Issue

REACH
ISSUE 1
2009
ISSUE 1
2009
From the Brandix CSR Centre
I
t is with pleasure that we launch our first issue of REACH for 2009- a review of the first six months of the year.
2009 has been a year of change and new beginnings. Sri Lanka saw the end of a 30 year civil war and the beginning of a humanitarian
effort never seen before. The response of our associates to help these victims of war has been overwhelming and encouraging to say the
least. In our small way, Brandix has helped and will continue to help.
We also established our presence in the East by being the first apparel sector company to open a factory in Punani—Batticaloa.
Keeping in line with our theme “Water is Life”—Brandix has also initiated long term projects benefitting not only the internally
displaced persons but other vulnerable communities as well.
Our key community outreach project “Care for our Own”—a project that mainly benefits our own associates–is in its 3rd year and has
been a resounding success.
We look forward to exciting months of community development and hope you will be inspired to join our cause.
A wise man once said, every society is judged by how it treats it’s least fortunate amongst them.
“Water is life–Make every drop count”
TO LEAD
Our Mission
in being responsible corporate citizens. Not because we are convinced that it is a good way of doing business, but
because we believe it is the right way of doing business.
TO STRIVE to make a meaningful difference everywhere we do business.
TO LISTEN and RESPOND to environment challenges that affect our society and our planet.
TO INSPIRE people to work towards protecting and improving water access and availability in our communities.
INSIDE
2
P-02
Message from the centre
P-03
Brandix at EDEX 2009
P-04 Brandix achieves
world first in eco-friendly manufacture
P-05 Brandix achieves
world first in eco-friendly manufacture - Cont...
P-06 Brandix honoured
with Energy Globe
Award
P-07
Schools
P-08 Brandix India
P-09
Mark & Start
P-10
Brandix East - Punani
P-11
Corporate
Accountability
P-12
Brandix–UNHCR
partnership
P-13
Brandix visits IDP
camps
P-14
Community/Hospitals
P-15
Care for our own
ISSUE 1
2009
Message from Mr Amin Awad —
UNHCR Representative in Sri Lanka
O
n behalf of the
UN Refugee
Agency (UNHCR),
I am pleased to
contribute
this
message to this
issue of REACH
– the newsletter
outlining Corporate
Social Responsibility activities
carried out by
Brandix Lanka Ltd.
As the designated lead agency for internally displaced persons (IDPs), UNHCR
aims to provide protection, emergency
shelter, non-food items and camp management as well as seek durable solutions to
their displacement, be it return, relocation
or reintegration. The agency also provides
assistance and international protection to
hundreds of refugees and asylum seekers in
the country.
UNHCR is supporting the Government of
Sri Lanka with the daunting task of taking
care of some 600,000 persons who were
uprooted from their homes during the last
25 years of conflict. This includes hundreds
of thousands who were displaced during the
last several months alone and are currently
accommodated in 34 sites in the country’s
north.
With the conflict now at an end, we
believe the focus should turn to stabilizing
this vulnerable population, most of who
have been in displacement for many years,
by ensuring that the necessary facilities are
in place for these people to return home in
safety and dignity. As in the east, where
UNHCR assisted the government with the
voluntary return of some 220,000 persons,
we are ready to support government with a
similar process in the north.
Together with the humanitarian community, Sri Lanka’s private sector too has
a significant role to play, not only with
providing much-needed relief but also
through assisting the Government in key
sectors such as infrastructure development
and uplifting livelihoods in return areas.
Brandix is a shining example of how the
Sri Lankan private sector can support the
Government with providing assistance to its
citizens in need.
Green is the colour of
life at Brandix
From reducing canteen waste to investing
in sophisticated air-conditioning, Sri Lanka’s
leading apparel exporter is living its mission
to be eco friendly, stated Mr Nigel Forbes—
Brandix’ Chief People Officer at the 2009 EDEX
press conference.
‘G
oing Green’ is a corporate buzzword that is often an
inspiration for catchy slogans and little else, but not at
Brandix Lanka Limited, one of Sri Lanka’s best examples for
enduring commitment to eco-friendly manufacture.
While the showpiece Brandix Eco Centre, the highest-rated
Green apparel manufacturing facility in the world, is the pride
of the 25,000-employee Group, on-going initiatives at many
manufacturing locations bear out the fact that best practices
in environment-friendly operations have come to stay across
all business units of the country’s largest apparel exporter.
Last year, Brandix joined forces with
UNHCR to improve the water facilities of
Karambe hospital in Puttalam and further
strengthened its partnership this year with a
similar project in Batticaloa.
We commend Brandix for its efforts and
hope that many others will follow in their
footsteps.
Mr Nigel Forbes—Chief People Officer at the EDEX press conference
3
ISSUE 1
2009
Brandix achieves world first in eco-friendly manufacture
Sri Lanka’s top apparel
exporter’s Green Factory
becomes first Platinum
rated apparel manufacturing
plant on the planet
S
ri Lanka’s apparel sector inspiration Brandix
has achieved a world first across all sectors,
with its Green Factory in Seeduwa becoming the
first apparel manufacturing facility in the world
to be rated Platinum under the Leadership in
Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Green
Building Rating System of the US Green Building
Council (USGBC).
The 130,000 square-foot Brandix Eco Centre,
Brandix Casualwear’s lead manufacturing plant
for global giant Marks & Spencer, achieved
a score of 76 on the 85-point LEED certification system, setting a global benchmark for low
energy consumption, water conservation, solid
waste management and low carbon emissions. It
is the only converted Green Factory in the world
to receive the Platinum rating, the highest standard
in eco-friendly manufacture.
Formally inaugurated on April 25 last year by
the Marks & Spencer CEO Sir Stuart Rose, the
plant converted into an Eco Centre at a cost of US $
3 million has achieved a reduction of carbon emissions by 80 per cent, an energy saving of 46 per
cent, a reduction of water consumption of 63 per
cent and zero solid waste to landfill, eco-friendly
indicators as yet unmatched by any re-designed
Green Plant anywhere in the world.
“This is possibly one of the most satisfying
milestones achieved by Brandix in its short but
meteoric history,” commented AJ Johnpillai,
Director Brandix. “The fact that it is a global
first for us, our country and the apparel industry
worldwide, makes it all the more significant, and
is a huge shot in the arm for our apparel sector in
these challenging times.”
He said the score of 76 achieved by Brandix,
12 points higher than the 64 required for Platinum
status, demonstrated the degree to which the
Brandix Eco Centre had exceeded the planet’s
highest Green Factory rating. “This is also a tribute
to the local engineering skills available and in
particular to our consultants EnergySolve International, whose knowledge and commitment were
invaluable.”
The conversion of the 30 year old factory into a
Green manufacturing location was made more
challenging by the LEED requirement that at least
50 per cent of the occupants of the building had
to remain in service inside the building during its
conversion, and Brandix’s determination that the
energy conservation ratings required would be
Cont.
4
ISSUE 1
2009
Brandix achieves world first...
achieved with air-conditioning, another requirement for Platinum status. Air-conditioning
accounts for about 70 per cent of the energy
consumed in a garment factory.
To meet the requirements of LEED certification, Brandix invested in the latest screw-type
chiller unit patented in the US to provide energyefficient air-conditioning for the entire factory,
which comprises of three sewing plants. Square
ducts were converted to round ducts to reduce
distribution losses, and a 75mm insulation and
heat-reflective panel was introduced into the roof.
The windows were enlarged to provide more light
and a better view out to workers, and the glass
replaced with special glass with a high solar reflective index.
Special prismatic material used for skylights
in the roof allows
only the passage of
solar light without the
accompanying heat.
Sophisticated new light
emitting diodes used as
task lights provide light
to the sewing machines,
supplementing the
natural light provided
by the skylights. Bay
lights are to be used
only on cloudy or rainy
days.
Brandix has introduced
facilities
for direct and indirect rain water harvesting
including the collection of water from
down-pipes for reuse.
A series of measures
exist to reduce water
consumption through
recycling, whereby
direct rainwater is
initially recycled for all
use except for drinking.
Subsequently, a tertiary
filtration system and a
disinfection process
allows the used water
to be recycled again
for toilet flushing and
gardening.
Brandix CEO Ashroff Omar presenting the President of Sri Lanka
H. E. Mahinda Rajapakse with the plaque to mark the historic
accomplishment at the Presidential Export Awards.
The factory has also
achieved zero solid
waste disposal by recycling or reusing 100 per
cent of the solid waste it produces. Even canteen
waste is being composted and contributes to biogas
generation. The green areas in the gardens have
been increased substantially to provide all occupants with the stipulated view of green area, and
two indoor green patches have been introduced to
the plant with the largest floor area. Transportation
within the premises is by electric car to eliminate
use of fossil fuel inside the plant. An advanced
intelligent building management system controls
relative humidity and carbon dioxide levels to
improve comfort levels for workers.
Tell me and I will forget,
Show me and I may remember,
Involve me and I will understand,
Empower me and I will act”
5
ISSUE 1
2009
Brandix Green Factory honoured with Energy Globe Award
Sri Lanka’s showpiece in eco-friendly
manufacture was also nominated for world’s
top environmental award in ‘Air’ category
G
lobal recognition has once again been bestowed on Sri Lanka’s Brandix
Group in the form of an Energy Globe Award, the world’s most prominent and prestigious environmental prize, for its world-leading Green Factory
at Seeduwa.
The impressive environment-friendly indicators achieved by the Brandix
Eco Centre resulted in the Group being adjudged the National Winner for
Sri Lanka and being named one of three nominees for the Energy Globe
World Award in the ‘Air’ category. The award presentation was held in
April in Prague, Czech Republic, before a global television audience of
three billion people.
A total of 769 projects and initiatives in 111 countries were evaluated in the
categories of Air, Earth, Fire, Water and Youth for this year’s awards, which
took place as the opening event of the European Environmental Ministers
Meeting in Prague on the 14th April. Nobel Prize winner Rajendra K. Pachauri
and Martin Bursik, President of the EU Environmental Council were among
the award presenters.
“This recognition before a truly global audience is as important for Sri
Lanka as it is for Brandix,” said Ashroff Omar, CEO of the Brandix Group.
“It shows the world that tough economic conditions and the domestic conflict
notwithstanding, there are manufacturers in Sri Lanka who remain committed
to ideals and standards.”
The Brandix Green Factory, which is the highest-rated Platinum-certified
Green apparel manufacturing plant in the world under the Leadership in
Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) system, has reduced Carbon
Dioxide (CO2) emissions to the atmosphere by 80 per cent, Sulfur Dioxide
(SO2) emissions by 71 per cent and Nitrogen Oxide (NO2) by 92 per cent;
achieved an energy saving of 46 per cent, reduced potable water use by 63
per cent and documented that almost all of the site-generated solid waste is
recycled.
Cont.
Iresha Somaratne—Head of Brandix
Environmental Energy Management division
receiving the award- Prague, Czech Republic.
Among the treasures of our land is
Water—fast becoming our most
valuable, most prized, most critical
resource”
Dwight J. Eisenhower
6
ISSUE 1
2009
Brandix Green Factory...
“These are indicators that match those of
the best eco-friendly manufacturing operations anywhere in the world,” said Brandix
Director AJ Johnpillai. “They represent a
significant reduction in the factory’s impact
on global temperature.” He disclosed that
Brandix intends to replicate key learnings
and achievements from this concept across
the entire Group.
Schools
The World Energy Globe Awards for
Sustainability were launched by Austrian
energy pioneer and Energy Globe Foundation President Wolfgang Neumann in 1999.
The ‘Air’ category, in which Brandix has
been honoured, recognises measures that
contribute to improving air quality, including
avoidance of CO2 emissions, optimization
of combustion processes, reduction of green
house gases and improvements in indoor air
quality. Last year’s Energy Globe Award
winners were from Peru (Earth), Spain
(Fire), Mozambique (Water), Austria (Air)
and South Africa (Youth).
Amarasinghe Maha Vidyalaya - Deraniyagala
Ovitigama Maha Vidyalaya - Awissawella
I am certain that after the
dust of centuries has passed
over our cities, we too, will be
remembered not for our victories
or defeats in battles or in
politics, but for our contribution
to the human spirit”
John F. Kennedy
Hewainna Maha Vidyalaya - Awissawella
Hindu College- Ratmalana
7
ISSUE 1
2009
Brandix India Apparel City
celebrates World Water Day
WORLD ENVIRONMENT DAY 2009
Your planet needs YOU!
“Unite to combat climate change”
Brandix India Apparel
City celebrates the World
Environment Day
D
eclared by the UN General Assemble in 1972 United nations Environmental Protection (UNEP) promotes 5th of June as World Environmental
Day, to be celebrated globally. BIAC honored World Environment Day by
planting 75 trees in the park area.
Commencement of the
tree planting
campaign
Environmental
Awareness
programme
8
Z
illa Parishad High School (ZPHS) is situated about 3km away from BIAC,
in Pudimadaka, a fishing village, where the BIAC marine outfall meets
the sea. ZPHS has a co-education system where 322 boys and 292 girls are
being taught from grade 6 to grade 10. School records a pass rate of 70% at
the 10th grade exam. The village Panchayath provides water to the school
but the supply is sometimes irregular.
Keeping the requirement of the school in mind and driving its CSR/
Business objectives forward, BIAC celebrated the World Water Day with
Zilla Parishad High School – Pudimadaka. Prior to the event an art competition was conducted among students from grades 6 to 9 to educate them on
the importance of water and its conservation. During the event BIAC made
a commitment to facilitate water for the school.
Mr. Vinu
Sudan–BIAC,
announcing
the water
sponsorship
for ZPHS
Ms. Ramadevi,
a 9th grade
student of
ZPHS talking
about the
importance
of water
ISSUE 1
2009
Marks & Start Get together
M
arks & Spencer’s flagship project “Marks
& Start”—which provides differently abled
people employment through their suppliers, held
an beneficiary get together in March 2009. The
beneficiaries from different organizations under
the Marks & Starts programme had a wonderful
day, dancing and getting to know each other. The
event was a resounding success.
Brandix employees with the VIPs that attended
the event (Back row Cricketers P. Maharoof,
Dilhara Fernando and Lasith Malinga)
Appreciation shown to the companies that
support the Marks & Star programme
9
ISSUE 1
2009
Brandix East — Punani
W
ith the implementation of the “Nagenahira
Navodaya” program by the Government of
Sri Lanka, the business community was invited to
invest in the Eastern Province in order to rehabilitate and reintegrate the civilians in the area and also
to give former combatants and alternative way of
life. With this in mind, the Board of Directors of
Brandix Lanka Limited took a firm commitment
to take bold action to generate gainful employment
in the Eastern Province to enable a wider segment
of the population to benefit from the growth of the
Apparel Industry. Accordingly, the Company took
a personal interest in order to help reduce the vast
disparity in per capita in the East in comparison to
the rest of the country.
With this task in mind, the selected site in
Punani was taken over by the management on the
5th of May 2008, after which the construction work
began in October 2008. Simultaneously, an abandoned school located 6 km away from the Punani
10
site was taken over and refurbished in order to be
used as the Training School for the factory. The
training of Machine Operators began on the 1st of
September 2008. The management moved into the
facility and began operations in December 2008
and the first consignment was shipped to India
on the 30th of December 2008. At present, there
are 220 Associates
employed at Brandix
East, Punani.
Back in November
2008, Brandix Lanka
Limited and USAID
made a partnership to
provide training for 600
recruits in the Batticaloa District. Under
the Apparel Sector
Training Partnership,
USAID has agreed to
contribute generously towards the training and
welfare of the Associates.
On the 15th of May 2009,the graduation of the
first batch of Associates who completed their first
six months of training was held at Brandix East,
Punani.
ISSUE 1
2009
Brandix rated ‘Platinum’ for Corporate Accountability
Top apparel exporter one of
four highest-rated companies
in Sri Lanka’s first ‘Report
Card’ on accountability
B
randix Lanka Limited, Sri Lanka’s iconic
apparel solutions company, has been accorded
a Platinum rating in the country’s first ‘Report
Card’ on Corporate Accountability.
The globally-respected apparel exporter is one
of four corporate entities to score more than the
90 per cent required for Platinum status in this
inaugural benchmarking exercise undertaken
by STING Consultants and presented by Lanka
Monthly Digest (LMD) Sri Lanka’s leading
business magazine.
Defining Corporate Accountability as ‘the
moral and legal obligations of companies to be
accountable for their actions to all stakeholders,’
the assessment covered awareness of, the
approach to and a preparedness to accept stakeholder responsibilities in seven areas: corporate
values, identifying risks and opportunities, policy
coverage, stakeholder engagement, management
and measurement, workplace practices and public
disclosure.
In their remarks on Brandix the promoters of
the Corporate Accountability Rating said: “The
unrelenting international competition faced by
Brandix in the apparel sector, and its dependence on a large workforce, has led it to focus on
accountability with a human face. This is why
it places great emphasis on social aspects such
as gender equality, training, human
rights, strong links with local communities and suppliers, and workplace
quality. And of course, it continues to
be a globally recognised, sustainable
business entity.”
Among the key areas of focus for
Brandix in the sphere of corporate
accountability are its internationallyrecognised dedication to eco-friendly
manufacture and its consistent
commitment to CSR projects aimed
at facilitating access to safe water for
needy rural communities. The bulk
of the Group’s CSR initiatives are
conducted under the theme ‘Water
is Life.’ Over the past two years,
Brandix has completed hundreds of
micro water supply projects in Sri
Lanka and donated to the government
a Water Research and Training Centre
purpose-built and equipped at a cost of
Rs 25 million.
Brandix is also at the forefront
nationally and globally in efforts to
adopt eco-friendly manufacturing.
In April 2008, one of the Group’s
manufacturing plants became the first
Platinum rated Green Factory in the world under
the LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) of the US Green Building Council
(USGBC).
What lies behind us and what lies
before us are small matters compared
to what lies within us”
Raplh Waldo Emerson
11
ISSUE 1
2009
UNHCR and Brandix join forces again to assist Sri Lanka’s
vulnerable communities
S
ri Lanka’s largest apparel exporter, Brandix
Lanka Limited, has strengthened its partnership with the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR), in
an effort to address some of the key humanitarian
needs of the conflict displaced communities in
the country.
As part of its latest contribution, Brandix has
once again stepped forward to support Quick
Impact Projects (QIPs), an integral part of
UNHCR’s operations in Sri Lanka, which sees
the implementation of small-scale and short-term
projects to support resettlement and have an immediate and long-term impact on returnee communities. These projects aim to promote return as
well as facilitate stability. In addition, Brandix
is reaching out to the most vulnerable population, by extending their support towards meeting
the non-food needs of the internally displaced
population in the country.
Last year, UNHCR took its first steps towards
forging strategic partnerships with Sri Lanka’s
private sector, by tying up with Brandix to improve
the water facilities and water management of the
Karambe Hospital and its surrounding villages in
Puttalam. The project has helped better the health
and welfare of the Puttalam residents and internally
displaced persons.
This year, Brandix tied up UNHCR to provide
water pumps and other equipment to 95 families
as part of the UNHCR Livelihood Recovery
Programme. On March 31, 2009, 250 families
were resettled in Kudumbimalai after being
displaced for three years. Kudumbimalai was
considered one of the central places of the conflict.
This project aims at providing 95 resettled families
in the village of Meeranakkadavai with relevant
livelihood equipments and required skills trainings
to start a variety of livelihood activities based on
their previous experience.
Brandix’s Corporate Social Responsibility
(CSR) efforts are driven by the central corporate
theme ‘Water is Life’ and constitute a long-term
commitment to improving the living conditions of
people in need, including bringing safe drinking
water to households in Sri Lanka. “Brandix is
honored to support UNHCR in its initiative to
help improve the lives of vulnerable Sri Lankans,”
said the Brandix Group’s CEO Ashroff Omar.
“Collaborating with UNHCR has ensured that our
resources were utilized efficiently and effectively
to construct such an essential project swiftly.”
UNHCR’s Representative in Sri Lanka Amin
Awad hailed Brandix’s commitment towards
improving the lives of the displaced and return
communities in the country. “Brandix is a shining
example of how the private sector in Sri Lanka can
step up to support the Government with providing
assistance to those in need. We hope that many
others will follow in their footsteps to demonstrate
that corporate social responsibility edge.”
Seated at the head table at the joint press
conference, from Left to Right are Ajit Johnpillai
– Director, Brandix Lanka Limited, Theodore
Gunasekara – General Manager, Brandix East
Project, Ms Anusha Alles – Head of CSR, Brandix
Lanka Limited, Amin Awad – UNHCR Representative
in Sri Lanka and Gary Firth from the UNHCR
12
ISSUE 1
2009
Emergency Relief Effort
Menic Farm, Cheddikullam and Padaviya Hospital-Vavuniya
T
hanks to the efforts of our associates, Brandix was
able to respond quickly to the needs of the IDPs in the
North. We organised the distribution of relief items, such
as food, clothing and water to these victims at Menic Farm
and Padaviya Hospital in Vavuniya as part of our emergency
relief programme.
The Brandix Group, as an initial step to assist these civilians in need donated Rs 20 million worth of garments and
20,000 loaves of bread were distributed each day for 2 weeks
through our partner bakery.
A token
presentation to
His Excellency
President
Mahinda
Rajapakse
Collections
from some
of our
associates
Visit to the
IDP camps
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ISSUE 1
2009
Community
Hospitals
Renal Care and Research Centre- Anuradhapura
Brandix funded a sophisticated filter system for the centre. This water treatment plant will benefit over a thousand patients and was officially opened
on the 21st of March 2009.
Kahawatte Water point
Sanitation facilities for Differently abled children
14
ISSUE 1
2009
Care for our own
A
n initiative to ensure the provision of clean water supply systems to our associates who are in desperate
need. This flagship project of Brandix CSR we hope will change the lives of our workers, their families
and their entire village.
15
“Example is not the main thing in influencing others, it is the only thing”
— Albert Schweitzer