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TÜV Rheinland geared up for bigger market share in the Bangladesh garment industry
The Testing , Inspection and Certification ( TIC ) industry in Bangladesh is becoming competitive by the day , since the soft goods business , mostly in apparel and footwear , is a huge and continuously growing opportunity market for players of the TIC fraternity . Of late , many new global players have entered the market , while the existing ones are gearing up with more services and better facilities . In this scenario , it is critical to differentiate and partner with customers to stay as the preferred choice of service provider for all TIC activities . TÜV Rheinland , a leading provider of technical services and a German giant in this segment , has recently added more space , equipment and services , with a new leader at the helm . Apparel Online catches up with Mohammad Syful Islam Khan , the young and dynamic Managing Director of TÜV Rheinland Bangladesh , on the challenges ahead and the direction this company will take in the coming years .
“ A responsive and accommodative approach towards customers has been a major differentiator for our business and has increased our penetration in the garment industry .”
– Mohammad Syful Islam Khan
Mohammad Syful Islam Khan ( L ), Managing Director with Monjurul Hoque , Marketing and Sales of TÜV Rheinland Bangladesh Pvt . Ltd .
The first aspect that stands out during the interaction with Syful is the passion and commitment he has for both the Bangladesh garment industry and the organisation . “ The apparel industry is the biggest industry in the country and it is because of this sector that Bangladesh , today , is on the global map . Bangladesh offers competitive advantages in apparel manufacturing , second only to China . According to reports by global research agency , McKinsey , Bangladesh may surpass China by 2023 in apparel manufacturing ,” asserts Syful . This growing industry has not only supported the country with foreign revenue that contributes to a strong economy , but has also created huge employment opportunities for workers and professionals alike .
After successful stints at other global MNCs , Syful joined TÜV Rheinland Bangladesh in 2012 , a year after the company began operations in the country . At that time , the company consisted of just 30 people in Dhaka . Much has changed since then . Now the company has over 270 employees in Bangladesh , its own accredited lab and qualified product inspection teams , all managed by local talent at the top . This is a remarkable journey within a span of just seven years and that too at a time when the TIC industry is under pressure to deliver as per norms set on high standards and in light of the Rana Plaza tragedy .
What makes TÜV Rheinland a success story in Bangladesh ? “ Besides our impeccable records in testing and our commitment to safety and quality , we support our customers as per our company norms and follow those guidelines to make them successful . The question we ask our customers all the time is - ‘ How can we support you ?’ This collective attitude to customer service has helped us develop a loyal clientele that knows we are with them , always ,” says Syful . He recalls an instance when a lab was opened for extra hours for an urgent testing requirement . “ Such a responsive and accommodative approach towards customers has been a major differentiator for our business and has increased our penetration in the garment industry ”, states Syful .
As partners in change , TÜV Rheinland has always supported the industry in its transformation , spearheaded by the Alliance and Accord . The company has provided services in the areas of Factory Audits , Technical Audits , Social Audits ( BSCI , SEDEX ), Environmental Management ( ISO 14001 ), Quality Management ( ISO 9001 ), WRAP and Electrical & Health Safety Assessment , besides Management Systems Audits and IMS ( QMS , EMS & OHSAS ). “ Initially , offering such a wide range of services gave an edge to a TIC player , but now buyers have started giving projects to multiple providers , resulting in smaller ticket sizes . Now , the real winner is the service provider that stays closer to clients and is more proactive with them , both on the buying and manufacturing sides ,” avers Syful .
Although a lot of work has been done in the area of structural safety , primarily for inspections and audits , it is not the major focus area for the company . It is in the area of testing where TÜV Rheinland has built its reputation in Bangladesh . Testing based on all international norms – chemical , mechanical and analytical – specific to the US , EU , Japan , China , Canada , UK and Australia , is conducted at TÜV Rheinland labs . To set benchmarks in testing , the company operates ISO 17025:2005 accredited , CPSIA approved labs in Dhaka . Their labs are also provisionally accepted by ZDHC in Dhaka that are well-equipped to handle the challenges of the future ,
40 Apparel Online Bangladesh | October 2018 | www . apparelresources . com