In addition to yarns and fabrics, interlining has been identified as one of the emerging resource requirements for Bangladesh readymade garment industry as the exporters have slowly but steadily been shifting their focus from basic items to value-added products over the last few years. Though interlinings are not visible on a garment, they add value in numerous ways which takes the product up in the value chain. From shirt collars and cuffs to formal jackets to women’s trousers, the use of interlinings is on a rise in Bangladesh.
Being fully aware of the fact that the country is witnessing a growth in product categories as well as moving up the value ladder, Kufner Textiles India Pvt. Ltd., a global interlining solution provider, has increased its efforts to grab a bigger share in the Bangladesh market. “Bangladesh is a good potential market for us and we are looking to capture a larger segment of the market, which has enough companies to justify the growth of our products,” says Nadith Liyanaarachchi, the newly-appointed Country Director of Kufner Bangladesh in an exclusive interview with team Apparel Resources.
Specialised in suits interlining, Kufner Bangladesh has already established business ties with some of the biggest Bangladeshi RMG manufacturers and grabbed the nomination to supply interlinings to several prestigious global retailers like C&A, H&M and Next by maintaining constant quality standards in all its products. “When you search the suit market anywhere in the world, Kufner is the number one interlining supplier. Every brand that talks of quality recommends Kufner. We provide total solution for a suit and all major suit manufacturers in Bangladesh are already our clients,’’ briefs Nadith proudly.
Nadith, a former employee of Sri Lankan apparel giant Hirdaramani Apparel, is known for always taking up challenges. He has been sent to Bangladesh with a special mission to take charge of the Kufner operations at a time when the Bangladesh industry is seeing a tough time due to slow growth rate in the last one and a half years. “It has been really a challenge working in the country as price has become very competitive. But we have good quality products that justify why prices are high and this could be our only saviour in this market,” reasons Nadith.
To deal effectively with the competition, Kufner is now focusing more on technical interlining by importing innovative ideas to produce new interlining products like THS (Textile Hitting System). THS is designed categorically for the freezing cold regions of the world including Russia, Norway, Sweden and other Scandinavian countries which will provide heat from the inside of the suits. In addition to that, Kufner has been incorporating double dot technology for quite a long time now to ensure smooth, wrinkle-free interlining fabrics.
To comply with the needs of quality, Kufner always tests its products with actual fabric in its in-house laboratory before offering the same to the customers. Moreover, each buyer has his own standard level in terms of sustainability and customers’ safety, which is examined by the buyers’ inspectors and the parameters of accepted quality are then set.
However, Nadith honestly admits that the local manufacturers in Bangladesh are on top of the interlining suppliers’ list with garment manufacturers while Kufner is fighting it out to find a place in the top five on the list. He also identifies the company’s absence of a production unit in Bangladesh as one of the main reasons for their lagging behind in the race, as speed to market is very critical today. Kufner is currently feeding the Bangladesh market from its Chinese production unit, which has been established for catering to the Asian market only.
“As a global supplier, we are one of the top three companies for sure, but in Bangladesh, we’re not even in top five. You can’t fight with the local suppliers unless you’ve a production unit here. That’s our only drawback and this is why the locals are getting an edge over us,” Nadith acknowledges.
Being highly skilled in networking, Nadith is spearheading a 10-member team, mostly for the marketing purpose and is looking forward to building relations with the industry stakeholders. “I’ve been sent to build a relationship with companies because having worked in Sri Lanka, I know a lot of people who are now working in Bangladesh in key positions,” he reveals.
Challenges apart, Kufner Bangladesh with new plans and fresh blood in leadership, is looking to achieve higher business turnover from its existing US $ 60,000 per month.
