Apparel Online Bangladesh Magazine April Issue 2019 | Page 45

SUSTAINABLE BD Brandix Group secures highest LEED Platinum ranking in Sri Lanka Brandix, the leading apparel manufacturer in Sri Lanka, has marked a notable milestone in its journey towards sustainability by securing the highest LEED Platinum rating in Sri Lanka for its manufacturing facility in Batticaloa under the ‘Industrial Manufacturing’ category. Also, the rating ranks the Batticaloa facility as the second highest LEED Platinum rated manufacturing facility in the world. Sri Lanka and provides a livelihood to over 5,000 people from communities in and around Batticaloa. Commenting on the accomplishment, Iresha Somarathna, Head of Engineering of Brandix Apparel Limited, stated that, “Achieving the highest LEED Platinum rating in Sri Lanka for our Batticaloa facility reflects our undeterred efforts to become a truly sustainable apparel manufacturer wherever we conduct our operations.” “We are proud to note that we have generated 8.5MW of renewable energy so far from our envisioned goal of 20MW. We continue with great focus towards securing the No. 1 sustainability ranking for our facilities, as well as achieving the first net zero facility in the world, in line with our mission to be the most sustainable apparel manufacturer in South Asia,” underlined Iresha. The company’s journey to achieve sustainability across its operations is the highest priority on its corporate agenda, making Brandix a forerunner in the industry. LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design), a globally recognised symbol of sustainability achievement issued by the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC), provides organisations a framework to create healthy, highly efficient and cost-saving green buildings. In addition to this, in 2008, the apparel manufacturing giant inaugurated the Brandix Green Plant in Seeduwa, the world’s first LEED Platinum rated manufacturing facility and a breakthrough event for Sri Lanka. Brandix Batticaloa factory is the largest apparel manufacturing facility within its network in VF Corporation recognised as one of the world's most ethical companies for third successive year VF Corporation, the world leader in lifestyle apparel, footwear and accessories, has for the third successive year received the honour of being one of the most ethical companies in the world. The recognition was conferred to the company by the Ethisphere Institute – a global leader that brings together leading companies across the world to define and promote best practices for ethics and compliance. Expressing delight over the feat, Steve Rendle, Chairman, President and CEO, VF Corporation, said, “We are proud to once again be recognised as one of the world’s most ethical companies.” He further added that the recognition is yet again a testament to the commitment of VF Corporation across its global enterprise to work with integrity and lead by example. What makes the recognition noteworthy is that VF Corporation is one of the only two apparel companies to be honoured among the 128 honorees from 21 countries and 50 industries. “Companies like VF that take the long view with a purpose- based strategy are proven to not only outperform, but also last,” substantiated Timothy Erblich, CEO, Ethisphere. www.apparelresources.com | APRIL 2019 | Apparel Online Bangladesh 45