ATG Hand Care: A Trailblazer in Ethical Manufacturing and Workplace Excellence

 Our greatest technology is our people,” says Mr. Fazal Abdeen, Managing Director of ATG Group of Companies. “We’ve always believed in building trust, dignity, and a better life for all.

In the high-pressure world of manufacturing, where turnaround times are tight and expectations tighter, it’s rare to come across a Group of Companies that places its people on par with its products. Yet, the ATG Group of Companies has done just that. In a landmark achievement, ATG Hand Care has been recognised among the Top 15 ‘Best Workplace™ in Manufacturing and Production’ 2025 by Great Place to Work® Sri Lanka, a first-time honour for the company that marks a significant milestone in its over 30-year journey of excellence, innovation, and integrity.

The recognition is the result of quiet, consistent work of building a culture that listens, nurtures, and grows. This is how ATG proved that a human-first workplace is a winning strategy on a global scale.

People Behind The Product

ATG is not your average glove manufacturer. Its operations span across Sri Lanka’s Export Processing Zones from Katunayake to Wathupitiwala, Koggala and Mirigama, and ships products to almost every key market in the world. At present, the business is a global pioneer in glove manufacturing technologies and innovation. This is a data-driven, impact-led enterprise with deep manufacturing roots that blends Sri Lankan engineering and European Standards.

So, how did the Group end up having a human-first approach at the heart of it all? The most simplest answer – choice.   

“Our greatest technology is our people,” says 

Mr. Fazal Abdeen, Managing Director of ATG Group of Companies. “We’ve always believed in building trust, dignity, and a better life for all.”

More than 6,500 employees stand behind their employer so firmly, and almost 90% of them agree, “This is a great place to work”. According to the Trust Index® survey conducted by Great Place to Work®, ATG scored 83% overall - an endorsement only a few can match. Beyond its direct employment footprint, ATG positively impacts the lives of over 30,000 individuals, including those in the extended supply chain and service communities.

Strategic Approach to Accountability

ATG’s people-first approach begins long before someone joins the factory floor. Cultural fit is assessed right from the first interview. Recruits get a personal welcome kit and participate in a month-long onboarding that blends mentorship, technical training, and team building. New hires are paired with a buddy who shows them the ropes and checks in regularly.

Learning never stops. In 2024 alone, ATG conducted 179 development workshops, including 25 skills advancement sessions and 14 leadership training sessions. With a technically skilled management team, comprised of industry-certified professionals, ATG continues to raise the bar in product innovation and manufacturing excellence.

ATG fosters a constructive dialogue with multiple segments of employee groups, including registered worker unions. At the same time, monthly Employee Councils and anonymous feedback systems allow workers to raise ideas and concerns directly with decision-makers, including the Managing Director. These forums are not ceremonial. They’re effective. More than 82% of employees say their feedback leads to real change.

Safety & Inclusion: Non-Negotiable

ATG Hand Care specialises in the design and manufacture of highly sophisticated gloves that protect workers’ hands across a range of industries - from healthcare and precision engineering to agriculture, construction and mining. Each product developed by ATG meets strict global standards and is ranked on a 1 to 5 scale, ensuring performance consistency across multiple use cases. 

This is an industry where accidents are common, and yet, ATG boasts a 98% safety record. This is not by chance but by design. Through ISO 45001-certified practices, ergonomic workspaces, and robust training modules, safety is institutionalised. Mental wellness is equally prioritised through counselling, wellness programmes, and specialised support for life events like maternity and medical emergencies.

Employee well-being extends into daily work life, as well. They receive three nutritious meals a day, designed with oversight from nutritionists and nurses. Pregnant employees receive another daily meal dedicated to their well-being and the unborn child’s, along with a monthly support package for 9 months until the baby is born.

ATG champions inclusivity. With a 44.5% female workforce – unprecedented in the glove industry - ATG is closing the gender gap through leadership initiatives like ‘Aya’ and flexible work arrangements. 

Hiring is local and gender-neutral. By drawing talent from nearby communities, ATG reduces commuting time, supports regional economies, and increases worker satisfaction. The company also supports employees with disabilities through accessible facilities and tailored onboarding.

Employee-driven innovation is easily encouraged and rewarded. Through platforms like ‘Innovate with Purpose,’ quality circles, and Kaizen workshops, staff from every department have helped improve products and processes.

Ideas from employees have led to packaging changes, cost-saving strategies, and sustainability-focused breakthroughs. In recognition, contributors receive internal accolades, monetary rewards, and fast-tracked into leadership pathways.

It is also these initiatives that have helped ATG maintain its SMETA 4-pillar compliance.

Humanity At The Heart Of It All

The Group’s CSR strategy, hallmarked under the ‘Glove to Community’ banner, is a lifeline for thousands. It supported over 1,200 families in 2024 alone, extending assistance for education, housing, and healthcare. In total, ATG completed 105 CSR programmes in 2024, touching lives far beyond factory gates.

 Among its many 2024-2025 CSR projects:

• A Rs. 12.8 million Green Laser machine donation revived urgent eye surgeries at Seeduwa Vijaya Kumaratunga Memorial Hospital.
• ‘Towards a Healthier & Nutritious Nation’ initiative brought nutrition education and weekly meals to underprivileged schoolchildren, in partnership with the Ministry of Education and SUNPF.
• Construction of Rs. multi-million Day Care and Learning Centre at the Katunayake Export Processing Zone that helps BOI employee families.

Sustainability In Action

Being green has never been a simple, trendy option for ATG. Most notably, it is the only company in Sri Lanka to be awarded ISO 26000:2010 Role Model Status, recognising leadership in corporate social responsibility and stakeholder engagement. The Group also earned multiple other global recognitions, including LEED v4.1, ISO 14001, ISO 14064-1, and ISO 50001 certifications for its 30-year-long efforts in energy efficiency, recycling, and emission reduction.

Keeping up with the concept of circular economy, ATG also boasts one of Sri Lanka’s finest water treatment plants, to filter and purify the wastewater used in the production, and owns the island’s only In-vessel Rotating Composter, which converts bio-wastewater sludge into organic fertiliser within two weeks.

ATG’s flagship ‘One Million Trees Project’ saw over 5,000 indigenous trees planted in 2024, in strategic reforestation projects, apart from many other community-driven plantation projects. On-site farms provide fresh produce to factory canteens, cutting costs and carbon simultaneously.

The Group also partnered with the Ceylon Chamber of Commerce to sponsor the Sri Lanka Climate Summit 2024, the first of its kind in the nation.

Pillars of Leadership: A Vision that Inspires

The growth and success of ATG are rooted in the visionary leadership of three key figures:

•  Mr. John Taylor, CEO and Chairman – A strategic leader who has driven ATG’s global expansion.
•  Mr. Fazal Abdeen, Managing Director – A hands-on leader known for his operational excellence, dedication to employee welfare and sustainability roadmap.
•  Mr. Andrew Goth, Director - Global Products Strategy – A pivotal figure in building ATG’s international brand reputation and market presence.

Together, their leadership laid the foundation for ATG to become a role model company across all free trade zones in Sri Lanka, setting standards in both worker satisfaction and environmental responsibility.

Leaving a Legacy

Founded in 1992 with just 24 people and a single facility, ATG today employs over 6,500 globally. It exports intelligent glove solutions to more than 50 countries. But it’s not the scale or success of ATG that is winning global attention - it’s the soul.

“We are proud of what we have built and the values we uphold,” says Chairman Mr. Johan Taylor. “Recognition from GPTW and certification bodies around the world only confirms what our employees already know - ATG is a great place to work, grow, and make a difference.”

“Every glove we produce carries the DNA of trust, safety, and equity of our people,” says Mr. Fazal Abdeen. “This Best Place To Work certification is a reflection of who we truly are.”

For those seeking the blueprint for a truly great workplace in manufacturing, ATG has drawn the map - one that begins with care, is guided by equity, and ends in impact.