Introduction, History and Overview of Textile Industry in Pakistan

Overview:

Textile shields our bodies and brings comfort to our homes. Textile products thus cater to a basic human need, they are among the most important goods fabricated and traded by mankind and have thus played a central role in history. It is no wonder that historians have paid a lot of attention to spinning and weaving, the basic process in producing textile. Many natural and artificial fibers have been spun into yarn and woven to cloth over the past centuries, but wool and cotton have been important fibers, considering global production over the entire period from 1650 until recent times. This period has been chosen to be able to show processes of industrialization and de-industrialization in the world The cotton textile industry represents the very pluses of the country’s economic activity. The industry, apart from catering with the basic need of clothing, has been earning substantial exchange through export.

At the time of independence in 1947 there were only 3,000 looms installed in the mills sector. Now the installed looms are around 16,000 in the mills sector and 300,000 in power looms sector. The cloth processing facilities have also been increased with the increase in production of cloth. Textile industry is the dominant manufacturing sector in Pakistan. It is based on locally available raw cotton, employ 40% of total industrial labor force and contributes 27% of industrial value addition with 60% share in total export of the country. The sector’s weight in country’s industrial production is 18% and approximately 30% of value addition in manufacturing during the eight five year plan. Pakistan is the world’s largest exporter of yarn. Textile production comprises of cotton, cotton yarn, cotton fabric, fabric processing (Gray-dyed-printed), home textile, towels, hosiery & knitwear and ready-made garments. The industrial revolution’ created immensely wealthy textile employers and condemned the actual producers to work in more efficient factories. The living conditions of textile workers and their efforts to improve their situation have largely characterized the debates in social and economic history on the consequences of industrialization. Specific stages of textile production, whether in domestic, artisan or factory industry, were almost invariably divided between men and women. 

In some cases spinning was performed exclusively by women, in other cases by men. Certain kinds of products were only made by one, others by the other sex. Sometimes specific machines were only operated by one sex. Usually female workers (and children of both sex) earned for less than men, even in performing exactly the same tasks. These and other aspects of the gender-ed nature of textile production can only be explained sufficiently by a thorough historical analysis, which compares these mechanisms in different parts of the world, throughout time. Textile early became a global product. Wool and cotton were cultivated in one place, transported to center where yarn cloth were produce, and the (partly) finished products were again moved to places all over the world.

Introduction:

Bismillah is a vertical textile mill in Pakistan, primarily focused on home textile. It started its business in1989 as a commercial exporter. It than expanded into exporting printed fabrics mainly to the US market. In 1995, the company decided to setup its own printing and dying mill. Its first year annual sale was less than one million dollars, today its sales are in excess of 35 million dollars. Bismillah has several manufacturing units located in different of the city of Faisalabad. Faisalabad is the third largest city of Pakistan and is known as the Manchester of Pakistan because of its textile industry. Later on, the company added cut’s sew, weaving, spinning and yarn dyeing into its operation. Today, the company enjoys a unique position in Pakistan textile industry. It is not only one of the top mills in terms of capacities but a leader in high value added products.

Faisalabad yarn market is Asia’s largest yarn market. It is located in the heart of Faisalabad, near Clock Tower. Bismillah’s purchase office is located in this market. Yarn and greige fabric purchase are made in this office. The chairman of Bismillah, Abdul Majeed Sheikh, with his vast experience and most credible reputation, he makes sure that the company’s needs of yarn and grey fabrics are met in a professional and most effective manner. The drive and commitment to be the leader in this industry continues. The company has recently setup a very high-tech cut’s sew plant, Which has doubled its capacities which has doubled its finished products.

Qualified ownership is supervising this firm and established it in a short time. Now Bismillah textile has its own manufacturing units located in different parts of Faisalabad.

 

1989 –   started as a trading house for export of greige goods.

1992 –   export of printed piece goods, mostly muslin and    for the US markets.

1995 –   established a printing plant.

1996 –   established a cut and sew operation.

1998 –   established a weaving mill, non-woven, energy and quilting.

2001 –   148 air jet looms.

2003 –   spinning mill.

2003 –   yarn dying for cotton and synthetic.

Mission Statement

The purpose of existence of the company is its customer. Hence, it endeavors to give value for money by way of merchandise of commensurate and acceptable quality. Vendors to the company are carefully selected on basis of parameters of quality, reliability and price, and are considered as essential partners in the company’s pursuit of excellence.

The company requires its vendors to company with national laws and regulation, and with international convention concerning the protection of the environment working conditions and child labour.

The Motto

To achieve the highest quality in the most efficient way by employing the skilled workforce and latest technology without compromising on our commitment to safe environment.

Target Corporation

Standards of vendor engagement target corporation and its affiliated companies, conducts its business in an ethical manner. We are concern about human rights. We expect our business partners to share our ethical concerns. We use the following standards in selecting our business partner and expect compliance with these standards by our business partner, including all manufactures, contractors, subcontractors and suppliers utilized in the manufacture and finishing of product that are ordered by target corporation or any of its affiliated companies.

1. Safe and healthy workplace
2. No forced or compulsory labour
3. Fair disciplinary practices
4. No discrimination
5. Reasonable working hours and overtime
6. Fair wages
7. No child labour
8. Country of origin

Values

1. Honesty & integrity
2. Hard work
3. Commitment
4. Acceptance to change