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Azmat Group
A MANUFACTURER ’ S STRIDE TOWARDS EXCELLENCE DESPITE STRUGGLES AND CHALLENGES
Azmat Group , a leading manufacturer of garments , with an annual turnover of US $ 75 million , today has a production capacity of 1.8 million pieces ( per month ) across all its 6 units . Specializing in woven garments , their products majorly pertain to kids – from new-born babies to teenagers . In an exclusive interaction with team Apparel Online , Dr . Mohd . Athar Uddin , Chairman of Azmat Group , comprising companies Azmat Fashion Ltd ., Azmat Apparel Ltd ., Z-3 Dresses Ltd ., Fareast Dresses Ltd ., Zee-3 Washing Plant Ltd . etc ., spoke about the expansion plans of his company , challenges faced due to attrition and also the relevance of compliance in today ’ s business scenario .
Since its inception in 1985 , Azmat Group has been largely known for its kidswear ; however the company has also been manufacturing products pertaining to menswear and ladieswear especially for some of their European buyers and this is now helping them spread their base in Europe . “ Although USA is our major market , we are doing well in Europe too , particularly Russia , and some other European countries where the products mainly pertain to menswear and ladieswear . We are on the verge of expanding our business ,” maintained Dr . Athar Uddin .
Some of the leading clients Azmat Group works for are Carter ’ s Inc ., Old Navy , Children ’ s Place Inc ., etc . What has made them leave an indelible mark in the area of kidswear is also the extra care and measures that they take to ensure safety while manufacturing kid ’ s products . “ We carefully check buttons and ensure they do not hurt kids . Needle detector machines are used so that pieces of needle do not remain in the garments . We are also careful with the quality of fabric so that there are no hazardous reactions on kids , and therefore , we import the fabric from China ,” said Dr . Athar Uddin .
The company is now in talks with a Sri Lankanbased firm ( Spectrum ) which will convert their newly acquired building into green building . “ Spectrum will also help in the arrangement of rooms and also machine layout , thereby enhancing the production capacity . Besides , they will ask the buyers to evaluate the building and will also initially get orders for us ,” averred Dr . Athar Uddin confidently . The new factory will have 40 lines with each line having 50 workstations . The company is now expecting
Dr . Mohd . Athar Uddin – Chairman , Azmat Group
to double its capacity . Moreover , the company has already brought many automated machines under the able leadership of Azmat Rahman , son of Dr . Athar Uddin . “ My son has brought new machines , from Brother and Juki , which is helping us to understand and analyse the production capacity and the target capacity better ,” underlined Dr . Athar Uddin .
Attrition , however , still remains one of the major challenges of every manufacturer , and Azmat is no exception . Most of the workers in the factory are girls and the probability of their leaving the job increases once they are married . Also , the girls learn the process during on-the-job training and then prefer to join other factories as operators once they have learnt the job . To counter these challenges , Azmat Group ensures that the girls get good remuneration according to their skill and productivity and promotes them as operators so that there is retention of talent . “ Although attrition rate is only 10 per cent , yet we cannot afford to lose good resources ,” stated Dr . Athar Uddin . Compliance is another main challenge . Ever since the collapse of Rana Plaza factory in 2013 , all the buildings are checked to see whether they concur with the “ The Accord ” and “ The Alliance ”. In addition , there is no financial aid from the Government for small factories that are not compliant . Banks too do not give loans as these small factories do not have the capacity to pay back . Due to non-compliance , buyers refrain from giving them orders and virtually these factories are left with no work . In the long run , only large factories that are compliant will survive and excel , which is good for the industry . “ It is a blessing for our industry . We have two washing plants that are rated platinum and green . These are the only washing plants in the world to have been rated platinum and green . Whoever survives will be able to do the business properly ,” said Dr . Athar Uddin .
Azmat Group , which has entered the industry of banking and television as well , believes that garment industry will never die in Bangladesh . “ People normally say that garment industry can survive for only 10 to 20 years everywhere in world but it ’ s not so in Bangladesh because we have no other industry here and every industry , be it hotel or insurance , is connected to garment industry ,” added Dr . Athar Uddin .
He concluded with the belief that “ although China is our main competitor , they are not a threat . India could be a potential threat but we have an edge as we are a small country and it will be easy for buyers to commute here rather than in India .”
24 Apparel Online Bangladesh | MAY 2017 | www . apparelresources . com