Brandix pays tribute to outstanding associates

Thirty six members of the non-executive cadre who have excelled in performance and made significant contributions to the success of top apparel exporter Brandix in 2010 were recently rewarded at the second edition of the Group’s annual ‘Employee of the Year’ awards programme.

A proud mother pins a medal on a Brandix associate at the Group’s Annual Awards

These outstanding associates, as Brandix employees are referred to within the Group, will in addition to their rewards be provided a valuable opportunity to further enhance their skills through study tours to India, China and Bangladesh in appreciation of their efforts, the Group said. Exemplary contributions of three factory Supervisors were also among those recognised this year.

Mementos and special insignia that can be worn with their uniforms were also presented to 18 female associates and 15 male associates, by their respective parents and spouses at a ceremony at the National Youth Centre in Maharagama. The event commenced with the men’s and women’s finals of the Group’s inaugural Inter-plant Volleyball Tournament for the ‘Mercury Challenge Trophy’ (Rasadiya Kusalaanaya).

Seventeen of the associates chosen through the Employee of the Year programme will visit India on study tours while eight associates each will visit China and Bangladesh. Each of the three chosen supervisors will also visit one of these countries.

“Rewarding the commitment and efforts of our associates is an important aspect of the caring and inclusive corporate culture of Brandix,” said Colonel Sujith Jayasekara, Group HR Manager - Works HR of Brandix. “The valuable exposure and training that they receive will contribute significantly to further professional development and enhance their prospects.”

The chosen associates shared their experiences on how their lives have been enriched after joining Brandix, when they were hosted to an informal tea session with the Group CEO.

Associates were chosen for the Employee of the Year awards through a stringent process based on a broad range of criteria including Key Performance Indicator (KPI) achievements, efficiency, absenteeism and other additional assessments.

Apart from initiatives that reward associates for significant contributions, Brandix also conducts numerous programmes that empower the Group’s workforce by strengthening ties between associates. The Inter-plant Volleyball Tournament was introduced in this spirit, the Group said. This was subsequent to the successful completion of the Brandix Group Sports Fest which was held last year to exhibit the sporting talents of the executive cadre. Sports and team events are a frequent occurrence at Brandix, where diverse sports are promoted to drive team spirit.

The Group also contributes to the enhancement of living standards of its associates, many of whom are from rural backgrounds, through employee specific initiatives such as the ‘Care for our Own’ CSR programme through which water and sanitation facilities are provided for needy associates of the Group, the Marks & Start programme which supports the differently-abled, ‘Brandix Ran Daru Scholarships’ awarded to the children and siblings of non-executive employees, the Chairman’s Fund, Worker’s Councils, Employee Loans and Medical Insurance.

The Brandix Group is supported by 32 manufacturing locations island-wide, in addition to other facilities in the South Asian region, and strategically located international sourcing offices globally, and directly employs over 30,000 associates in Sri Lanka whilst providing indirect employment to an equivalent number.

The pioneer of the concept of ‘total solutions’ in Sri Lanka’s apparel sector, Brandix is a preferred solutions provider to some of the world’s leading apparel brands, including Victoria’s Secret, PINK, Gap, Banana Republic, Marks & Spencer, Lands’ End, Tommy Hilfiger, Hanes, Express, H&M, Intimissimi and Tesco. The Group specialises in casual bottoms, underwear, lounge and sleepwear, bras, textiles, knitted and woven fabrics, sewing and embroidery thread, accessories and hangers, and also offers wet processing and finishing and fabric printing.