Business ADVERTORIAL

Lanka to export garments for UK Defense Ministry

Texstyle Lanka Private Limited signed an agreement with the BOI to manufacture garments for export.

The cost of the project, which is located at Boralessgamuwa is US$ 718,000 and the company will be employing 175 workers. Texstyle Lanka exports 80% of all its production to the British Ministry of Defence.

Ananda Bandara, an engineer by profession, who has many years of experience in the textile industry. He founded the company as a garments buying and liaison office and got into manufacturing with his vast experience.

Over the years he developed his knowledge in a very specialized area in the manufacture of garments, such as flying suits and equipment used by military and aerospace professionals.

Mrs. Hemali Bandara, his spouse, is also a company Director is well experienced in the textiles and garments manufacturing. Her knowledge of the garments industry included experience working for Hentley Garments, May Department Stores International and also at Liz Claiborne.

The company has been in existence since 2003 when it had just 9 employees as a modern sample-manufacturing unit. In 2004 it increased it staff strength to 75 employees. In 2006 Texstyle Lanka began producing aircrew coveralls and contracted with RFD Beaufort UK, main supplier to the British Ministry of Defence.

The true knit unit was started in 2007 to supply sweaters, pullovers and cardigans to the UK market for labels such BHS, Chums, Woodwille, Heatons and other brands. In 2008, the company workforce was expanded to 120 employees.

Texstyle Lanka is the only Sri Lankan Company to supply United Kingdom’s Ministry of Defence. The main buyer of the company is RFD Beaufort Private Limited, a British company that supplies safety, military, aerospace and survival clothing equipment for the British Ministry of Defence and other countries as well.

For such production very advanced machinery is used to produce the garments needed to equip and protect fast jet pilots and parachutists.

Other products include suits for aircrews and for ground crews. Anti G trousers that counteract the forces of gravity are also among the goods produced and exported by the company.

Furthermore they produce and supply fabric sea anchors used in life rafts for survival operations, in addition to specialized working clothes and helicopter flying suits for those employed on oilrigs. Future advanced products will include advanced garments such as tri-laminate immersion suits and submarine escape survival kits.

Ananda Bandara, Chairman and Managing Director and Mrs Hemali Bandara, Director of the company and Dhammika Perera, Chairman/ Director General of the BOI, signed the Agreement. Dr Sarath Amunugama, Minister of Enterprise Development and Investment Promotion formally handed over the BOI Certificate of Registrations to the investor.

Singer Senasuma assures free after sales support

Singer Senasuma extended a warranty programme which assures after sales support for a period of three years from date of purchase.

For a little extra on the cost of the product or a little more on the monthly payment, a customer can obtain several after sales services free of charge for as much as up to three years after purchase under Singer Senasuma extended warranty.

Usually, after sales support is offered up to one year from date of purchase as per the regular warranty.

Unlimited free repair, replacement of appliance if that which was originally purchased cannot be repaired, free home visits and cover of refrigerator and freezer contents up to Rs. 4,000 are all available under the Senasuma extended warranty programme.

‘The introduction of the Singer Senasuma extended warranty facility is consistent with our policy of always striving to enhance the value proposition we offer our customers,’ says Singer (Sri Lanka) Chairman, Hemaka Amarasuriya.

HEC Techlogix to help Pakistan Universities

Faced with ever increasing and complex demands, Higher Education Commission of Pakistan (HEC), recently signed an agreement with Oracle partner, Techlogix, to implement Oracle’s PeopleSoft Campus Solutions at its affiliated universities. Initially, six out of the 74 public sector universities funded by HEC will implement PeopleSoft Campus Solutions.

It is a new and challenging era for education. Higher education institutions face increased global competition to attract and retain students.

Students today expect easier, more convenient, personalized access to information and self-service transactions with their chosen education institution.

Oracle’s PeopleSoft Campus Solution, which is used by over 700 education and research institutions around the world, offers Higher Education Commission of Pakistan with one of the most advanced student information systems available globally - providing a complete solution for managing all aspects of a student’s life at the university.

“As Pakistan makes its foray into the information economy, there is a growing need for a skilled workforce that is able to meet the demands of this burgeoning economy.

The implementation of the PeopleSoft Campus Solution will help our universities streamline their processes, enhance administrative efficiency and ease the universities’ interaction with existing and prospective students making education processes more productive,” said executive director for Higher Education Commission Dr. Sohail Naqvi.

“Oracle offers software technology and applications that help world class educational institutions meet and adapt to the changing needs and demands of all their constituents-students, teachers, parents, faculty, staff, graduates and alumni, governance bodies, and the extended community of supporters and stakeholders.

Oracle delivers the most comprehensive, adaptable solutions to meet the needs of small institutions as well as large, multi-location school districts and university systems,” said Regional Director for Oracle’s South Asia Growth Economies Region Samina Rizwan.

“Pakistan’s economic uplift depends most upon one singular factor - capacity building and skills development in human resources.

That HEC is boldly undertaking measures to fulfill this national aspiration is heartening for us as citizens of Pakistan, and Oracle and Techlogix are honoured to partner with HEC in this mission,” Rizwan added.

Gem training centre for Beruwela

On a request made by the Industrial Development Authority (IDA) Western Province, Export Development Board (EDB) discussed the training needs of the Beruwala Lapidarists with the Gem and Jewelry Research and Training Institute (GJRTI) and after an initial study it was identified that training in the areas of Gemology, Gem Cutting and Heat Treatment of Gems were required. The GJRTI agreed to set up a training centre for this purpose.

On the request of the EDB, the Beruwala Traders formed the “Chinafort Gem and Jewelry Traders Association”.

GJRTI will carry out the training programmes (course materials, resource persons and equipment). IDA together with the Association provided the building for the training centre.

The office complex of the Chinafort Gem & Jewellery Traders Association and the Training Centre was declared open at Chinafort, Beruwala recently by the Chairman Sri Lanka Export Development Board Brian Angunawela.