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the existing units( with combined machine strength of 7,000 machines), we have established another factory with 16 blocks, with each block containing around 100 machines.
We’ re also going to set up another factory within 2-3 months in Sagorika area of Chittagong. This factory will have about 15 to 16 blocks, which will increase our production capacity by about 10-15 %.
FOB range From US $ 2 to US $ 2.5
Turnover BDT 500 crore( approximately)
Product development
We have a merchandising unit but no R & D team. We use the nominated fabrics and buyers’ designs.
Dressmen Limited
Traditionally a woven shirt manufacturer( dress shirts, casuals and formals) with combined production
Maashed R Abdullah, Director of Dressmen Limited
capacity of 8,00,000 pieces monthly and catering to names such as Ralph Lauren, TESCO, VF Corporation, MANGO, Eddie Bauer, Nautica, TARGET Stores, HAGGAR, Springfield, etc., Dressmen was established in 1984 as a partnership business with just 60 machines and 150 workers under a project loan from Pubali Bank Ltd., but has come a long-long way to own five production units today with combined workforce of 4,000, and plans to establish a couple of more units soon. Director of Dressmen Limited, Maashed R Abdullah shares his views …
Shirt business today
The business is much more difficult these days as the customers are not realising how much effort is put into manufacturing quality products. The prices have dropped significantly but the demands of the customers are increasing daily … We really need to find a middle ground where the customer and the manufacturer stand to gain.
Demand scenario
According to me, the demand is relevant to a company’ s strength and how the company markets itself. I think people are more into casual shirts these days. Shirts that are‘ different’ are in demand … Every customer is looking for something that is unique and which has never been done before.
Major buyers
H & M, TESCO, VF Corporation, CARREFOUR, Li & Fung etc.
Potential market( USA / Europe)
I think for formal shirts, US is definitely a better market as we are doing a lot of non-iron wrinklefree shirts for it. For casual shirts, Europe is a better market as we get to work with a lot of different types of washes.
Fabrics
For performance and RFD fabrics, we are importing from China; we have no choice but to import because a lot of our fabrics are polyester blended and are not available at competitive prices locally. For lower end fabrics, we are usually going to the local mills in Bangladesh.
Bangladesh’ s strength – yarn dyed or solids?
I think if one is going for yarn dyed with 100 % cotton fabric, then definitely yarn dyed would be our strength as we would be working on a much shorter lead time. However for blended fabrics in solids, I wouldn’ t rule out Bangladesh either as we are a big supplier for uniforms globally.
Well Group
Established in 1973 by founder Chairman Abdus Salam as Bangladesh Textile Industries( BTI) in a small workshop in Chittagong to produce sewing thread, Well Group in just over four decades expanded into a conglomerate with interests in sewing threads – WELL THREAD( flagship product), packaging, food, hospitality, real estate and readymade garments and employing over 20,000 people.
In readymade garments, Well Group initially started with manufacturing shirts in a very small way with just 100 machines but later shifted focus exclusively to trousers. Going forward, Well Group has now invested in a new manufacturing unit to resume producing shirts … Here CEO of the Well Group Industries Syed Nurul Islam shares his views on shirts...
Syed Nurul Islam, CEO of Well Group Industries
Shirt business today
Shirt business is good and growing in Bangladesh.
Demand scenario
Casual and sports shirts are more in demand.
Major buyers
Our target customers are UNIQLO / TOMY / GAP / GEORGE and NEXT.
Potential market( USA / Europe)
Traditionally our customers are based in USA, but now we are trying to move to Japan and EU.
16 Apparel Online Bangladesh | JULY 2017 | www. apparelresources. com