Today’s executive is the CEO of Strathmore Apparel, Men’s Suits manufacturer positioned in Mekelle, the capital of Tigray State.
Strathmore is one of the leading manufacturers of Suits known as Ananta Group (Jointly owned by two companies Calistoga & Strathmore). It has another two companies in Bangladesh and Romania today. The company owner from Romania has a business in three continents. He has been running business in Bangladesh. There, the company is producing European and American standard Suits. Conducting a market survey it decided to come to Ethiopia.
In Ethiopia, the company has established its third company. Just as it is noted for in Romania and in Bangladesh, it is planning to produce Suits in the Mekelle Industry Park (IP).The Company has three shades in Mekelle IP. It is set to produce 150,000 blazer, 400,000 trousers per month with 6000 workers switching in to shifts.
The Ethiopian Herald had a stay with the CEO of this company Nilanla Dilshan in Mekelle.Then I have a total of 22 years’ experience in this Suits manufacturing industry. I had worked in Siri Lanka in one US Company for more than 16 years. Then I came to Bangladesh under this company. I worked for six years. Now, I have set my eyes on Ethiopia given its resources for a lucrative business.
The company owners have identified the potential in Ethiopia. They
have been doing this business for the last 40 years. They have international
knowledge and international experience. After they have started doing business
in Ethiopia, having European standard skills, and seen the potential in Ethiopia
firsthand they have visited other industrial parks.
Finally they selected Mekelle Industry Park. Then they asked me to come to Ethiopia and set up the factory. After I saw to the task I was entrusted with we all came from Bangladesh, from the mother company there. We brought all experts as well as expertise from Bangladesh and Romania.
The Ethiopian authorities’ commitment right then to our work is great. We are doing good business here. And we hope that things will get better and better. The company will enter in to full production by the end of this June. Our main market destinations are USA and Europe. We are actually exporting to 36 countries in the world from our previous companies. The same buyers, we will surely attract here. From our Ethiopian company our main market will be USA.
We are not producing for domestic market. All our products are for export for the international market. The management is capable to produce that international product. We have experience to produce standard products. Then we will not produce for domestic market. The company (Mother Company) in Romania has 40 years of experience in the sector. Our mother company is still running two factories in Romania. Then our Bangladesh Company also has seven years’ experience.
The top market destination countries of our company are; UK, Germany, The Netherlands, USA, Denmark Canada, Mexico, Singapore, Malaysia and Italy.The company has won many international awards. Our company has been given various awards in Bangladesh. It is an internationally acclaimed company.
We just started the business here. It is only a few months old. The business climate is supportive so far. We are considering expanding our business more. Luckily, there is an easily trainable workforce. We provide training to our company employees for six weeks. We are delivering technical training according to our product. And they are performing great.
The Ethiopian Herald, June 2/2019
BY HAFTU GEBREZGABIHER
