Express Leather Products Limited, the manufacturing and marketing licensee of Italian Lotto sportswear and English Lee Cooper shoes, officially inaugurated its new manufacturing facility in Kapasia, Gazipur. The investment of Taka 100 crore aims to significantly enhance the company’s production capacity, with footwear output expected to increase by 2.7 times over the next two years.
Kazi Jamil Islam, Managing Director of Express Leather, highlighted the strategic importance of the new plant during the inauguration. “This investment will help us reduce reliance on imports, offer more affordable products, and accelerate growth in Bangladesh’s rapidly expanding branded footwear market,” he stated. He also emphasized that producing shoes locally entails only 35 per cent duty on imported raw materials, compared to 130 per cent for finished imports, thereby strengthening the company’s local value addition strategy while maintaining international standards.
Founded in 2007 with a modest Taka 15 lakh investment and just 35 workers, Express Leather began operations in a small Tongi facility using refurbished second-hand machines. The company initially produced for local brands before securing the Lotto license in 2011 and adding Lee Cooper to its portfolio in 2019. Over the years, it has expanded its operations and capacity, establishing a robust presence nationwide.
Express Leather boasts over 220 Lotto outlets and more than a thousand distributors across Bangladesh, generating annual revenues exceeding Taka 300 crore. The company now aims to increase this figure to Taka 800 crore within five years.
The new factory, situated on a 23-bigha rural plot in Kapasia, marks the company’s largest expansion to date. It is expected to fully replace the existing 90,000 square-foot Tongi facility within two years and is projected to create over 1,000 new jobs, with a special focus on employing local women.
During the event, the company also launched its latest product, the “Super Lite.” This lightweight, water-resistant footwear features an advanced ventilation hole design, making it suitable for various occasions such as family gatherings, casual outings, beach trips, and recreational activities. The product is competitively priced and tailored to meet the preferences and lifestyles of Bangladeshi consumers, considering local climate and economic factors.
Express Leather Products Limited continues to innovate by integrating advanced technologies such as AMF, Boost, Easy Fit, and Deep Dry Tech into its products. With its extensive network of outlets and a commitment to quality, the company aims to further strengthen its position in Bangladesh’s footwear market, celebrating a legacy rooted in innovation, style, and customer satisfaction.
