1.

Introduction:
Bangladesh is a developing country that is classified as a Next Eleven emerging market

and one of the Frontier Five. According to a recent opinion poll, Bangladesh has the second most
pro-capitalist population in the developing world. Successful corporate groups owned by
Bangladeshi people can be considered as one of the reasons behind the growth of Bangladeshs
economy. Some big names in the business sector of Bangladesh is not just making their names
known in Bangladesh, they are making their presence known throughout the world. For
comparative case studies in the group report, we have been assigned two Bangladeshi Business
Houses: Nasir group of Industries and Ispahani group.
Nasir Group is one of the largest Bangladeshi industrial conglomerates. The industries
under this conglomerate include Float Glass, Melamine, Printing and Packages, Tobacco,
Footwear, Glassware and Tube, Energy Saving Lamp etc.
The Ispahani Group is a pioneer in many fields including Tea, consumer foods, textiles,
yarn, jute, shipping, real estate and remains one of the most successful and respected business

houses in Bangladesh.

2.

Origins and Biological Evolution of Companies:

2.1

Nasir Group of Industries:

The company is named after its owner Nasir Uddin Biswas, he is 64-years-old. He never

kept his dreams in his eyes only. The biggest temptation of his life was to convert the dreams into
a masterpiece of reality. The name of such a masterpiece is Nasir Group of Industries.
From a small trader in the 1970s, now he runs a group of ten units, from float glass to energysaving bulbs, all leaders in the sectors. With nearly Tk 2,000 crore in annual turnover, the
conglomerate has set excellent repayment standards over the years and become a preferred client
for banks.
I go for the products that are not available in Bangladesh as those will generate
employment and save foreign currencies from import payments and products that are not made in
Bangladesh, but have a huge demand in the country, He says. He also claimed that such
products also help in saving foreign currencies.

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2.2

Ispahani Group:
Throughout their history they have endeavored to support and advance worthwhile

causes. They have established schools and colleges in Bangladesh as well as the renowned
Islamia Eye Hospital. The latter is a centre of excellence for providing modern, efficient and
cost-effective eye care. With a specialist line up of up to 40 doctors, 35 surgeons, trained nurses,
paramedics and other staff, Islamia Eye Hospital has been looking after the eye care needs of
thousands of Bangladeshis since its inception in 1960.
Furthermore, the Group sponsors various cricket, football, golf and tennis tournaments as
well as the National Cricket League. The corporate offices are located in Chittagong, Dhaka and
Khulna. Today, after decades of business in South Asia, the Ispahani Group is still dedicated to
providing high quality goods and services as well as having a positive impact on the community
at large.
Blessed with a 184-year-old heritage, the House of Ispahani is one of the most respected
business concerns in the entire subcontinent today. The company's historical roots can be traced
way back to 1820 when its founder Haji Mohammed Hashem moved from Isfahan, Persia to
Bombay and started a business that soon expanded phenomenally in both scale and coverage. In
Bangladesh, the first branch office was opened in Dhaka in 1888. In 1947, the corporate
headquarters of M. M. Ispahani Ltd. was shifted from Calcutta to Chittagong. Today, the
company still continuing in its private limited structure is involved in numerous sectors as
diversified as textiles and tea, real estate and poultry, shipping and internet services. It has
corporate offices in Chittagong, Dhaka and Khulna employing more than 20,000 people in its
various concerns. The founding family is still very much hands on involved in existing and new
businesses.

2.3 Comparative Assessment:

Compared to Nasir Group of Industries, Ispahani Group started its operation almost a
century and a half time earlier. Ispahani group has their business in many sectors; most
prominent industry is in the tea manufacturing sector. It is the largest tea trading company in the
country and dominates the domestic tea market, capturing approximately 50% of the national
branded tea market and 80% of the branded tea-bag market. Ispahani Tea is renowned all over

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Bangladesh and its best selling brands such as Mirzapore Best Leaf and Mirzapore Double
Chamber Tea Bags are household names.
On the other hand, in Nasir Group of industries, this started its journey as a business project
of small trader, has several established industries among which tobacco products industries
and glass manufacturing are prominent. Nasir group is the biggest and first float glass
manufacturer in Bangladesh. Its main exporting markets are North America, South America,
Western Europe, Eastern Europe, Eastern Asia, Southeast Asia, Mid East, Africa, and
Oceania.
Both of the companies play a very important role in Bangladeshi conglomerate industry. They
together employ thousands of people directly and indirectly throughout the country. Through
maintaining high standards overall, they present high standard goods for our country and
outside of the country as well.

3.

Diversity in Business:

3.1

Nasir Group of Industries:

Nasir group is one of the prominent industries in our country. It consists of 10 industries

in different sectors with different products. A brief overview is given for each of its business
units below:
Nasir Biri Industries Limited (NBIL): Nasir Biri Industries Ltd. is another part of Nasir Group
of Industries; it was established in 1977 in kushtia. NBIL manufactures handmade Cigarettes
(Brand name: Nasir Biri) have huge domestic market. At present NBIL have 1848 decimal land
and more than 10,000 workers.
Nasir Tobacco Industries Limited (NTIL): Nasir Tobacco Industries Ltd, went into
commercial production in 1997.With a land area of 2145 Decimal (65 bigha) for the factory and
a work force of 300 in the factory and 1700 in the market this company ranks fourth in the
country. The company export cigarettes, cut tobacco and cut rolled expanded stem (CRES), cork
tipping paper and filter rods. The brands of its cigarettes are Nasir Gold, Asia and Top Ten.

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Nasir Leaf Tobacco Industries Limited (NLT): This unit of Nasir Group of Industries is a
grower, processor, packer and exporter of different varieties of Bangladeshi Tobacco. Starting in
1998 it has been catering to the needs of many local cigarette manufacturers and since 2001 has
been regularly exporting tobacco to USA, European and Asian markets. With 300 workers and
627 decimal of land its factory is fully equipped with state of the art automated American
machinery and testing laboratory.

Nasir Glass (Float) Industries Limited (NGIL): Nasir Glass Industries Limited, the biggest
and first float glass manufacturer in Bangladesh. It produces different sized and colored float
glass according to the requirements of the buyer. The manufacturing plant is located within the
short distance of the capital city Dhaka, at Sripur in Gazipur made at a cost of Tk 300 crore.
Built in 2005, Nasir Glass Industry, the countrys first float glass plant, has a capacity to
produce 60,000 tones of float glass, strong enough for furniture, besides window and door
panes. The glass factory produces clear and tinted heat absorbing glass, clear, bronze, blue and
dark gray and light gray glass. It sells glass at much lower price compared to that of the
imported glasses with similar quality. About 501 1000 People are employed directly or
indirectly in this industry. Its total annual sales volume is aroundUS$1 Million US$2.5
Million. Its main exporting markets are North America, South America, Western Europe,
Eastern Europe, Eastern Asia, Southeast Asia, Mid East, Africa, and Oceania.
Bangladesh Melamine Industries Limited (BMIL): Bangladesh Melamine is the pioneer of
manufacturing melamine tableware in Bangladesh. Its continual effort undeniably acquired
peoples trust in the process. Not only Bangladesh Melamine succeeded in the field of local
market but also at the same time, it begun its wings over the sky of global market for its very
efficient use of modern technology, skilled management, strict quality control. Now Bangladesh
Melamine exports its products in different countries across the world with a very competitive
price. Around 1500 people work in this company and it started its commercial operation back in
1985.
Nasir Printing Packaging industries Limited (NPPIL): They are involved in corrugated paper
board making, multicolor printing and carton making. Main products of this industry are
corrugated paper boards with and without prints. They also make carton boxes for packaging of
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glassware, garments, tobacco, frozen shrimps, cosmetics, food materials, medicines, ceramics,
lighting wares etc. Plant capacity of this industry is about 30 million pieces of boxes / annum
(assorted).
Nasir Glassware & Tube Industries Limited (NGTIL): This industry is involved in doing
business regarding glass manufacturing. Their major products are Glass tableware (tumblers,
cups & saucers, bowls, mugs, dishes etc.) and glass tubing (for fluorescent tube lamps & CFL
lamps): all white / clear. As per their designed capacity, they can produce around Glassware 100
tons / day; tubing 20 tons / day.
Bangladesh Footwear Industries Limited (BFIL): Starting in 1997, Bangladesh Footwear
Industries Limited has turned into one of the biggest footwear manufacturers in Bangladesh.
With a highly professional, skilled and well-trained production unit they are specialized in
manufacturing gents, ladies & kids footwear such as shoes, keds and sandals using the best
quality EVA & PVC materials. To ensure quality this industry uses the best available
technologies and machine such as single color, two colors, three colors automatic rotary type
injection molding machines. Around 2000 people are employed in this industry.
Nasir Energy saving Lamp Industries Limited (NESLIL): Nasir Energy Saving Lamp
Industries Ltd (NESLIL) is a part of Nasir Group of Industries. They manufacture the best
quality energy saving lamp using the best technology & technicians. It is for the first time in
Bangladesh that the CFL lighting products are being made, starting from the basic components
like glass tubes, stems, filaments. Phosphors, Plastic holders, electronic components, metallic
caps etc. using automatic machines of latest editions. The designed capacity of this industry is
producing 40,000 pieces lamps/day.
Biswas Printing & Packaging Industries Limited: Biswas Printing & Packaging Industries Ltd
(BPPIL) is a leading Printing industry in Bangladesh. They are specialized in export quality
corrugated paper board handling multi-color printing and carton making for packaging of
medicines, foods, cosmetics, frozen shrimps, tobacco, garments, glassware, ceramics and
lighting wares. They use the fully automated production technologies and best quality Kraft&
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medium papers from Korea, Australia, USA and Brazil to ensure the quality. Around 300 people
are employed in this industry.
Corporate Logo of Nasir Group:

Product Portfolio of Nasir Group of Industries

Nasir Biri Industries

Nasir Leaf Tobacco Industries

Biswas Printing & Packaging Industries

Nasir Printing Packaging Industries

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Nasir Energy saving Lamp Industries

Bangladesh Melamine Industries

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Nasir Glassware & Tube Industries

Nasir Glass (Float) Industries

Nasir Leaf Tobacco Industries

3.2

Bangladesh Footwear Industries

Ispahani Group

Company Profile
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Type
Industry
Founded
Founder
Headquarters
Key people
Products

Employee

Private
Conglomerate
1820
Mirza Mohammed Ispahani
Chittagong, Bangladesh
Mirza Ali Behroz Ispahani,Chairman
Tea, consumer
foods, textiles,yarn, jute, shipping, real estate
M.M. Ispahani Limited
Ispahani Foods Limited
Pahartali Textile and Hosiery Mills
Broad Band Telecom Services Limited
South East Trading Limited
Islamia Eye Hospital
Orient Airways
approximately 20,000 people

Turnover

More than 300 crore

Subsidiaries

Corporate Logo

Competitive Advantage of Ispahani:

A group of experienced and professional management team is engaged in running day-today business operations of the Company. The group gained reputation in tea, food and textile
business for its industrial skill, long experience and good distribution channel. The company has
an unrivalled distribution network of over 490 sales centres under 20 zonal offices in Chittagong,
Dhaka, Dhaka North, Bogra, Barisal, Comilla, Khulna, Kushtia, Mymensingh, Rangpur,
Dinajpur, Sylhet, Dhaka South, Dhaka East, Kishorganj, Chittagong South, Chittagong North,
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Jessor, Rajshahi and Faridpur. It also owns four of the finest tea gardens in Bangladesh:
Ghazipore, Mirzapore, Zarreen and Neptune, all of which are equipped with state-of-the-art tea
manufacturing machinery. Significant competition in the industry is evident due to pressure from
new entries but the incremental demand both in local & foreign market signals growth of the
industry. Other strengths of the company include continuous investment in infrastructure to
ensure quality production, investment in human resources training, price competitiveness which
comes from economies of scale in purchasing and marketing, ability to respond quickly to
market changes, and established goodwill in the market.

Success Story
The Ispahani group has been the forerunner in numerous fields and has achieved
noteworthy success in its many endeavors. Ispahani Tea is a household name and is the largest
tea trading company in the country. It dominates the domestic tea market by capturing about 50
percent of the national branded tea market and 80 percent of the branded tea-bag segment.
Particularly, the Mirzapore brand is a widely popular name distribution partners often identify
the entire company as the "Mirzapore Tea" company. Pahartali Textile and Hosiery Mills
(PTHM), established in 1954 with 18,000 spindles, is one of the pioneers in local textile
manufacturing. The shipping division has been representing many world-renowned shipping
lines and non-vessel operating common carriers in Bangladesh for the last 50 years. M.M.
Ispahani Ltd. was again a pioneer in private sector power generation in 1951 at Pahartali.
Turnover of the core group of companies amounted to more than Tk 300 crore in 2014; its export
figures are also impressive. Tea and cotton yarns exported in 2014 were worth Tk 182.7 crore
bringing the cumulative total amount exported in the last five years to about Tk 363.8 crore.
Corporate Social Responsibility:
Ever heedful of its social responsibilities, the Ispahani family has spent huge amounts,
over the years, to support and advance worthwhile causes. Family members have established
numerous schools and colleges in both Dhaka and Chittagong; Ispahani Mirzapore Tea has been
sponsoring the National Cricket League for the last three years. Furthermore, the Ispahani group
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often sponsors various cricket, football, golf and tennis tournaments in Chittagong. The Islamia
Eye Hospital was founded in Dhaka in 1960 as a charitable dispensary and has now been
upgraded to a 200-bed state-of-the-art eye hospital. Supported by a specialist lineup of 75
surgeons and doctors, this one-of-a-kind institution has played an outstanding role in meeting the
eye care needs of this country

Product Port Folio

Tea Garden

Tea Trade

Cotton Textiles

Jute

Shipping

Real Estate

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Foods

Poultry

ICT

Energy

Packaging

Hospitality & Leisure

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Agro

Trading

International Market:

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Why Conglomerate Business?

Mirza Salman Ispahani, managing director of the group, replied, "Different businesses
emerged because of different reasons we entered the travel and ISP sectors by spinning of
internal departments which were doing a good job. The foods segment was an attractive idea
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considering the distribution synergies with the existing tea business". The name Ispahani
represents something of value to the average person today it stands for dependability and quality
product, a perception that has been possible only after years of consistent performance.

Challenges facing by Ispahani

Challenges facing this generation of Ispahanis are different from those handled by
predecessors. The overall market is now more competitive, quality and productivity are more
critical factors today than ever before. Management, however, considers the future to be
promising for both tea and textiles which is the primary revenue-generating sectors of the group.
Tea has increasingly become less vulnerable to volatility in international markets since 80
percent of local production is now consumed domestically. Forecasts for textiles are also
optimistic since competitiveness and short lead times in the future will have to mean local
sourcing. In that scenario, anyone offering quality products at competitive prices while managing
cost efficiencies, productivity, and up-to-date learning should be able to survive the post MFA
(multi fibre arrangement) challenges.
3.3 Comparative Assessment:
To start with a keen comparative assessment, it needs to be mentioned that both of the
companies secure a pioneering position in Conglomerate business in terms of product, operations
and strategies approaching in different industrial sector. Nasir Group of Industries which was
started back in 1970 as a small trader and now owns 10 different business units in different sector
including Float Glass, Melamine, Printing and Packages, Tobacco, Footwear, Glassware and
Tube, Energy Saving Lamp etc. Whereas Ispahani Group of Industries started their business long
years back then Nasir group in 1820 and now owns 8 to 9 subsidiaries including Tea, Consumer
food, Textile, Yarn, Jute, Shipping, Real estate etc.
Concentrating on product differentiation Nasir group is the biggest and first float glass
manufacturer in Bangladesh and they have a huge exporting market in 9 different countries
which helps to earn a lot of foreign currency thus improving our economic condition. They
always try to go for those products which are not available in Bangladesh mainly with an aim to
generate employment. On the other hand Ispahani group are well recognized for its vast Tea
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manufacturing and Tea trading business activities as a result they own 50% market share of
national brand tea & 80% market share of branded tea bag. Unlike Nasir group, Ispahani Group
invests a huge amount in CSR activities. They have established a School, College and a hospital
named Islamia Eye Hospital in 1960. Beyond this they also act as a sponsor of various cricket,
football, tennis, golf etc.
In comparison of distribution strategy Ispahani group have strong distribution strategy
then Nasir group. They have a wide distribution network of 490 sales centers and 20 zonal
offices. Further more Ispahani group is involved in continuous investment in Infrastructure,
Human Resource training to ensure greater product quality. They also have competitive pricing
strategy which enables them in achieving economics of scale.

4.

Future Projections:

4.1

Nasir Group of Industries:

At Nasir group, they think of new projects, work out its cost-benefits, and visualize its

potentials and long term impact on the national economy taking full cognizance of its effects on
our environment. Innovativeness is one of their key issues. They have excelled in areas of
plastics, melamine, footwear, float glass, CFL lamps, etc. and now they are forging ahead for
entirely a new project i.e. very high grade glass tableware and glass tubing for fluorescent and
energy savings lamps, never made before in Bangladesh. New projects of Nasir Group in hands
are Float Glass line, maize, starch, corn oil and feeds etc. They strongly believe that they can
make more varieties of products of different designs compared to what they have currently
available in the market. They are determined to understand the customers of Bangladesh and
continuously release new products to move with the time to suit the changing tastes of the people
using best available raw materials procured from around the world and also using the best
available machinery leaving no scope of doubt.
The on-trial industry will not only serve our dining tables but will also add to the decor of
houses by providing the energy saving compact and non-compact fluorescent lamps. Most of
their industries are import substitute industry with high export to India, Thailand, Nepal, Bhutan,
Sri-Lanka, some European countries, USA etc. They provide not only direct employment of
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about 10000 people but indirect employment of many folds over. The backward and forward
linkage industries arising out of their production lines add substantial economic benefits to the
nation and further more employment.
4.2 Ispahani Group
Future plans of the company include expansion of tea, textiles, ISP and poultry divisions
of the group. The group's financing strategies have remained outside of the public stock market
but the owners may consider it as an option for new businesses. Since their initial equity was
invested in 1934 which has grown manifolds over the years a public offering at this point of time
will result in huge capital gains tax however it is a plan for smaller and new investments. Since
the theme of the Bangladesh Business Awards is "Bringing Global Corporate Standards to
Bangladesh", they asked what global standards Ispahani has succeeded in implementing locally.
The director's response was, "Exposure to international benchmarks. We send managers from the
tea and textiles divisions abroad regularly to attend training sessions and trade fairs so that they
can keep abreast of what's happening in their fields". Today, after centuries of business in the
subcontinent, the House of Ispahani is still dedicated to its mission of excellence in providing
high quality goods and services, making a positive impact on the overall community, and
attaining leadership positions in all its operating sectors

5.

Conclusion:
Nasir Group is focused on creating a strong and sound future for accelerated growth

benefiting all. Nasir Group shall continue to act in the best interests of its customers, employees,
shareholders and of course, Bangladesh. The company is trying to supply export quality products
at a cheap rate than its competitors and imported glasses. So it is competing both on the basis of
quality and price. The company is also enhancing its promotional activities to raise its sales
volume and maximize profit. The company uses a short vertical distribution channel to distribute
its products. At a glance to compete in a competitive market, where both domestic and
international competition is present, Nasir group of industries can be considered as a successful
one.
Ispahani group as one of the largest conglomerate business in Bangladesh besides
pioneering in Tea manufacturing, they always endeavored to support worthwhile cause by
establishing school, college and hospital. They always initiated to create a social worth full life
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by providing quality education to students thus enabling them to build their own identity in
society. They hold a good percentage of market shares in Bangladeshi Tea Manufacturing
Industry thus securing more than 300 corer annual turnover. As a competitive advantage they
have achieved price competitiveness compared to any other Tea manufacturing company in
Bangladesh. They have proactive strategies which enables them to respond according to market
changes.

References:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nasir_Group
http://www.nasirgroup.com.bd/md.htm
http://www.thedailystar.net/newDesign/news-details.php?nid=145603
http://www.nasirgroup.com.bd/about-us/
http://www.nasirgroup.com.bd/product.htm
http://www.glassonweb.com/directory/details.php?id=7375
http://www.tradekey.com/company/Nasir-Glass-Industries-Ltd-3289848.html
http://www.assignmentpoint.com/business/report-on-nasir-glass-industries-limited.html

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