September 18, 2023
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8min

 



 

 

The journey towards ‘green jeans’ and sustainable fashion has made significant strides worldwide, and at its heart is Hirdaramani Apparel, a pioneer and trailblazer in Sri Lanka’s apparel industry. Since joining the Ellen MacArthur Foundation’s ‘The Jeans Redesign’ project in 2019, the Company’s continued commitment to sustainably manufactured jeans has been focused, committed, and authentic.

In an industry where trends are evolutionary, jeans remain timeless, versatile and a wardrobe staple for most. Jeans have a history dating over 160 years, originating as ‘work wear’ clothing for mining and industrial wear before capturing the love of the fashion-conscious. Today, the global jeans market is valued at over USD 75 billion and is poised for further growth[1]. However, this comes amid heightened environmental concerns, prompting the industry to rethink its manufacturing practices.

Hirdaramani Apparel is leading the charge by reimagining denim manufacturing through a sustainability lens. The partnership with the Ellen MacArthur Foundation’s ‘The Jeans Redesign’ project underscores its commitment to transformation. With input from 80 experts across industry, academia and NGOs, the project is actively encouraging leading brands, mills, and manufacturers to revolutionize the way jeans are designed and made.

The Head of Design (Woven) at Hirdaramani Apparel, Piyumi Perera highlights the evolution of its approach. “In our industry, we work in a design environment where the focus is on selling more, selling fast, and selling at competitive rates, which impacts the industry as a whole,” she notes. “Our customers, brands, and our leadership influenced us to be more cognizant of this and make necessary changes to our manufacturing processes. Here, our steadfast journey towards eco-friendly or green jean production began over 15 years ago.”

A Path to Responsible Manufacturing

The three primary areas that cause most harm to the environment in denim manufacturing are water use, chemical and dye use, and energy consumption. Leveraging technology and innovation, the Sustainability and Design team at Hirdaramani Apparel work together to ensure that the average water consumption per garment since 2019 was reduced by 23 percent and energy consumption in Mega Joules per garment was reduced by 9 percent. These statistics relate to apparel across Hirdaramani – among which 50-70 percent of its production is attributed to denim.

“When we initiated the concept of the Hirdaramani Discovery Lab in 2017, we realized that from the outset, product design needed an additional dimension of sustainability in intentional material choices and making of processes,” says Piyumi.  “It’s not just about a sustainable fabric but considering the end-to-end process and the garment’s lifecycle. Since we can’t scrutinize every aspect, we have brought in sustainability controls through the highest certifications that abide by global sustainability standards. Our Sustainability team sits alongside the Design team at Discovery Lab. The two teams work together to ensure our designers are aligned with the Hirdaramani sustainability commitments from a product perspective. This specialised knowledge base is readily available for our designers.”

Understanding the harmful impact of chemicals, including the use of synthetic indigo dyes and finishing agents, Hirdaramani Apparel utilizes three-in-one chemicals (wetting, levelling, and pre-wash) to streamline chemical usage. Extensive sample testing at the company’s denim laundries guided by EIM (Environmental Impact Measure) software aims to minimize energy, chemical, water, and labour requirements per garment.

The Company has also adopted laser technology for the denim with its distinctive whiskers and washed-out appearance, effectively reducing the demand for chemicals and water in the dry process of denim creation.

Aligned with circular principles, the commitment to sustainability manifests in minimized reliance on processes like Potassium Permanganate spray, pumice stone washing, and sandblasting, while some processes have been fully eliminated. Furthermore, rigorous lab testing on dyes and chemicals is conducted before production to identify and mitigate the use of hazardous chemicals in addition to optimizing overall efficiency.

The Group has also invested in state-of-the-art sustainable washing machines that enable precise measurement and management of chemical usage. Committed to responsible practices, there is adherence to ZDHC 3.0 guidelines (Zero Discharge of Hazardous Chemicals) and meeting of RSL (Restricted Substance List) requirements throughout the chemical management processes, spanning from input to output.

Achieving True Circularity

Since joining the Ellen MacArthur Foundation’s ‘The Jeans Redesign’ project in 2019, Hirdaramani Apparel has successfully produced over 200,000 jeans for a prominent American brand. The commitment to pioneering guidelines in recycled denim production reflects the Company’s sincere vision to become one of the most sustainable apparel manufacturers.

Piyumi emphasizes that the four crucial parameters in eco-friendly jean manufacturing are durability, traceability, recyclability, and material health. “Each of these elements holds significance at every stage of the jean value chain. We are witnessing a growing number of startup brands embracing sustainable jean design and production, and we are happy to actively support these emerging brands to enter the market and contribute towards making a real difference.”

Since 2019, the criteria for circular denim has evolved and become more inclusive and easier to adapt to. Initially, the project began with the agreement to use 10 percent post-consumer waste cotton, with the remaining components being organic cotton, allowing 2 percent to be synthetic. Today, the initiative has progressed to a refined standard with 5 percent post-consumer waste cotton and the remaining 95 percent sourced from natural fibres. An overall 2 percent by weight of synthetic components is accepted.

“As we envision the future of sustainable fashion, we must prioritize three key criteria: making circular design the norm, ensuring the economics work, and shifting product design as well as systems redesign,” concludes Piyumi. “With learning from ‘The Jeans Redesign’ project, we are at the forefront of a fashion revolution and are actively contributing to a transformation in an industry often criticized for its negative environmental impact.”

[1] https://www.grandviewresearch.com/industry-analysis/denim-jeans-market#:~:text=Report%20Overview,5.8%25%20from%202023%20to%202030.

 



 

 


July 20, 2023
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6min

 



 

 

Ocean Lanka (Pvt) Ltd, the esteemed joint venture between Fountain Set (Holdings) Limited, Brandix Lanka Limited, and Hirdaramani Group, proudly inaugurated its new office premises recently. The momentous occasion was celebrated with a grand ceremony and a captivating cocktail event, symbolizing a significant milestone in the collaboration between these esteemed organizations.

The welcome note was delivered by Dr. Austin Au, the Managing Director of Ocean Lanka, who expressed his gratitude and enthusiasm for this remarkable venture. He said “It is a new, happy and an exciting experience, to have our partners, suppliers, customers and others here tonight. This celebration is not only for the opening of our new office, it is also a celebration of our 25th year in operation, which we were unable to celebrate before due to the pandemic. We have entered into a new era of Ocean Lanka’s business, from our new look and vision, we are excited to see what the future holds.”

The ceremony also featured insightful guest speeches by key partners. Mr. Li Gang, Executive Director and Vice President of Fountain Set (Holdings) Limited, conveyed his excitement about the joint venture and the immense potential it holds for all parties involved. “I am very happy to be here at the new office of Ocean Lanka. This a challenging period of time in our industry, and I hope we will overcome it in time to come.”

Mr. Ashroff Omar, Group Chief Executive Officer of Brandix Lanka Limited, expressed his delight in collaborating with Ocean Lanka, emphasizing the shared values of quality and sustainability that will shape their collective journey. He said “I think Ocean Lanka was the first professional, educated textile plant in Sri Lanka. Because of Ocean Lanka, we became known as a nation of cut-and-sew knits. Ocean Lanka has done a fantastic job for the country, the industry, its shareholders and for its employees.”

Mr. Siddarth Hirdaramani, Director of Hirdaramani Group, commended the partnership and its potential to revolutionize the textile landscape in Sri Lanka. He said “To maintain our position as a market leader in Sri Lanka, we’ve had to adapt and innovate. This is something we have done with Ocean Lanka for many years and I hope we will continue to move forward. As one of the few large-scale fabric mills on the island, I think we have a unique opportunity to influence the future of our industry, I believe we have to continue exploring avenues of improvement, by investing in technology, and our environmental impact.”

The event was graced by esteemed guests including notable personalities from Fountain Set (Holdings) Limited, Brandix Lanka Limited, Hirdaramani Group, and prominent government officials. This distinguished gathering included Mr. Li Gang, Executive Director and Vice President of Fountain Set (Holdings) Limited, Mr. Liu Qing, Director of Fountain Set (Holdings) Limited, and Ms. Cheng Wai Han Charmaine, Company Secretary of Fountain Set (Holdings) Limited. Representing Brandix Lanka Limited were Mr. Ashroff Omar, Group Chief Executive Officer, and Mr. Feroz Omar, Director From Hirdaramani Group, Mr. Anil Hirdaramani, (Director), Mr. Vinod Hirdaramani, (Director), and Mr. Siddarth Hirdaramani, (Director), graced the occasion. The presence of Mr. M.K.D Lawrance, Executive Director of the Board of Investment, and Mr. Kithsiri Kumarasinghe, Director of the Board of Investment Biyagama, further added prestige to the event. Dr. Austin Au, Managing Director of Ocean Lanka (Pvt) Ltd, spearheaded the company’s representation.

Ocean Lanka (Pvt) Ltd, represents a unique collaboration that combines the strength and expertise of world-renowned entities. Fountain Set (Holdings) Limited, co-owned by Chinatex Corporation, stands as one of the world’s largest circular knitted fabric manufacturers. Brandix Lanka Limited and Hirdaramani Group, prominent apparel giants, bring their vast industry experience and commitment to this transformative partnership.

 



 

 

 


May 15, 2023
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4min

 



 

 

15th May 2023: In 2020, the Hirdaramani Group announced their Future First initiative, a truly ambitious and comprehensive Sustainability Roadmap for 2025. As part of their commitment to transparency and accountability, the Group has released their second annual Sustainability Report with detailed data-driven updates on Hirdaramani’s progress in 2022 towards achieving the 28 targets they have committed to.

“When we released our 2021 Sustainability Report, we also promised continuous improvement and transparency in our reporting – and with this latest report we have delivered. In 2022, we aligned with the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) and committed to additional best practices such as the Science Based Targets Initiative (SBTi), which have enabled us to set new standards in data collection, reporting and most importantly verification,” said Siddarth Hirdaramani, Director, Hirdaramani Group. “Measuring actual impact is a core priority for us and we will continue to invest in this.”

Hirdaramani has a longstanding commitment to sustainability, and the Future First 2025 roadmap builds on this foundation with a focus on four key areas; conserving the environment, empowering associates, supporting communities, and building trust in their products and brand.

The company reports that they are on track to achieve the targets set, showing impressive results in reducing carbon emissions, water manage­ment and control of waste across all facilities and locations. The Group has also been successful in meeting and often exceeding their targets for employee training & development as well as the reach of their community projects.

This year has seen continued investments in renewable energy via the expansion of their rooftop solar projects as well as investments in stand alone wind and solar projects. The product development teams have made significant strides in promoting sustainable fashion by launching multiple circular apparel programs for stra­tegic customers and have also started detailed tracking on the volume of “Certified Sustainable” materials that are sourced and used for production.

2022 being a difficult year for the Sri Lankan economy, Hirdaramani directed their focus to supporting communities with food donation programs as well as donating much needed medication to hospitals across the island. They also launched a landmark program ‘Hirdaramani Waga Sangramaya’ starting with model vegetable gardens in factories an initiative which  also aimed to promote home gardening amongst employees, with a larger goal to set up gardens in communities. By  the end of 2022, the company had established 11 community gardens. This project received the Best Project Award at the Best Corporate Citizen Sustainability Awards 2022 organized by the Ceylon Chamber of Commerce.

The Group is also more focused than ever on promoting Wonders of Wellbeing (WOW), their in-house developed, globally recognised, wellbeing pro­gram that drives diversity, equity, and inclusion within the organization, supporting the concept of every employee living “healthy, wealthy, happy and meaningful lives”.

Read the Full report on the Hirdaramani website www.hirdaramani.com/sustainability

 



 

 


December 5, 2022
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4min

 



 

 

• The company’s future focus is to inculcate a culture of change by launching several projects in 2023

• It is the largest employer in Ratnapura, creating over 3000 jobs

5th December 2022: A pioneer of the Sri Lankan apparel industry, Hirdaramani Group recently celebrated the 30th anniversary of one of its oldest and largest manufacturing facilities, Hirdaramani Industries Kuruwita.

Founded on the 26th of November 1992, the manufacturing facility has continuously undergone technological, product, and environmental evolution to provide world-class apparel for leading international brands.

The LEED-certified manufacturing facility has been recognised for its commitment to upholding international standards and is certified by leading global bodies including US Fair Trade, HIGG index and Worldwide Responsible Accreditation Production (WRAP).

“Our three-decade journey is a testament to Hirdaramani Group’s ability to remain agile and constantly innovate to keep up with the changing times. We are thankful to our employees, who are our greatest asset, as well as our customers and brands who have supported us over the years,” Director of Hirdaramani Group, Aroon Hirdaramani said.

The manufacturing facility, which began with 485 employees, is now the largest employer in the Ratnapura district, providing 3000 jobs and supporting the livelihoods of many. Furthermore, the company is continusouly engaged in CSR projects to uplift the community. This includes notable initiatives such as donating medical equipment and medicines to the Erathna and Ratanpura Hospital amidst medical shortages, contributing to sports and welfare activities of schools in the area and self-employment development programmes at the Kuruwita Prison.

As part of the group-wide commitment through the ‘Future First’ sustainability Roadmap 2025, guided by the UN Sustainable Development Goals, Hirdaramani Industries Kuruwita’s efforts in going green have gone beyond its facility with the launch of several sustainability and biodiversity projects over the years. Some of these efforts include partnering with the Central Environmental Authority and SLT Mobitel in planting 10,000 trees, awareness campaigns in schools on environmental sustainability, the introduction of rainwater harvesting and space allocation for solar panels to generate 1.25 MW of electricity.

Additionally, as part of marking 30 years in the apparel industry, earlier this year, Hirdramani Industries Kuruwita launched a programme to drive a culture of change within the organisation by conceptualising “Team 50” – a group of cross-functional teams appointed to spearhead ten projects on driving performance management, 5S and problem-solving skills. The manufacturing facilitiyaims to become the best place to work under a 5-year strategic plan in collaboration with True North Consultancy, expected to launch in 2023.

“While this is one of the longest-operating facilities of Hirdaramani, we will continue to invest in expanding technology, manufacturing processes and innovation in the future. This is only possible owing to the unwavering commitment and loyalty of our workforce,” Director & CEO, Theodore Gunasekara, of Hirdaramani Industries said.

 

 



 

 


October 31, 2022
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4min

 



 

 

31st October 2022: Hirdaramani Group announces its commitment to the Science Based Targets Initiative (SBTi). With this announcement they officially join a select group of companies globally taking action to limit global warming to 1.5C and prevent the worst impacts of climate change.

The setting of SBTI’s supports the groups pledge to align with the 2015 Paris agreement as outlined in their recent 2025 Sustainability Roadmap – Future First. (www.hirdaramani.com/sustainability/)

The company has committed to both ‘near term goals’ and ‘net zero emissions’ within the SBTi framework and is now in the process of setting and verifying their targets. This will then be fully embedded into its 2025 Sustainability Roadmap.

Science-based targets are emissions reduction targets in line with what the latest climate science says is needed to meet the goals of the Paris Agreement – limiting global temperature rise to well-below 2°C above pre-industrial levels and pursuing efforts to limit warming to 1.5°C.

The Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi) is a global collaboration between CDP, United Nations Global Compact, World Resources Institute and World Wide Fund for Nature which supports companies through the process to create tangible goals to reduce scope 1, 2 and 3 emissions by an amount and timetable relevant to the size of the organization.

“At Hirdaramani, we are always putting the Future First and our sustainability road map is a key component of this. Though we have made some significant strides in reducing our emissions over the years, our commitment to SBTi ensures our net zero plan is in line with the latest climate science,” said Nikhil Hirdaramani, Director, Hirdaramani Group.

“A lot of the work we do on environmental sustainability at Hirdaramani revolves around emission reductions , for us this commitment to SBTi is an opportunity to push ourselves further, learn more and do more as we strive to meet the aggressive emission goals needed to make a real impact on the climate crises. The need for change is urgent and this is one more step in the right direction for us,” said Yashinth Wijerathne Assistant Manager – Environmental Sustainability, Hirdaramani Group.

By committing to the SBTi Net-Zero Framework and joining the Business Ambition for 1.5°C, companies ensure their net-zero commitments follow the necessary scientific rigour to deliver the decarbonization needed to achieve the goals of the Paris Agreement.

“We have always understood that collaboration, on both local and global scales, is essential for us to be able to make a true impact on climate change. This is not a race where one company wins and another loses but rather a race to save our planet, and day by day the urgency increases. Organizations such as the SBTi helps drive this collaboration, commitment and sense of urgency while also empowering best practices across all sectors. As businesses such as ours take this step in Asian countries we hope it sets a precedent that many more will follow,” added Nikhil Hirdaramani, Director, Hirdaramani Group.

 



 

 

 


September 19, 2022
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5min

 



 

 

In 2012, Hirdaramani achieved its first CarbonNeutral® manufacturer certification for a factory, Hirdaramani Knit, Mihila (Mihila meaning earth). This was yet another pioneering accolade for one of the group’s premier eco-friendly facilities, as it claimed the status of Asia’s First CarbonNeutral® manufacturer.

Being first to achieve something, however, is only part of the story; the true achievement is in the ability to continue to stay committed and to maintain that standard year after year. For 10 consecutive years, the Hirdaramani Knit Mihila factory has maintained its status as a certified CarbonNeutral® facility and the commitment to remain so will continue.

“The Hirdaramani Group could have simply used the accolade of ‘First CarbonNeutral® manufacturer in Asia’ as a standard bearer for pitching the company, but in over a decade of working with Hirdaramani, we have seen that they are driven not by the opportunity to market but instead by a desire to really change the impact they have on the environment. This is evident in the fact that they have continued to do the work year after year to maintain this status,” says Suki Benn, Client Engagement Manager, Climate Impact Partners.

By no means a simple process, GHG assessments, and the procedures, reporting and effort that go into maintaining carbon neutrality in a factory is complex. Changing opportunities, technologies and tools also need to be considered as well as the impact of suppliers and employees together with the basic emissions within the facility itself. However, this has also been a very important learning process for the Group as it has expanded its approach to reducing GHG emissions by working towards lowering emissions in product development as well with an increased focus on choosing the right materials, suppliers and technologies. In 2020, the Hirdaramani Group implemented the Renewable Energy Credits (I- Rec) Standard to reduce its’ scope 2 emissions from its operations, at Mihila through its a state-of-the-art Solar PV system, the facility has retired 2,561 I-REC certificates, representing 2342 MWh of electricity generated from renewable sources.

With the launch of ‘Future First’ the Group’s 2025 Sustainability roadmap earlier this year the company is also now moving towards setting Science Based Targets to align with the Paris Agreement, with carbon neutral climate action as a key pillar of its sustainability commitments.

“There can be a lot of jargon and inaccurate claims in the whole space of sustainability and GHG emissions. The work that we have been doing over the last 10 years has really enabled our teams to develop a wealth of knowledge and experience that makes it possible for us to cut through the jargon and greenwashing to really evaluate materials, suppliers, partners, technologies and make the best choices,” says Siddarth Hirdaramani, Director, Hirdaramani Group.

“For over 15 years, Hirdaramani has worked towards reducing our climate footprint while aiming to deliver more and more low impact products. We understand that growth does not come without an environmental impact, and this is why we are as committed to sustainability as a journey as we are to the journey of growth of our business. 10 years of Carbon Neutrality is a milestone we are truly proud of, but it is nonetheless simply a milestone that is part of our greater commitment to creating a lasting positive change,” added Nikhil Hirdaramani, Director, Hirdaramani Group.

 



 

 


March 4, 2021
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5min

The Hirdaramani Group has yet again taken bold strides towards energy accountability by being the first in Sri Lanka to receive International Renewable Energy Certificates (I-RECs) for its energy usage. With this robust tracking standard, the group hopes to add new layers of accountability and credibility to its operations, living up to the commitments outlined in the company’s own sustainability vision.

As Energy Attribute Certificates (EACs), I-RECs serve to increase transparency in the energy sector and provide clarity about the use of renewable electricity among end-consumers. The I-REC Standard (www.irecstandard.org) ensures that issued certificates comply with major international sustainability and carbon accountability standards and adhere to stakeholder expectations of industry best practice for the avoidance of double counting, double certificate issuance and double attribute claiming. The system also helps individual companies seeking to improve their environmental credentials, while raising awareness among consumers and industry players.

With I-RECs Hirdaramani hopes to both, back the country’s clean energy programmes, as well as offset its own electricity consumption-related emissions, and support its internal sustainability strategy. As a result, they are now able to accurately claim the energy they use from renewable sources.

More specifically, the new standard will register the rooftop solar power produced from the on-site PV plants across Hirdaramani’s manufacturing facilities. With I-RECs, these will then be available for use within the Group, providing a clear and accurate view of renewable energy usage by each facility. This direct generation and allocation also limits the company’s grid impact, in turn contributing towards a reduction in its Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emissions.

 




 

 

“At Hirdaramani we are dedicated to constantly holding ourselves accountable for meeting our commitments, and for the validation of our sustainability goals,” said Nikhil Hirdaramani, Director, Hirdaramani Group. “The decision to invest in the I-REC Standard and framework stems from this dedication, allowing us to not only quantify our achievements, but also more importantly, to collect reliable data which will help us to keep moving forward towards our energy and GHG reduction goals.”

The I-REC Standard is developed in accordance with major international standards including GHGP, CDP, RE100, ISO, and others, providing significant credibility to data reported by users. The certification project for Hirdaramani was carried out by The Carbon Consulting Company together with the UK-based Green Certification Company.

Based on current figures, Hirdaramani projects that I-RECs will be covering approximately 40% of the electricity demand of their Sri Lankan facilities. By using I-RECs, individual factories will be able to quantify their renewable energy usage at a facility level, with expected ranges between 40% and 100% depending on the facility. Overall, the company is projecting that they will be able to achieve approximately 25% decrease in its Scope 1 and 2 related carbon footprint in 2021, primarily as a result of the reduction in GHG emissions via the implementation of the I-REC programme.

Over the years Hirdaramani has made many investments into renewable energy, ranging from direct investments into wind and hydro-power plants, to implementing on-site renewable energy generation projects at their manufacturing facilities (including solar power and biomass). The continued investment in third-party validation and certification by globally recognized standards is another of the company’s core commitments in its move towards becoming a more sustainable organization, with a future first approach to how they conduct their operations.

 

 

 



 

 

 


March 22, 2020
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7min

H One (Pvt) Ltd. -Sri Lanka’s leading full-service digital solutions provider, and IT arm of textile powerhouse Hirdaramani- has announced the launch of the newest module of the Res.Q product suite; an end-to-end program that sets out to optimise the operations of Sri Lanka’s booming apparel manufacturing industry.

At an event to launch the transformative new technology, H One’s Thushitha Kularatne and Dilshan Chiththananda took industry professionals on a tour of a mock factory floor. They introduced the workings and benefits of each Res.Q module, and its potential to seamlessly deliver a holistic solution to control the entire factory floor, by leaving behind the conventional paper-based process and embracing digital transformation, further fortifying Res.Q’s capabilities in delivering greater speed, accuracy and efficiency.

Res.Q’s new modules focus on the evolution of various aspects of the textile fabrication process, by offering a solution to overcome the most time-consuming and tedious of tasks; namely in the departments of employee skill management, machine management, line planning, fabric inspection, manufacturing execution, and overall quality management.

The first module, Res.Q| SM, is the component which enables the digitisation of employee Skill Management through one central cloud-based platform. Through individual profiles of each employee, this skill management solution will provide information on the real-time skill competencies of each machine operator, allowing the management to seamlessly identify, organise, and manage their staff to effectively maximise productivity.

The second component, Res.Q| MI, is designed to create a completely paperless Machine Inventory management system by leveraging NFC (Near Field Communication) technology. This real-time analytical platform will provide decision makers with a range of interactive dashboards for instant, data driven decision making.

Component three, Res.Q| SL, optimises a factory’s output by helping clients achieve the ideal man-machine line balance, done by assigning the most-suited operator and machine to the right operation, via a series of in-depth data and operational analyses, thus reducing the time spent on manual line balancing.

Res.Q FI is the fourth component, and deals with fabric inspection, where the textile is digitally assessed for its quality, shade, and shrinkage capacity. Once a shipment arrives, individual rolls will be assigned a unique ID for evaluation. Once the QR or bar code of the roll has been scanned, it will be inspected through a special machine that will digitally take note of any defect and problem areas. An inspection summary can then be auto generated for automated supplier evaluations.

Next, Res.Q| MES tracks a factory’s start-to-end production capabilities. A cloud-based production tracking module, this component helps users track their total manufacturing process from cutting to packing. Employers will be able to define steps, assign users, and enable security parameters for effective production route creation. This module enables functioning with either RFID, bar codes, or QR codes, providing a high degree of flexibility and adaptability.

An optional add-on for Res.Q users is integration with Res.Q| QMS, to add custom quality inspection points for any required steps. This is H One’s first digital solution to be introduced to the market, this cloud-based management solution provides decision makers with a 360°view of production quality on the factory floor, streamlining quality inspection with a simple, digital interface driven process.

This specialized industrial digitization brought about by Res.Q, is a digital virtual copy of the factory floor that encompasses automation and data exchange by capturing events in real time and contextually streaming it to the relevant decision makers with actionable insights. As clients increasingly deploy these digital tools, a new universe of efficiency, transparency, and personalisation will open up, supporting clients in their goal to thrive and succeed in their businesses.

“Over the years we have been opening up extraordinary opportunities for textile players to fine-tune their factory processes and address their individual pain points, resulting in competitive advantages and bringing more efficiency to the industry,” said Samath Fernando, CEO of H One. “Res.Q follows suit in providing next-generation, customer-specific smart factory solutions that are affordable as well as easy to incorporate by both management and their employees.”

Ever since its founding in 2017, H One has been helping apparel manufacturers move towards the concept of Smart Manufacturing by empowering them with technology that caters to the unique challenges of the industry, and by filling technology gaps left unaddressed by mainstream systems including ERPs (Enterprise Resource Planning solutions).

Now running in more than 50 factories, and operations in Bangladesh, Vietnam, and Myanmar, H One has plans of expanding its 500+ production line business to other regions.


February 16, 2018
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2min

As part of its sustainable approach to business, Sri Lankan apparel manufacturer Hirdaramani Group partnered with US retailer, Patagonia, to plant 4,000 trees to aid the ‘Hiniduma Bio-Link Project’ in the south-west of Sri Lanka. Led by the Carbon Consulting Company, Hirdaramani Group and Patagonia have pledged to match 2,000 trees each in a Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) effort to improve the biodiversity of the region and the lives of rural farmers in local communities. Hiniduma is a mixed agricultural community surrounded by one of Sri Lanka’s last remaining rainforest ecosystems. Hirdaramani’s sustainability team travelled to the Hiniduma Bio-Link location for the official launch of the project.

Commenting on this initiative, Nikhil Hirdaramani – Group Director, Hirdaramani, said: “Hirdaramani sees projects like the Hiniduma Bio-Link Project as an opportunity to use our influence in the region for good. Sustainability is an important goal at the Hirdaramani Group, and for us sustainability is about corporate responsibility.”

Much of the Sri Lankan rainforest is under threat and has suffered a long history of deforestation and environmental degradation. The Sinharaja Rainforest (a UNESCO World Heritage Site) and the Kanneliya Rainforest (an international man and biosphere reserve) are the focus of this project.

Hirdaramani’s commitment to projects such as the Hiniduma Bio-Link Project is a part of the company’s larger sustainability strategy, aimed at promoting sustainable practices both in their facilities and in local communities and the surrounding environment.


November 8, 2017
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5min

As an Official Industry Patron at MBFW, Hirdaramani’s emerging leadership talks about the future of Sri Lanka Apparel while lending its resources and expertise to support emerging designers showcasing at the Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Sri Lanka.

As Sri Lanka’s apparel industry looks to reinvent itself to meet a new fashion future, one of Sri Lanka’s oldest and most respected apparel makers, the Hirdaramani Group, have taken on the challenge of channeling fresh, young energy towards this move. While the apparel manufacturer still boasts veterans of the industry to guide the business, at the helm of the company today is the next generation of leaders, bringing a tide of fresh energy and ideas to the business. Hirdaramani presents the perfect balance of seasoned expertise and new influencers ready to disrupt traditional thinking. It is the future-forward thinking of the company and the synergy between this and the core theme of MBFW that led to the partnership between the two.

The Hirdaramani legacy began in the 1890’s and has steadily grown into a multimillion dollar apparel manufacturing business that has diversified into a global conglomerate. Understanding the essential nature of linking fresh, young thinking for an industry as youth-obsessed as fashion, Hirdaramani has stayed committed to reinventing itself again and again to make wearables for young consumers, and also empowering, trusting and investing in its next generation of business leaders to influence the growth and evolution of the company.

Aroon-Hirdaramani
Aroon-Hirdaramani

Representing this next generation for the company and Sri Lanka apparel as a whole, Aroon Hirdaramani, Director of Hirdaramani, was part of a key panel discussion on the future of the industry at the South Asian Apparel Leadership Forum held as part of the weeklong event.

Aroon is also part of the JAAF future leaders committee and frequently represents Sri Lanka Apparel at global forums as part of his position with JAAF. The Forum held as part of the fashion week’s knowledge sharing agenda focused on bringing together apparel business leaders to inspire and challenge the industry with all-new fashion intel.

Simultaneously, the Hirdaramani Group has also lent its support to channel young fashion energy on the runways of Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Sri Lanka. Collaborating with AOD— the country’s best known private fashion educator, Hirdaramani powered the cutting-edge collections of several young fashion designers who were showcased at the Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Sri Lanka runways. Shehani de Silva, Oshini Perera and Ishara Jayathilake presented their fresh fashion collections that were created via Hirdaramani’s superior manufacturing and finishing technology.

These collaborations and roles played in knowledge sharing and the runway show, embody Hirdaramani’s take on fashion and its new future. As fashion consumers change fast and frequently causing ripples of transformation across the industry, it becomes extremely important for garment manufacturers to be conscious of these shifts and understand how they influence the products being made. Hirdaramani’s patronage to Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week reflects this vision to constantly transform, invent and reinvent. With this bold spirit that embraces the power of fresh talent and young thinking, Hirdaramani promises to be one of Sri Lanka’s leading fashion makers of tomorrow.



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Lanka Business News is amongst the leading online Business News portals in Sri Lanka, unique for its focus on contemporary business news relevant across multiple industries operating in the country. We present not only the news, but a perspective based on observations and possible implications of a prevailing news item. LBN also provides an insight to the impact of a global economic or industrial development, thus helping stakeholders make informed and calculated decisions.




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