Zaber & Zubair ‘Fabric Week’ attracts visitors from far and wide

A vast collection of ‘Spring Summer 2020’ fabrics were exhibited at the 4th Zaber & Zubair Fabric Week held at the company’s marketing office located in Gulshan, Dhaka, during March 2 to 7. Over 800 visitors from the European Union, North America, Asia and Bangladesh attended this edition of the event. The management of the company has initiated this kind of a show, known as ‘Mill Week’. This world-class show is the first of its kind held in Bangladesh.

Mr. Abdul Hakim, General Manager, Sales & Marketing, Zaber & Zubair Fabrics Ltd

Zaber & Zubair Fabrics Ltd. is the flagship concern of the Noman Group, which is the leading vertically integrated textile composite group of Bangladesh with 36 concerns. Started in 1968 by its Chairman, Mr. Nurul Islam, the Noman Group is now a countable entity in the world with over 72,000 employees. For the last 10 years, ZnZ has received the Highest Exporter’s trophy from the Bangladesh Government.

Zaber & Zubair Fabrics was incorporated in 1997 with a mission to achieve excellence in whatever done with the commitment to cost-effective production of high-class standards and at the same time as per the compliance of all legal, social and environmental requirements.

“Wrap the world with our fabrics” is the company motto. “We are one of the biggest spinners in the world. Per month we are consuming not less than 10 thousand tons of cotton yarn. We are the biggest weaver in Bangladesh too. Per day we are weaving not less than 1.5 million yards. We are also the biggest wet processors in Bangladesh. Per month we are processing above 12 million meters non denim. Per day we are processing about 1 million yards,” said Mr. Abdul Hakim, General Manager – Sales & Marketing of Zaber & Zubair Fabrics Ltd., in an exclusive interview to The Textile Magazine.

He added: “Our customer profile is very strong. We are doing business with H&M, M&S, C&A, Zara, JC Penney, American Eagle, TESCO, Bershka, GAP, Debenhams, Walmart, etc., and almost all highly rated brands. Everyone is happy to be with us. We are also growing with them.”

Financial data

Speaking about the company’s recent financial performance Mr. Abdul Hakim said: “2018 was a very challenging year for us. The customer demand was huge, and we did our part. Demand is increasing by the day. Last year our group turnover was $1.2 billion. In 2019, we are expecting a $1.5-billion turnover.”

ZnZ is continuously investing on R&D in areas such as, dyes, chemicals, supply chain, productivity, waste management and efficiency. There are new items, finishes, category-based fabrications. It is also developing fabrication through its multinational designer team. “We are developing our fabrics and have been successfully conducting a Fashion Week in Paris. They are applauding us. This is really promoting our country.” he added.

New trends

Mr. Abdul Hakim disclosed: “We are introducing ‘Hydro Cool Finish’ which helps in evaporating sweat even in hot environmental conditions. We introduce, recycled items, bionic finish. We have introduced Penta blend fabrics, i.e., cotton, poly, elastane, viscose, linen all in a one fabric. There is a lot of demand for this fabric. These are new items from us. We want that gradually our industry should feel that this is required to be done by all collectively. We are inviting all of the textile members who are doing business in Bangladesh. They are also coming here, reviewing, and understanding how we are organizing. Very soon we will jointly organize these types of show. We will make a national program. It will be a woven expo; non-denim for the international, as well as domestic visitors,” Mr. Abdul Hakim said answering questions on future plans.

Response from buyers

“The customers who are coming to the country for buying of the view that they will make their schedule keeping in mind our schedule. They will see the latest fabrications of ZnZ firstly, after that they will make their buying decision. It is good for our industry and for country to,” he answered in response to questions regarding buyer’s feedback.

Mr. Abdul Hakim further said: “Our Government is trying a lot to boost the economy and the RMG industry. Textile should be prioritized zone and our Government should have a plan to make design and textile as a department within the Public Universities. The ZnZ management policy also emphasizes branding Bangladesh whenever we attend any program outside the country. We are always investing in a lot on new technologies, new machineries, new products, and new items. Through the sludge from effluent treatment plant (ETP), we are planning to make fertilizers. We are also discharging water only after treatment.”

The company’s technical team is very sound. Designers from India, Sri Lanka, Philippines, Germany and other countries are part of the company’s design team. This ensures that the knowledge sharing base is very strong. Zaber & Zubair is also very open to educate other textile mills, government teams and other design teams in terms of development.

Price issue

He further observed: “We are now under big pressure from our buyers to reduce the price. We are always trying to give them the best quality and service so that they can give the best support to the retailer brands. I want to request our brands and retailer team for their consideration in increasing the rate they are paying due to increase in some auxiliaries like dyes, chemicals spare parts, machineries cost, bank interests, utilities prices, etc.”

Zaber & Zubair Fabrics introduced its retail clothing brand ‘Blue Jeans’ for the first time in this 4th edition of Mill-Week of ZnZ. Khalid Biju, Manager, Digital Marketing of ZnZ Fashion, said on the occasion: “During the forthcoming Eid Festival 2019, ‘Blue Jeans’ is going to be live online on e-commerce portal for sale via COD & Bkash payment system all over the nation.”

“For greater mutual interest, our loyal buyers, brands, retailers should think about the generic cost and fundamental areas where they should increase the price.” – Mr. Abdul Hakim, General Manager, Sales & Marketing, Zaber & Zubair Fabrics Ltd.

By Md. Ariful Haque