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Express Leather Product Limited (ELPL), the official licensee of Lotto Bangladesh, is expanding its operations with a high-tech facility, reinforcing innovation in lifestyle footwear.
In a grand event, it celebrated the cornerstone-laying ceremony of its state-of-the-art factory in Kapasia, Gazipur on Sunday. The occasion marked a significant milestone in the company's journey, showcasing advanced machinery, a commitment to women's empowerment, eco-friendly and sustainable infrastructure, and a worker-centric environment. The new facility will also include a training centre dedicated to developing a skilled workforce.
With the inauguration of this modern factory, the company is set to create thousands of job opportunities in the region, bolster export capacity, and contribute positively to the national economy and foreign exchange earnings.
According to the official company data, the new factory spans 25 bighas and will feature three separate production lines-for footwear, apparel, and accessories. The total investment in this project is expected to be around Tk 1.0 billion.
Once the new factory is operational, production capacity will increase compared to the current level. At present, the company produces goods worth around Tk 3.0 billion, which is expected to rise to Tk 8.0 billion. Currently, production is ongoing in a rented facility in Tongi.
A new partnership agreement has been signed with another company for footwear production. Currently, the company exports on a limited scale to a few countries including Italy, Spain, Nepal, South America, the United States, and India
At present, around 2,000 workers are employed at the rented factory in Tongi. Once the new facility is launched, it will create an additional 1,000 jobs.
Kazi Jamil Islam, Managing Director of Express Leather, expressed his optimism about the factory's potential impact. He said that due to the depreciation of taka and the ongoing dollar crisis, production costs have risen by about 20 to 25 per cent over the past two to three years.
However, during this time, the company has imported several new machines, enhancing domestic production efficiency. As a result, despite the rise in production costs, it has been possible to keep product prices under control, he pointed out.
Mr Jamil further noted that a politically stable government is essential to ensure a favuorable investment climate in the country. "We mainly produce for the local market, and therefore, we do not receive any export incentives. With proper policy support from the government, we could have progressed even further," Jamil added.
Najit Miwanag, CEO of Commercial Bank of Ceylon; Tarek Refat Ullah Khan, Additional Managing Director of BRAC Bank; Faisal Rahman, Additional Managing Director of Prime Bank; Shah Riazul Hannan, Joint Convener of Gazipur BNP; and Dr. Chowdhury Mohammad Zaber Sadique, Superintendent of Police, Gazipur; among others, were present at the function.
At the event, the company unveiled its latest innovative product, the "Super Lite". This lightweight, comfortable, and water-resistant footwear will be available at all Lotto outlets across Bangladesh. The Super Lite caters to modern lifestyles-ideal for family gatherings, casual wear, beach outing, and recreational activities, ensuring versatility and style at an attractive price point.
Founded in 2007, Express Leather began its journey producing premium footwear with just 35 employees. Through rigorous quality control and customer service excellence, the company quickly earned a reputation for reliability and trust in the domestic market.
By 2010, production expanded to meet international standards, garnering recognition beyond Bangladesh's borders. In 2011, the company became the licensed partner of Lotto, Italy's number one sports brand, marking the official launch of Lotto Bangladesh.
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