Manufacturing facility of MAS bags 'Leed Gold' certificate

03 Jul '10

3 min read

“Linea-AITC”, MAS Active's Strategic Business Unit established in September 2009, that exclusively manufactures Sportswear for Nike Inc, was recently awarded LEED® GOLD certification for New Construction, by the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC).

Linea AITC was launched to support the Nike Apparel Innovation and Training Centre (AITC) which provides training and education to create industry leadership in lean manufacturing.

Nike, the world's leading designer, marketer and distributor of authentic athletic footwear, apparel, equipment and accessories, partnered with MAS Active to set up the Nike AITC within the MAS Fabric Park in Thulhiriya.

Linea-AITC also functions as a 'laboratory' for students of the AITC, providing them an opportunity to try out their own lean process innovations. In less than a year, Nike AITC has already trained Professionals from 18 Countries across the World.

Linea AITC's LEED® Certification is the second such accolade MAS received from the USGBC, the first being the LEED® Platinum certification awarded to MAS Intimates Thurulie.

“It is indeed heartening to be acknowledged for our efforts to making our business more sustainable”, stated Deshamanya Mahesh Amalean, Chairman, MAS Holdings. “This is one more step of our sustainability journey. And this acknowledgement from the US Green Building Council strengthens our commitment and strategy.”

The LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) green building certification program encourages and accelerates global adoption of sustainable green building and development practices through rating systems that recognize projects that implement strategies for better environmental and health performance.

LEED for New Construction and Major Renovations is designed to guide and distinguish new high-performance commercial and institutional projects.

MAS Active Linea AITC qualified with 70 credit points and 7 prerequisites to be awarded the LEED Gold certification. This is the first building in Sri Lanka, and the first apparel factory in the world to be certified under the newest version of LEED - Version 3, which was launched in 2009.

Some of the 'green features' of the facility include 85% water saving using efficient fixtures and rainwater harvesting, using skylights and LED task-lights for factory illumination, providing daylight and views for all regularly occupied places and reusing existing buildings. The plant demonstrates the emphasis both MAS and Nike place on environmental sustainability.

Shirendra Lawrence, Managing Director, MAS Active, added “MAS Active and Nike have shared sustainability values as two corporate entities, and this is why we came together to launch Linea AITC, to further strengthen our commitment towards sustainability as partners. This partnership has been further strengthened with Linea AITC being awarded the LEED® GOLD certification.”

MAS Active is the fastest growing provider of competition sportswear and fashion leisurewear in the region, and is a division of MAS Holdings, South Asia's largest intimate, sports and swimwear manufacturer with a USD 700 million annual turnover.

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