MAS Amity Pte. Ltd., a subsidiary of MAS Holdings, signed a Joint Venture Agreement with Tata Group’s Trent Ltd, setting up an entity in India for the joint development of business into intimate wear and other apparel related products.

Over time, MAS and Trent would pool their domain expertise to undertake design, development and manufacturing of a range of intimate wear and other apparel products. Initially, the joint venture would facilitate design and sourcing of related products.

Speaking on the occasion, Desamanya Mahesh Amalean, Chairman, MAS Holdings (Pvt) Ltd. said, “The significance of our partnership with Tata lies in our shared sense of values and an appreciation of the enormous business opportunities that the Indian market affords. This JVA will help leverage our combined capabilities, connecting MAS’ expertise in product creation and manufacturing with Tata Trent’s expertise in Indian retail. This partnership further aligns with MAS' long-term intent to scale business and expand our presence in India.”

Mr. Noel N Tata, Chairman, Trent Limited said, “We see significant opportunities to leverage the growing reach of our brands to build a differentiated proposition in lingerie, activewear and related categories. MAS brings impeccable capabilities and track record in the manufacture of high-quality products in this space. This collaboration between Trent and MAS would deepen Trent’s strategic commitment to offer fully owned brands at its retail stores and enable MAS to expand their international presence further. We are excited at the prospects of leveraging our joint synergies and deliver greater value to our customers.”

Image Caption - Joint Venture Agreement signed by Noel N Tata, Chairman, Trent Limited, and Mahesh Amalean, Chairman, MAS Holdings.

Bodyline’s manufacturing unit, Intimate Fashions India supports programme rollout

Fifteen years since its inception, the MAS Eco Go Beyond sustainable development education programme was recently extended to India, marking the first time that leading apparel manufacturer, MAS Holdings has taken this initiative outside of Sri Lanka.

The Eco Go Beyond programme was launched in the Kayarambedu Government High School and the Nandiwaram Government Boys School, in partnership with MAS’ strategic business unit, Intimate Fashions India (Pvt) Ltd, a manufacturing unit of Bodyline Trading (Pvt) Ltd. The launch allowed students to engage and learn from award-winning film maker and educator Ramnath Chandrashekar and participate in experiential learning to identify sustainability issues in their environment.

“At MAS, we believe that the local communities that surround our operations are a key part of the ecosystem that strengthens our business. That’s why we want to make sure that we help sustain them, just as they sustain us. Over 15 years ago, we recognized the need to invest in sustainable development education as a longer-term intervention in creating change, and we established our sustainable schools programme, Eco Go Beyond, in response to this need. We are thrilled to be able to extend this initiative to India and are grateful to the wonderful educators we’ve partnered with here, who share our beliefs,” said Amanthi Perera, Head – Social Sustainability at MAS Holdings.

With 15 years in operation in Sri Lanka in collaboration with the Ministry of Education, the Eco Go Beyond programme has been activated in over 120 schools across the country. The programme incorporates sustainability concepts through three phases of sensitization, activation, and reward. MAS believes that schools can be catalysts in driving change—as spaces devoted for learning with allocated time, resources, and educators, they proved to be the most effective places to influence a captive audience.

The launch in the Kayarambedu Government High School and the Nandiwaram Government Boys School were attended by students, educators, guest speakers, community leaders, as well as representatives from MAS Holdings, Bodyline, and Intimate Fashions India.

MAS hopes to continue its expansion of the Eco Go Beyond programme in India and beyond in years to come, venturing into other communities and localities which MAS operates in, as part of its MAS Plan for Change commitment to create ‘thriving communities’.

Students participating in the Eco Go Beyond sustainable schools programme had the opportunity to learn from award-winning film maker and educator Ramnath Chandrashekar

Image caption: Students and teachers of Kayarambedu Government High School, India, at the launch of the Eco Go Beyond sustainable schools programme, with representatives of MAS Holdings, Bodyline, and Intimate Fashions India

MAS Fabric Park (MFP), owner and operator of Sri Lanka’s first, second and only privately owned apparel intensive free trade zones in Thulhiriya and Giriulla, recently celebrated 16 years of Sustainable Industrial Transformation. Its operations focus primarily on the development and value addition of fabrics. MFP spans across a sprawling 165 acres in Thulhiriya and 45 acres in Giriulla. The Zones play a strategic role in the vertical integration of MAS’ supply chain.

MFP provides world-class industrial support services such as centralised water treatment and distribution facilities for industrial and human consumption, meeting World Health Organization (WHO) standards. Additionally, it also has centralised power via a medium voltage distribution system, centralised steam and thermic energy supply and Sri Lanka’s largest combined centralised effluent treatment plant for both biological and chemical treatment. MFP is also the largest multi-site roof-mounted solar generator in Sri Lanka, with 19 installations totalling 23MW spread across the country. It also boasts the largest roof-mounted solar installation with 4.2MW installed on a single 10-acre roof at the Thulhiriya zone.

The Thulhiriya zone comprises of a 10-acre analog forest named Thuruwadula. This is the first replicable analog forest implemented and owned by a non-government agency.

In these two sustainable industrial zones, nothing goes to waste where sludge is co-incinerated with bio-mass to produce steam and thermic energy. Moreover, residue boiler ash is converted to Eco Bricks for construction and in-house manufacture of certified compost fertiliser at a commercial scale.

MAS Athena Learning and Development center is an integral part of MFP. It has numerous training and conference facilities, an auditorium, sports grounds, dine-in, accommodation and leisure facilities catering to meetings, incentives, conferences and exhibitions (MICE). This is Sri Lanka’s only destination solution that can cater to all corporate and leisure needs in one compound.

Today, MFP has created 12,000 employment opportunities and is the hub for engineered knit and technical textiles housing Trischel Fabric, MAS Linea Intimo, MAS Fabrics Matrix, Textprint, MAS Intimates Thurulie and MAS Kreeda Methliya. These manufacturing plants produce apparel for the world’s top brands.

An event was held to celebrate this 16-year milestone. The key feature was the presence of some of the engineering teams that built this iconic landmark between 1968 and 1971.

MFP continues to innovate and evolve with best practices in sustainable industrial manufacturing, driving MAS’ purpose to be Changemakers, enabling dreams and enriching the fabric of life on our planet. Any global customer buying a product manufactured at MFP can be assured that the product they purchase is ethically manufactured.

MFP has water treatment and distribution facilities for industrial and human consumption that meet WHO standards.

The Park has the largest roof-mounted solar installation, with 4.2MW installed on a single 10-acre roof at the Thulhiriya zone.

Image caption : The MAS Athena Learning and Development center houses multiple training and conference facilities that benefit those within and outside MAS.

MAS Holdings, South Asia’s largest apparel tech manufacturer, a USD 2 billion conglomerate, announced the re-launch of their B2B brand femography, formerly known as FemTech @ MAS, which was established in 2014. Impacting the lives of over 9 million women, since its inception, by providing clothing solutions for their journey from menarche to menopause, femography continues to grow and impact feminine lives globally.

Elevating feminine wear that boldly addresses topics generally considered unconventional, femography hopes to strengthen its efforts by providing innovative, quality and comfortable clothing that meets the intimate needs of all feminine beings during different stages of their biological journey. The word ‘Fem’ speaks to the world of the inclusive feminine, and ‘Graphy’ speaks to the desire for knowledge to understand the feminine world, where femography will continue to lead by transforming apparel technology to empower feminine beings worldwide.

The announcement was made at MAS’ launch event held on the 19^th of October and was graced by keynote speaker Jessica Platt, anthropologist, women’s health champion, storyteller and founder of the Cambridge Collective for Women’s Health. Addressing the audience in her speech, the CEO of femography, Maria del Pilar, stated, “I am honoured to announce the re-launch of one of our most impactful brands. FemTech @ MAS, now known as femography, set out with a purpose in 2014, where we boldly took on the challenge of addressing the unmet/unseen needs across the feminine journey. Enabling a New York-based startup to upscale its portfolio with reusable period underwear and launching MAS’ B2C brand, ‘Become,’ that leveraged industry-first apparel technology to help ease hot flushes and night sweats among those going through menopause, have been two significant initiatives spearheaded by this amazing team.”

“Now, as femography, we are on a continuous journey and mission to address the needs of the feminine being, enabling them to live with greater health, confidence and vitality. We have seen the need to address taboos head-on by providing innovative solutions that fit into everyday life. We are aware of the need to drive truly conscious change by respecting the planet as we champion the transition from disposables to reusables – an example being the reusable period panties being embraced by feminine beings worldwide today. At femography, we will continue providing such lifestyle solutions. As a brand with a purpose, we will stay committed to developing products that make a difference in the lives of those who use them and the planet we live in. I am excited for the future that awaits femography as we work to address the needs of consumers around the world.”

Primarily focused on solutions addressing menstrual & pelvic floor health, maternal health, and menopause, along with a focus on inclusivity and protection of bio-diversity, femography will continue to invest in innovative apparel technology that boosts female health, confidence and comfort. With a dedicated team of professionals and apparel-tech experts at the helm, the brand will continue to evolve its femtech apparel portfolio, which includes solutions addressing periods, breastfeeding, hot flushes, and other bodily changes. Bending boundaries of alleged ‘taboos,’ femograhpy also takes on the open challenge of educating everyone about the biological changes that females experience. To learn more about femography, visit femography.com

Image captions : With a focus on inclusivity, femography offers solutions addressing menstrual & pelvic floor health, maternal health, and menopause.

The Official Unveiling of the ICC Men’s T-20 World Cup Cricket Jersey for team Sri Lanka

• A jersey that raises awareness on global warming with an aim to inspire climate action
• Over a decade of continued support by MAS, providing performance apparel for Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC)

MAS Holdings, South Asia’s largest apparel tech manufacturer, unveiled the official cricket jersey to be worn by the Sri Lankan national team at the International Cricket Council (ICC) Men’s T-20 World Cup in Australia this year. The jersey was handed over by the Chairman of MAS Holdings, Mahesh Amalean and the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of MAS Active, Chelan Goonetilleke, to the Sri Lanka T-20 World Cup captain Dasun Shanaka and the Chairman of SLC, Shammi Silva at an event held on 30th September 2022 at Nirmaana, the MAS Active facility in Katunayake where the jerseys are designed and manufactured.

MAS has built a trusting relationship with SLC since 2005, designing and manufacturing world-class performance apparel for the national cricket team, improving style, comfort and functionality to enhance the players’ performance. Over the years, MAS has introduced new fabrication technologies for the national jersey including high performance synthetic fabric (2005-2008), light weight sport fabrication and sublimation printing (2012), and perspiration mesh fabric and laser perspiration holes (2014). Since 2014, MAS has also focused on improving the aesthetic of the jersey, which has been inspired by Sri Lanka’s unique heritage and identity, giving more meaning to the attire. Recent designs have incorporated the symbol of the lion and lion’s pride to motivate the young team to perform their best on the field, with a spirit like what was witnessed in the recent Asia Cup 2022, where the team emerged champions.

Ahead of the 2022 ICC T-20 World Cup, the feedback from the players were about the difficulty in performing with garments that cling to the body due to increased perspiration. The latest jersey was developed by the MAS Active team after assessing the environmental conditions in the Australian stadiums which have high humidity levels in October, and incorporating learnings from weather patterns, temperatures, and research into sweat glands of the human body.  Based on a body map of perspiration zones, MAS Active developed an engineered fabric with varying levels of ventilation to evaporate sweat faster to keep the player fresh and comfortable. This is in addition to the existing wicking and moisture management technologies used to create a lightweight, high absorbent, stretchable, breathable fabric tailored to maintain the right fit and comfort.

“Clothing the Sri Lanka Cricket team with high performance sportswear has always been at the heart of what we do at MAS,” said Chelan Goonetilleke. “As the Sri Lankan flag flies high with our teams gearing for a sensational T20 World Cup, we will ensure that our players are clad in world-class sportswear that personifies MAS' craftsmanship and technology, and encapsulates the spirit and passion of all Sri Lankans across the globe,” he added.

Over the years, MAS has used the SLC jersey to raise awareness about important issues such as ocean plastics and the need for recycling. In 2019 and 2021, MAS manufactured the ICC World Cup jerseys using ocean plastics and recycled fugitive plastics collected from around the island. This year's design incorporates descriptive elements from deforestation, melting glaciers and farming livestock, highlighting how island nations like Sri Lanka are highly susceptible to the effects of global warming such as rising sea levels, increasing temperatures and extreme weather patterns.

MAS stays true to its expertise in apparel tech and innovation, design creativity, and ethical manufacturing practices, providing outstanding performance wear for many world-class athletes around the world.

Image captions : Image 1 - Team members Anusha Priyadharshani and Manel Kumari handed over the official jersey to Chairman of MAS Holdings, Mahesh Amalean and CEO of MAS Active, Chelan Goonatilleke. The jersey was then presented to Sri Lanka Cricket Team Captain, Dasun Shanaka and Shammi Silva Honorary President of Sri Lanka Cricket.

The Mercantile Volleyball Association recently announced the dates of one of the most anticipated sporting events in Sri Lanka’s mercantile calendar - the Mercantile Volleyball Championship 2022.

The tournament was introduced as a means of fostering goodwill and comradeship among the local mercantile fraternity, while at the same time popularizing the country’s national sport. Following its revival in 2012, which saw the participation of fifty teams, the Mercantile Volleyball Championship has been improving year on year. After the COVID pandemic, which restricted most of the sporting activities, Mercantile Volleyball Association is determined at breaking the silence this year, despite the difficult times the country is experiencing currently.

This year’s championship is being organized by a passionate and spirited team led by Mr. Chandana Bandara, the Deputy General Manager of MAS Kreeda, and an executive committee made up of representatives from reputed companies in Sri Lanka.

The tournament will be held under the national rules and regulations pertaining to the game. Employees who have joined their respective organizations on or before the 31^st August 2022 are eligible to participate.

With the intention of taking the Mercantile Volleyball Championship outside the capital and to reach wider audiences of Volleyball lovers, this year the preliminary matches are scheduled to be held at the Volleyball House, Galle on the 22^nd and 23^rd of October, while the finals will be held on the 19^th and 20^th of November at the Indoor Stadium of the National Youth Services Centre in Maharagama.

The tournament will be held under two categories as a come back after the silence of two years – Pro and Novices, with the total prize money exceeding One Million Rupees. Sixteen cash prizes and over thirty trophies are ready to be won at the tournament including special cash prizes of Rs 150,000 and 100,000 for the Most Outstanding Players of men's and women's categories respectively.

The awards to be distributed among the different categories will be as follows:

Cash Prizes

There will also be many other events to keep the excitement high during the preliminary rounds as well as during the finals, such as the selection of the Lucky Captain and the Best Coach etc.

This year the tournament will be sponsored by MAS Holdings (Pvt) Ltd., as Platinum Sponsor, while Brandix, Lanka Tiles and Expo Lanka (EFI) as Gold Sponsors, and Sri Lanka Telecom (SLT), Omega Line Limited, Ocean Lanka (Pvt) Ltd, Maliban Biscuits and Link Natural Products (Pvt) Ltd. as Silver Sponsors.

Through this tournament, the Mercantile Volleyball Association seeks to provide a platform for budding volleyball players in the country to receive good opportunities and aid them in the achievement of higher levels in the national game. The Mercantile Volleyball Championship has produced a number of national players and strives to continue the trend. The MVA has made a tradition of felicitating veteran players on an annual basis, recognizing their service and contribution to the national game, which they intend to continue this year as well.

The closing date for applications will be the 1^st October. Further details can be obtained by calling 0710 682 682 (Chandana) or 0765 498 086 (Thara) or by logging on to www.mva.lk or by e-mailing mvasrilanka@gmail.com

Joining Microsoft, T-Mobile, Adobe, PayPal, and many others

Fast Company announced its fourth annual Best Workplaces for Innovators list, honouring organizations and businesses that demonstrate a steadfast commitment to encouraging innovation at all levels. Twinery, Innovations by MAS came in at No. 18 for its world class innovative culture and people.

Developed in collaboration with Accenture, the 2022 Best Workplaces for Innovators ranks 100 winners from a variety of industries, including computer science, biotech, consumer packaged goods, nonprofit, education, financial services, cybersecurity, engineering, diversity, sustainability, B2B, and consumer products and services. Fast Company editors and Accenture researchers worked together to score nearly 1,500 applications, and a panel of eight eminent judges reviewed and endorsed the top 100 companies. The 2022 awards feature workplaces from around the world.

“We are thrilled to be recognized by Fast Company! Not only does this highlight the extensive work of our team, but it also highlights the fact that breakthrough innovations can happen anywhere if collaboration and infrastructure are enabled”, said Ranil Vitarana, Chief Innovation Officer at Twinery.

The head of HR at Twinery, Dineli Jayasekera said, “being recognized by Fast Company really validates the effort we make to foster the right environment for our talent to thrive in by understanding how they operate not just on a professional level but a personal one as well, enabling them to perform at their peak.”

“This year’s list of the Best Workplaces for Innovators recognizes organizations that have demonstrated a deep commitment to cultivating creativity across the board,” says Brendan Vaughan, editor-in-chief of Fast Company. “In the face of powerful headwinds, these leaders and teams continue to spur innovation.”

To see the complete list, go to: https://www.fastcompany.com/best-workplaces-for-innovators/list

Fast Company’s Best Workplaces for Innovators issue (September 2022) is available online now, and the print issue will be on newsstands beginning August 16, 2022. Join the Best Workplaces for Innovators conversation using #FCBestWorkplaces.

MAS named Official Clothing Partner for Sri Lanka Athletics Journey to the Olympics 2024

Bodyline (Pvt.) Ltd., a subsidiary of MAS Holdings, will be the official clothing partner for the Sri Lanka Athletics– SLA, from 2022 till the Paris Olympics in 2024. At an event held on the 28^th of July 2022, Dinesh de Silva, Chief Executive Officer of Bodyline, officially handed over the athletic kits designed by MAS to Major General Palitha Fernando, President of the SLA.

MAS is South Asia’s largest apparel manufacturer, designing and developing high-quality products for international sportswear brands. Through this partnership, MAS will provide Sri Lankan athletes with kits designed using the latest in apparel technology, to support their training and performance at international events leading up to the Paris Olympics in 2024. A contingent of 20 athletes who toured India in June this year was the first group to receive game day and training kits designed by MAS.

“The talent we see in our young Sri Lankan athletes is truly inspiring. But it is not an easy journey for them. Our athletes face many difficulties outside their training and put in a lot of hard work to be here.” said SLA President, Major General Palitha Fernando.

“When underprivileged and talented athletes come from rural areas of this country to reach the doorstep of the international arena, this support is a great strength for them. On behalf of every athletics enthusiast in Sri Lanka, I appreciate this huge step taken by MAS Holdings. This will support Sri Lankan athletes who are going to the international level to make our motherland proud.” he stated.

“We at MAS are changemakers,” said Dilshan Mohamed, Director Marketing and Business Development at Bodyline. “And this time we wanted to make a change for Sri Lankan athletics by helping them elevate their game through performance wear that uses a very light breathable fabric, with moisture wicking capabilities and a soft feel for augmented comfort” he stated.

“Not only are we excited about providing game day and training kits to our teams, but as the official clothing partner for SLA, we are excited to work with our national athletes in product co-creation, carrying out studies that contribute to enhancing and innovating better, more superior products.” said Dinesh de Silva, CEO of Bodyline Pvt Ltd.

The agreement between MAS and SLA was signed by the President of Sri Lanka Athletics, Palitha Fernando and Dinesh de Silva, Chief Executive Officer of Bodyline Trading (Pvt) Ltd.

(from left to right) – M.L.S Perera - Vice President Sri Lanka Athletics, Major General Palitha Fernando – President of Sri Lanka Athletics, Dinesh de Silva - Chief Executive Officer of Bodyline Trading (Pvt) Ltd., Dilshan Mohamed - Director Marketing and Business Development at Bodyline, and Malik Ahamadeen – Director - Group Business Development & Growth

The agreement between MAS and SLA was signed by the President of Sri Lanka Athletics, Major General Palitha Fernando and Dinesh de Silva - Chief Executive Officer of Bodyline Trading (Pvt) Ltd.

Image caption :  Official handover of the game day and training kits to SLA. Also featured in the picture is Medhani Jayamanna, national level athletics champion 200m