MAS Intimates pays tribute to its teams as it bags the Exporter of the Year award for 2020/21

Rajiv Dharmendra, CEO - MAS Intimates, receiving the Exporter of the Year award for 2020/21 from HE President Gotabaya Rajapaksa, along with Suren Fernando, CEO - MAS Holdings

MAS Intimates, the largest division of MAS Holdings, received three top accolades at the Sri Lanka Presidential Export Awards, including the highly coveted Exporter of the Year Award for 2020/2021. MAS Intimates was also honoured as Sri Lanka’s overall Best Exporter in Product Diversification, while the company’s focus on ethical and sustainable manufacturing was recognised as the overall Contributor to Sustainable Development in Exports, making it a hat-trick of awards for Sri Lanka’s leading game-changer.

Commenting on the company’s recognition as the Exporter of the Year amidst the COVID-19 pandemic, the CEO of MAS Intimates, Rajiv Dharmendra said “Our achievements are possible only through the hard work and dedication of our teams who all rallied round across the organisation; from the operational and manufacturing teams to the customer interface and support teams across the organization. Despite the external pressure on the entire industry, their efforts and commitment during the chaos caused by the pandemic were an inspiration to us all. They have not only placed MAS Intimates at the forefront of the private sector in Sri Lanka but have driven the recognition of MAS as a global conglomerate, a leading innovator and manufacturer around the world.”

MAS Intimates is one of Sri Lanka’s largest private sector employers, employing over a 46,000 people over the world and serves a broad range of well-known retailers and brands across the globe. “Today we see that our customer markets are picking up, recovering faster than was expected, and being ready for that is critical. We have developed and diversified our customer canvass over the years, and working with brands that are strong in the digital space and strategic in their approach to their markets has enabled us to successfully navigate what was one of the toughest and most volatile years in our collective memory. And to be firmly on a growth trajectory at the end of 2021 is an amazing testament to the culture, talent, and skill that MAS Intimates is known for, and that never ceases to amaze me.” added Dharmendra.

Having won the same award in 2018 as well, MAS Intimates is a truly global organization, with manufacturing operations in Kenya, Indonesia, Bangladesh, and India in addition to its design and development centres here in Sri Lanka. Many of its global operations are expanding to cater to its business growth and its dynamic culture and focus on talent development have enabled it to attract top-notch talent globally, with many of its cadre finding job placements and rotation opportunities in different countries.

“Our product creation capabilities combined with our sustainability ethos have enabled us to differentiate ourselves, be competitive and to thrive in a challenging global market, as sustainability has become such a critical aspect in all our customers’ product strategies” said Nemanthie Kooragamage, Director - Product Creation who accepted the award for Best Exporter in Product Diversification 2020/21 on behalf of MAS Intimates. She added “Our work in sustainability extends beyond the four corners of Sri Lanka, as we have now taken on ambitious initiatives in our other geographies as well, and regularly partner with our customers not only on creating sustainable products, but also on our social and environmental initiatives as well.”

There was an additional triple win for MAS Holdings, with MAS Active and MAS KREEDA, being honoured at the same ceremony. Their collective awards included the overall Market Diversified Exporter of the Year, Best Performing Exporter in Emerging Markets and the sectoral award for Best Exporter - Apparel Large Category for 2020/2021.

These six awards, including the Exporter of the Year, made MAS the most awarded conglomerate for 2020/2021.

MAS Holdings, the largest apparel tech company in South Asia, is among the most recognised design-to-delivery solution providers in apparel and textile manufacturing. Home to a community of over 100,000 people, today, MAS spans across manufacturing plants in 15 countries, with established design locations placed in key style centres across the world. Catering to the demands of a dynamic and ever-changing industry, the MAS portfolio has expanded exponentially; into wearable technology, FemTech, start-ups and fabric parks worldwide.

Over 30 years of operations, MAS has gained global recognition for its ethical and sustainable working environment and for the organisation's tireless efforts in social development and women’s empowerment. Product excellence and craftsmanship have placed MAS on the world map as an industry leader, showcasing unfailing delivery in innovative manufacturing and design. Today, the company’s efforts to drive positive impact are outlined in the MAS Plan for Change, a commitment to create sustainable change under three areas of focus: products, lives, and planet. Through these initiatives, MAS aims to inspire all employees to be changemakers, enabling dreams and enriching the fabric of life on our planet.

Nemanthie Kooragamage, Director - Product Creation, MAS Intimates receiving the award for Best Exporter in Product Diversification 2020/21 from HE President Gotabaya Rajapaksa

Ayesha Pathiranage, President - Slimline JCC receiving the award for Contributor to Sustainable Development in Exports 2020/21 on behalf of MAS Intimates from HE President Gotabaya Rajapaksa

Chelan Goonetilleke, CEO - MAS Active, receiving the award for Market Diversified Exporter of the Year 2020/21 from HE President Gotabaya Rajapaksa

Dilantha Jayaratne, Director – Finance, Commercial and Projects, MAS KREEDA receiving the award for Best Performing Exporter in Emerging Markets 2020/21 from HE President Gotabaya Rajapaksa