Want to export 205 mn pieces by 2022
Bangladeshi company Windy Group is a manufacturer in woven casual & fashionwear category. Sheikh Islam Shaheenul, Director – Marketing & Merchandising of Windy Group, discusses about the size of Bangladesh’s woven sector, the factors responsible for its growth, and expansion plans of the company.
What is the background of Windy Group? What are your strengths as a company?
Windy Group is manufacturing woven garments since 1999 and we continue to grow as on date. We are exporting around $150 million worth garments to markets all over the world mainly Europe, we are producing multi-product. Our strengths lie in our skilled professionalism, sourcing capability, design support, market intelligence, quick response and helping clients grow their business by using our dedicated employees.
What is the size of woven casualwear within the RMG sector of Bangladesh? At what rate is it growing?
The size of woven casualwear within the RMG sector of Bangladesh is $13.5 million. In normal situation, this sector is growing at the rate of 8-9 per cent. It is around 13 per cent less now due to Covid situation but gradually improving. In this calendar year, we hope to have a 4-5 per cent growth.
How does the woven sector compare to the knit and denim sectors in Bangladesh?
Woven business is increasing in Bangladesh. Also woven fabric industries are increasing their capacity and going for new fabric. In the last few years, woven and knit businesses are near about the same in terms of volume but if you separate denim from woven, then denim business is around 70 per cent of total woven business and constantly increasing since last few years. Nowadays outerwear business is also increasing a lot.
What is the consumption ratio of your garments domestic versus international?
We are 100 per cent export-oriented company.
Which are your major markets?
Europe, US and Japan.
On which factors is the growth of woven casualwear dependent on?
Fabric availability within short period of time, faster shipment, speed of order handling capacity, newness in fabric design, wash capability.
What are the various challenges this sector is facing today?
The challenges of the pandemic and high cotton prices.
Which are some of the major brands who are your customers?
Zara, Mango, H&M, Primark, George, Stradivarius, Celio, New Yorker.
How strong is your focus on sustainability? Please elaborate.
We have strong focus on sustainability by using machinery, technology, energy, materials, and manpower.
What are some of the initiatives the government of Bangladesh should take to boost this sector?
The government should provide financial support to all industries including textile and trims sector. It should also help to control cotton prices with good policy and training (how and when to buy), create technical, designer and marketing resources who can professionally handle the client.
What kind of innovations in machinery/processes/manpower etc are you interested to bring in for the growth of your company?
We plan to bring in new technology, modern machinery, reduce some of the unproductive processes, and efficient manpower to improve productivity in a sustainable way.
Which future trends will dominate woven casualwear?
Recyclable, sustainable products will dominate future trends.
What changes has the pandemic brought in the way of your doing business and consumer preferences?
It is more of visual business, technology-based communication. It helps to create customer confidence where they can allow us to approve their samples on behalf of them.
What are your future expansion plans?
By 2022 we want to export 205 million pieces of garments and thereafter grow by 15 per cent every year. We want to incorporate technology and modern machinery, train people to reduce wastage, increase demand for our products to retailers.
20230103183907.png)
