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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