“The quality of play continues to improve each year, and we are happy to see that this tournament while promoting the sport, is contributing to building the pool of players for other mercantile and national tournaments,” said Colonel Sujith Jayasekara, Senior General Manager Group Human Resources of Brandix. “It also contributes immensely to building character, versatility and leadership skills among our associates.”

The highest employment provider in Sri Lanka’s export sector, the Brandix Group employs more than 48,000 associates in Sri Lanka, India and Bangladesh and is the pioneer of the concept of ‘total solutions’ in Sri Lanka’s apparel sector.

The champion women’s and men’s teams at the 2016 Brandix ‘Rasadiya Kusalanaya’ volleyball tournament with representatives of the Group management

Brandix Gold sponsor of 2016 National Occupational Safety & Health Conference

The Brandix Group has confirmed it will support the annual National Occupational Safety & Health (OSH) Conference of Sri Lanka for the seventh consecutive year as a key sponsor.

Organised by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) of the Ministry of Labour, this year’s conference, which is part of the National Occupational Safety & Health Week, is themed ‘Emerging Risks and Investing in OSH. The conference takes place on Wednesday, 12th October 2016.

The cheque for the Gold sponsorship of the 2016 National Safety Week programme was presented by Brandix to Hon. John Seneviratne, Minister of Labour & Trade Union Relations in the presence of Mr Gotabhaya Jayaratne, Secretary to the ministry.

This is the ninth occasion overall that the Brandix Group is supporting events conducted for the National Safety Week initiative.