Slimline creates value, wins accolades and awards

The National Chamber of Exporters of Sri Lanka (NCE), Most Outstanding Exporters Award is a initiative for the whole exporting industry in the country, an official from Slimline said.

The Silver Award at the Most Outstanding Exporters Award for 2003, at the ceremony held last year, was won by the company.

Apart from winning the Silver Award for the Most Outstanding Exporter in 2003 at the NCE Export awards, Slimline also won the over all Garment Sector Best Exporter Award 2003 and the Extra Large Category Garment Sector Best Exporter award 2003.

During its illustrious years of existence, the Organisation has also been awarded with numerous other prestigious international and local accolades including the Sara Lee Corporation's Safety Award for achieving 22 million hours without any accidents in 2003, MAST Industries Inc.

Quality Award for Outstanding Performance and Superior Quality 1999, Akimoto 5 S award 1996 and 1997, National Productivity Award 1997, National Safety Award 1999, Best HRM award for implementing CSR initiatives 2003, Bronze Award at the Best Corporate Citizen Awards 2003 and the Silver Award for the National Business Excellence in 2003.

Slimline, incorporated in 1993, is a joint venture between MAS Holdings, a premier apparel manufacture in Sri Lanka with the highest exporting turnover of Rs. 50 Billion in the Sri Lankan Apparel Industry and Sara Lee Courtaulds (UK), a subsidiary of Sara Lee Inc, a Fortune 500 Company in the USA.

From a company, which achieved a modest turnover of Rs. 37 million and with a staff of 700 employees in 1994, Slimline has achieved a tremendous growth, currently boasting a strength of over 5,000 employees with a turnover exceeding Rs. 8.5 Billion in 2004.

The technical knowledge transferred through the strategic alliance with the joint venture partners, has enabled the company to enjoy a ready and a fast growing overseas market in the apparel sector. Slimline's key customers include internationally acclaimed brand names such as Victoria's Secrets, Marks and Spencer, Lerner, Debenhams, British Home Stores and NEXT.

At the inception, the company specialised in the manufacture of Leisurewear but gradually moved to Intimate Apparel over the years.

At present Slimline specialises in producing over 50 million pieces of ladies briefs, bras, camisoles and sleepwear annually, mainly to the USA and the EU. Slimline operates as a part of MAS Intimates along with Unichela, MAS Design, Linea Clothing and Bodyline, the largest Intimate Apparel Producing cluster in Sri Lanka with a turnover exceeding Rs. 30 Billion.

Slimline (Pvt.) Ltd. currently has four operating plants namely Slimline - Pannala (1993), Slenderline - Pannala (1995), Casualline - Mawathagama (2002) and Slimtex - Kuliyapitiya (April 2004). Slimline is known for being a "value creator" for its customers and is committed to provide a "concept to delivery total solution".