MAS Holdings plans two manufacturing facilities in Kilinochchi

MAS Holdings will present its 25-year tradition of "great working places" to the North of the country, as two major divisions formalise plans to build manufacturing facilities, MAS Intimates Vidiyal and MAS Active Vaanavil, in Kilinochchi.

Vidiyal means dawn Vaanavil means rainbows symbolising MAS Holdings thinking behind this venture. Like the rainbow which is a collaboration of colours, MAS' passion is to unite communities and work together in the area to herald a new phase in the development of the region.

MP Namal Rajapaksa,Director, MAS Holdings, Ajay Amalean and other officials

At maturity, Vaanavil and Vidiyal together hope to provide employment for approximately 2000 direct employees and contribute to the livelihoods of their families.

MAS offers a solid employee value proposition honed through two and a half decades; the opportunity for professional as well as personal development. Many indirect employment opportunities will also open during the construction phase; the project and peripheral activity will provide employment opportunity for other segments of the labour force.

MAS Active embarked on this project on May 4, 2012, as they laid the foundation for commencement of construction of MAS Active Vaanavil scheduled for completion by the end of 2012. The investment will develop a 14-acre site in Ariviyal Nagar, which is 6 km South of Kilinochchi town.

The construction of the facility is co-funded by USAID, the development arm of the U.S. Government.

USAID addresses development priorities in the region by implementing recovery projects, creating livelihood opportunities, building capacity of local residents, and strengthening local governments and civic organisations. The project is supported by USAID, as part of its Public-Private Alliances program. Collaborations such as this are helping recently-resettled population in recovering regions resume their livelihoods.

MAS Active inaugurated a temporary training and manufacturing facility in Thiru Nagar Kilinochchi concurrently. The training centre will provide employment for one hundred new recruits and training on various capabilities required for complex apparel products; whilst integrating the inductees to the MAS culture.

These pioneering employees will eventually become team leaders and multi-skilled workers. The facility will be supported by experienced staff from MAS's facilities with the focus on recruiting and developing local talent. At the opening ceremony, USAID, Sri Lanka Mission Director, Jim Bednar said,

"Today with the opening of this training centre and laying the foundation for a new apparel factory, we have contributed to poverty reduction, assisted government efforts in promoting reconciliation among different ethnic groups and contributed towards sustainable economic growth in the region."

MAS Active Vaanavil will not only incorporate green building elements in the construction, but also best practices in ethical and sustainable manufacturing which have aligned global brands such as Nike to establish long term partnerships with MAS Holdings. The operating model will be based on lean manufacturing internalised and innovated for MAS plants which have contributed to MAS Holdings' core stability during the economic downturn and speed capability to evolving customer demands over the last three years.

Vaanavil will primarily service performance sportswear under the leading international brand Nike. This venture will further strengthen both organisations' mutual alignment to "celebrating the endless possibilities of human potential".

At maturity the plant will provide employment for 1000 direct employment (over 90percent from the Northern Province). The plant

will be on a single shift pattern and looks forward to attracting team members from the region.

Director, MAS Holdings, Ajay Amalean said, "We are excited about the potential in Kilinochchi and the great opportunity this affords us to progress together by providing more than just job opportunities, but working towards the prosperity of the community.

The plant name 'Vaanavil' epitomises MAS Holdings objectives in taking our inspired tradition to the North. Vaanavil represents a collaboration of colours like rainbows and we hope that this project will unite communities to build a better future for the region and nation."