Sri Lanka’s clothing companies sought for PPE
Some of Sri Lanka’s large apparel manufacturers are likely to kick start operations next month to produce Personal Pro t e c t ive Equipment (PPE) to meet some of the global demand in the fight against COVID-19.
Due to the exponential demand for PPE the current global supply chain is unable to meet the existing demand so organisations like the UNICEF have approached the Sri Lankan embassies and the Joint Apparel Association Forum (JAAF) to find apparel manufacturers that can produce these specialized equipment for which production is likely to commence in May and June, JAAF General Secretary Tuli Cooray told the Business Times.
In this respect, eight large scale companies and about two smaller companies are involved in the manufacture of these specialized apparel, he said.
MAS, Brandix and Hidramani are some of the large scale companies looking at how to meet with the request for mass scale manufacture of face masks and in particular PPE for which necessary approvals and certifications are required as Sri Lanka was not engaged in this sector previously.
National Health Services’ through state agencies from countries like UK, Canada and France and the UNICEF are currently in discussion with Sri Lankan manufacturers in this regard, he said.
These manufacturers have already delivered orders for face masks and protective gowns which are not surgical grade products, close upon a million to local government hospitals and this is still continuing as part of their corporate social responsibility, he said.
While orders are yet to be confirmed discussions are underway with a number of multiple agencies worldwide as Sri Lanka needs to obtain the necessary testing standards and ISO certifications required in the manufacture of these PPE and in order to commence quick manufacture they need to fast-track those approvals, MAS General Manager for Strategic Planning and Business Support Sohan Patrick told the Business Times.
He noted that the National Medicines Regulatory Authority (NMRA), the Board of Investment ( BOI) and the government have been supportive in fast- tracking other processes like clearing the local restriction issued in midMarch on the export of N95 masks.
In this respect, MAS would be readying by May or June to kick start manufacturing of these PPE for the global market.
Obtaining raw materials is also another area of concern in the manufacture of these equipment as buyers are requesting that manufacturers should not restrict their sourcing from just one country, Mr. Patrick said.
Also, he pointed out that no one should jump at this for a business opportunity since one has to build on competency, testing and regulatory standards.
MAS has already established a crisis response team and partially commenced factory operations from April 20, he said adding that about 25 per cent of factory staff would be working initially.
“We are very cautious and taking extreme precaution,” he said adding that within about two months this will become the new normal that is being tested out at present.
Accessing raw material is said to be a challenge but MAS has been able to find alternate suppliers as well in a bid to “de-risk the supply chain”, Mr. Patrick said.
In the meantime, MAS is fast receiving orders from former leading brands for face masks that are likely to become a fashion accessory in the future.