Best Workplaces™ in Manufacturing and Production Industry 2025 in Sri Lanka

Introduction

In 2025, Sri Lanka’s manufacturing and production industry drives economic growth, contributing 16.2% to the national GDP. Key sectors like textiles, apparel, food and beverages, and rubber products lead the way, employing a significant portion of the 2.1 million individuals in the broader industries sector.

Amid global market demand for efficiency, sustainability, and ethical practices, Sri Lankan manufacturers face the challenge of staying competitive. The solution lies in fostering workplace cultures that attract and retain top talent, enabling employees to thrive, innovate, and drive productivity.

This report highlights the Best Workplaces™ in Sri Lanka’s Manufacturing and Production industry in 2025.

Study Summary

In this year’s study cycle, over 39,000 employees from 40 organizations within the industry participated, achieving an average response rate of 93%. The data collected was instrumental in selecting the 15 Best Workplaces™ in the Manufacturing and Production industry and identifying the key factors that set the Best 15 from the Rest. 

Only organizations that were Great Place To Work Certified™ between March 2024 and February 2025 were eligible for this study (Figure 01).

Methodology for Selecting Best Workplaces™ in Manufacturing and Production 2025

The globally recognized Great Place to Work® For All™ model selects the Best Workplaces™ through two key aspects: Trust Index™ and Culture Audit™.

The Trust Index™ survey (75% of the score) measures employee experiences of trust, pride, and camaraderie, ensuring statistical validity through strict anonymity and post-survey audits. The Culture Audit™ (25% of the score) evaluates people practices that creates positive workplace cultures.

A strict approach to anonymity ensures employees can provide honest feedback without fear of identification. Awareness materials and guidelines are shared before the survey, and an anonymous hotline is available for concerns. Post-survey audits, including random employee calls and onsite checks, verify the survey experience, ensuring results reflect the true employee experience.

To qualify, organizations must be registered in Sri Lanka with over 20 employees in the said industry, achieve a 70% positive Trust Index™ rating, hold Great Place To Work Certification™, and complete a Culture Audit™.

Fifteen organizations were selected through a standardized process, setting benchmarks for workplace excellence by fostering trust and helping employees reach their full potential.

Results Overview

This year’s findings (Figure 02) reveal that the benchmark for Sri Lanka’s 15 Best has maintained its position, with the Trust Index™ average positive perception holding steady at 92%, reflecting a strong foundation. This benchmark matches Sri Lanka’s 50 Best Workplaces™ (2024) and exceeds Asia’s (89%) and global (85%) benchmarks.

A notable 11% gap in employee trust and engagement remains between the Best 15 and “the Rest”, though efforts are narrowing this divide. By focusing on trust-building and a culture of inclusivity is needed to extend positive employee experiences across the industry, ensuring every workplace becomes a great place to work.

Key Focus Areas

Figure 3 shows pride as the highest-rated focus area for the Best 15, reflecting employees’ sense of meaning and belief in their organization’s purpose. However, fairness, measuring equity and transparency, is the lowest-rated, followed by camaraderie, revealing challenges in fostering connections and community. The Rest scored 12% lower in fairness and camaraderie compared to the Best 15, highlighting the need for stronger relationships and inclusivity. Addressing these gaps can create equitable, cohesive workplaces where employees feel valued and supported.

Health Indices for Organizational Culture

Figure 4 sheds light on the key indices of a healthy organizational culture, highlighting what it means to be a ‘Great Place To Work For All.’ 

At the Best, employees report higher motivation, thus looking forward to work daily and 10% times more likely to go the extra mile, showcasing a stronger connection to their work and teams.

Retention is also stronger, driven by pride in their organization’s culture, values, and reputation, inspiring employees to give their best. 

While the Best fosters a positive environment, the challenge remains in building consistent cultures that inspire pride, commitment, and engagement.

Indicators of a Great Place To Work For All™

Figure 5 highlights the primary differentiators of a Great Place to Work For All™ culture, which drives consistent employee experiences and maximizes human potential.  This culture represents the next evolution in workplace excellence, distinguishing a “Best” workplace from a “Great” one.

Employees of the Best 15 report significantly higher positive experiences, with the largest gap (12%) in perceptions of managers as role models. Effective leadership, integrity, and vision are essential for fostering trust and collaboration.

Unlocking human potential: Innovation by All

Figure 6 highlights the roots of “Innovation by All”, a transformative force driving creativity, problem-solving, and continuous improvement. 

Recognition of effort is key to cultivating collaboration and improvement, motivating employees by valuing their contributions. In industries driven by incremental innovation and problem-solving, celebrating efforts encourages initiative, idea-sharing, and experimentation. This boosts innovation, engagement, and loyalty, building a thriving workplace culture.

Key Drivers among the Best

Key drivers identified through the Trust Index™ Survey reveal critical factors influencing employees’ perception of their workplace. 

Psychological and emotional well-being emerged as the strongest driver, with a 16% gap between the Best 15 and the Rest, highlighting creating a secure, supportive environment is essential, especially in a society where mental health is stigmatized.

Access to good facilities is another key factor, affirming its positive impact, compared to the Rest. Good facilities signal an organization’s commitment to employee safety, convenience, and performance.

Egalitarian treatment is a defining factor, with 94% of employees feeling valued regardless of position, especially in a society with traditional power dynamics.

Where the Best 15 Outperform the Rest

Two key factors distinguishing the Best 15 from the Rest are fair profit sharing and work-life balance, both critical for employee satisfaction and loyalty. At the Best, 89% of employees feel fairly rewarded, fostering trust and ownership, though balancing profitability and fairness remains a challenge in Sri Lanka’s resource-constrained industries.

Work-life balance is another strength. In this industry, where long hours and demanding tasks are common, flexible shifts, rest periods, and family support policies are essential. Prioritizing work-life balance reduces burnout, boosts morale, and enhances productivity (Figure 7).

Pursuing excellence – Strengths and Opportunities to Improve

The Best 15 demonstrated remarkable strengths while identifying areas for growth. These workplaces excel in fostering pride, where employees feel motivated, valued, and proud of their organizations. Customer satisfaction, excellent facilities, and a strong sense of community further enhance the employee experience.

However, even the best has room to grow through areas such as better recognition, fun at work, and rewards. Addressing challenges in performance management, such as fairness in promotions and reducing workplace politics, is also crucial.

Conclusion

Organizations prioritizing a ‘great place to work for all’ lead in sustainable growth by fostering positive workplace cultures. This enables them to attract and retain top talent, drive innovation, and maintain a competitive edge while meeting global demands.

By understanding cultural strengths, addressing areas for growth, and taking meaningful action, organizations ensure productivity and innovation remain central to their operations.

As the industry navigates global pressures and local recovery, prioritizing workplace culture is key to long-term success. Sri Lanka’s manufacturing and production sector can thrive by setting new standards for cultural excellence and securing its global leadership.

About Great Place To Work

Great Place To Work® is the globally recognized authority on identifying and studying the world’s Best Workplaces. With over 30 years of expertise, Great Place To Work® has expanded its reach to more than 150 countries and territories, helping organizations benchmark their performance, identify strengths and areas for improvement, and foster workplace cultures that drive organizational success. The Sri Lankan study is built on this trusted global model, utilizing a rigorous methodology that has been researched, tested, and applied in similar studies worldwide.

The mission of Great Place To Work® is to help every workplace become a Great Place to Work For All™, enabling organizations to maximize human potential through a High-Trust, High-Performance Culture™ that drives business, improves lives, and creates a better society. No matter where you are in your journey, you are invited to join us—discover and enhance your employees’ positive perceptions and contribute to the vision of making Sri Lanka a great place to work.

Best Workplaces™ in the Manufacturing & Production Industry 2026 – Sri Lanka is now open! 

For more information, please contact Paveena Senanayakage at 074 330 2269 or via email at [email protected].

Visit our website: www.greatplacetowork.lk