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Artistic Milliners is a vertically integrated textile business, operating on an area of 165,922 square meters with a total work force of 11,000 people. In 1968 we started exports of ready-made garment for the first time and later did backward integration all the way till weaving and now spinning as well. The key to our success is gradual and steady achievements, built on our credible reputation.
Artistic Milliners is a vertically integrated textile business, operating on an area of 165,922 square meters with a total work force of 11,000 people. In 1968 we started exports of ready-made garment for the first time and later did backward integration all the way till weaving and now spinning as well. The key to our success is gradual and steady achievements, built on our credible reputation.
Artistic Milliners is a vertically integrated textile business, operating on an area of 165,922 square meters with a total work force of 11,000 people. In 1968 we started exports of ready-made garment for the first time and later did backward integration all the way till weaving and now spinning as well. The key to our success is gradual and steady achievements, built on our credible reputation.
fashion designs and marketing it is not possible to excel. Mr. Yaqoob Ahmed, the CEO of Artistic Milliners speaks about the history, present and future of his company - a vertically integrated textile business, operating on an area of 165,922 square meters with a total work force of 11,000 people. Please tell us about the history of Artistic Milliners? Artistic Milliners was established in 1949 in Pakistan. My parents migrated from Bombay and started doing business in Karachi with the finances brought from India. My father (Mr. Ahmed Omer) also tried his hand in leather business which was quite a successful venture at that point in time. Very early I realized that my father has certain charisma and great confidence which inspires me even today. In 1968 we started exports of ready-made garment for the first time and later did backward integration all the way till weaving and now spinning as well. I would like to highlight the fact whenever we put a new factory even in most challenging times in the country, we take a middle path, Not rushing into new ventures without forward planning. The key to our success is gradual and steady achievements, built on our credible reputation. We have observed the progress of Artistic Milliners over the last 20 or more years, what are the key parameters of success, which makes your group different from others? You must understand that there is not just one key factor to success. Generally speaking, I believe that the first and foremost
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Mr. Khaliq Uddin (GM Artistic
Milliners), Mr. Luqman Mooraj, Abrar Mooraj (Nazer) Mr. Yaqoob Ahmed (Chairman Artistic Milliners) and Abbas Mooraj (Nazer) standing in front of Brckner 10 chamber Power frame Stenter with Split Flow Technology.
aspect is that, you have to be passionate about your business,
to have hands on involvement in your business and to be honest, reliable and hardworking. That is my business philosophy which has taken us forward and we look into future with great long term prospects. You can be anything in this world, once you establish your credibility and if you are reliable; your customers will also value your business and be your partners in the long term growth. Our philosophy which made this progress possible is that we are open to new ideas in business. Therefore, whenever, we have faced a challenge or offered a business opportunity, we are more than willing to give it a chance and develop it further. Over the years, our country has faced many recessionary trends and yet as a company we were able to prosper and were never affected by those storms. But please note it is a matter of our own choice and careful planning when it comes to expansion and investments. I believe that Denim is an art and without proper R&D, different fashion designs and marketing channels, it is not possible to excel in this trade. In our trade you need be an entrepreneur who is passionate about this business, and has developed an expertise and aptitude to be in this business.
Interview
never old, although I am 63
years old, I enjoy work and at the same time find time for my friends and family and recreation. Denim cannot be sold like a commodity fabrics, what is your opinion about this business sector and its prospects in Pakistan? Mr. Khaliq Uddin (GM Artistic Milliners) Mr. Yaqoob Ahmed (Chairman Artistic Milliners) with Mr. Abbas Mooraj, Abrar Mooraj and Luqman Mooraj (Nazer) standing in front of Brckner High Efficiency Stenter Power Frame with reinforced rails for heavy fabric. This latest design gives high production with low energy consumption.
Please tell us how feel about the business
opportunities in Pakistan? I believe in my country Pakistan and that it is indeed the land of opportunities for its people, but if you look at the denim business, our Western customers, the Europeans or the Americans buy their textiles mainly from Pakistan. Everybody, you see, from the retailers, wholesalers, fashion houses in the world are much more price conscious in this unstable global economy. That is why only the best companies, who offer better price with quality products will survive and prosper in the long run. Secondly, this concept of buyers and sellers is now changing into that of trading partners and therefore the experts from Brckner understand our needs and offer solutions rather than just machines. The vital link in this partnership is Abbas Mooraj, who is an institution in our industry and despite our tough negotiations; I feel Nazer will continue to be our technology partner for future. Last, but not the least, I would like to say that we are hands on people, what makes me happy is the quality of life, holidays with family and peace of mind. I play golf, take holidays once a year and enjoy the company of my grandchildren. I keep a positive outlook and tell my sons that Pakistan is a viable country for textiles and that can be seen as investments keep growing in textiles, despite all odds. If business is fun, you are
As you may already
know Denim fabric and garment manufacturers worldwide, especially in USA and Europe are closing down during last five years. The manufacturers in Italy and Turkey, where the cost of production is very high and therefore not competitive. The denim made in India, China and Bangladesh has its own set of issues. India has huge urban population to meet domestic demand of denim. China has been moving to other high value exports and Bangladesh can only do commodity fabrics. Regarding future, with our company history and legacy, we look towards the future with great hope,Yaqoob Ahmed says, My two sons Murtaza and Omer are equally passionate about doing business. I think, the most important thing that we have been able to achieve is a good reputation both in Pakistan and abroad. This has been incredible and my sons are the future of this company. Continuity is important and the way my sons are thinking is an achievement and a credit to our Group. The legacy continues, Yaqoob Ahmad says, as I can tell you from my personal experience that one should not suppress our kids, if you do that they will not be able to think on their own. One should always give them free hand to make decisions, and of course there are losses, as not everything happens 100% as per planned, but there are successes in the long run. These mistakes and eventual success boosts their confidence. The most important aspect is to be available for advice, and yet give them a free hand to bring fresh ideas into business. My father gave us a freedom and today all my brothers have excelled in this business.
Regina Brckner comments on innovative and eco-friendly
Brckner machines We at Brckner since the very beginning feel that research and development of our machines is focussed on energy efficiency, longevity and quality, which ranks as first priority, says Regina Brckner, owner of the german machine manufacturing company Brckner. Customers like Artistic Milliners think in the same way as we do and therefore, they do not strive for short-term profit maximization. When buying such a long-life but also versatile machine as ours, you dont have to consider the investment sum only, but also the life-cyclecosts. The annual maintenance costs like energy costs, technical service costs etc. are below the average. Furthermore, our productivity is much higher as compared with other machines. With innovative and eco-friendly Brckner machines our customers can save energy, increase their benefits and do a good action for the environment. At the same time exact reproducibility and innovative process technology ensure end products of highest quality for our customers. Finally, the investment in a Brckner machine is a benefit on the long run.
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Omar Ahmed joined his family
business in 2006. In an exclusive interview with Pakistan Textile Journal, he speaks about the new developments at Artistic Milliners. Technology allows you to be creative and to provide your customers with a wide range of products and the services, please tell us something about the spinning, weaving, finishing and garment divisions of the Artistic Group? Artistic Milliners spinning division established in 2002, with a daily capacity of 100,000 pounds. It is equipped with state of the art machinery from Germany and Switzerland. The emphasis is to specialize in producing high quality yarn (ring spun, open end, core spun Lycra and multi count and multi twist yarns) to assure the production of premium denim fabrics. We have two 24 Rope dye ranges, capable of producing deep shades of Indigo and Loop dye range to produce novelty shades. Today, we have 300 looms producing a range of denim fabrics from 5 to 15 oz with a production capacity is 4 million meters of fabric per month. It is important to note that our mills have online and offline quality systems.
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Omar Ahmad says, we have the best machines from European
suppliers, ranging from ring and open end spinning machines, high speed weaving machines and highly sophisticated wet and dry finishing facilities and very efficient and organized garments cutting and stitching departments. The latest technology and years of experience in Denim industry drives our growth. Our experience and extensive knowledge enables our customer to source high fashion goods and maintain strict quality controls in order to ensure consistency during this critical production process. What kind of fabrics and applications do you run Brckner stenter and what was the motivation behind Brckner machinery? We run mostly stretch fabrics. Brckner has made a number of innovations in heat setting machines, and we were looking for an innovative stenter, with flexible and efficient technology to meet our production demands and parameters. As you know innovative technology allows the weavers and finishers certain creativity and denim is a business, where our customers require products which are bit different and fashionable than others.
What is your company philosophy and
future strategy? Our mission is to sustain our reputation as one of the top denim mills in the world by striving for excellence in each function of our business. Artistic Milliners has the ability to cater to specific client needs with package deals such as product development at source, design support, shorter lead times, on-time deliveries and warehousing facilities. Our latest undertaking is the new state of the art denim mill AM-5 which will take our production capacity to 5 million meters. In addition to mill expansion we are also expanding our garment production. Our new factory which is to commence in March 2013 will be one of the most ecofriendly garment factories in Asia and will take our annual production to 20 million garments.