:: News & Events
       
        NEWS & EVENTS ORGANISED BY THE TEXTILE INSTITUTE –SRI LANKA SECTION    
       
   
The Textile Institute Sri Lanka section in collaboration with A & E Lanka (pvt) Ltd organized a seminar in December at Galadari Hotel.
  " Seminar on “ Insight to efficiency optimization to elevate the Sri Lankan garment industry to meet the global competitio "
  The theme of the seminar was global competition and how does the clothing industry meet the challenges therein. The chief guest for this occasion was Dr. P.B.Jayasundera, Secretary to the Treasury. The audience was distinguished invitees from the industry, senior government officials and textile technologists.
 
 
 
   
 
   
Brandix Casualwear plant located at Seeduwa was converted to a Green Factory and was ceremonially inaugurated in April 2008 by the Chief Executive of M&S, Sir Stuart Rose.
  Brandix Casualwear plant located at Seeduwa, which is the Group’s lead manufacturing plant for Marks and Spencer (M&S) was converted to a Green Factory and was ceremonially inaugurated in April 2008 by the Chief Executive of M&S, Sir Stuart Rose. This plant achieved a global first in August 2008 when it received the Platinum rating under the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Green Building Rating System of the US Green Building Council (USGBC).

The Brandix Eco Centre is the first apparel factory in the world to obtain the LEED Platinum certification setting a new global standard for low energy consumption, water conservation, solid waste management and low carbon emissions. The Brandix Eco Centre has reduced carbon emissions by 80%, energy saving of 46%, reduced water consumption by 63% and achieved zero solid waste to landfill.

The Brandix Eco Centre was also adjudged the National Winner for Sri Lanka, and was named one of three nominees for the Energy Globe World Award in the ‘Air’ category at The World Energy Globe Awards for Sustainability held in Prague, Czech Republic in April 2009. The ‘Air’ category, in which Brandix was honoured, recognises measures that contribute to improving air quality, including avoidance of CO2 emissions, optimization of combustion processes, reduction of green house gases and improvements in indoor air quality.

 
 
 
   
 
   
Hirdaramani Group, the pioneers in apparel exports in Sri Lanka launched its newest environmentally friendly factory, CKT Apparel (Pvt) Ltd, Mihila in Agalawatte last week.
  By This plant is the first apparel factory in the world to achieve the GOLD rating of the LEED certificate under New Construction issued by the US Green Building Council.

 
 
  Picture 2 – Prime minister, Mr. Ratnasiri Wickramanayake declares opening Mihila.
Picture 3 – Directors, Mr. Anil Hirdaramani , Mr. Arjuna Kuruppu and Mr. Janak Hirdaramani with the Prime Minister.
Picture 4 - Mr. Anil Hirdaramani is lighting the oil lamp. Mr. Arjuna Kuruppu and Mr. Dammika Perera, Chairman, BOI, look on.
 
   
 
   
TI Centenary World Conference
  The Textile Institute is pleased to announce the date for the next world conference which will be held in Manchester on the 3 & 4 November 2010. A full call for papers will be issued in the next edition of textiles. This will be the pivotal event during 2010 celebrating 100 years of The Textile Institute.
 
   
 
   
Asian textiles no longer a fading industry- Ceylon Daily News- Monday, October 5, 2009
  Asian textiles, once considered a fading industry, are now showing strong growth prospects thanks to technology and demand from expanding middle classes, a leading industry player said.

Known in the past for back-alley shops churning our cheap material, many Asian firms are shedding their sweatshop image as they move to compete in the global market, said Paul Hulme, President of Huntsman Textile Effects (HTE).

Stricter environmental standards required by western countries are also prompting consolidation and innovation in the industry, said Hulme, whose firm is one of the world’s top suppliers of textile dyes and chemicals. It moved its headquarters from Basel, Switzerland to Singapore in March to be closer to its Asian customer base.

“These sweatshops and poor facilities----- that is changing”, Hume told AFP in an interview at the company’s corporate offices overlooking Singapore’s central business district.

‘When I visit our customers, I’m impressed with the facilities in terms of the equipment, in terms of the housekeeping standards and the way they treat their employees”, he said.

“I would not pretend that sweatshops don’t exist and I’m sure you can go to parts of India and China where that very much is the case… But I think that image will change”.

A key driver for the industry’s modernization is Asia’s growing middle class, whose clothing tastes are becoming more sophisticated. Hume said the global textile dyes and chemicals market is worth 16 billion dollars, and Asia accounts for some 45 per cent of the total consumption, much of it destined for export markets outside the region. One year after the global financial crisis exploded, Asian economies are rebounding faster than the West, boosting the textile industry’s hopes.

The Asian Development Bank (ADB) recently upgraded its forecast for the region’s 2009 economic growth to 3.9%. China is forecast to grow 8.2 % this year and 8.9% in 2010.

“The market is changing, customer taste and demand is changing. For example, as you go into the provinces in China, the spending power is increasing”, said Hulme.

“In this business, the future is in Asia. It’s going to be driven from Asia, not from Europe and America,” said Hulme. “You’ve got to be part of the region”.

Professional Qualifications
Congratulations to the following members who have been awarded Textile Institute Professional qualifications following the June 2008 meeting of the Diplomas Committee.

Fellowship and Chartered Membership (CText FTI)
Mr. M.A. Omar
Chief Executive Officer
Brandix Lanka Ltd
Colombo.

Associateship and Chartered Membership (CText ATI)
Mr. C.S.K. Fonseka
Quality Assurance Manager
Brandix Casual Wear Ltd
Ratmalana.

Mr. S.K.Rathnasuriya
Principal Trainer/ Consultant
P.M.K. Management Consultancy Services,
Kadawatha.

Ms. U.D. Samarakone Rasnayake
Senior Training Executive
Brandix College of Clothing Technology
Ratmalana.
 
   
 
   
Thursday - 08th October 2009 at the Martin Trust Hall,Brandix College of Clothing Technology, Ratmalana.
  " Istanbul apparel cluster and what they are doing to remain competitive "
  By Mr. Peter Wilson , Business Development, Innovation and Networking Co-ordinator,Expansion of the European Business Centre’s network project, Turkey.
 
   
 
   
 
   
Saturday - 12th September 2009 at the Mount Lavinia Hotel, Mount Lavinia.
  The 35th AGM of the Textile Institute –Sri Lanka section which was followed by fellowship dinner
  Around  80 distinguished personalities from the Textile Industry participated at the event.
   
 
 
   
 

The following office bearers and the committee for 2009/10 were elected at the AGM.
     
  Chairman                  Dr. R.U. Kuruppu   CText, FTI
  Vice chairman Mr.  V.A. Nandasena CText, FTI
  Secretary       Ms. U.D. Samarakone CText, ATI
  Treasurer        Mr. N.G.H. De Silva CText, FTI
  Committee Prof. ( Dr.) Wasantha Wimalaweera CText, FTI
    Dr. S.A. Ariyadurai CText, ATI
    Mr. M.D.L.G. Wijetunge CText, ATI
    Ms. S.L. Jayasooriya  CText, FTI
    Mr. D.N.S. Kuruppumullage CText, ATI
    Ms. D.M.S. Dissanayake CText, ATI
    Mr. M B.A. Padmasiri CText, ATI
    Mr. Suraj Fonseka CText, ATI
     
 
 

From left – M.Bandula Padmasiri, N.G.H. De Silva, Ms. D.M.S. Dissanayake, D.N.S. Kuruppumullage,

V.A. Nandasena, Dr. R.U. Kuruppu , Ms. U.D. Samarakone, M.D.L.G. Wijetunge,

Prof. Wasantha Wimalaweera , Ms. S.L. Jayasooriya  , Dr. S.A. Ariyadurai , Absent - Suraj Fonseka

 
   
 
   
Thursday – 3rd September 2009
  " Vendor Managed Inventory "
  By Mr. Pradeesh Wanniarachchi. BSc   VMI Analyst, Brandix Lanka Limited.
 
   
 
   
Friday – 7th August 2009
  " Knitted Medical Textiles "
  By Dr. Tilak Dias, Senior Lecturer, University of Manchester, UK.
 
   
 
   
Thursday – 9th July 2009.
  " Wastage caused by fabric defects "
  By Mr. Kulatunga MPhil. BSc.
 
 
   
 
   
Thursday – 25th June 2009
  " The future of the Textile/ Clothing Industry - the way forward " - A BRAIN STROMING SESSION
  Following panelists made presentations - Emeritus Prof. Lakdas Fernando,Prof. Wasantha Wimalaweera ,Mr. A Sukumaran, Chief Executive Officer, Star Garments,Mr. Irfan Thassim, Chief Executive Officer, Brandix Textiles .
 
 
   
 
   
Thursday – 11th June 2009 .
  " Design and Development for future fashion industry "
  By Mr. Dinesh Chandrasena, Fashion Designer, Claire’s Collection, USA
 
 
   
 
   
Thursday – 29th January 2009.
  " Using Process improvement to survive in the difficult times "
  By Mr. Ed Fleischer, Vice President, Process improvement division, Brandix Lanka Ltd.
 
       
       
       
       
       
 
Copyright (c) 2009. The Textile Institute Sri Lanka Section. All Rights Reserved.