Bernard’s celebrates sixtieth anniversary
The Bernard’s Group, which began operations in 1948 as a pioneering
apparel manufacturing company celebrates its sixtieth anniversary this
month.
With the country just emerging from her newly found independence,
Bernard A. Botejue’s contribution to ingrain that independence into
furthering industrialisation was held in good stead with the launch of a
hosiery manufacturing business.
Sixty years later, the legacy of the founder remains firmly
entrenched in the ethos of the business, but the core organisation
itself has transformed into a diversified group built on innovation,
best practices and new thinking to compete effectively in global
markets. While apparel continues as a core business, Bernard’s is today
in tea, real estate and overseas trade.
“Our first exports were to Eurextil in Europe and Sunbow Textiles in
the USA, a feat that saw us win a merit award from the EDB in the
1970s,” said Managing Director Janaka Botejue. “But with the open
economy signalling wider broader markets, we were granted BOI status as
a 100% export oriented factory.”
Expanding quickly, Bernard’s set up two factories in Kolonna and
Hambantota, transformed its group structure by making Bernard Philknit
(Ceylon) and Texfabric Exports headed by Ravi Botejue separate entities
catering exclusively to the local market, saw a change in chairmanship
to Hema Botejue with the demise of the founder, established the core
management team and added Sentrino, a fully automated embroidery plant
in Embilipitiya.
“All this was designed to ensure that Bernard’s continues the thrust
and focus in our business fundamentals,” said Botejue.
“While we learnt from our founder, what we did was take those lessons
and use them productively and effectively to keep journeying ahead in an
increasingly competitive global marketplace.”
Today, Bernard’s customer portfolio encompasses GAP, Reebok, Macy’s,
Kohls and M&S as well as Academy USA.
The Hambantota facility primarily manufacturing children’s wear has
Sainsbury’s, Boots and Adams among its customers.
The consistent quality and on time delivery, which are the primary
trusses in Bernard’s customer service positives, saw the company
presented with the Sainsbury Award in 2006 for the manufacture of TU
Children’s Wear.
In 2004, Bernard’s also took the management of Aigburth Tea Estate,
which today sees Aigburth, a branded niche market tea being marketed
among tea connoisseurs in the USA and UK.
The Group has also added real estate development into its portfolio
and ventured overseas, opening its first overseas office Mount Sunshine
in Los Angeles in addition to a trading partnership with Grand Trade,
Hong Kong.
“Our basis for sustained success is to nurture long term
relationships, with our customers and suppliers and our team,” said
Botejue. |