On August 16, 2017, MAS Holdings celebrated its 30th anniversary. For a $1.75 billion organisation with over 88,000 employees and 50 facilities in 16 countries today, it all began at Unichela 30 years ago, with just 26 sewing machines and 60 employees.
In 1986, a milestone year, Mahesh Amalean met Martin Trust, the then President of MAST Industries (USA), and a partnership was sealed on a handshake, giving rise to Unichela. Soon, Mahesh was travelling to Columbus, Ohio, to persuade Victoria’s Secret to buy lingerie manufactured in Sri Lanka – a product that was unheard of in the South Asian region, to be made in a country with no prior experience in the field.
Surging ahead, what the young organisation lacked in technical skills and knowledge, almost non-existent in Sri Lanka at the time, it made up for with passion, tenacity and a clear understanding that it would not compromise on the welfare of its employees. This people-oriented culture is a hallmark of the organisation. The persistence and creative thinking paid off as MAS soon became renowned as a leading lingerie manufacturer in the region.
Over the last 30 years, MAS has emerged one of the foremost design-to-delivery solution providers in the world of apparel and textile manufacturing, and is globally recognised for integrating technology and apparel.
The MAS identity extends beyond offering superlative products, services and operational excellence; it is deeply rooted in developing exceptional teams and community well-being. It strives to be the employer of choice for people who wish to flourish in a creative, challenging and diverse environment. As a responsible and inclusive employer, it focuses on the professional development and the well-being of employees.
In today’s world, creativity is a collaborative endeavor and innovation a team effort. High-speed digital communications imply that partnerships must operate in real time. Gearing toward a new phase of digitalisation, MAS envisions and develops complex products with advanced technology and follows through to bulk production with unmatched quality and delivery standards.
With its global expansion adding value to the company, MAS also continues to grow within Sri Lanka with the new MAS Fabric Park in Giriulla initiated earlier this year. As a continuously evolving organisation, it is constantly looking to transform its design and manufacturing landscape both locally and internationally to cater to the dynamic interests of its customers.
MAS continues to grow and adapt, supported firmly by its customers. The positive results from three decades of work towards making a tangible difference in the lives of its employees, their communities and the environment are seen every day in the stories of its growth and achievement.
Three decades ago, the founding leaders of the organisation – Mahesh, Sharad and Ajay Amalean – won’t have imagined that MAS was destined to become the leader in the field. Visionary thinking, evolution, transformation and a people-oriented culture have been the critical factors contributing to its achievements.
Truly Global – MAS is now operational in the Americas
MAS Holdings took a significant step recently, when it sealed its commitment to become the first Sri Lankan apparel group to commence manufacturing in the US through the acquisition of the business operations of Acme McCrary Corporation in North Carolina. Its western hemisphere organisation will operate in four locations. The existing manufacturing facilities in Asheboro, North Carolina, Choloma and Honduras will be upgraded and complemented by a brand new facility in the Caracol Industrial Park in Northern Haiti. In addition, the collaboration includes a distribution centre, also in Asheboro.
The four facilities, totalling over 800,000 ft, will add immense value to MAS, complementing its Sri Lanka and wider offering to its US customers with an ‘on-shore and near-shore’ strategy.
It is noteworthy that MAS’ recent global expansion announcements come in the backdrop of a significant investment it made earlier this year in Sri Lanka, pledging over $28 million for export-oriented projects at the new MAS Fabric Park Giriulla in Sri Lanka. The 42-acre facility is expected to create opportunities for employment of 3,000 persons in three years of operations.
Commenting on the venture, the Chairman, Deshamanya Mahesh Amalean, said: As a continuously evolving organisation, we are constantly looking to transform our design and manufacturing landscape to best represent the dynamic interests of our customers. The need for a robust model that enhances the speed of response and cost competitiveness without compromising on quality, to ultimately provide winning product creations for our customers, has always been at the core of our business principles. Bringing the strength of MAS Holdings together with Acme-McCrary Corporation’s 100-year heritage will provide our customers with a unique value proposition, which we are honoured to champion, going forward.”
Since its humble beginnings in 1987, MAS Holdings has significantly expanded its operations in Sri Lanka, and employs over 70,000 associates on the island, in 40 locations. Its international expansions have added a further 15,000 associates in 14 countries, prior to these new investments.
MAS is a globally recognised concept-to-delivery solutions provider, with an ecosystem of design offices, apparel plants, an integrated supply chain, customised IT solutions for the apparel and footwear industry, and private industrial parks and retail brands.