The DBL Group, one of the largest composite knit garments and textiles companies in Bangladesh, has drawn a massive expansion plant to double its textiles finishing capacity and be the country’s largest vertically integrated producer by 2016.

It started with the installation of a Monforts Montex 6500 stenter last year, and it is currently erecting new factory buildings and installing new equipment that includes three Monforts Montex 8000 stenters. All of the Monforts equipment has been supplied via the Monforts distributor for Bangladesh, Bengal Technological Corporation.

They decided to purchase Monforts equipment because of the good reputation of the brand and its service support, explained Anwarul Azim, director in charge of planning and development at the DBL Group. Their purchase of the initial machine gave them the results they wanted, and also helped to set new standards in their conservation programmes.

At present their dyeing and finishing divisions are handling 50 tonnes per day, but with a new dyeing line being installed and, with the three new Monforts machines in operation, the projection is that will rise to 100 tonnes per day by 2016, commented Anwarul.

There are now 14 divisions devoted to various elements of the textiles and garments industry, with facilities for spinning, knitting, dyeing and finishing, garments, washing, packaging and printing.

The production capacity for apparel is 6.4 million pieces per month. The company’s major markets are Europe, USA and Canada.

Total exports of the group reached US$ 252 million in 2011 and are projected to rise to US$ 600 million by 2016. The total number of workers is now about 16,000, but is expected to rise to 37,000 people.

The group is now using energy efficient machinery with less environmental impacts in all of its projects, according to Arif Hossain, Deputy General Manager for Planning and Development: This is another key reason for them selecting Monforts. The technology sets the highest standards in protection and conservation.

Each of the new Montex 8000 units is equipped with an Eco Booster HRC, completely integrated with the eight-chamber design. Handling the standard 200 cm width, 150 g/m² woven fabrics, and working on a seven-day-per-week basis, the Eco Booster is an intelligent heat recovery module with automated cleaner that can save up to 35% in energy costs.

DBL along with a number of other Bangladeshi textile makers upgraded its equipment and practices as part of a programme backed by aid agencies in Britain and Norway, and the International Finance Corp, the World Bank unit serving the private sector.

DBL is a conglomerate that also has divisions in telecoms, leather and ceramics. The textiles division was founded in 1991 with just seven knitting machines. Its dyeing and finishing divisions were established in 2001.