RANK 96

SECTOR WINNER

Apparel (2)

NUMBER OF AWARDS 4

Q: How has MAS Holdings evolved through challenging economic times to produce high quality sustainable products?

A: During a crisis or a volatile business context is when we intensify the focus on our core competencies. This is a strategic measure we take to strengthen what we are good at, which is our core area of product development, manufacturing and supply chain management.

Over the years, business units across MAS Holdings have also built extensive capabilities in materials and product innovation that keep us at the cutting edge of sustainable apparel solutions.

All this ensures that we continue to make better products and remain reliable to our customers who are now very sustainability focussed.

Despite external challenges, sustainable product co-creation with our customers for the global market is an ongoing pursuit. Our road map as a sustainable business has been well-defined and set out in our Plan for Change, a company-wide sustainability strategy that aims to improve our operations across three areas: product, lives and planet.

This strategy has the buy in from across the organisation, which enables us to move steadily towards our long-term sustainability goals – including our target of having 50 percent of our revenue from sustainable products by 2025.

Surein de S. Wijeyeratne
Director Corporate Communications

Q: What value do accolades add to organisations operating in today’s business landscape?

A: Awards – whenever they are won – offer validation, support corporate reputation and help businesses to continue their good work. During economically volatile and challenging times, businesses take tough decisions and may not enjoy the economic freedoms they did earlier. In such times, external recognition – especially by credible institutes conducting robust assessments – provides a strong sense of motivation.

However, ‘business awards’ have now grown into an industry by itself. Many organisations – old and new, local and international – come forward to present awards for a multitude of disciplines.

However, this has the effect of watering down the validity of awards in general. This is because now, any organisation can make grand claims based on awards that may be unsubstantiated or simply the result of a business transaction that can be bought for a price.

In times of volatility and increased competition, businesses will use any opportunity to differentiate themselves and any award will suffice, regardless of its veracity and authenticity, which also perpetuates the problem of PR clutter.

Businesses that are reliant on awards to maintain their corporate reputations will find that their efficacy has dramatically decreased over time due to the ubiquitous nature of an ‘award.’

This makes it even more challenging for awarding organisations, even those with recognised metrics and a good standing in the public eye, to make their awards more meaningful and sought after.

Q: How can accolades help businesses to compete on the international stage?

A: Competing on the world stage requires an enterprise first to be a competitive, leading player in its own industry, sector or region. Awards help entities to secure that position in their industry or sector, within specialised fields or in the region they operate.

This recognition naturally enhances brand reputation and credibility – especially in competitive markets.

For those looking to expand and grow at the global level, awards provide valuable marketing opportunities, helping businesses stand out to customers and investors. But the real differentiator for an entity is when the awards are global in nature, rather than being limited to a country or a specific industry.

When reputable awards are won at the global level and across multiple industries, that’s when a business can truly differentiate itself.

Q: In what ways do awards pave a path for businesses interested in expanding overseas?

A: Making the right connections globally with potential partners, customers and even employees is critical when expanding overseas. Having a considerable online presence becomes crucial at this point. When researched by a potential stakeholder, a business must show up as a corporate leader in that relevant area.

Having a series of accolades is a good verification of a business’ credentials. Potential stakeholders are more likely to engage if your organisation is one of repute, independently attested to and has industry leading competencies.

This is where awards can play a major role: in the independent verification of an organisation’s claims.

Telephone: 0773 832227 | Email: sureinw@masholdings.com | Website: www.masholdings.com