Bangladesh Garments Are Utilizing Automation

Bangladesh garment factories are trying to compete with large global manufacturers such as China. To that end, they are starting to shift their business towards high-end apparel and automation.

All 157 LEED-certified garments factories have already automated major sections of the factories, producing sophisticated apparel items, mainly outerwear, using robotics. To remain competitive, Bangladesh garments factories are trying to reduce lead time, an important factor for buyers when placing orders.

Using automated processes should reduce lead time and at the same time make sure that product quality is being maintained. As an example, the Team group utilizes semi-automated production lines to bring more efficiency and become competitive. For instance, pocket making is done through automation. Otherwise, it would have taken six times more people and added more lead time.

Automation is needed for high-value intricate products such as outerwear. As factories are moving towards high-value apparel, they are bringing more automation. Currently, automation is bringing more efficiency and increasing ‘’Standard Allowed Per Minute" (SAPM). As a result wastage of time is not taking place because of real-time data analytics in the management system in the factory.

It is predicted that over the next 10 years, automation in the garment industry will reach new heights as the local apparel exporters have to adopt new technologies to be more competitive. A standard level of automation can save up to 15% on costs as modern machinery is more efficient.

For instance, in a normal factory, if a production line requires 700 workers, the installation of modern machinery for the same work leads to the need for 600 workers.

Increasing automation will not reduce workers as new machines require higher-skilled workers. The industry is growing and work orders for more sophisticated garments are coming in, this is pushing the industry towards more sustainable automated machines and skilled workers.

One example of such change is happening in the sweater industry, Miran Ali, managing director of Bitopi Group, a leading user of programmable machines in the garment industry, said the sweater industry has almost become fully automated.

According to Shahidulla Azim, VP of BGMEA, nearly 80% of apparel factories have been using modern machinery for improving productivity and efficiency. Similarly, artificial intelligence and algorithm use is around 5% and 10%.

Bangladesh garments factories are moving towards industry 4.0 automation in phases and it would take some time to be fully realized.