CEO Insights Magazine

The textile industry is a cornerstone of the global economy, providing essential goods and employment to millions of people. It plays a vital role in international trade, economic development, and cultural expression. Leaders in this industry influence innovation, strategic direction, and the adoption of eco-friendly solutions, making them essential for both economic and environmental progress. Md Mahmudul Islam Rifat, as the Director of Azad Knit Composite Textile Mills Pvt Ltd, has played a pivotal role in introducing cutting-edge strategies to the organization, significantly enhancing its operations. Azad Knit Composite Textile Mills, established in 2003 and headquartered in Narayanganj, Bangladesh, is a textile manufacturing company focused on producing premium fabrics and garments. The company operates a modern textile mill outfitted with advanced technology and machinery.

In an open interview, Rifat provided insights into his professional journey and how he contributed to the organization's growth and success.

Can you provide a brief overview of your professional background and experiences, as well as what motivates you in your daily routines?

I was born into a business family; my father established his venture shortly after Bangladesh gained independence, starting with a dyeing mill called Azad Dyeing, where he focused on the manual dyeing of fabric. His inspiring stories of struggle and perseverance motivated me as the youngest sibling to pursue my education at Mount Royal Academy and later at North South University in Bangladesh. My Family member parents, wife, sibling and well-wishers are my driving force. I joined the family business while studying, initially focusing on the garment's operation, and also following up the dyeing which has a capacity of 25 tons per day. Although we have had garment operation since 2003, it wasn't our focus. When I joined the company in 2018, I recognized the opportunity to concentrate on garment production, as dyeing is crucial to fabric creation. During the COVID-19 pandemic, we faced significant challenges, losing almost a million Doller due to order cancellations from French customer, but this taught me valuable lessons about resilience and learning from failure. In just four years, we increased our dye house utilization to approximately 25 percent and significantly boosted our exports by 300 percent, transitioning from relying on buying houses to directly communicating with clients, and onboarding brands like Aeropostale,Castro,Norma and being in the process to onboard Costco. At just 25 years old, I continue to learn and strive to extract the positives from every experience.

What recent expansion strategies have you implemented to reach or engage new audiences in the market?

I strive to be proactive in responding to market demands. Currently, it's a significant challenge to maintain dynamic processes that ensure we meet lead times. In the past, the garment industry primarily focused on production and capacity. However, in today's fast-paced fashion environment, while order quantities have decreased, the demand for high fashion and additional features has increased. Therefore, my primary goal is to minimize lead times in the factory. Successfully reducing lead times while maintaining quality is crucial; buyers are more likely to partner with you if you deliver high-quality products. To ensure we deliver the highest quality products, we have implemented several measures and hold various certifications that support our commitment to quality. Our factory is certified with OEKO-TEX class one Baby Article Safe Products. Additionally, we adhere to social compliance standards through the BSCI, SEDEX certification and maintain ISO certification to meet international quality control and maintenance standards. We also have GOTS, OCS, ZDHC certifications to guarantee the integrity of our products. Furthermore, we are certified by Walmart and have a certificate called Higg Index, underscoring our dedication to quality and compliance.

Can you describe your leadership style and the principles that guide it?

I see myself as a simple human being sent by Allah. I was entrusted with the profound responsibility of leading my team, which shaped my belief that my role is to inspire and empower those around me. I emphasize to all employees that this isn't just my company; it's everyone's company, fostering a culture of collaboration and collective responsibility. I firmly believe that without this sense of ownership, employees won't strive to innovate or improve the company. By empowering individuals to take initiative and make decisions, I cultivate a strong, united team committed to our shared vision and goals, ultimately driving greater success together.

Can you share a key moment from your professional journey, highlighting major challenges you faced, how you overcame them, and what success you achieved?

In terms of success, I firmly believe that honesty is crucial--both  with myself and my employees. Maintaining transparency in all aspects of our operations fosters trust and encourages open communication, which is essential for meaningful progress. As I look ahead, my vision for the next five years is to ensure that at least 80 percent to 90 percent of the components we require will be produced in-house. By reducing our reliance on external vendors, we can enhance our control over the production process, ensuring that every aspect meets our high standards for quality. This strategic shift will not only streamline our operations but also allow us to respond more quickly to market demands, ultimately strengthening our position in the industry. I am committed to empowering my team throughout this journey, encouraging them to take ownership and contribute their insights, which will be vital as we strive for this ambitious goal.

Md Mahmudul Islam Rifat, Director, Azad Knit Composite Textile Mills

Md Mahmudul Islam Rifat started his career in the ready-made garments (RMG) sector at Azad Knit Composite Textile Mills in 2018 while pursuing his undergraduate studies. He appreciates having a dynamic team that consistently encourages him to grow personally and professionally. Committed to self-improvement, Rifat is always eager to learn and adapt to new challenges in the industry.