Financial Times

Emerald wins US special shirts order over China, South America
Emerald, said to be the largest men's shirt manufacturer for the domestic market in Sri Lanka, has won a top order over manufacturers in China or South American, to supply shirts for special occasions to the US market.
The company said it has entered into a production agreement with Fillberg Ltd., the exclusive Buying Agent for David's Bridal and AfterHours, to manufacture a 'Special Occasions' men's shirts for the American market.
Emerald Managing Director A.F .M. Ikram said his company was selected primarily because of Emerald's vast experience in the field of shirt making and since it was committed to provide Fillberg Ltd with the dedication and attention to this high quality garment.

Fillberg is servicing AfterHours with the complete range of Buying Office services on an exclusive basis. Their customer, AfterHours, specialises in formal wear for weddings, Prom, College Formals and Black Tie Affairs. The collection includes shirts which are worn for these special occasions under the tuxedo.

Since AfterHours, is in the business of renting the attire for weddings including the shirts, the shirts must withstand up to 50 industrial washes. Most shirts are in white or ivory and it has to be made in a spotlessly clean environment. These special requirements call for special techniques in fusing the lining at correct pressure and temperature, proper attaching of the button to prevent them coming off, quality buttons to ensure no breakages and proper thread and sewing techniques to ensure minimum creasing and puckering.

Ikram said Fillberg has already entered into a production agreement with Carlton Garments Ltd., a wholly owned subsidiary of Maxtel Ltd., for the exclusive production of Bridal Gowns and Flower Girls Dresses for David's Bridal since year 2000.

This pioneering project was the vision of Fillberg that saw the importance of Sri Lanka in the manufacturing of garments for special occasions. This agreement with Emerald is in continuation to the commitment Fillberg has shown to the country, he said.

According to Rami Wiersch, local representative of Fillberg Ltd – the local buying agent for AfterHours, the buyer is so discerning that only a manufacturer who is very experienced and focussed in shirt making can satisfy their very stringent requirements.

The AfterHours label is owned by David's Bridal Company and David's Bridal is the largest and most successful bridal retailer in the USA. The Group, based in Philadelphia, includes 245 David's Bridal Stores, 454 After Hours Formalwear Stores and 11 Priscilla of Boston Stores in 47 states and in Puerto Rico.
AfterHours shirts are mostly worn by grooms, best man, people attending wedding parties and other important occasions.

When a product is to be worn by people on their most important day in their life, it is natural for one to be so strict with quality, Wiersch said.
“Emerald is large enough to accommodate our quantities of five to seven thousand dozens per month and their infrastructure is just right to give our products the attention it requires,” he added.

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