Sri Lanka Textiles 2003 - Global Business Reports

specialreportsrilanka
The Power of
Global Thinking
Although only 25 years old, the
Sri Lankan garment industry
has spawned an impressive
accessory industry. First among
these is global player Mainetti, one of the
largest garment-hanger suppliers in the
world, with operations in 25 countries.
The growth of Mainettech, the
company’s local production facility,
exemplifies how the presence of
accessories suppliers is crucial for apparel
manufacturers. But it is the backing of a
global company that has allowed this
demand to be converted into the largest
range of products and services that the
industry could possibly expect.
Established 10 years ago, when the
garment sector was still in its infancy,
Mainettech is today the island’s leading
supplier of hangers and, in turn, Sri
Lanka is now the company’s strategic
hub for the Indian subcontinent.
Mainetti’s success in developing a hub is
a lesson that many in the local industry
are looking to replicate.
Jeyam Perumal, the company’s regional
director, explains the philosophy of the
group: “A Mainetti hanger produced in
Sri Lanka is absolutely identical to
another Mainetti hanger produced
elsewhere in the world.” With garment
manufacturers expected to supply their
garments quickly, flexibly and at a
constant quality, so the hanger
manufacturer is expected to work under
similar criteria. “Our systems and
facilities have evolved to ensure that we
become an essential part of the supply
chain. Most importantly, our success
relies on the fact that we think globally,
but act locally.”
“Our success relies on the fact
that we think globally,
but act locally.”
Apparel manufacturers expect a lot
from a hanger supplier, which has to be
flexible, to insure a constant quality of
products and delivery. Perumal explains
the company’s approach to fulfilling
these requirements: “We have evolved
systems and facilities to ensure that we
become an essential part in the supply
chain. It is a partnership approach that
defines us.”
With a catalogue of over 350 hanger
models, it is important for the company
to be able to provide the type of hanger
the buyer requires. Perumal goes on: “To
achieve this we depend on technically
advanced equipment, produced within
the group by Mainetti Tecnologie. We
design, develop and manufacture
leading-edge robotic systems and
automated equipment for the
production of high-quality garment
hangers at the lowest possible cost.
Perumal explains his recipe for success
in this business: “It is very important to
think globally and act locally, to be able
to have the quickest response for this
just-in-time industry. Our mission is to
support our costumers in their sourcing
operations.”
As people such as Perumal work
increasingly closely with the local
market, their ethos and mindset will
surely influence others, especially the
more dynamic, middle-ranking players
who do not have the luxury of studying
international methods on extended
international trips.
The strong support that Mainetti has
shown its local company has helped
Mainettech become the first local hanger
producer to obtain the ISO 9002 certification,
in 1998. By bringing international
standards and internationally trained and
experienced managers to the local
market, manufacturers such as Mainetti
are helping evolve the local market. In its
continuing quest to respond to clients’
ever-changing needs, Mainetti lives by
the slogan: “More than just a hanger.”
Maybe local garment producers will
learn from the example and adopt a
similar slogan: “More than just a
garment manufacturer…” FBI
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