Envoy Textiles Limited, one of the leading textile mills of Bangladesh, is the lone Platinum rated receiver of the LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) among the global denim mills.The US Green Building Council (USGBC) in March 2016 rewarded the industry with Platinum rated LEED certificate with 80 points ratings for eco-friendly initiatives for its buildings, operations and maintenance.LEED certification identifies, “Envoy Textiles Ltd (ETL) of the ENVOY Group is a showcase example of sustainable design and demonstrator of leadership in transforming the building industry.”Envoy Textiles officials said, the industry has started to work for LEED from July 2012 and formally applied on January 7, 2016.ETL, established in 2005 started commercial production in March 2008. Listed on the Dhaka Stock Exchange and the Chittagong Stock Exchange by issuing IPO in June, 2012, was assigned AA+ rating by Credit Rating Agency of Bangladesh.The factory, located at Bhaluka, Mymensingh on an area of 48 acres of land, has become the largest denim fabric producing unit in Bangladesh within the short period of time.The industry, using “Rope Dyed Technology” for the first time in the country, has been designed with a combination of superior man, machinery and management.The factory, run by 1800 manpower, has the capacity of producing about 50 million yards of denim annually. They produce high quality fashion denim fabrics, both basic and premium denims, for the most discerning customers in the world in the price ranging from $1.9 to $3.9 per yard.Earlier, the factory also achieved National Export Trophy (Gold), ICSB National Award for excellence in corporate governance and ISO 9001: 14001 quality certification and its products are OKOTEX certified.The industry has various clients from different brands and retailers across the globe. Besides, a bulk of the fabrics is supplied to export-oriented garments in Bangladesh.Envoy exports denim fabrics directly to Cambodia, Egypt, Germany, India, Italy, Kenya, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Turkey, USA, China, Indonesia and Vietnam.After the commercial operations of Envoy Textiles, they made good partnership with some renowned global brands as customers in as very short time. The partners include Marks and Spencer, H&M, NEXT, Carrefour, VF Corporation, ZARA, Tema Turkiye, LEVI’S, JC Pnney, Gymboree, Walmart, TCP, C&A, Sainsburys, Calvin Klein, and Disney International.Since the very beginning, ETL gives efforts using a considerable amount as Corporate Social Responsibilities (CSR) in over 40 activities including medical reimbursement (self and family), scholarship for children, assistance for children wedding, Eid gifts, new born gift and employee’s wedding gifts.Profit-sharing facility and birthday gifts are provided for all – from chairman to lower position employees.Envoy Textiles has recently set up a Pediatric ICU for burn injured patients in Dhaka Medical College, which is the lone ICU in the country. The industry also regularly gives payments to four employees to maintain the ICU.They have other unique initiatives like priority appointment for physically challenged persons, Hamimur Rahman, ETL General Manager for Human Resources said, adding: “Already six physically challenged persons are working with them and it will continue.” “The management has a decision of continuing salaries of the workers who became physically disabled. Now, they are enjoying their facilities as current employees,” he added.Engineering Kutubuddin Ahmed, Chairman and founder of Envoy Group said, “Now we are the number one in the denim industry for energy efficiency and being environment friendly and at the same time, we, the Envoy Family is working together to become the best in terms of quality products, timely delivery and product range.””We are expecting that all our clients and working partners will also support us to achieve this goal,” he added.BGMEA officials said, there are a lot of benefits to going green building projects as it helps bag more orders from international brands and retailers.The green buildings also reduce about 24 percent energy consumption and 50 percent water consumption.According to BGMEA, 28 garment factories from Bangladesh have received LEED certifications and more than 116 factories are expected to get the same from the United States Green Building Council.
