Bangladeshi cricketer-cum-lawmaker Shakib Al Hasan announced the introduction of a new footwear brand for the market in collaboration with local sports shoe manufacturer Step Footwear on Sunday.
The global cricketing allrounder and Shamim Kabir, managing director of Step Footwear, the producer of 1990s popular sports shoe Baly Keds, launched new sports products under the brand of ‘SAH75’, at Amari Dhaka hotel.
The recently elected member from Magura 1 seat stated that the brand will be used to sell accessories, cricket gear, sportswear, activewear, footwear, and more. According to him, Step Footwear and Shakib will own an equal share of the brand, and the goods will be offered for sale in 95 outlet locations nationwide.
“I have been working with this brand for the last one year. We need cooperation from you to develop this brand. If we get good suggestions from you, it will help us to develop the products of this brand.”
“We will manufacture some products under this brand at our manufacturing unit in Narsingdi. We will import the remaining products,” Kabir stated at the event.
Shakib professed to love doing business of all kinds.
“I like fishing business. Sports is my field, so the journey began with Step’s launch of this new brand.”
“We have to come out from the mindset of buying foreign products at high prices and domestic products at low prices,” Shakib said.
He did, however, note that because SAH75-branded goods are of superior quality, their costs will be somewhat higher. Step not only produces its own line of shoes but also travel carts and house bags. According to Kabir, his company sends its goods to Europe, the USA, India, and Thailand.
Step Footwear has three factories in Narsingdi. Two of them make trolley bags and backpacks and one produces shoemaking equipment. The company’s major customers include Pierre Cardin, Wildcraft, Klein Tools, American Gear and Pack Light.
