HATIL, the top furniture brand, dominates Bangladesh’s furniture market. The industry has grown significantly in recent years. The Export Promotion Bureau values the industry at Tk 25,000 crore, but local furniture makers estimate it’s closer to Tk 30,000 crore. HATIL Complex Ltd is a significant contributor to this growth. Founded about 30 years ago, HATIL started as a small door maker. Now, it’s a leading industry player with two advanced factories and over 70 stores nationwide, making a solid impact globally.
Entrepreneurial Vision
Selim H. Rahman, the founder of HATIL, started the company by identifying a gap in the furniture market. He began as a door seller and noticed missing elements in the industry that led to HATIL becoming a complete furniture solutions provider. The idea started when Selim H. Rahman had a conversation with a customer at his father’s shop, which made him think about creating commercial doors.
This critical moment led to the creation of HATIL Doors in 1989 and set the groundwork for a business that would change Bangladesh’s furniture scene.
HATIL’s origins can be traced back to H.A. Timber Industries Ltd, a small wood shop near the Buriganga River started by Al-Hajj Habibur Rahman in 1963, located at 2 1 Ultinganj Lane in Old Dhaka’s Farashganj area. For 25 years, they only sold wood.
Selim H. Rahman is now not only the chairman but also runs things at HATIL Complex Ltd. He thought their business needed to be more modern and needed fresh ideas. We could rethink and restructure this whole business, he said. His forward-thinking attitude led to the start of HATIL Complex Ltd.
From Badda to Global Reach
HATIL is dedicated to quality, which has helped it grow in global markets such as Australia, Canada, Bhutan, and Nepal. In 2013, HATIL opened its first overseas store in Australia and started shipping furniture to the Middle East.
The company also runs franchises in India, Nepal, and Bhutan. The process of exporting furniture to other countries is ongoing. Countries like Australia, Canada, the USA, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE receive furniture from HATIL via the OEM method.
Read more: HATIL’s journey from Brand to Superbrand
HATIL also exports a significant amount of the small quantity of furniture exported from Bangladesh. The company has been growing steadily since it was founded about 35 years ago. Today, HATIL has 75 outlets in its home country and 18 outlets abroad.
Sustainability as a Guiding Principle
HATIL’s commitment to sustainability, evident in its procurement practices, has contributed to its success. Initially a teak wood furniture producer, HATIL transitioned to imported oak wood and later to FSC-certified beech wood due to deforestation concerns. This change expanded its manufacturing capabilities and led to FSC certification.
The company’s focus is not only economic but also societal and environmental sustainability, demonstrated by its use of certified wood, recycling programs, stance against child labor, and gender inclusivity.
HATIL: Leading furniture brand in Bangladesh
HATIL Doors, a company that began with just 6-7 employees over 30 years ago, has grown into HATIL Complex Ltd, employing around 3,000 people.
The company’s focus on constant quality improvement shows its commitment to providing top-notch craftsmanship to its customers. This has made HATIL the leading furniture brand in the country, owning 10% of the branded furniture market.
In the 2021-22 fiscal year, HATIL’s furniture sales reached BDT 428 crore.
In February, the company received the ‘Superbrands Bangladesh’ title for 2023-2024, marking it as one of the top brands in the furniture industry.
HATIL offers eight different product lines, including home and office furniture, hotel and hospital furniture, institutional furniture, kitchen cabinets, interiors, and doors for both homes and businesses.
Read more: How Does Hatil Furniture Guarantee Product Quality?
HATIL’s growth from a door seller to a global furniture brand shows its innovative leadership and commitment to quality. Despite challenges, the company’s focus on sustainability, technology, and customer service continues to shape the industry and solidify its place as a leader in Bangladesh’s furniture industry.
