Thread giant Coats powers apparel industry for sixth consecutive year at Sri Lanka Design Festival 2

• Coats President of Global Apparel and Footwear Adrian Elliott to visit SL to share the company’s vision of innovation at SLDF

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Coats, the world’s leading industrial thread manufacturer, has joined Sri Lanka Design Festival (SLDF) 2016 as the Official Thread and Zip Partner to support a game-changing transformation of the local apparel industry. 

SLDF recently announced its theme ‘Transformation’, setting the stage for a shift in the local apparel industry to be previewed this November at the event. Coats, one of the most established partners of Sri Lanka apparel makers, showed its support for this transformation by becoming the ‘Thread and Zip partner’ for the event.

Coats has partnered with SLDF for six consecutive years and plays a major role in the event by contributing to fashion innovation and the global discussion on the future of the local apparel industry. Coats will be showcasing its pioneering thread and zips products at the festival this year, highlighting the fashion supply chain innovations in the country. 

In addition, Adrian Elliott, President, Global Apparel and Footwear at Coats, will speak at SLDF’s prestigious ‘South Asian Apparel Leadership Forum’, where topics crucial to local industry growth will be discussed by apparel industry experts from across the world.

The theme of SLDF 2016, ‘Transformation’, aims to highlight a strategic shift in the apparel industry as the Sri Lankan apparel makers look to align themselves with the needs of the changing markets, and to cut the dependency on volumes from the West; this transformation will be what helps to differentiate the SL apparel industry from regional competitors in the long term. 

Coats, a keen adopter of transformative development and innovation, supports this shift and believes that the local apparel industry is well-positioned to pursue new futures with the support of a strong supply chain. SLDF’s South Asian Apparel Leadership Forum will discuss this strategic transformation. Adrian Elliott will outline the challenges and opportunities these changes bring and how Coats is preparing for the future by merging technologies to differentiate products. 

Adrian leads the global Apparel and Footwear segment at Coats, in particular the direction and delivery of the commercial strategies. Adrian was previously Head of Coats Global Services, and prior to that was Regional Chief Executive, South East Asia, based in Singapore.  A chartered marketer proficient in six languages, Adrian Elliott will share insight and expert industry knowledge on business transformation and strategic shifts to meet the market.

Coats Sri Lanka Managing Director Douglas Aceiro said: “One of the most important aspects in business is to manage change. This is a very important time of transformation for the apparel industry as we see a future where our existing business models and work methods will no longer be as relevant. Coats is looking at how our business can adapt to the future and we’re keen to support the Sri Lankan apparel industry in doing the same. We take great pride in being the leading value added partner to the Apparel, Footwear and Accessories industry, and investing in its growth and transformation.” 

Coats is the world’s leading industrial thread manufacturer and a major player in the Americas textiles crafts market.  At home in more than 60 countries, Coats employs 19,000 people across six continents. Every month Coats produces enough thread to stretch all the way to the sun and each year, Coats invests in research, development and product innovation. It is a firm supporter of sharing knowledge and creative education.

SLDF will take place on 3, 4, 5 and 6 November at SLECC Colombo, with AOD in partnership with DIMO hosting Mercedes-Benz Fashion Runways, Coats Thread – Official Thread and Zip Partner, GT Nexus – Official Technology Partner, HNB – Official Banking Partner, Mount Lavinia Hotel – Official Host,  Wijeya Newspapers Group – Print Media Partner, Free Lanka – Official Beverage Partner, Secquoro – Business Transformation Partner, Salon Kess – Official Hair & Make up Partner and We Are Designers as well the key apparel industry participants MAS, Hirdaramani, Timex, Star Garments, LICC, MRC, Nor Lanka, Orit, Innovative Knits, EKKO, Union Apparel, Penguin, Lanka Leather, Rakshaa, Textured Jersey, Avirate and Vogue Tex. The event is endorsed by the Joint Apparel Association Forum. 

For partnerships, participation and more information, contact the SLDF secretariat on 076 777 0306 or email [email protected].