“Focusing on high quality products rather than massive manufacturing of ordinary fabrics for denim will not only add value to our industry but help it sustain also,” Tapan Chowdhury, managing director of Square Denim, told journalists. During a recent visit to Habiganj where the Square Denim factory is located, Tapan Chowdhury shared his vision and mission regarding denim fabric industry with journalists. Square Denim has a vision to become one of the world’s finest denim fabric mills with the most advanced machinery and highly experienced management team. “We know that Bangladesh is a fast-growing market for fashion products while China, the global leader in clothing industry, is shifting focus from volume to value-added goods in production policy,” he said. Tapan Chowdhury said Bangladesh also has now concentrated on producing value added products to enlarge export volume. Talking on the success of his company, Tapan Chowdhury attributed the achievements to the company’s employees. “My people are my strength. They are family members too. I think everything can be possible if the staff are properly trained up.” Sayeed Ahmad Chowdhury, general manager of Square Denim, showed the manufacturing process around the factory premises to the reporters. He said: “Finishing is a key element to produce a better and high-end fashionable denim and jeans. We put special importance on finishing as Bangladesh is still weak in this side.” While talking about workplace standards, Tapan Chowdhury said: “We have built the factory with horizontal shape despite higher cost than vertical shape. But we did it for a better workplace for workers and ensuring their safety.” According to the company, the factory has been built in line with the Bangladesh National Building Code (BNBC), environmental guideline and Accord and Alliance guidelines to ensure workers’ safety. The state of the art denim factory is equipped with modern technology that are eco-friendly. It has biological effluent treatment plant, which has the capacity to treat 70,000 litres of water an hour. The treated water to be used to flush bathrooms in the factory and workers’ dormitory. The company has its own captive power generation plant with eight-megawatt power generation and plant currently producing 4.5MW.. Square Denim started construction in 2013 on a 294-bigha land in Habiganj. Starting production in October 2015, the company produces 1.2m yards of denim fabric a month. The volume is expected to increase to 2.5m yards after the completion of the second phase by April next year. The company has employed 950 workers with accommodation facilities for 70%.
