Browns Fabric supports dollar-earning apparel industry with $ 52 m new BOI venture

Browns Fabric Chairman Sanakan Thamotharampillai (right) receives the agreement from Board of Investment Director General Renuka M. Weerakone. Others (from left): BOI Board Member Athula Haputantri, Browns Fabric Directors Prithiv Dorai, Kenneth Wijesuriya, and Charitha Jayasingha

The Board of Investment Sri Lanka (BOI) last week signed an agreement with Browns Fabric Ltd. for a state-of-the-art, modern and one of the largest weft knit fabric production facilities in Kurunegala, North Western Province. 

The newly established fabric manufacturing plant with an investment of $ 52.3 million plans to commence operations in August 2023. The company has taken the initiative to bridge a significant vacuum in supply and demand, flexibility and speed to produce fabric to the export-oriented dollar earning apparel industry in Sri Lanka. 

Browns Fabric Chairman Sanakan Thamotharampillai said: “We are pleased to be a part of an initiative that will reap benefits on a cross-section of levels; from targeting foreign revenue and increasing exports, to fostering the local economy and providing much-needed job opportunities, Browns Fabric Ltd. will consistently and diligently work towards evolving into the leading fabric manufacturer in Sri Lanka.” 

Based on key strategic principles of innovation, quality and acceleration, Browns Fabric is equipped to empower renowned fashion retailers through its multi-faceted fabric solutions while remaining committed to sustainability at all times. 

With the infusion of technologically advanced machinery, systems and LEAN design, the fully accredited and certified facility is armed with the expertise to provide a plethora of options to direct brands, regional hubs and apparel manufacturers. 

Using the finest fibres and yarns in collaboration with regional spinning and knitting partners, the company’s production capability encompasses knitting, dyeing, finishing and printing along with value added mechanical finishes of suede, brush, pre-shrunk and specialised chemical finishes such as bio, antimicrobial, easy-care and water repellent. 

Located 65 km from Colombo at the Browns Industrial Park, Pannala, North Western Province, the infrastructure spans 22.5 acres and is strategically located within close proximity to many major apparel companies and a two-hour delivery radius to serve the key industrial zones in the Western and Central Provinces. 

Browns Fabric strives to be the preferred fabric source in Sri Lanka, Asia and Africa while achieving high nomination for major global brands across the US, Europe, UK and Asia. With this project, the company is generating much needed direct employment and improving livelihoods of over 800 people whilst uplifting over 2,000 people and related businesses in the North Western Province and surrounding areas. 

The project is driven by a passionate, dynamic and energetic team with high proficiencies who bring over two decades of experience, knowledge and skill from the textile industry and the corporate sector to deliver on far reaching goals to Browns Fabric. 

A subsidiary of Browns Group PLC, the company draws from a rich heritage of over 147 years and is backed by a legacy of one and a half centuries.

Established in 1875, Browns has flourished over the years to grow into a household name with a reputation as strong as its years are long. Today, the prestigious Browns Group is one of Sri Lanka’s largest diversified conglomerates, which manages a fast growing and valuable portfolio of brands across several key industry sectors, such as automotive; power generation; agriculture and plantation; pharmaceuticals; investments; marine and manufacturing as well as leisure.