To expand its operations, DBL Group, a prominent player in the ready-made garment sector, has acquired Glory Textile and Apparels, a garment manufacturing facility owned by Glory Group located in Bhaluka, Mymensingh. Production is set to commence at the factory under DBL’s management following the Eid-ul-Fitr holidays.
Sources indicate that the decision to sell the factory was prompted by its declining performance, despite being situated on 36 bighas of land in Bhaluka. After negotiations with Glory Group, DBL Group finalized the purchase. The official transfer of the factory took place last Monday.
DBL Group’s Vice Chairman, MA Rahim, confirmed the acquisition to media, stating, “Glory Textile and Apparels is a knit composite factory featuring a 36-line ready-made garment production facility, along with knitting, dyeing, printing, and embroidery units. We will focus on manufacturing and exporting knitwear.” He noted that the factory had been operational, albeit struggling, prior to the acquisition, which cost DBL Group approximately 400 crore taka.
The acquisition was primarily facilitated through the assumption of Glory Textile and Apparels’ bank loan. Senior officials from DBL Group reported that around 1,100 workers were employed at the factory under Glory Group, and production is expected to resume with these workers next month. Additionally, new hires will be made, and once production reaches full capacity, the factory is projected to employ approximately 5,000 workers across its various units.
In 2017, Glory Textile and Apparels joined the BGMEA, an association representing owners in the ready-made garment sector. As stated on the company’s website, this facility spans 480,000 square feet and has the capability to produce approximately 100,000 garments daily. Additionally, it can handle 20 tons of fabric knitting, 40 tons of fabric dyeing, and 35,000 pieces of printing each day. Although Glory Group has divested from the factory, it continues to operate in sectors such as construction, electricity poles, jute, and yarn.
In an interview, the recently retired Managing Director of Glory Textiles and Apparels, Md. Moniruzzaman Sheikh, informed Prothom Alo, “We commenced our export activities in 2021. However, due to various challenges, we were unable to operate the factory effectively, which led to our decision to sell it.”
Dulal Brothers Limited, also known as DBL Group, began its journey three decades ago by exporting 3,000 polo shirts to the UK. Established by four brothers—Abdul Wahed, M.A. Jabbar, M.A. Rahim, and M.A. Quader—DBL Group has grown to become the fifth-largest garment exporter in Bangladesh. In the fiscal year 2023-24, they exported ready-made garments valued at $461.7 million. The group now exports to 58 countries across Europe, America, Asia, the Middle East, and Africa, and has initiated direct sales of renowned brands such as Nike, Adidas, and Puma in Bangladesh.
DBL Group, which initially focused on ready-made garments, has diversified over the past twenty years into various sectors, including textiles, washing, essential equipment for the garment industry, packaging, ceramic tiles, information technology, telecommunications, dredging, and pharmaceuticals. As stated on their website, DBL Group currently comprises 24 companies employing 47,000 individuals, with an annual turnover nearing 1 billion US dollars.
The ownership transfer ceremony for Glory Textile and Apparels took place at DBL’s corporate office on Monday, attended by key figures such as Chairman Abdul Wahed, Managing Director MA Jabbar, Vice Chairman MA Rahim, Deputy Managing Director MA Quader, and other senior executives.
Vice Chairman MA Rahim emphasized that the acquisition of the factory aims to bolster their presence in the ready-made garments and textiles market. He shared with media, “We aim to export ready-made garments worth $50 million this year from the newly acquired factory, with plans to double that to $100 million next year.” In response to another inquiry, he noted, “We have received substantial purchase orders for ready-made garments in the current fiscal year 2024-25, leading us to anticipate that DBL’s ready-made garment exports will exceed the $600 million mark this fiscal year.”
