Saturday, June 28, 2008
The Green Plant of Brandix, Sri Lanka’s largest apparel exporter, recently hosted two reigning beauty queens on a familiarization visit.
Commenting on what she saw, Ms Sneekes said: “Concern for the environment is very high in Europe, and I am most impressed by the efforts made by Brandix in Sri Lanka to switch to Green Manufacturing. The Brandix Green Plant at Seeduwa was an eye-opener for me. Besides being one of the most eco-friendly apparel factories in the world, it also provides a very comfortable working environment.”
“It is very pleasing to see that garments reaching stores in Europe come from such well-designed and environment-friendly manufacturing locations. Congratulations, Brandix.”
Ms Colombage added: “There can be no better example of Sri Lanka’s commitment to environment-friendly manufacturing than the Brandix Green Plant at Seeduwa. The commitment and effort that has gone into creating a showpiece of clean manufacturing is truly commendable. Sri Lanka can be proud of facilities such as this, which demonstrate that we can be world leaders in eco-friendly apparel manufacture.”
The 130,000 square-foot Brandix Casualwear factory at Seeduwa is the Group’s lead manufacturing plant for top international retailer Marks & Spencer (M&S), and surpasses internationally-stipulated Green factory standards for energy consumption, water conservation, solid waste management and carbon emissions. The pioneer of the concept of inspired solutions for branded clothing, Brandix is a preferred solutions provider to some of the world’s best brands, including Gap, Marks & Spencer, Victoria’s Secret, NEXT, Lands End, Ann Taylor, Abercrombie & Fitch and Tommy Hilfiger. The Group specializes in casual bottoms, intimate and active wear, textiles, knitted fabrics, sewing and embroidery thread, accessories and hangers and also offers wet processing and finishing and fabric printing.
Tuesday, June 10, 2008
Unique CSR collaboration to help 2000 families at risk of kidney & other water-borne diseases
Colombo, Tuesday, June 10, 2008: At least 2000 families exposed to the threat of chronic kidney and water-borne diseases in Sri Lanka’s North Central Province are to receive special water filters in a new community outreach project funded jointly by Brandix Lanka Limited and Deutsche Bank AG.
To be implemented by the Community Water Supply & Sanitation Project (CWSSP) of the Ministry of Urban Development and Sacred Area Development, the project will involve the distribution of filters that remove pathogens and harmful minerals such as fluoride from the drinking water in selected areas, the training of recipients in the correct use of the filters and arrangements for their maintenance.
Funding for the procurement of the filters will be shared by Deutsche Bank with a contribution of Rs 2 million, and Brandix with a contribution of Rs 1.8 million. The project will be executed by a network of village-level Community Based Organisations (CBOs) built up by the CWSSP over the past 15 years in districts vulnerable to water-borne diseases.
Announcing the collaboration between Deutsche Bank and Brandix at a news conference, Rohan Rodrigo, the Bank’s CEO in Sri Lanka said: “We are aware that there is a high incidence of chronic renal failure and other water-borne diseases attributed to the high levels of fluoride in the water in parts of the North Central Province and the North Western Province. Brandix has done some excellent work to help communities tackle this problem, and Deutsche Bank is pleased to support this project and work with Brandix to improve the quality of life of people in affected areas.”
Anusha Alles, Head of CSR at Brandix said: “A strong and caring partner like Deutsche Bank will generate greater interest in our own community projects conducted under the theme ‘Water is Life.’ This partnership could be the start to many good projects and be a precedent for more partnerships among corporate entities for projects that result in tangible and meaningful interventions in poor rural communities.”
Speaking on behalf of the CWSSP, Consultant Mr U. Sapukotana said the Brandix-Deutsche Bank Water Purification Project would directly benefit families chosen on the basis of their exposure to water-borne diseases. The community-based organisations of the CWSSP had, with the assistance of medical practitioners, identified people most affected, he said, disclosing that priority had been given to families where at least one member had already developed renal problems due to bad drinking water.
“There are more than 3,000 people registered with kidney diseases at the Medawachchiya Renal Care Centre alone,” Mr. Sapukotana said. “Large numbers of families in Medawachchiya and Thalawa in Anuradhapura desperately need fluoride filters but cannot afford them.”
Already, more than 40 people from affected communities in the North Central Province have been trained at the Brandix Water Research & Training Centre in Anuradhapura on the importance of filtering drinking water and the use and maintenance of the filters specially designed for the areas affected by contaminated water. These persons will in turn train the recipient families on how to use and clean the filters. The Community-based organisations will monitor the use and maintenance of the filters distributed, while Brandix has undertaken to periodically conduct random tests of the quality of the filtered water to ensure that the beneficiaries are being protected against health complications.
Contaminated drinking water has been scientifically linked to the high incidence in Sri Lanka’s North Central Province of Dental Fluorosis, Chronic Renal Failure and other health hazards. Research carried out by several agencies including the Water Resources Board, has revealed that one in every 10 people living in the NCP suffers from a kidney disease as a result of drinking water contaminated with heavy metals and agro-chemicals and the use of low quality aluminum containers to store water.
In September last year, Brandix donated to the government of Sri Lanka a Water Research and Training Centre purpose-built and equipped at a cost of Rs 25 million to help address this problem. The 7,000 square-foot Laboratory and Training Centre at Anuradhapura is dedicated to reducing the occurrence of such health problems through a combination of awareness and training programmes on water purification, conservation and management and the manufacture and distribution of low cost household water filters across the province.
Deutsche Bank believes it is important to contribute to the communities in which it operates. To this end, the Deutsche Bank Asia Foundation has been involved in a wide range of charitable initiatives in Sri Lanka, including microfinance projects; a contemporary art charity event; housing construction; health screening projects; and a large scale redevelopment of a UNESCO world heritage listed site in Anuradhapura. In response to the 2004 tsunami, an extensive relief effort included building 22 pre-schools in the District of Hambantota, which supported over 350 children in the district.
Brandix pioneered the concept of total solutions in the Sri Lankan apparel industry and was once again recognized as Sri Lanka’s largest apparel exporter by the Export Development Board at a ceremony held on the 6th of June 2008. The Group’s CSR efforts are driven by the central corporate theme ‘Water is Life’ and constitute a long term commitment to increasing the availability of water and the provision of safe drinking water to those most in need. The Group’s community outreach initiatives also include providing water through desalination plants, wells and pipe-borne water to communities in and around its manufacturing plants and the improvement of sanitation facilities in needy areas
Friday, June 6, 2008
COLOMBO, Sri Lanka, June 6, 2008: Brandix, Sri Lanka’s inspired solutions provider for branded clothing has once again been recognized as the country’s largest apparel exporter by the Export Development Board (EDB).
Prof. G. L. Peiris
Commenting on the group’s achievement and its contribution to the national economy, Brandix CEO Ashroff Omar said: “The concluded year was one of the most challenging ever, but it was also the year in which Brandix launched the highest number of projects. We remain committed to investing in future growth and it is heartening to see that our contribution to the export economy of the country has been noted by the policymakers.”
Among the significant new projects in 2007-08 was the conversion of the Brandix Casualwear Seeduwa factory into a Green plant, for which Brandix is aiming to secure the highest global certification, Mr. Omar said. The Group also plans to make all of its manufacturing operations eco-friendly and has set itself the target of reducing its carbon footprint by 35 per cent by 2012.
One of the highlights of the concluded year was the opening in January 2008 of Brandix Mercury, a Shared Services Centre, and the migration of virtually all the Group’s financial accounting processes to the unit, transforming the way service functions are performed.
Comprising of 25 fully-integrated manufacturing facilities backed by strategically located international sourcing offices, Brandix provides direct employment to over 25,000 people. The Group specializes in casual bottoms, intimate wear, active wear, textiles, knitted fabrics, sewing and embroidery thread, accessories and hangers as well as wet processing, finishing and fabric printing.
Monday, June 2, 2008
Apparel icon Brandix to reveal latest designs at ‘Colombo Vogue’
0 comments Posted by Anoop at 10:36 PM
Some 60 unique garments in lingerie, loungewear and casual wear designed by the Brandix creative team will be modelled by top international and local models on the second day of ‘Colombo Fashion Statement’ one of the highlights of the ‘Colombo Vogue’ lifestyles weekend.
The Brandix design collection put together for the show is themed ‘Free Spirit of Brandix’ and comprises of pieces inspired by current trends and fashion with an emphasis on eco friendliness, in keeping with the theme of Colombo Vogue, Mihiri de Silva, Head of Design at Brandix Intimate Apparel Ltd., said.
“Some of the garments are made out of eco-friendly materials such as organic cotton, bamboo fabric, 100 per cent cotton knits and linen, and illustrate the versatility and design capability of our designers. We have also made some of the garments more catwalk-like to add more flavour to the show,” she said.
This second exposition in Sri Lanka of exclusive Brandix designs will include dresses, yoga pants, knit tops, camis, chemises, bras and briefs, pants, shorts and skirts. Some of the new designs are based on designs presented by Brandix at recent buy meetings in the US and would represent the latest high street fashion trends in the west, Ms de Silva said.
“Design and development is currently one of the most important areas of focus in the global apparel market, and Brandix Lanka has invested substantially in developing local design capabilities to service the needs of key export markets. This collection will also be a revelation for local audiences,” she added.
Brandix is the Platinum Sponsor of ‘Colombo Vogue,’ a three-day (May 30 – June 1) lifestyles weekend organized by the Rotary Club of Colombo Regency. The second and third days of the weekend are devoted to fashion shows by leading Indian and European designers. The fashion shows will feature the reigning Miss India for Miss World, Miss India for Miss Earth, Miss Sri Lanka, Miss Israel as well as 10 models from India and eight models from Sri Lanka.
Sri Lanka’s largest apparel exporter and the pioneer of the concept of inspired solutions for branded clothing, Brandix is a preferred solutions provider to some of the world’s best brands, including Gap, Marks & Spencer, Victoria’s Secret, NEXT, Lands End, Ann Taylor, Abercrombie & Fitch and Tommy Hilfiger. The Group specializes in casual bottoms, intimate and active wear, textiles, knitted fabrics, sewing and embroidery thread, accessories and hangers and also offers wet processing and finishing and fabric printing.
CONTACT:
Chamika Wickremasinghe
Manager - Corporate Communications
Brandix Lanka Ltd
Phone: +94-11-4727000 ext 2010
E-mail: chamikaw@brandix.com
Photo Caption:
Exclusive Brandix designs at last year’s show
Wednesday, February 27, 2008
COLOMBO, Sri Lanka, February 25, 2008: A quartet of top Sri Lankan golfers leaves for Bangladesh this week on a quest to annex the Dhaka Open trophy dressed to win by the national team’s first clothing sponsor Brandix.
The two-member Sri Lanka Women’s Team comprising of Niloo Jayatilake and the Holy Family Convent student Dhanushi Senadhira and their male counterparts Tissa Chandradasa and Mithun Perera take on the region’s best in Dhaka attired in distinctive new Sri Lanka team T shirts provided by the country’s largest apparel exporter.
As the national golf team’s Clothing Sponsor for 2008, Brandix will provide Sri Lanka’s high-flying golf stars with distinctive T shirts in four colours, Red, White and two shades of blue in a demonstration of support to the game which has scaled new heights in recent years.
Welcoming Brandix’s support to the team, Niloo Jayatilake, the reigning Pakistan Ladies National Amateur Champion said: “It is very encouraging to have an organisation of the calibre of Brandix as a sponsor of the national team. This is a great start to 2008 for Sri Lanka’s golfers.”
Brandix Chairman Ken Balendra said: “We consider it a privilege to support Sri Lanka Golf, which has emerged as a force to be reckoned with in the region. Brandix already has a significant presence in India and Bangladesh, and we are proud to be associated with the achievements of our golfing stars.”
The Sri Lanka Golf Union is to send players during the year to Pakistan, Malaysia and Singapore to name a few, and the women’s team of Niloo Jayatilake and Dhanushi Senadhira is scheduled to take wing to Japan in May 2008 to represent Sri Lanka at the Asia Pacific Ladies Invitational Team Championship, the 30th Queen Sirikit Cup.
Sri Lankan golfers excelled in the international golfing arena in 2007, with K Prabagharan winning the All India National Championship, Niloo Jayatilake clinching the Pakistan Ladies National Amateur Championships and young team mate Dhanushi Sendahira emerging the runner–up. Sri Lanka’s men team comprising Mithun Perera, Tissa Chandradasa and T. Prabadharan won the 9th SAARC championship held in Katmandu, Nepal and Mithun Perera won the overall individual event beating many experienced players. The women’s team comprising once again of Niloo and Dhanushi did well at this tournament to emerge runner–up to India.
The national men’s and women’s teams represent a unique blend of youth and experience. Mithun Perera is the son of the legendary Nandasena Perera. Winner of the 119th Sri Lanka Amateur Championship, Mithun was placed 3rd at the 46th Pakistan Amateur Championship and placed 5th at the 105th Malaysian Amateur Championship the same year. Tissa Chandradasa was the holder of the Dubai Order of Merit from 2002-2005, Runner up at the Dubai Amateur Open in 2003, Winner of the Dubai Amateur Open in 2004 and also the Winner of the Abu Dhabi Open that same year. Both were members of the Sri Lanka golf team to the Asian Games held in Dubai.
Brandix pioneered the concept of total solutions in the Sri Lankan apparel industry and is Sri Lanka’s largest apparel exporter with a consolidated annual turnover of over US$ 320 million. Recent commitments to sport include the sponsorship of an eight-member contingent of exceptional undergraduate athletes from the University of Kelaniya to participate at the World University Games (Universiade) 2007, and support to Sri Lanka’s champion weight lifter Chinthana Vidanage and fast bowler Lasith Malinga, both of who are employed by Brandix.
Courtesy: Brandix Apparels, Sri Lanka
Friday, February 22, 2008
The Institute of Nanotechnology’s ‘3rd International conference on Nanotechnology and Smart Textiles for Industry, Healthcare and Fashion’ provides a venue and breeding ground for industry development personnel and university and other research personnel to get together to both present new ideas, learn what the industry wants and to make linkages.
The IoN’s forthcoming textiles conference should be seen by the industry as the key international venue where new ideas and developments are presented and industry challenges are tabled. It should indeed be regarded as the venue for bringing together new science and technologies into the industry arena.
Conference aims:
* To raise awareness of the potential for advanced technologies and the opportunities they present for the future success of the textile industry
* To showcase novel textile technologies
* To consider the implications of advances in technology on maintaining the competitiveness of the industrial, healthcare and fashion textile industries
* To bring together a multi-disciplinary delegation, to encourage discussion and advance collaborative opportunities
Friday, February 15, 2008
Strähle + Hess GmbH is an innovative company that has contributed in the making of the sQuba car brought out by Swiss design company Rinspeed recently.
This car is said to ride of the street, swim water and 'believe it or not' - become a submarine under water.
Among the several companies that supported this unique 'sQuba' car project - Strähle + Hess GmbH makes up of the only company from the technical textiles to sector.
Kudos this company for participating in this prestigious project and being a true representative of the 'sunshine' technical textile
About Sellner Group Company:
Founded in 1926 the company manufactures highly specialised technical textiles for vehicle interiors. The company headquarters are located in Althengstett near Calw, 40 km west of Stuttgart.
Here 150 employees design, develop and produce state-of-the-art seat components and textiles for coverings and sealing systems. With its wide-ranging experience and technical knowhow; with numerous patents and need-based engineering services the company is today one of the world's leading providers of specialist textiles for interior and exterior applications in the car manufacturing segment.
The innovative and versatile company has been part of the Sellner Group since 2007 and has thus realized another goal in its long-term strategy of further development within the market.
Courtesy: Rinspeed & Sellner Group
