Alpha Apparels Bags Best Exporter Award 2021 – Apparel Sector Medium Category at Presidential Export Awards

Thursday, 16 December 2021 00:00 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

Felix A Fernando, CEO / Board Director - Alpha Apparels, receiving the Presidential Export Award under the Medium Apparel Exporter Category from Trade Minister Bandula Gunawardane, MP

Alpha Apparels Limited was founded in 2006 and is located within the Polgahawela Export Processing Zone. The Company strives to create and combine an employee-friendly atmosphere with innovative production systems and cuttingedge technologies. Employing more than 2,100 people, over 90% of whom are women, Alpha Apparels Limited differentiates itself through its humancentric culture and has gained a reputation for the career advancement opportunities it provides.

Kapila H K Mithrarathne – CFO, Alpha Apparels Limited

Alpha Apparels Limited, one of Sri Lanka’s most socially sustainable apparel manufacturing companies, was recently honoured with the Presidential Export Award for the Best Exporter 2019/2020, in the Medium Apparel Exporter Category. The Presidential Export Awards is the apex national-level award for exporters in Sri Lanka, organized and assessed by the Sri Lanka Export Development Board. Winners are required to meet stringent and rigorous standards for excellence with regard to foreign exchange earnings, employee welfare and development, total employment opportunities created and other metrics. Felix A Fernando - CEO / Board Director at Alpha Apparels and Sirio Limited, who also serves as Group Director/Board Member of Omega Line Group accepted the award on behalf of the Company at the 24th Presidential Export Awards Ceremony, held on the 26th of November 2021 at the BMICH, under the auspices of His Excellency the President, Gotabaya Rajapaksa. Alpha Apparels Limited is a member of the multinational Italian luxury goods conglomerate, Calzedonia Group.

Kapila H K Mithrarathne - CFO, expressing his pleasure, said, “We are very thankful and honoured to have been recognized at the highest national level for our contributions to Sri Lanka’s economy and our local communities. At Alpha Apparels, we believe that our Teammates are our most invaluable resource. Thus, we have built a highly human-centred organization with our entire operating model built on the bedrock of worker welfare, happiness and career growth opportunities.”

Alpha Apparels Limited was founded in 2006 and is located within the Polgahawela Export Processing Zone. The Company strives to create and combine an employee-friendly atmosphere with innovative production systems and cutting-edge technologies. Employing more than 2,100 people, over 90% of whom are women, Alpha Apparels Limited differentiates itself through its human-centric culture and has gained a reputation for the career advancement opportunities it provides.

Explaining further, Kapila H K Mithrarathne added, “As a result of being a member of the Calzedonia Group, our business involves creating high-quality, high-end apparel products and supplying these for sale across the Group’s global network of high-end fashion stores. In fact, as a result, we are one of the top exporters to the EU and provide a host of apparel supply chain solutions to the Group, including catering to flash orders, which need to be delivered within a short span of just 1 to 2 weeks. Our goal and vision are to contribute towards supporting the national economy while strengthening our Teammates and their ability to do their best at work and in their personal lives, and doing our part to protect our natural resources and the environment. Thus, it is a source of great pride and satisfaction to have had our efforts recognized at the Presidential Export Awards.”

Understanding the needs of local communities, the Company provides a comprehensive free-transport arrangement for employees to commute to work and back. This is particularly important for the female members of the team, as they are able to travel safely and securely. Alpha Apparels Limited also offers employees ultralow-interest personal loans, particularly for home and vehicle acquisitions. Additionally, employees enjoy free counselling services and comprehensive skills development and training programmes along with daily free breakfasts and lunch provided at a heavily subsidised cost.

Through its environmental and social sustainability initiatives, Alpha Apparels Limited works to provide financial support to local children and elders in needy circumstances, under its “Hasarellak Soya” programme. The Company is also working to support the environment and biodiversity of the local area through its “Mihikathata Thurusewanak” initiative, which engages in reforestation and conservation activities. Along with this, Alpha Apparels Limited also has many other ongoing initiatives to reduce waste and ensure recycling and repurposing of waste, both internally and externally.

Over 15 years in Sri Lanka, the Company has worked hard to create a transparent meritocracy where everyone is treated equally and respectfully and rewarded based solely on their performance and abilities. This ensures that the most deserving and qualified employees are able to access the best financial benefits, wage increases and career growth prospects. Working in partnership with its individuals, communities, and other stakeholders, Alpha Apparels Limited is striving towards inspiring a future where growing and winning together is the norm and not the exception.