Puma SE is a German multinational corporation that designs and manufactures athletic and casual footwear, apparel, and accessories. Its headquartered is in Herzogenaurach, Bavaria, Germany. Puma is the third largest sportswear manufacturer in the world. The company was founded in 1948 by Rudolf Dassler. PUMA Sport has the power to transform and empower people. As one of the world’s leading sports brands, it’s only natural that Puma wants to stand on the same playing field as the fastest athletes on the planet. To achieve that, the PUMA brand is based on the very values that make an excellent athlete.
Moyeen Hyder Chowdhury has been the Branch Manager (Country Manager) of Puma Bangladesh and Pakistan since August 2015. He completed a bachelor’s degree from Dhaka University. MBA in Marketing from Saint Petersburg Electro Technical University (LETI-Louvinium), Saint Petersburg, Russia and a graduate Diploma in Marketing Management from Bangladesh Management Development Institute. He is also a guest lecturer at the Institute of Business Administration, University of Dhaka. In his 30 years of apparel experience, he started his early career as a Country and satellite Manager of Herma Ltd, Divisional Merchandise Manager at Li & Fung (Bd) Ltd, Sourcing Manager of Levi Strauss & Co. (Bangladesh), Div. Merchandise Manager of Kimia Group, Merchandiser of Sinha-medlar Group. Recently team Textile Focus met him to evaluate the present Bangladesh RMG situation and as a part of industrial interaction, some highlights topic has been given below.
Textile Focus: How do you see the economic growth of the Bangladesh RMG sector?
Moyeen Hyder Chowdhury: The Bangladesh Garment Industry has a history of over four decades and during this period of a long way- journey it faced and overcame lots of challenges, but the road was not smooth. The adaptation of automation, process improvement, safety, and health issues for the worker (though there are 202 certified green factories) issues of minimum wages for good living, environment, and product circularity are the areas to improve for a sustainable business. My observations are quite optimistic because Bangladesh has in many ways structural development, it has a young workforce which is the biggest strength along with the entrepreneur’s mindset to do better and overall improvement. So, I am quite confident that the RMG industry in Bangladesh will go a long way in the coming days.
Textile Focus: What is the current sourcing strategy of PUMA? Is it increasing?
Moyeen Hyder Chowdhury: Puma has been sourcing from Bangladesh for close to two decades and the management of Puma considers Bangladesh to be a good sourcing hub, so we are very positive about future business growth.
Textile Focus: Apparel manufacturers are told overall production cost is increasing but buyers are decreasing prices, how does PUMA ensure fair prices?
Moyeen Hyder Chowdhury: Yes, the cost of doing business for all stakeholders is increasing. Due to the present worldwide crisis, retailers, suppliers, and end users are also in the big suffering to maintain overall costs. So, this is our prime concern to look for a better way to reduce costs. As the part of manufacturing unit Bangladesh also needs to focus on cost reduction by better waste management for men, machine, and materials, develop efficiency, and go for diversification. Puma always stands for its suppliers even in crisis moments. The example during the COVID period: we had no cancelation of any business. Also, when materials cost increased surprisingly, at that time Puma did not leave its suppliers rather, we shared costs to support them at appropriate measures. We believe in collaboration and by sharing support want to go a long way for business and sustainability.
Textile Focus: How PUMA Maintaining Sustainability?
Moyeen Hyder Chowdhury: Sustainability is a core area that we focus on and give priority to business and profit. We consider sustainability because as a global brand, we have a commitment to our customers and stakeholders to address health and safety concern. All sourcing destination has different challenges and Bangladesh is not an exception. So, to produce our products globally we work at all our sourcing destination including Bangladesh with major areas by a collective effort.
Textile Focus: What is the sourcing plan of PUMA from the Bangladesh market?
Moyeen Hyder Chowdhury: We will continue our positive momentum.
Textile Focus: As a successful person, achieving a higher position in a renowned brand like Puma, what do you see lacking in the young generation?
Moyeen Hyder Chowdhury: Our young generation are very talented. They know the world better and what challenges are around. My only advice being predecessor, Inherent the basic qualities, be humble and focus to do out of the box. Success will come today, tomorrow or day after. Don’t lose your hope and dream, just go for it.
Textile Focus: Do you feel Bangladeshi personals are receiving not much reward in the workplace in comparison to other nationalists?
Moyeen Hyder Chowdhury: Nothing comes easy. To me we should look at ourselves first comparing the better or best around us. Figure out what are missing qualities within myself and work for those to improve and prepare myself for the next level. I am confident the opportunities will come for sure. When we will get the opportunity, we must make sure to prove ourselves and get recognized for the deserved position.
Once we can do it on a regular basis our recognition will be better. Also, I feel some cases our entrepreneur should create some stage for our local talent to perform and showcase their capabilities. Both ways and supporting each other we can have a stronger management pool for our industry.
Textile Focus: What is your opinion about Textile Focus and its activities?
Moyeen Hyder Chowdhury: Textile Focus is significantly working in the Bangladesh RMG sector for growth by knowledge sharing and interaction among the Bands, Supplies, and RMG owners. Without the collaboration of all stakeholders, Bangladesh’s apparel industry cannot reach to its goal and achieve the top position in the world apparel market. In this regard, Textile Focus is playing a vital role.
