PDS Limited, the global fashion infrastructure company, will install a state-of-the-art wash plant in Progress Apparels Bangladesh Ltd., one of PDS’s manufacturing subsidiaries in Bangladesh. This plant, with the capacity to wash six million garments per annum, has been installed in partnership and funding from the Netherlands-based Good Fashion Fund, which is subject to required regulatory approval.
With this facility, Progress Apparels can now manage 90 percent of the current wash requirement in-house, translating into savings in transportation costs and production turnaround time resulting in operating efficiencies.
The Good Fashion Fund is a one-of-its-kind impact investment fund initiated by Laudes Foundation, aimed to drive systemic change in the textile and apparel industry, by financing the implementation of state-of-the art and disruptive technologies and innovations delivering good fashion practices.
Progress Apparels, a LEED Gold-certified green manufacturing facility, is based in Adamjee EPZ with an area of 270,000 sq. ft. of production units and manufactures approximately 0.9 million bottoms (formal and casual), schoolwear, shorts and skirts per month.
The facility caters to some of the leading retail brands across the globe.
Inaugurating the plant, Pallak Seth, Vice Chairman, PDS Limited said, “With over 20 years of experience in the apparel value chain, PDS has emerged as a preferred partner to over 200 of the leading retail brands across the world. As a conscientious corporate group and a partner to retailers, we are committed to fulfilling our responsibility towards our customers and the environment. Our partnership with the Good Fashion Fund is another example of PDS aiming to work with leading organisations that are focused on all that is good for the environment and good for the world.”
Added Sanjay Jain, Global CEO, PDS Limited, “Our manufacturing business has developed operational excellence and turned profitable over the last year, contributing towards the bottom line of PDS. With this investment in the wash plant, we have not only equipped Progress Apparels to further amplify their capabilities in apparel manufacturing but also benefit from Good Fashion Fund’s expertise in sustainable practices and implementation of best-in-class technologies.”