RAJA metal aims to export bathroom, kitchen fittings

I will start exporting my products to the sub-continent and gradually push up to other continents from the next year, said Md Nazrul Islam, the owner of RAJA metal Industries, who was awarded with SME prize this year, in an exclusive interview with The Business Post’s Muhammad Ayub Ali

When have you started this business?

In 2004, I had taken over the responsibility of the “RAJA metal Industries” when it was totally in the bank of destruction following my father's demise. That time, RAJA Metal Industries has a bank loan of around Tk 3 crore and the bank had decided to sell the land of the industry as my father was the proprietor of the company.

Then I had transferred the industry to my name as well as had started repaying the loan by the guidance of some bank employees.

Would you please share about the journey with us?

First of all, I am very grateful to all the employees, the buyers & sellers, and the suppliers of raw materials for their cordial assistance for bringing the company to a steady position. However, I met with every dealer each day and took their advice for doing better. All of them helped me with their most and as a result I could manage to pay all the dues in 3 years. After clearing the debt I continued to step forward all the time. Now, every year we can sell products worth over Tk 6 crore.

What is the condition of your industries now?

In 2004, RAJA Metal Industries had nearly 50-60 employees, but now there have over 200- 250 permanent employees. I have around 6 outlets to showcase my products as well as I have dealers in all districts of the country. It is now one of the leading organizations in the bathroom and kitchen faucets sector having the largest factory of 50,000 square feet in Dhaka. Now, I am bringing modern machinery to produce quality products for the people of our country and also trying to defeat foreign products. We are striving to draw people's attention to the native product.  Some of our products are “Basin Mixer”, “Shower Mixer”, “Kitchen Sink Mixer”, “Conceal Stop Cock”, “Conceal Bibcock”, “Hospital Operation Theatre Faucets” and “Laboratory Faucets”, etc.

What challenges are you facing now?

In our country, there is a specific rule or regulation for the small and medium entrepreneurs. In the context of bank loans, we should have gotten the priority compared to the big businesses, but we face more difficulties compared with the big businesses. For example, in Bangladesh, most of the loan defaulters are big companies. If we are delaying in repaying the bank loans, the banks want our house or property to realize their payment, but they do not do the same with the big companies.

What is your future plan?

I have more desire. For exporting my products, if everything is staying well, Inshallah, I will start exporting my products in the sub-continent and gradually push up to other continents.

I will get more satisfaction when the people of our country change their habits and give priority to the native products because we are doing better than foreign brands.