Established in 2021, Blue Ruan Sourcing is committed to offering a diverse range of products characterised by premium and artisan apparel. The company focuses on emerging apparel markets, including the UK, Europe, USA and India. By leveraging its significant presence in global manufacturing and sourcing hubs, Blue Ruan Sourcing can provide high-quality, fashion-forward garments that meet the unique needs of its discerning clientele. This strategic positioning enables the company to stay ahead of industry trends and deliver exceptional value to its customers worldwide. Team Apparel Resources (AR) had the opportunity to sit down with Naavneet Paaul Singh, MD of Blue Ruan Sourcing, to delve into the vision behind Blue Ruan Sourcing and Sourcing 360 Ltd.
With three decades of industry experience, including over 15 years in Bangladesh, Naavneet brings in a wealth of knowledge and insight. His expertise and innovative strategies have driven the success and growth of Blue Ruan Sourcing. During the discussion, Naavneet shared his perspective on the evolving landscape of garment sourcing, his commitment to quality and sustainability and the future direction of the company. His leadership has established Blue Ruan Sourcing as a key player in the global apparel industry, known for its dedication to premium and high fashion products.
The company caters to mid-level high fashion brands through advanced trend sourcing and product development initiatives. With a strong design team dedicated to continuously developing new products, Blue Ruan Sourcing provides valuable inputs to the customers well before the start of new season. This proactive approach ensures that customers stay ahead of trends and maintain an innovative edge in the market.
Market targeting strategy: Focusing on key markets and customers
Since the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic, Naavneet has been closely monitoring market trends to identify which consumer segments have continued to spend on apparel despite the crisis. He has also been studying the types of products and price levels that are feasible for this resilient market segment. This approach marks a significant shift for Bangladesh’s apparel industry, which has traditionally focused on high-volume production of basic products. To adapt to new business demands, Bangladesh must pivot towards lean production methods and the ability to cater to fashion products in smaller volumes. This change is essential for keeping factories operational and moving forward in the evolving market landscape.
Synergising tech-driven sourcing with sustainable practices in apparel
Naavneet skillfully oversees a diverse clientele and product portfolio at Blue Ruan Sourcing, harnessing the strength of a capable team and cutting-edge technology. With a deep commitment to technological innovation, Naavneet emphasises design development and sustainability as core pillars of the company’s strategy. Under his leadership, the team adeptly identifies and adapts to emerging trends while leveraging critical resources to drive ongoing innovation. This strategic approach allows Blue Ruan Sourcing to maintain a leadership position, consistently delivering bespoke solutions that meet the evolving demands of customers while upholding rigorous sustainability standards.
As stated by Naavneet, “Sustainability is at the heart of our operations, guided by the principles of ‘reuse and recycle’. Traceability ensures transparency and accountability throughout our process. Over 90 per cent of our deliveries incorporate sustainable raw materials such as BCI, Eco-Vero, Euro Flex and recycled materials. In our execution process, we prioritise reduced water usage and integrate technologies like low-emission boilers, solar energy and efficient servo motors. Through meticulous tracking and documentation, we uphold our commitment to
ethical production practices and environmental stewardship.”
AR: Most of your clients are doing well. How much growth are you expecting in orders from your Indian, EU and Brazilian clients respectively?
Naavneet: Our key clients including Monsoon UK, Frequent EU, Rare Rabbit India and Doce Trama Brazil are experiencing significant growth. This growth is fuelled by our commitment to product innovation and cutting-edge design. As our clients expand their customer bases in these regions, we foresee a substantial increase in orders.
Each of these markets operate with smaller volumes but have a strong demand for high-fashion products and quick turnarounds. This demand aligns perfectly with our core expertise and capabilities. Our tailored solutions are designed to meet these specific needs, ensuring that we can deliver high-quality, fashionable products rapidly and efficiently.
AR: What kind of technology and digital resources do you use to manage diverse clients with focus on diverse products?
Naavneet: To manage our diverse clients and their focus on varied products, we leverage a range of advanced technologies and digital resources. We utilise AI-driven tools for design, collaboration and execution management, which streamline processes and minimise redundant work. As a trading company, we are actively exploring AI solutions to enhance our quality management capabilities, reducing reporting time and allowing our quality team to focus on system and process improvement. This strategic use of technology enables us to deliver efficient, high-quality services that meet the dynamic needs of our clients.
AR: What are your future plans and looking at the current business scenario, how do you anticipate the long-term growth of your organisation?
Naavneet: Our future plans focus on sustainable and socially responsible growth, prioritising the well-being of our team members and stakeholders. Our commitment to nurturing a positive work environment and fostering strong team dynamics has attracted new customers besides expanding our existing business. By continuously integrating feedback and insights, we aim to enhance our service offerings and adapt to evolving market demands effectively. This approach ensures sustained and meaningful growth in the competitive landscape.
AR: Elaborate on your focus and efforts regarding design developments and how they have benefited you.
Naavneet: We continuously innovate and adapt to new trends, pioneering high fashion products uncommon in Bangladesh. This positions us uniquely in the market. Our design team swiftly translates innovative ideas into tangible products, with strong support from our manufacturing partners. This collaboration enables us to deliver versatile, high fashion products that exceed client expectations, strengthening relationships and driving business growth. By focusing on design excellence and proactive product development, we continue to set benchmarks in the industry, driving sustained success and customer satisfaction while expanding our market presence.
