INDUSTRY CAPABILITY REPORT

SRI LANKAN APPAREL SECTOR

Prepared by:
Export Development Board (EDB), Sri Lanka
January, 2016
CONTENTS

1. INTRODUCTION ....................................................................................................................... 2
2. TYPE OF PLAYERS .................................................................................................................... 2
3. KEY PRODUCTS AND VARIETIES .............................................................................................. 2
4. UNIQUE CHARACTERISTICS OF THE SECTOR........................................................................... 2
5. MAJOR BRANDS SUPPLIED TO ................................................................................................ 3
6. GEOGRAPHICAL DISTRIBUTION ACROSS THE COUNTRY AND KNOWN .................................. 3
CLUSTERS IF ANY ..................................................................................................................... 3
7. TOTAL EXPORTS OF APPAREL IN SELECTED CATEGORIES OF THE SECTOR. ........................... 3
8. NUMBER OF PLAYERS ............................................................................................................. 4
9. KEY PLAYERS............................................................................................................................ 4
10. NUMBER OF PEOPLE EMPLOYED IN THE SECTOR................................................................... 5
11. GOVERNMENT SUPPORT AVAILABLE IN THE SECTOR ............................................................ 5
12. STRENGTHS IN THE SRI LANKAN APPAREL INDUSTRY. ........................................................... 5

Sri Lankan Apparel Sector 1

 1. INTRODUCTION

When Sri Lanka liberalized its economy in 1977, the countrys garment industry took off
immediately. Initially quotahopping East Asian garment exporters, attracted by the countrys
liberal trade regime, relocated their already wellestablished garment businesses to Sri Lanka.
This relocation encouraged local entrepreneurs to start their own garment enterprises to
exploit markets guaranteed by quotas, assisted by the liberal trade regime and incentives
granted by the Sri Lankan Government.

Sri Lanka has since become a world class apparel manufacturer supplying to global super
brands for over three decades. The industry upholds high ethical practices, eschews child and
forced labor thus being known to the world as a producer of Garments without Guilt.

2. TYPE OF PLAYERS

There are manufacturers and exporters of apparel under the large scale category as well as
small & medium scale category. Most of the export oriented clothing factories are SMEs and
they are scattered across the country.

3. KEY PRODUCTS AND VARIETIES

Apparel categories span, sportswear, lingerie, lounge wear, bridal wear, work wear, swimwear
and childrens wear, etc.

4. UNIQUE CHARACTERISTICS OF THE SECTOR

The Sri Lankan garment industry has strong commitment to the welfare of its workers. Guided
by the visionary slogan: Garments without Guilt, ethical practices are at the root of the
industry's success. Garments are made with conscience and care by protecting worker's rights,
creating opportunities for education and personal growth, and helping to alleviate poverty in
communities with the aim to create a more equitable society.

The apparel industry in Sri Lanka has also won many awards for green manufacturing. Sri Lanka
is the world's number one ethical apparel sourcing destination.

The Made in Sri Lanka label is now synonymous with quality, reliability, social &
environmental accountability. Sri Lanka is the first amongst seven apparel manufacturing

Sri Lankan Apparel Sector 2

facilities in the world to be awarded the LEED platinum rating, setting a global benchmark for
Green Apparel factories.

5. MAJOR BRANDS SUPPLIED TO

The industry possesses an impressive partnership portfolio which includes world renowned
labels such as Victorias Secret, Gap, Liz Claiborne, Next, Jones NewYork, Nike, Tommy Hilfiger,
Pink, Triumph, Ann Taylor, Speedo, Abercrombie & Fitch, Lands End, Marks & Spencer and
Intimissi.

6. GEOGRAPHICAL DISTRIBUTION ACROSS THE COUNTRY AND KNOWN

CLUSTERS IF ANY

Most of the apparel manufacturing firms are situated in the South West of the country

The following associations are involved which support the apparel sector by addressing the
sector related issues through coordination with the government institutions.

Joint Apparel Association Forum (JAAF)

Apparel exporters Association 200GFP

Sri Lanka Apparel Exporters Association

Sri Lanka chamber of Garment Exporters

Sri Lanka Apparel Brands Association(SLABA)

Sri Lanka Apparel Sourcing Association

Free Trade Zone Manufactures Association

7. TOTAL EXPORTS OF APPAREL IN SELECTED CATEGORIES OF THE SECTOR.

The total value of exports in the apparel sector was US $ 4,739 Mn.in the year 2014
under the following chapters.
Sri Lankan Apparel Sector 3
 Selected Markets US $ Mn.
H.61 Articles of apparel and clothing accessories knitted or crocheted. 2,625

H.62 Articles of apparel and clothing accessories not knitted or crocheted. 2,057
H.63 Other made up textile articles; sets; worn clothing and worn textile articles; rags. 58

Total : 4,739

USA and UK are the top markets for Sri Lankan apparel throughout the decades.

8. NUMBER OF PLAYERS

There are around 300 350 manufacturers of apparel.

9. KEY PLAYERS

Brandix Apparel Ltd.

Mas Intimates (Pvt.) Ltd.

Hirdaramani International Exports Ltd.

Omega Line Ltd.

MAS Active Trading Pvt. Ltd.

Smarts Shirts Lanka Ltd.

EAM Maliban Textiles Pvt. Ltd.

Bodyline Pvt. Ltd.

Crystal Martin Garments Pvt. Ltd.

Linea Aqua Pvt. Ltd.

Sirio Ltd.

Alpha Apparels Ltd.

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 Orit Trading Lanka Pvt. Ltd.

Polytex Garments Ltd.

Idustrial Clothing Ltd.

10.NUMBER OF PEOPLE EMPLOYED IN THE SECTOR

The industry provides direct employment opportunities to over 300,000 and 600,000
i n d i r e c t l y which include a substantial number of women in Sri Lanka.

11.GOVERNMENT SUPPORT AVAILABLE IN THE SECTOR

New areas are open for investment & expansion with the end of war in the North and East of
the country. N u m b e r o f f a c t o r i e s h a v e a l r e a d y c o m m e n c e d c o m m e r c i a l
o p e r a t i o n s in the area and more projects are on the way.

12.STRENGTHS IN THE SRI LANKAN APPAREL INDUSTRY.

a. SUSTAINABILITY

Industry sustainability has been a buzzword over the past few years. It has generally
been defined by efforts to reduce the carbon footprint of both suppliers and retailers.

Sri Lankan apparels definition of sustainability incorporates its entire production,

human resources and supply chain process.

Developed into a sophisticated industry over the past 30 years, from mere tailors to
total solutions specialists.

An International reputation as a reliable and a quality manufacturer with a highly

competent, compliant work force.

Factories have focused on innovation as well as offering superior product development

and design resources.
Sri Lankan Apparel Sector 5
 Employee welfare and social accountability has always been inherent feature of its
sourcing model.

Over the past few years the industry has worked to raise the bar further by aspiring to a
higher standard of social compliance and embarking on a number of green initiatives.

b. ETHICAL SOURCING DESTINATION

Commitment to Ethical Business & Manufacturing, free of discrimination, sweatshop practices

and child labour.

While the initial focus of GWG was establishing Ethical Working Conditions, today it has been
extended to Green Manufacturing and empowering employees across the industry.

Policies aimed at reducing waste together with the implementation of lean manufacturing have
resulted in a much more efficient production process.

As part of its drive for Ethical Employment and empowering our workers Sri Lanka has been able
to attract and retain better talent.

Lower employee turnover is resulting in a more skilled and capable workforce making our
factories more productive and improving overall quality.

The industry has also implemented shorter process flows to reduce energy wastage and are
using fully integrated services, which all result in a shorter lead time.

Industry can provide comprehensive solutions and long term partnerships to apparel customers.

Highest per capita apparel exports in the region, 2% of the US apparel imports, 11th ranked
apparel supplier to US, 4th ranked Bra suppliers, 8th for briefs, 9th for cotton pants, 10th for
nightwear and top three apparel companies amongst worlds 50 most important suppliers.

c. A FLAGSHIP GREEN DESTINATION

The worlds First Green Factories

LEED Platinum and Gold Certified

d. LEADING DESIGN INNOVATION

State of the Art Product Development Facilities

Talented Pool of Sri Lankan Designers
Collaboration with its customers
Hub for South Asian Fashion
Exposing and developing local talent
Online, realtime interaction with brands

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 A number of courses at leading universities that are dedicated to the apparel industry and are
turning out highly qualified graduates each year.

e. HUB FOR SOUTH ASIA

Large manufacturing capacity, 17% Market Share of US apparel imports, largest population,
emerging domestic market, FTA with India and Pakistan, emerging fashion presence, largest
Labour Force, 2nd largest cotton producer, large textile base.

Sri Lanka Apparel is to position itself as a fast fashion and logistics hub for the entire South Asian
Region. When viewed as a combined entity the statistics are even more remarkable. Taken as
a whole the South Asian region accounts for a 17% market share of US apparel imports and this
figure is increasing on an annual basis. The large labour force and textile resources means that
there is continually growing capacity available in the region, and the rapid emergence of the
domestic apparel retail market has created a new market for both global brands and factories
that supply to them.

f. REGIONAL COLLABORATION

Knowledge sharing and technology transfer

Sri Lanka as the Hub for BPO services and Fashion, R&D, Innovation Centers

Virtual Vertical Integration within the region

Sri Lanka to be used for Quick Response and Chase orders

Preferential Market Access within the Region.

Utilisation of Development Centres to provide BPO services as well as Innovation and research
and development.

Given our shorter shipping lead times and flexible production units, Sri Lanka can also be used
by customers for initial Launches and Chase orders to supplement larger orders placed in
countries such as Bangladesh.

Sri Lanka has an FTA with India which includes Apparel. There are already a number of Indian
retail brands that are sourcing from Sri Lankan factories and there is significant scope for global
brands to use Sri Lanka as key hub to service the Indian market.

Continual organic growth is planned by augmenting relationships with existing customers,

penetrating emerging markets and capacity expansion in North & East

Plan to enhance its traditional exports with Hub Services focusing on Logistics, Knowledge
services and our Centers of Design Innovation.

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Prepared by:

Ms. S. S. Jayawardhana Deputy Director, EDB, Sri Lanka

Disclaimer:

The Sri Lanka Export Development Board, (EDB), has taken every care in the preparation of the content of this
report, but the EDB cannot be held responsible for any errors, defects, lost profits, or other consequential
damages arising from the use of any information obtained either directly or indirectly from this report. The EDB
accepts no liability whatsoever.

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