Hayleys celebrates employees for innovation, ESG and operational excellence at Chairman’s Awards

The Haycarb team receives ESG Category Award for its Rainwater Harvesting Project in Thailand, addressing severe water scarcity

The Advantis Integrated Logistics team receives Quality and Lean Management Category Award for its Operational Excellence Journey, which has driven significant efficiency improvements and cost savings

The Hayleys Fabric team receives Innovation Category Award for FreshWick Pro, a high-performance, eco-friendly moisture-wicking fabric

The Hayleys Aventura team receives Service Excellence Award for successful completion of Kuda Rah Refurbishment Project in Maldives

The Hayleys Group once again honoured the outstanding achievements of its teams across its 16 business sectors at its annual Chairman’s Awards, held on 21 February 2025.

This year’s ceremony recognised exceptional contributions across innovation, ESG, service excellence and quality and lean management, highlighting 200 employees from 26 project teams. 

As Sri Lanka navigates a challenging economic landscape, home-grown innovation and industry leadership remain crucial in driving resilience and long-term growth. Hayleys, as a cornerstone of the nation’s economy, continues to spearhead initiatives that create value locally while strengthening the country’s global competitiveness.

By investing in research, sustainable solutions, and transformative business practices, the Group reaffirms its commitment to propelling Sri Lanka forward through innovation, operational excellence, and export-driven success.

Hayleys Chairman and Chief Executive Mohan Pandithage said: “Our continued success stems from the innovation, resilience, and determination of our people. This year’s award winners have set new benchmarks in excellence, showcasing ground-breaking efforts to actively shape a better future for people, industries, and the planet. Their efforts reflect the Group’s ethos of pioneering progress and creating lasting value for all stakeholders.” 

The FemFlexTex initiative, developed by South Asia Textiles Ltd., (SAT), a subsidiary of Hayleys Fabric PLC, won the prestigious Overall Winner Award, redefining sustainable menstrual care with PFAS-free, recyclable fabrics for period-proof underwear. The project directly addresses a growing global concern regarding the environmental and health impact of conventional menstrual products, which contain harmful chemicals and take centuries to decompose. By providing a skin-friendly, eco-conscious alternative, FemFlexTex has positioned itself at the forefront of ethical and sustainable innovation in the apparel industry.

Haycarb’s Rainwater Harvesting Project in Thailand was recognised with the Group-wide ESG Category Award for tackling severe water scarcity through an advanced rainwater collection and storage system. By securing a reliable water source in a challenging environment, the initiative highlights Haycarb’s leadership in sustainability and environmental stewardship.

Advantis’ Integrated Logistics cluster was recognised with the Quality & Lean Management Category Award for its Operational Excellence Journey, which focused on transformative efficiency improvements across its logistics network. With 31 lean projects and 118 Kaizens completed, the initiative resulted in LKR 109 million in savings and over 3,000 hours of employee training, reinforcing a strong culture of continuous improvement. By enhancing agility and optimising resources, Advantis is shaping a future-ready logistics ecosystem.

Hayleys Fabric’s FreshWick Pro won the Innovation Category Award for its groundbreaking development of a high-performance, eco-friendly moisture-wicking fabric. By blending organic cotton with recycled polyester, this textile innovation enhances comfort, durability, and sustainability, setting a new benchmark in responsible manufacturing within the apparel industry. Engineered for activewear, innerwear, uniforms, and everyday performance apparel, FreshWick Pro offers a natural, breathable feel while delivering the high-performance properties required by global apparel brands seeking sustainable alternatives.

Hayleys Aventura’s Kuda Rah Refurbishment Project in the Maldives was recognised with the Service Excellence Award for outstanding project management at the Amaya Kuda Rah resort. The team successfully navigated a complex infrastructure renovation, completing it in a record 100 days, an impressive feat for any construction project in the Maldives. Despite logistical and environmental challenges, they ensured minimal disruption to guests. A centrepiece of the Sri Lankan economy, the Hayleys Group maintains a global presence across five regions with business interests spanning 16 diverse sectors. Accounting for USD 591 million of the country’s foreign earnings and 5% of the nation’s total export income, Hayleys is a champion of sustainable innovation and represents one of Sri Lanka’s most prominent success stories.

The South Asia Textiles team accepts Overall Winner Award for their ground-breaking FemFlexTex initiative, a PFAS-free, recyclable fabric designed for sustainable menstrual care, setting new industry benchmarks in ethical and eco-friendly innovation