The race to a prize of US$ 50,000 (about Rs 6.5 million) in seed funding, leading to a lucrative business start-up, has begun in earnest for 54 innovators competing in the ‘500 Hours’ innovation competition hosted by Disrupt Unlimited, the Brandix-led start-up seed accelerator.

Launched at Brandix Apparel Solutions Limited – Intimate Apparel in Welisara, the competition brings together external entrepreneurs as well as “intrapreneurs” from within the Brandix Group.

Each participating team has exactly three weeks to develop a technology-driven conceptual solution to one of 15 apparel industry challenges posed by Disrupt Unlimited. The 500-hour clock started ticking at 9am on Monday, 19th January.

The teams have until 29th January to work on their ideas and present them on that day to Disrupt Unlimited at the ‘semi-final’ of the 500 Hours competition. Selected finalists identified as contenders for the prize money of US$ 50,000 for every game-changing solution, will go on to present their ideas at the final ‘Pitch Day’ on 9th February 2015.

Six of the challenges have also been posted online at www.disruptunltd.com by Disrupt Unlimited, and are open to anyone to solve and submit a solution online.

These challenges are: Tracking fabric throughout the manufacturing process; Capturing real-time manufacturing output; Increasing asset utilisation and eliminating machine downtime; Error-proofing the production line; An ‘Apollo 13’ style waste challenge; and Automating fabric inspection and stripe matching. Details about each challenge can be found online.

Surendra Karunakaran, Disrupt Unlimited’s Chief Operating Officer, said: “If participants can stretch their minds to understand the root problems and develop game-changing solutions, in three weeks they will achieve a level of impact that would normally take three years.”

Winning teams would have the opportunity to commercialise their ideas through Disrupt Unlimited’s four-month seed accelerator programme, which offers start-ups seed funding, office space, continuous mentorship, experienced advisors, practical workshops, networking opportunities, and legal and administrative services.

Launched in early 2014, Disrupt Unlimited runs a seed accelerator that seeks to inspire, mentor and fund start-ups with breakthrough, technology-driven solutions to disrupt products, practices, processes and business models in the Apparel, Textile and Accessories sectors.

The Brandix Group’s fascination with invention and innovation has found new expression in the form of a stirring tribute to Sri Lanka’s ancient designers, engineers and artisans in the Group’s 2015 calendar.

A rich and inspiring collection of information on some of the island’s great inventions and creations, dating as far back as 300 BC, provides uncommon depth to the arresting images in this distinctive calendar, themed ‘Innovations of the Ancients.’

Vying for approbation as great Sri Lankan inventions emerging from the mists of time are the world’s first lightning conductors; the ‘beheth oruwa’ that testifies to the first hospital in the world; the ‘Ravanahatha’ – the world’s first violin; and Jetavanaramaya, the worl’’s largest brick structure. Each month of the year is dedicated to a unique invention or concept from the countr’’s evocative past.

“The past is a prophecy, pointing us towards what we may one day achieve by showing us what we have already accomplished,” the calendar says in its preamble. “Sri Lanka’s ancient engineers, architects, craftsmen, and builders have established a template for greatness, creating works of wonder that continue to inspire us today. At Brandix, we hope to continue their legacy, honouring their ground-breaking achievements by redefining what is possible.”

“Let us walk in their steps, contemplating the incredible innovations that they set their hands and minds to, so that we may see the world through their eyes: as a place of ceaseless potential, bounded only by the limits of our passion, ingenuity and imagination. Let us take a page from Sri Lanka’s glorious past so that, generations hence, our descendants will speak in pride of our innovations, of potential fulfilled and a world bettered.”

With the 2015 edition of its much anticipated calendar, Brandix continues its practice of adding value to this ubiquitous guide to the days, weeks, and months of the year, with painstaking research and custom photography that bring to life a well-deliberated theme.

This novel approach to calendar-making began with its trilogy titled ‘Water in Reflection’ (2009), ‘Water in Vessels’ (2010) and ‘Water in Life’ (2011), which highlighted the transcendental significance of water (the Brandix Group’s main CSR focus) to diverse cultures and religions. These were followed by ‘The Difference is Passion’ (2012) which traced the history and evolution of the textile and apparel industries, ‘Fashioning Sri Lankan Identity’ (2013) which examined Sri Lankan culture through the lens of changing fashions and ‘Fabric in Motion’ (2014) which used subcontinental dance forms and costumes to examine the common threads that connect the cultures of Sri Lanka, India and Bangladesh.

The 2015 Brandix calendar as well as its predecessors were conceptualised and produced in collaboration with the Group’s creative partner Q&E Advertising, Colombo. Commenting on this latest effort and the concept of the themed, information-rich calendar, Q&E CEO Asiri Abhayaratne said that “the project allowed us to shed light on the achievements of our ancestors, and set an inspiring example for present and future generations of Sri Lankan innovators.” He characterised the research and execution stages of the project as “incredibly exciting, giving our team the opportunity to trek through jungle, pilot drones, and learn about largely unexplored parts of our collective heritage.”

The pioneer of the concept of ‘total solutions’ in Sri Lanka’s apparel sector and a preferred supplier to some of the top retail brands in the US and Europe, Brandix is Sri Lanka’s single largest apparel exporter and is a benchmark and international award winner for eco-friendly manufacture and commitment to environmental best practice.

Textured Jersey Lanka PLC (TJL) reported a net profit of Rs. 376mn for the quarter ended 31st December 2014 (3Q FY2014/15), a significant increase of 25% compared to the corresponding period of last year. The company’s strong cash position has allowed TJL to maintain its trend of generous dividend pay-outs with Rs. 0.50 per share being declared as an interim dividend for FY2014/15. According to Mr. Bill Lam, Chairman of TJL, a combination of increased margins and strong revenue growth enabled TJL to post this impressive result this quarter.

Mr. Lam further stated that with demand from its main customers back on track, TJL was able to record a strong revenue growth of 12% year-on-year for 3Q FY2014/15, and report an impressive Rs. 3.8bn in sales. The better demand conditions also enabled TJL to improve its product mix and achieve higher levels of production efficiencies through optimal capacity utilisation and planning. This in turn allowed the company to expand its gross profit margins to 12.8% from 10.6% of last year, causing gross profit to rise 34% to Rs. 481mn for 3Q FY2014/15.

The strong performance at gross profit level also enabled TJL to post an operating profit of approximately Rs. 354mn and record 34% year-over-year growth at the operating profit level as well. According to Mr. Lam, this was achieved despite a 25% year-on-year increase in administrative and distribution expenses largely due to increases in provisions and some increases in training and development expenses.

TJL continued to maintain its near debt-free balance sheet as at 31st December 2014, with a net cash position of Rs. 1.65bn. TJL’s strong cash generation ability has enabled it to increase its net cash position by 33% compared to Rs. 1.24bn recorded as at 30th September 2014. However, due to increased levels of investment and working capital, the net cash balance was 29% less compared to the same period of the previous year.

Lower interest rates, combined with a lower cash position compared to a year before contributed to net finance income coming in at Rs. 9mn for 3Q FY2014/15, compared to Rs. 22mn in the corresponding quarter of last year. The quarter closed at a net profit of Rs. 376mn, a significant increase of 25% from last year, pushing up the net profit for 9 months ended 31st December 2014 to Rs. 822mn, putting it back on track to achieve a strong annual performance despite the setbacks during the early part of the year.

Commenting on the strategic initiatives, Mr. Lam highlighted that the operational ramp up of the multi-fuel boiler is progressing well though slightly behind schedule. This was due to the fine tuning work being undertaken to achieve the envisaged level of efficiencies during the testing phase. The plant is expected to commence full scale operations in the coming quarter.

He concluded by stating that with TJL’s additional capacity of 10-12% coupled with the continuous focus on improving its capabilities and demand from its main markets back on track, the management is confident that the company will continue its growth and create shareholder value for the foreseeable future.

Challenges associates across 30 factories in Sri Lanka to become ‘water soldiers’ to reduce consumption innovatively

The Brandix Group is motivating its 30,000 plus employees in Sri Lanka to mount a mass assault on water usage in their work places in an innovative new initiative to commemorate World Water Day 2015.

Declaring a ‘Water Saving Month’ from 20th February to 20th March across 30 local factories of the Group, Sri Lanka’s single largest apparel exporter has pledged Rs 500,000 in prize money to the three most innovative water saving ideas that come from cross-functional teams from each of these factories.

Titled ‘Diya Senevi’ or ‘Water Soldiers,’ this initiative by the Brandix ‘Bindu’ Foundation — the Group’s water-centred Corporate Social Responsibility unit — requires each factory to constitute a team of 15 associates tasked with studying its water consumption over a three week period, and to submit an innovative way in which that consumption may be reduced.

The winning team will receive Rs 250,000 while the first and second runners up will receive Rs 150,000 and Rs 100,000 respectively, the company said.

World Water Day is commemorated around the world annually on 22nd March. This year’s theme is ‘Water and Sustainable Development.’

“The most innovative and practical ideas that this competition generates will be considered for implementation wherever applicable across the Group,” said Anusha Alles, Head of CSR of the Brandix Group. “Conservation of natural resources is not just part of the corporate DNA of Brandix, it permeates the consciousness of individuals too, and we eagerly look forward to the results of this year’s initiative.”

In previous years, the Brandix Group celebrated World Water Day by rewarding associates in Sri Lanka who through their own individual efforts and expense had helped others in their communities with their water-related needs. This programme, titled ‘Nihanda Mehewara’ (silent service), provided financial support to community water or sanitation projects identified by the winners.

The pioneer of the concept of ‘total solutions’ in Sri Lanka’s apparel sector and a preferred supplier to some of the top retail brands in the US and Europe, Brandix is a benchmark and international award winner for eco-friendly manufacture and commitment to environmental best practice. The 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.

Designated Official Apparel Solutions Partner and Bronze Sponsor of 2015 J.P. Morgan Tournament of Champions in New York

The Brandix Group supported the 2015 J.P. Morgan Tournament of Champions in New York for a second consecutive year, gaining valuable visibility in the USA, a key market for Sri Lanka’s single largest apparel exporter.

Brandix was a Bronze Sponsor and Official Apparel Solutions Partner of this tournament, the world’s largest spectator squash event. Some of the sport’s greatest practitioners were among the 23 nationalities represented at the tournament, held in New York’s Grand Central Terminal from 16 – 23 January, and watched by an estimated 200,000 spectators.

As part of its sponsorship of this major event on the Professional Squash Association (PSA) calendar, Brandix presented custom-designed and branded players’ shirts to the 32 players in the Men’s draw and the 16 players in the Women’s draw. Top Egyptian squash players Mohamed Elshorbagy, the world’s no. 1, and Raneem El Welily, world no. 2, pictured here with their Brandix branded shirts, won the Men’s and Women’s championships respectively, beating England’s Nick Mathew and Alison Waters.

The Tournament of Champions has been a staple on the PSA circuit since 1993 and is played at a specially erected court in Grand Central Terminal’s Vanderbilt Hall. Spectators are treated to an action-packed week of competition involving virtually all of the top ranking players in the world.

After a fast-paced and vigorously contested final at the Sugathadasa Indoor Stadium in Colombo, Brandix Apparel Solutions Limited (BASL) – Intimate Apparel, Polonnaruwa and BASL – Intimate Apparel (UKnits), Mirigama emerged the Men’s and Women’s Champions at the 2015 ‘Rasadiya Kusalanaya’ (Mercury Trophy) Volleyball Tournament, conducted annually across the Brandix Group.

The men’s team from Intimate Apparel, Polonnaruwa beat its counterpart team from Intimate Apparel, Minuwangoda 25-21, 15-25, 25-20, while in the Women’s final, the Intimate Apparel (UKnits), Mirigama team took the trophy in straight sets, defeating Casualwear, Avissawella 26-16, 25-22.

For their individual performances in the men’s final, Kasun Maduranga of the Minuwangoda team was adjudged Best Setter, while W M S M Wijerathne and S M Amila Nishan of the Polonnaruwa team were adjudged Best Attacker and Best Player respectively. Among the women players in the final, R M Dilani Premawardena of the Mirigama team received the award for Best Setter, while her team members M G Deepika Bandara and I M Oshini Chapa were recognised as Best Attacker and Best Player respectively.

In its fifth year, the Brandix ‘Rasadiya Kusalanaya’ is by far the largest volleyball tournament conducted by a private sector entity Sri Lanka. This annual tournament for non-executive employees (or associates, as they are referred to at Brandix), provides a platform for Brandix associates to showcase their sporting skills by participating in Sri Lanka’s national sport, and is an opportunity for employee interaction and recognition in this area.

This year, more than 360 volleyball players from 20 men’s teams and nine women’s teams competed for the ‘Rasadiya Kusalanaya. The preliminary rounds were also worked out at the Sugathadasa Indoor Stadium. The finals, on Saturday, 4th April, were witnessed by more than 5,000 Brandix associates, supported by their ‘papare’ bands and cheerleaders.

“This tournament helps build volleyball skills among players in many locations around the country, promotes the sport, and will hopefully contribute to enlarging the pool for representation at a higher level,” said Colonel Sujith Jayasekara, Group Human Resources Manager of Brandix. “This year’s champion women’s team had a player who has already represented Sri Lanka, so the standard of play continues to improve. The level of skill displayed in the preliminary rounds as well as at the semi-finals and finals continues to improve each year.”

The Brandix Group employs more than 48,000 associates at 30 integrated manufacturing facilities in Sri Lanka, a 1000-acre industrial park operation in India and a large manufacturing facility in Bangladesh.

Also receives Special Category Award for ‘Leadership and Key Talent Management’

The Brandix Group has won two top awards for Human Resource Management at the National HRM Awards presented by the Association of Human Resource Professionals in conjunction with the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) the world’s largest professional body in the sphere of HR.

Brandix won one of the ten Gold awards presented at this prestigious bi-annual gala event, and won the Category Award under best HR practices for ‘Leadership and Key Talent Management’ reaffirming its position as a corporate sector leader in Human Resource Management.

This was the second successive Gold Award presented to Brandix at the National HRM Awards, which were last presented in 2012.

The awards recognise the passion and commitment of organisations whose innovative thinking and strategies have broken new ground in human resource management. The 2014/2015 awards event was conducted in partnership with AON Hewitt India, the largest human resource consulting group in the world.

Commenting on the accolades won by Brandix, the Group’s Chief People Officer Ishan Dantanarayana said: “These awards are prestigious because they are based on extremely stringent audits and judging by SHRM. Brandix chose to be evaluated as a Group, requiring the HR practices of all the companies in the Group to be audited for the award, making it more challenging than having just the holding company’s HR practices assessed. Thus, we had to cover the HR practices as applicable for a team of over 48,000 employees across a large number of companies in the Group.”

The criteria for selecting winners included HR and business engagement, HR interaction with the leadership and across HR planning, hiring, employee relations, performance and talent management, career and leadership development, training and capability development; access to resources, compensation, rewards & recognition, people administration, communication, working environment, health and wellbeing, retention practices, branding and exit management.

In July last year, Brandix became the first company in Asia to be featured on the cover of ‘HR Magazine’ the global publication of the Society for Human Resource Management. The magazine reaches more than 247,000 professionals in 170 countries. The feature was produced after a visit to Sri Lanka by two representative of SHRM from the USA.

One of the largest suppliers of apparel to top retail brands in the US and Europe, Brandix is Sri Lanka’s single largest apparel exporter. The Group employs more than 48,000 associates across several integrated manufacturing facilities in Sri Lanka, a 1,000 acre Industrial Park in India and a large operation in Bangladesh.