BRANDIX LANKA
As a leading apparel manufacturer, Brandix has been ‘delivering inspired solutions through inspired people’ since 1972; and to date, it remains true to its DNA of inspiring a difference while positively impacting its people, communities and the planet. Rooted in Sri Lanka, the company’s reach extends across India, Bangladesh, China, Cambodia, Haiti, Hong Kong and the UK, as it develops, manufactures and markets end-to-end apparel solutions for world renowned brands. The company attributes its success to its team of 65,000 plus people, driven by the Brandix values and reiterates its commitment to empowering sustainable development across communities.
Q: As a respected corporate, how does a business like Brandix work to protect its reputation?
A: At Brandix, we believe that reputation is a byproduct of integrity – a value that is intrinsic to our company and the way we do business. Reputation is built over time when stakeholders trust a company’s transparency.
While we’ve always been driven by our purpose of delivering inspired solutions, it’s equally important to remain innovative, agile and transparent.
Q: What is the value of building authentic stakeholder relationships with respect to corporate reputation?
A: We rely on our people, customers, suppliers, communities, regulators and other stakeholders for continuity. Every relationship is built and fostered through respect, integrity and excellence.
For us, nurturing real relationships with real people across the stakeholder spectrum is essential to maintaining our corporate reputation as well as ensuring continuity with the endorsement of all stakeholders.
Q: How does respect within the workplace garner respect for a company?
A: At Brandix, respect is a non-negotiable value in addition to integrity, teamwork and excellence.
We see our employees as inspired people; and we facilitate a conducive environment and provide the right opportunities to unearth their best selves.
Our policies and processes for people reflect this focus; as much as integrity gives rise to reputation, we believe this is true in the case of respect within the workplace as well.
Q: What is the role of social responsibility in the ‘corporate respect’ equation?
A: While the force of the pandemic was beyond our control, we focussed on our people’s wellbeing and supporting affected communities.
Among the many initiatives, our priorities included supplying personal protective equipment (PPE) to front line healthcare workers and providing 1.5 million face masks to schoolchildren through the Ministry of Education.
Between the first COVID-19 wave in April 2020 and the third wave, two of our factories in Punanai and Pinnawala were converted into quarantine centres, and one into an intermediate care centre in Seeduwa for COVID-19 treatment.
While our long-term CSR strategy is focussed on addressing associates’ water and sanitation needs, we switched focus to address the needs of employees, their families and communities impacted by the pandemic.
Meanwhile, we have been committed to protecting the environment since 2007. We’ve been at the forefront of national and global efforts to adopt best practices for sustainable development while promoting it as a way of life among stakeholders.
A corporate must have an impact beyond its business and engage stakeholders as active advocates in the process, which is vital to its reputation.
Q: And finally, could you outline how Sri Lankan companies contribute to the nation’s image on the international stage?
A: In the apparel industry, Sri Lanka’s ethical sourcing, sustainable development practices to empower communities and commitment to mitigating the impact of operations on the planet have helped position the nation as an ethical garment manufacturing destination.
Despite escalating cost structures, we’ve remained competitive due to investments in technology, product innovation and digital transformation.
Our strong emphasis on environmental, social and corporate governance (ESG) standards, and ensuring compliance in line with global best practices, have enabled Sri Lanka to be viewed as a key sourcing destination on the maps of renowned apparel brands.
Brandix Lanka will continue its journey as a leader in the apparel industry in Sri Lanka and beyond to deliver inspired solutions to world renowned brands while empowering sustainable development across its communities. The company has established a holistic approach by adopting best practices and deliveringinspired solutions through its products and the values it upholds.
Group Finance Director
