Brandix adopts sophisticated ERP platform
SOFTWARE: Brandix, the single largest apparel exporter in Sri Lanka, recently signed a strategic contract with Lawson, a leading provider of collaboration solutions
Brandix Apparel India, the Indian manufacturing arm of Brandix Sri Lanka, has already commenced commercial production for export.
It has systematically increased its local workforce, and today has a combined strength of 2,800 associates, with world-class apparel being exported to top customers such as Victoria’s Secret (USA) & Hanes (USA). Plans are also underway to source out to other global customers as well.
This state of the art apparel park is expected to employ over 60,000 employees at full capacity. With infrastructure development in full swing, BIAC will provide “Real Time Connectivity and Seamless Integration’ combined with economies of scale to supply chain partners,
bringing in a total combined investment of USD 1 Billion to Visakhapatnam. Once fully operational, BIAC will export apparel worth more than USD 1.4 billion per annum India is one the fastest growing economies in the world. Its apparel export is expected to grow to USD 43 billion by 2015.
Andhra Pradesh, the state in which Brandix India Apparel City is located is India’s third largest cotton producing state. Visakhapatnam, the city that houses the Brandix India Apparel City has one of the largest ports in the country and also strategically saddles the axis of the textile centers in South and North India.
Backed by Government assurances on water, electricity, infrastructure and investor friendly policies, Visakhapatnam has all the right resources to rise as the apparel hub of India.
Brandix India Apparel City (BIAC) is conceptualized and managed by Brandix Lanka Ltd. (BLL), Sri Lanka’s largest apparel exporter. BLL, Sri Lanka is supported by over 32 manufacturing facilities and strategically located international offices. Brandix has strong competencies in product development, manufacturing and marketing in providing end-to-end apparel solutions.
Ocean Lanka (Pvt) Ltd was established in 1994 with ownership shared between Fountain Set (Holdings) Limited, Brandix Lanka Limited and Hirdaramani Group. The company incontestably the largest manufacturer of Weft Knitted Fabrics mainly caters to the needs of a prestigious customer base comprising Victoria’s Secret, Tommy Hilfiger, Marks & Spencer, Nike, Next and Gap etc.
Accordingly, we found that Lawson Fashion offers the most cost effective process requiring minimum intervention in synchronising demand and production. We will be implementing this across all operating units of the Brandix Group," Head of Group Information and Communication Technologies, Brandix Lanka Limited Hiranya Gunesekera said.
"Stage one of the project is the implementation of Lawson Financials across the Apparel, Textile and Finishing subsidiaries, while stage two features the implementation of the non-financial modules across the Group," he added.
Some of the key benefits of this system are that it significantly improves the availability of real time information for management decision making, a seamless processing from receipt of customer order to delivery as well as the ability to incorporate e-business through the logistics chain.
"Despite the fact that the apparel industry is very competitive, relatively few Sri Lankan apparel exporters have invested in ERP or any other supply chain enabling technologies. Customers seek total apparel service providers. Thus, it is important to utilise IT to maximise the synergies of the Supply Chain in order to provide the optimum concept to delivery solutions," Gunesekera said.
In April 2006, Lawson Software and Intentia merged to form Lawson, a company renowned for implementing world-class collaborative solutions. With its reputation for service reliability and quality through continuous adoption of new and innovative technologies, the company develops and sells Lawson Fashion, an integrated enterprise management system for the apparel industry.
Lawson Fashion is the choice of fashion companies that value multi-company, multi-lingual, multi-division and multi-currency functionality. It handles financials, advanced planning and scheduling through e-business and supply chain management. ETP International of India was selected as the implementation partner for the ERP software due to its superior knowledge and experience in the Fashion industry.
Brandix Lanka Limited is the leading apparel exporter in Sri Lanka with an annual consolidated group turnover that exceeds USD 280mn and provides employment to 18,500 people.
