Apparel Online Bangladesh Magazine November Issue 2018 | Page 16

LEAD STORY APPAREL RESOURCES NEWSLETTERS FACEBOOK FRIENDS To subscribe, send us an email at [email protected] Join more than 10,000 people who are already fans of Apparel Resources on facebook. Search for Apparel Resources at https://www.facebook.com/apparelresources/ the type of investment we have done in remediation, which is now coupled with increased wages, production cost and raw materials, there’s no way we can remain cheap. Unfortunately the buyers are yet to recognise this challenge. Their focus is on increasing efficiencies in line with that of China, Sri Lanka, etc. They are partially correct in the sense that we need to increase efficiencies to cut cost while on the other hand, it is also true that buyers are not paying us what we deserve,” underlines the MD of Rising Group, adding, “I am not saying that buyers would have to solely bear the increased cost but it has to be a shared responsibility of all the stakeholders, Government included.” If garment manufacturers are moving up the value chain to offer critical and fashionable product categories that would help the country shun its image of being a basic and volume producer, Mahmud earnestly requests the Government to help build that elusive image for the sector while also supporting the entrepreneurs with improved infrastructure. “I don’t want any financial aid from the Government; if it can improve the infrastructure (road connectivity and port facilities), we would be able to substantially cut the shipment time. These days, all brands/retailers consider the lead time while coming up with the offer prices,” articulates Mahmud. It is really unfortunate that the country has not been able to showcase the commitment and resilience upheld by its entrepreneurs to ensure a complete turnaround of the garment sector, to brand itself in the right perspective. Rising Group consisting of Rising Fashions Limited, Rising Apparel Limited, Arunima Apparels Limited and Sabarang Fashions Limited, manufactures around 2,50,000 dozens (approx.) and 75,000 dozens (approx.) of knit and woven products for names like Bershka, Inditex, Kmart, Target, Walmart, Aeropostale, etc. Incepted in 1992 to grow and develop into an entity with 6 companies – Ananta Garments Ltd., Ananta Sportswear Ltd., Ananta Jeanswear Ltd., ABM Fashions Ltd., Paradise Washing Plant Ltd., Ananta Leather Collections Ltd., and Ananta Overseas (Bimpex Limited Inc.) – Texas, USA, which employs over 16,500 workers in its facilities with combined production floor space of 9,00,000 square feet, 5,000 sewing machines and a production capacity of 2.5 million pieces of apparel items per month, Ananta very well understands the importance of graduating into manufacturing value-added items, so as to change not only the image of the company but also contribute in branding Bangladesh as a destination capable of making basic and fashionable items alike! 16 Apparel Online Bangladesh | November 2018 | www.apparelresources.com “We have upgraded our manufacturing units both in terms of remediation, technology and manufacturing practices as per the buyers’ requirements but when it comes to pricing, it is still the same old story; we aren’t getting the just prices…,” complains Inamul Haq Khan (Bablu), Managing Director, Ananta Companies & Director BGMEA, who counts names such as GAP, George, H&M, Joe Fresh, Walmart, next, LC Waikiki, Mango, Cia.Hering, etc, amongst its clientele. It caters to all of these brands in various product categories but mostly in woven bottoms along with shirts, jackets, kidswear and dresses from its four cut-to-pack production units and two fully-compliant washing plants. A couple of years back, Ananta added another 21-line factory in Konabari, Gazipur area for denim and non-denim products with a production capacity of 4,50,000 pieces per month. Given the faltering price margins in basic products and more so when buyers are reluctant to give Bangladesh the orders of fashion items – which are still routed to countries like China and Vietnam – Ananta has added a fully equipped design studio in Dhaka to not only come up with its own design collection but also to change the country’s image. The design studio receives well- deserved support from its Texas based overseas office in terms of feeding it with new trends, colours and developments in global context to help Ananta assimilate the same in its own collection. “The design studio is partially because of the buyers, who to cut cost at their end, are now passing the onus of PD and design developments to the suppliers,” adds Inamul, while underlining that efforts like that of Ananta might as well help the country in image makeover and brand it as a matured manufacturing destination.