“Sustainability is inherent in our culture here in Sri Lanka, as we are an island with scarce resources so we do our best to conserve these”, says the top honcho of a Sri Lanka Group with interests spread across textiles, apparel, hotels, retail, finance, etc.
In a chat with fibre2fashion, Aroon Hirdaramani – Director at the Hirdaramani Group shares his opinion on sustainability at his group and the Sri Lankan textile industry, Sri Lanka as a preferred destination for apparel manufacturing, importance of training and many other issues.
On sustainability being considered as Sri Lanka's strength, he says, “I think following sustainable means of production is possible anywhere; it is just a matter of commitment from industry leaders. In Sri Lanka, Hirdaramani and companies like us took the initiative to invest and kick-start the focus on sustainability by building eco-friendly factories.
“One example is our first green factory, Mihila, which was also the first custom-built green apparel factory in the world. By taking the first step, we set the standard and led the way for other companies to follow.
“Then, the industry begins to almost regulate itself and these practices become norms. Another important point is that sustainability is inherent in our culture here in Sri Lanka, as we are an island with scarce resources so we do our best to conserve these.”
To a question on how he sees, Sri Lankan textile industry as a sourcing destination in comparison to other countries, he replies by saying, “I think Sri Lanka is well known for its use of sustainable practices when compared to other Asian countries. This concept is prevalent across a large section of its textile and apparel manufacturing.
“Consumers today are more socially conscious and are looking for companies that deliver more sustainable products and Sri Lankan manufacturers are able to help our customers meet this goal.”
Sharing his opinion on shop floor training, he informs, “Training is essential in any work place. Firstly, it is an essential part of an employer's commitment to create development opportunities for their employees.
“This is something we take very seriously at Hirdaramani and we run several programs that range from technical trainings to leadership development, all of which are geared to identify and develop individual capabilities and talents.
“By investing in training and education, we ensure that every single employee has an opportunity for advancement. Secondly, it is a key part of staying competitive, a company is only as good as the people who work in it, and as I mentioned with the rapid rate of innovation today, it is important that employees are up-to-date on the latest technology.”
