Oniverse Group (formerly the Calzedonia Group), a global fashion giant, is set to invest €30 million in Sri Lanka to manufacture bra components in partnership with its local arm, Omega Line.
The company’s Group President, Dr. Sandro Veronesi, revealed this in an interview with Daily FT yesterday.
Veronesi said the company is moving into its next phase of growth through a major investment — a new plant in Sri Lanka to produce a capsule component used in bras.
“The aim is to raise technology standards and improve safety across the board, including worker safety, fire safety, and stronger controls on potential pollution linked to materials. For long-term viability, the fundamentals matter: predictable operating conditions, stable policy and fiscal environments, and a business climate that supports multi-year investments,” he said.
Referring to the long-standing 28-year relationship with Sri Lanka’s garment industry through Omega Line, Veronesi noted that Sri Lanka plays a specialized role for the group. According to him, Omega Line is particularly strong in underwear and bras, which are among the most technically demanding products to manufacture consistently at high quality.
“Our model differs from many competitors because we integrate design, retail, and manufacturing. This requires stronger expertise and higher professionalism. Sri Lanka has supported this approach by offering the right ecosystem, skilled workforce, and supplier depth in intimate apparel. This has helped us maintain quality and product differentiation as we have expanded globally,” he explained.
He further said that increasing product complexity demands precision, specialized skills, and reliable processes — areas where Sri Lanka has strong capabilities, especially in bras and intimate apparel, where fit, structure, and material handling are critical.
“Speed-to-market and seasonality add pressure on lead times and supply chain coordination. The advantage comes when manufacturing locations can respond with consistency and flexibility. For us, Sri Lanka’s strongest fit remains technically demanding intimate wear and products where quality and workmanship are decisive,” Veronesi added.
Responding to a question about European market conditions and compliance requirements, Veronesi said regulatory expectations are increasingly shaping investment decisions across the industry, but Sri Lanka is well equipped to meet these standards.
“The priority is to maintain that level consistently and support it with reliable systems, stable operations, and strong supply chain discipline, so Sri Lanka remains competitive as regulations evolve,” he said.
Speaking about the challenges facing Sri Lanka’s garment industry, Veronesi identified logistics as a major constraint. He noted that lead times to Europe have increased significantly compared to the pre-COVID period, due to global shipping disruptions and transit constraints. Sri Lanka’s geographic position as an island adds further pressure, especially as fewer ships call at its ports than before.
He also highlighted manpower as another key challenge. While labour shortages are a global issue, workforce stability remains essential to ensure capacity, consistency, and quality over time.
Cost pressures are another concern, he said, as consumer spending on garments in developed markets is under strain, limiting brands’ ability to increase prices freely.
