Business

Bangladeshi Denim Manufacturer Envoy Textiles Embraces Robotics To Raise Output

Bangladesh-based denim manufacturer Envoy Textiles Ltd (ETL) has begun to use robotics to raise output as well as improve the quality of products. “The use of robotic technology ensures higher productivity and good quality of yarn. Although the initial investment in sophisticated technologies is high, at the end of the day it is feasible for us, thanks to increased productivity and improved quality,” Envoy Group Chairman Kutubuddin Ahmed said.

Incidentally, Envoy Textiles, which was set up in 2008 in Bhaluka, produces four million yards of denim fabrics a month and employs 2,400 people. Besides using the latest machinery for spinning as well as weaving, Envoy has employed 14 robotic autoconers in spinning at its Bhaluka factory to produce 55 tonnes of denim yarn per day, Ahmed said.

The company has adopted the latest global trend of spinning yarn from long ropes of cotton in the finest possible way. “If yarn is torn during spinning, the robot will instantly piece it together and thus continue production without interruption. Such kind of finer job by human touch is almost impossible. If it is carried out manually, it takes a lot of time and a lot of people to perform the task,” he said.

Usually, a machine and more than ten workers are needed to do the tedious job, which also causes loss of money and time. However, with a robotic machine in place, a single person is enough to oversee the production process since everything is automated, he said. The company exports yarn and fabrics to more than ten countries such as Egypt, Sri Lanka, India, Germany, Indonesia, Kenya, China, Turkey, Cambodia and Nepal.

Presently, Bangladesh has 30 denim mills with annual production capacity of 435 million yards and the total investment is more than US $1 billion. Bangladesh is also the largest denim exporter to the European Union and the third largest to the US.