Founded in 1987 by Mahesh, Ajay and Sharad Amalean - MAS is now one of the largest apparel manufacturers in the South Asian region. Mahesh Amalean, who is the Chairman extended his vision beyond the business of apparel, to transform the island nation’s economic and social tapestry and further, has been honored with the ‘Humanitarian Award’ at 2019 Femmy Awards for his contribution in empowering people and uplifting communities. MAS Holdings, headquartered in Sri Lanka, is an example of one company pioneering growth in this industry for 30 years. MAS has gained extensive knowledge of human anatomy & biomechanics, material sciences and industrial engineering, which has enabled it to cater to current demands in the industry.
MAS takes a proactive approach to finding innovative solutions for the ‘needs of tomorrow’. With emerging giants such as China and India multiplying in terms of population and disposable income, both global and Asian brands are aligning their growth strategies in the region, offering onshore and near-shore options to take advantage of this shift. Apparel and Textile manufacturing has been a stronghold in the Asian region for 30 years, catering to both high volume and highly technical products alike and Asia is also becoming a key region of focus for MAS in terms of capacity & market growth. Asia will continue to be the primary base for apparel manufacturing, with China, Vietnam, India and Bangladesh leading the pack on scale, while Sri Lanka is well respected for its craftmanship and technical capability in product categories such as intimate apparel and performance wear. The far Eastern region has played a vital role in dominating the fabrics and accessory sourcing space in the past 3 decades, with China and Taiwan collectively dominating the synthetic and cotton supply.
More recently, with global supply chain challenges, it has become imperative that the other Asian counterparts also improve their onshore and regional verticality footprint. Closer to home – Sri Lanka, India and Bangladesh are also working on regional supply chain strategies to support future growth. “Our strong ethos on building partnerships beyond B2B with our strategic brands and supplier partners has helped us create a winning advantage,” says Malik Ahamadeen, Director - Group Business Development & Growth at MAS. “Process excellence and Innovation is inbuilt to our DNA with ‘MAS Twinery’ being the epicenter of innovation for disruptive technologies”. MAS strives to be the innovative tech apparel partner for brands by offering agile business solutions in product, material, and technology, supported by versatile capabilities across 17 locations worldwide. Strategic partnerships globally enable MAS to provide near-shore and onshore opportunities to its customers.
Further, MAS’ commitment to the planet amplifies its position as the go to partner for innovative and sustainable manufacturing. “This is anchored through our commitment to being the industry benchmark in social and environmental compliance and inclusivity,” adds Malik. Holistic Solutions Since inception, MAS has enhanced its offering in design, development and manufacturing capability, providing diverse products across its core categories - intimate, athleisure, performance, and swimwear.
“In addition, we provide in-house knitting, dyeing, finishing and colouration solutions, lace and elastic options, as well as warehousing and distribution services globally,” says Malik. “With new emerging demands in the marketplace, we have brought together our scientists, designers and product engineers, to expand our capabilities into Femtech, maternity wear, adaptive apparel, shapewear, impact protection clothing and wearable technology”. In addition to its diverse product portfolio, MAS provides holistic design-to-delivery solutions in key markets.
MAS ACME, a holistic solutions hub in North America, partners with leading brands in the USA, offering speedto- market solutions, from in-house design and development to doorstep delivery. With consumer preference shifting towards convenience and the speed of online shopping, brands too are aligning their strategies towards digital transformation across their value chain, adapting a healthy mix of omnichannel. MAS understands this shift in consumer behavior and provides digital solutions that help customers adapt and augment their business model to embrace this change.
Through multiple technology platforms, MAS enables customers to switch from cost and resource intensive physical samples to faster and more sustainable digital product creation. MAS leverages tools such as virtual prototyping, design research, and demand forecasting using AI to cater to rapidly changing consumer markets. In line with its global expansion, MAS also offers customers capacity and verticality solutions from eight strategic locations enabling duty benefits, speed to market, and cross-border risk mitigation.
Leading with Innovation: Onward and Upward
Looking into the future, “MAS keeps a close eye on shifting market trends through our central market intelligence unit,” says Malik. “Which allows us to be ready and well equipped to offer proactive solutions to these trends.” “We know the impact of social media, which makes brand interaction more accessible and personalised. Brands too are aligning their strategies to meet consumer demands such as multi-seasonal and multifunctional clothing, affordable sustainability, and the development of niche segments such as Femtech, maternity, adaptive, and shapewear.”
MAS strives to be the innovative tech apparel partner for brands by offering agile business solutions in product, material, and technology, supported by a versatile global footprint across 17 geographical locations
MAS’ own sketch-to-scale technology company Softmatter, works with leading brands to develop solutions for a variety of health and wellness needs through wearable technology and smart textiles. A few innovations that give MAS a look into the future include technology that prints high-quality, seamless digital designs onto finished clothing or technologies that adapt to different environments, from thermal regulation in hot or cold climates to illumination for visibility in the dark. MAS has reimagined the e-sport arena, innovating ergonomic solutions to address pain-related issues and improve performance for avid gamers.
MAS is exploring technology that makes polyester biodegradable, enabling it to naturally decompose within five years instead of the 200-year stays of regular performance apparel. As brands are increasingly looking at alternative sustainable sources, ethical business practices and traceability, MAS has set out its own target-oriented sustainability strategy – the MAS Plan for Change. As part of MAS' commitment to the planet and aligning with customer priorities, MAS aspires to generate 50 percent revenue from sustainable products by 2025.
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