Sri Lanka apparel maker deepens lingerie focus

Mar 22, 2011 (LBO) - Sri Lanka's Brandix, a top apparel exporter, is expanding its lingerie business by launching a separate division, after getting full control of two joint venture factories and buying a third facility, the group said. The lingerie business now employs 2,600 people and there were plans to increase workers by 20 percent in the second half of the year, and is considering acquiring more capacity the statement quoted Brandix Lingerie chief executive Rajiv Malalasekera as saying.

Brandix Lingerie works with FSV a UK-based design firm to supply lingerie for Marks & Spencer, one of its principal customers, and has invested in new machinery to make specialty lingerie.

The group has also invested in a joint venture at Brandix India Apparel City (BIAC) in Andhra Pradesh to make bras.

Brandix said it had gained full control of Comfortwear (Pvt) Ltd, buying out joint venture partner Lanka Equities, which had two factories. The firm did not reveal the price.

The factories are in an export processing zone in Wathupitiwala in Nittambuwa, which the group has been managing from 2008.

It had bought another facility in the same zone in October 2010 to match the volumes needed by buyers.

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