In the fast changing landscape of Savar, Jalal Ahmed Group-owned Jalal Ahmed Knit Composite Ltd. is one amongst a handful of single-storey garment factories still standing strong. However, to double its production capacity, the factory is now all set to undergo a major facelift and expansion. “At present, we have 300 machines, and I am planning to add 10 more lines in a few months; each line would have 30 sewing machines, so it would add up to additional 300 machines,” says Harun Rashid, Managing Director of the group, attributing this expansion to his existing clientele. “A substantial increase in their orders has necessitated the move,” he observes.
In addition, with 13 circular knitting machines, the company is contemplating to put up a dyeing unit as well to support the operations. “Once done with expansion in garmenting, I am planning to set up a dyeing plant with capacity to dye 12 tonnes of fabric per day, to start with,” avers Harun whose company has also been certified by BSCI and the Accord. Caring to European buyers, the company is manufacturing knitted garments in men’s, ladies’ and kids’ sections. Also in the pipeline are more expansion plans, “In the next couple of years I wish to come up with a denim factory, to produce both tops and bottoms,” maintains Rashid, holding his clients responsible again for planting this idea in his mind.
Incidentally, the Jalal Ahmed Group was founded by Harun’s father who was into tobacco business but eventually ventured into textiles by setting up a manufacturing unit – Style Fabrics Embroidery Ltd., to produce chicken-embroidered fabrics. To carry forward this legacy, Harun followed in his father’s footsteps and entered garment production in 2006. The group also has two more companies under its aegis, namely Jalal Ahmed Fashion (for multihead embroidery), and Jalal Ahmed Weaving Mills (for cotton and TC fabrics).