The global apparel industry is shifting as consumers increasingly prioritize sustainability and eco-conscious products. MAS is capitalizing on this change by focusing on sustainable innovation and partnerships with brands that share this vision. By expanding its product offerings, including inclusive apparel through Femography and Lable, MAS is adapting to evolving consumer needs, Shakthi Ranatunga, Chief Operating Officer of MAS Holdings explains in this interview.
Additionally, the company is investing in flexible manufacturing, automation, and digitalization to improve efficiency and personalization. As the industry moves forward, MAS is integrating sustainability into its operations, addressing consumer demands, and navigating challenges related to supply chain management and logistics.
How is the global clothing industry changing, and how is MAS unlocking growth opportunities?
Today the spotlight has shifted from major brands dictating fashion trends to consumers whose needs and priorities shape the market landscape. This consumer-driven approach is clear in the industry’s move towards sustainability, with MAS being a proactive player. By innovating in sustainable product lines and collaborating with eco-conscious brands with a sustainable business mindset, we are transforming eco-friendly practices into growth opportunities.
Moreover, capitalizing on the growing demand for functional and inclusive apparel in the health and athleisure segments, we are at the forefront of this shift by offering clothing catering to unique consumer needs, through brands like Femography, addressing feminine health needs, Lable, catering to adaptive clothing for persons with disabilities and MVTM offering high-performance, athleisure wear in keeping with wear everywhere trends.
This consumer-centric focus extends further with a growing demand for personalization and shorter lead times. We are investing in flexible manufacturing and customization through projects such as FLEX which enhance personalization options.
How is MAS addressing sourcing challenges and logistics disruptions to build resilient supplier relationships and ensure vertical integration?
MAS follows several strategies to enhance supply chain resilience and mitigate disruption. On the one hand, we are strengthening local and regional supply chains to reduce the risks associated with global volatility. Parallelly, supplier base diversification across multiple regions ensures flexibility when facing localized disruptions. In both cases, we maintain close collaboration and transparency with logistic partners. Partners such as Hellman help us pursue multi-modal transportation and multi-regional coordination. This approach not only reduces dependency but also fortifies our logistical network.
Vertical integration, which enables efficiency, and control over lead times and product quality, is a priority. We are ramping up on managing every step from fabric manufacturing to the finished product.
Beyond this, we are digitalizing supply chains by leveraging big data and exploring AI applications to enhance our ability to forecast and foresee potential disruptions and enable real-time adjustments to sourcing strategies. This creates a more agile and responsive supply chain.
How is MAS integrating automation and digital tools to enhance manufacturing capabilities, workforce efficiencies, and competitiveness?
Manufacturing forms the core of our work where automation and digital tools can offer us the most value. We are moving into smart manufacturing, investing in Industry 4.0 technologies, integrated robotics and IoT to boost efficiency and reduce operational costs. Implementing autonomation in repetitive tasks helps humans focus on high-value activities, leading to an optimized workforce structure.
Additionally, data-driven decision-making is a game-changer, with real-time data across operations improving forecasting, planning, and quality control.
This leads us to the vital task of workforce upskilling, investing in equipping them with the training and tools to leverage technology. This optimized balance between automation and human skill is crucial in today’s manufacturing landscape.
What measures is MAS taking to advance sustainability, particularly in traceability and responsible sourcing?
Traceability has become a pivotal conversation in the apparel industry. There is increased pressure on brands and their supply chain partners as stakeholders demand more visibility into where their clothes are sourced from and made.
The ethical journey of products is highly reliant on a strong network of supply chain partners. MAS is expanding partnerships with suppliers of recycled and organic materials, working towards a circular economy with sustainability players such as HeiQ AeoniQ and Ambercycle. Certifications and global compliance standards such as GOTS (Global Organic Textile Standard) and OEKO-TEX also help customers identify MAS’ standing for responsible sourcing and production.
We are also pursuing enhanced traceability by trialling technology, which provides customers with the ability to trace garments back to their raw material sources.
How is MAS balancing innovation with sustainability to meet consumer demands and regulatory expectations in a rapidly evolving market?
Sustainability is embedded into our overall innovation agenda, ensuring that new products or processes always consider environmental and social impacts alongside performance and cost. We invest in R&D to develop sustainable products that meet performance and design expectations. This includes eco-friendly dyes, waterless finishing processes, and innovations in material science such as biodegradable fibres, and recyclable garment designs.
The company also focuses on balancing cost with sustainability by enhancing production efficiency. This approach helps brands cater to consumer price sensitivity without compromising on sustainability. MAS also proactively monitors global regulatory trends on sustainability and ensures that its innovations align with or exceed these requirements, giving it an edge in highly regulated markets.
Satisfying today’s consumer demands and enabling our customer partners to win meaningfully in the markets they serve is our endeavour, we strive to achieve this through sustainable business practices.