Out-of-the-box thoughts and the zeal to excel make Araf Tex Mode and Macrostyle the two enterprising companies in the cluster of several buying houses in Bangladesh. Their flexibility in accepting even small orders and also their thrust to explore new markets in future is the reason for their survival. Lutfor Rahman, CEO of Araf Tex Mode and Mohammad Atiqur Rahman, Director of Macrostyle in an exclusive interaction with the team of Apparel Online elucidate about their approach and also their plans to expand in future.
In a short span of time, Araf Tex Mode has carved a niche for itself and has all the elements to be a big name in the years to come. Started in 2010, under the inspiring leadership of Rahman, Araf Tex Mode works with several importers/wholesalers – from countries such as Malaysia, Dubai, Middle East, Singapore and Philippines – are adept at getting small orders. “Our clientele includes Ernsting’s family, Golden Touch Imports Inc., Marco Polo, etc. and so we have buyers across Germany, Spain, France and other European countries,” averred Lutfor Rahman, joined by his business partner S.M. Raqibullah, Executive Director.
Macrostyle, headed by Mohammad Atiqur Rahman, too works mainly with wholesalers/importers, which are proficient in sourcing small orders.
Both, Araf Tex Mode and Macrostyle, have proved that large volumes are never the only criteria for a successful business to thrive. They believe that today small volumes also need to be entertained – an unconventional approach that makes them noticeably different.
“In the case of small orders, quantity is small but price is standard. If you take big volume, margin is less,” said Raqibullah. In Bangladesh, most of the factories take large volume and it is not always easy to make them accept small orders. However, relationship is key. “Business is, essentially, a long-term relationship,” mentioned Atiqur Rahman.
Working for around 7-10 factories across Bangladesh, Araf Tex Mode believes that compliance, production capacity, work environment and price are some of the principal criteria for selecting any factory. Echoing the same thoughts, Macrostyle too stresses on the relevance of similar issues. “Yes, volume and customer satisfaction, safe working environment and price are the core factors. If the price/margin is less, we select composite/large factories as they have all facilities,” said Atiqur Rahman. Their clarity and understanding in knowing the prerequisites for selecting a factory is a trait that keeps them ahead than most of the other buying houses.
In knitwear and woven, the product categories Araf Tex Mode deals with are men’s T-shirts, women’s T-shirts and leggings and all types of sweaters. On the other hand, denim is the major product (woven) that Macrostyle deals with, though they too handle a good volume of knitwear items – ranging from T-shirts, sweatshirts and sportswear.
Araf Tex Mode, which has a turnover of almost US $ 20,000 per month, is now eyeing India. Although Indian market is big, the order size is significantly small. Macrostyle too, after establishing itself in USA and Canada, now plans to reign the markets across Europe and some Scandinavian countries like Sweden. Already into product development, the company is now coming up with its own sampling team as well. “For sample making we have to depend on factories and sometimes factories may not be willing to make samples if the volume is small. So it would be easy for us if we have our own production team/sampling house for sampling,” concluded a confident Rahman.
It is the perfect synchronisation of right vision and right execution that has made buying houses like Araf Tex Mode and Macrostyle a force to reckon with and in all prospects a source of inspiration for all other buying houses in Bangladesh.
