Isabella
Isabella is a privately-held Sri Lankan manufacturer of socks and tights, producing private-label goods for global fashion and retail brands through vertically integrated facilities in Sri Lanka and Ethiopia, leveraging duty-free trade access to major Western markets.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1991
- HeadquartersKatunayake, Sri Lanka
- Headcount501–1,000
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What Isabella does
Isabella (operating through the Isabella & Sarasavi Exports Group) is a privately-held Sri Lankan apparel manufacturer specializing in socks and tights under private-label arrangements for global fashion and retail brands. The group is anchored by Sarasavi Exports (Pvt) Ltd., established in 1991, with Isabella (Pvt) Ltd. formed as a wholly-owned subsidiary in 2014 and Isabella Socks Manufacturing PLC added as an Ethiopian manufacturing operation in 2016. Isabella Dyeing Pvt Ltd provides upstream yarn dyeing, covering, and processing capabilities, giving the group a vertically integrated production chain from raw yarn through finished goods. Manufacturing is conducted at facilities in Katunayake and Kandy, Sri Lanka, and Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, with sales and marketing offices in New York and Tokyo supporting direct customer engagement.
The company serves a roster of enterprise customers including Hugo Boss, Marks & Spencer, Tesco, Sainsbury, Hollister, Next, Debenhams, DIM, Lotto, Coop, Bellinda, and George, targeting European, Scandinavian, and North American brands. Revenue is generated through B2B manufacturing contracts, with pricing not publicly disclosed and quotes structured per customer requirements, minimum order quantities, and specifications. The group maintains compliance certifications (FAMA, SEDEX, OEKO-TEX, Naturaline, Amfori BSCI) and positions itself as the 2nd largest socks and tights manufacturer in South Asia and the largest in Africa, leveraging duty-free trade access through AGOA and GSP+ from Ethiopia and GSP+ from Sri Lanka.
The go-to-market model is sales-led enterprise B2B, supported by dedicated sales personnel in key garment markets to provide direct buyer connectivity and personalized service. The business model is concentrated on private-label contract manufacturing with no disclosed retail or consumer-facing brand, no public funding events, and no M&A activity beyond organic subsidiary formation. Sustainability initiatives include solar power generation at plants and water treatment, framed as buyer requirements rather than premium positioning.
Isabella firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Isabella
- Legal name
- Isabella Pvt Ltd and Sarasavi Exports Pvt Ltd
- Website
- https://isabella.lk
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1991
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 501–1,000 employees
- Short description
- Isabella is a privately-held Sri Lankan manufacturer of socks and tights, producing private-label goods for global fashion and retail brands through vertically integrated facilities in Sri Lanka and Ethiopia, leveraging duty-free trade access to major Western markets.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Isabella industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Socks and Hosiery Manufacturing
- NAICS
- Apparel Manufacturing (315), Apparel Knitting Mills (31512), Apparel Knitting Mills (3151)
- SIC
- Apparel & Other Finishd Prods Of Fabrics & Similar Matl (2300), Knitting Mills (2250)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Knitwear & Sweaters Manufacturers (CRAAAAAJ)
- akta.pro secondary industry
- Fiber & Yarn (Natural, Synthetic, Blends) (CRAAAMAA)
Keywords
Where Isabella is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Katunayake
- HQ country
- Sri Lanka
- HQ region
- Asia
Offices5 records
Markets served
Isabella business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Supply Chain, Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales
Revenue model
- Socks and Tights Manufacturing: Manufacturing of socks and tights for global brands through private label arrangements. Revenue generated from production orders for European, Scandinavian, and American brands.
- Private Label Manufacturing Services: One-stop private label custom sock solutions including sampling, private labeling, production, and shipment. Complete solution provider for socks and tights sourcing needs.
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels1 record
Marketing channels4 records
Isabella product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Isabella is a vertically integrated Sri Lankan apparel manufacturer that produces socks and tights for global fashion and retail brands. The company operates yarn dyeing, covering, and processing operations to deliver finished products under private-label arrangements. Its manufacturing footprint spans Sri Lanka and Ethiopia, supplying brands across Europe and other international markets.
Product overview
Isabella & Sarasavi Exports operates as a vertically integrated socks and tights manufacturing group, comprising four distinct entities: Sarasavi Exports (Pvt) Ltd. as the founding parent company established in 1991, Isabella (Pvt) Ltd. as its subsidiary, Isabella Socks Manufacturing PLC as the Africa manufacturing hub established in 2016, and Isabella Dyeing Pvt Ltd providing in-house yarn dyeing, covering and processing capabilities. The group offers one-stop private label custom sock solutions including sampling, private labeling, production and shipment services, positioning itself as the 2nd largest socks and tights manufacturer in South Asia.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Socks (private label) Manufactured socks produced for global fashion and retail brands under private-label arrangements; made in Sri Lanka and Ethiopia facilities.
- Tights (private label) Manufactured tights and hosiery produced for retail and fashion brands on a contract/private-label basis.
Companies that use Isabella
Customer profileNamed customers12 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles1 record
Isabella technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature3 records
Isabella partnerships and signals
Strategic signalScale indicators5 records
Recent moves7 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Isabella competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- MAS Holdings: Sri Lanka-based vertically integrated apparel manufacturer producing knit and intimates apparel for global brands. Directly comparable as a regional, large-scale private-label manufacturer serving the same enterprise customer base as Isabella.
- Hirdaramani Group: Sri Lankan apparel conglomerate with manufacturing across knitting, woven, and intimate apparel categories. Comparable as a South Asian private-label apparel exporter with multi-country footprint and similar B2B brand customer profile.
- Hela Apparel Holdings: Sri Lanka-based vertically integrated apparel manufacturer serving global fashion and intimate apparel brands. Directly comparable in manufacturing model, geographic base, and B2B customer mix.
- Golden Lady Company: Italian global hosiery manufacturer producing socks, tights, and legwear for private-label and own-brand distribution. Directly comparable product category (hosiery/socks/tights) and B2B brand customer profile.
- CSP International: Italian hosiery and legwear manufacturer producing socks, tights, and shapewear under own brands and private label for global retailers. Comparable product mix in socks/tights and B2B/retail distribution model.
- Levante: Italian hosiery manufacturer specializing in socks, tights, and leggings for European private-label and branded customers. Comparable product category and customer base in European legwear sourcing.
Broad incumbents
- Brandix: One of Sri Lanka's largest apparel manufacturers with operations across knit, woven, and finishing categories. Comparable as a regional incumbent in private-label apparel manufacturing with similar export orientation.
- Hanesbrands: US-headquartered global apparel giant with a significant socks and activewear manufacturing footprint serving mass-market retailers. Comparable as a large incumbent in socks manufacturing with B2B retail distribution.
- Kayser-Roth Corporation: US hosiery manufacturer (parent of Hue, No Nonsense, Underalls) producing socks and tights for mass-market retail. Comparable as a large-scale socks and tights manufacturer serving similar US/EU retail customers.
Emerging players
- Foshan Textiles / Foshan Socks Manufacturing Cluster: Large cluster of Chinese socks and hosiery manufacturers offering competitive pricing at scale for global private-label buyers. Comparable as a socks/tights manufacturing peer competing on cost, lead time, and capacity.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks7 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Isabella social profiles
Digital presenceIsabella compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance5 records
Isabella financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Isabella leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Isabella subsidiaries and ownership
Company hierarchySubsidiaries3 records
Isabella funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Isabella M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Isabella
What does Isabella do?
Isabella is a vertically integrated Sri Lankan apparel manufacturer that produces socks and tights for global fashion and retail brands. The company operates yarn dyeing, covering, and processing operations to deliver finished products under private-label arrangements. Its manufacturing footprint spans Sri Lanka and Ethiopia, supplying brands across Europe and other international markets.
Is Isabella a public or private company?
Isabella is a private company. It is classified as unknown and is currently operating.
When was Isabella founded?
Isabella was founded in 1991. It employs 501 to 1,000 people.
Where is Isabella based?
Isabella is headquartered in Katunayake, Sri Lanka, in the Asia region.
How does Isabella make money?
Two revenue lines are on record. Socks and Tights Manufacturing is the primary driver. The others are private Label Manufacturing Services.
Who are Isabella's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are MAS Holdings, Hirdaramani Group, Hela Apparel Holdings, Golden Lady Company, CSP International and Levante. Broad incumbents are Brandix, Hanesbrands and Kayser-Roth Corporation. Foshan Textiles / Foshan Socks Manufacturing Cluster is listed as an emerging player.
Does Isabella have an API?
No public API is recorded for Isabella.
What industry is Isabella in?
Isabella's product category is Socks and Hosiery Manufacturing. Its primary akta.pro industry code is CRAAAAAJ, Knitwear & Sweaters Manufacturers, with a secondary code of CRAAAMAA, Fiber & Yarn (Natural, Synthetic, Blends). Its NAICS code is 315 and its SIC code is 2300.