Avery Dennison opens smart warehouse in Bangladesh

Avery Dennison yesterday opened a smart warehouse at Dhaka Export Processing Zone (DEPZ) in Savar, using automation and digital technology to boost the competitiveness of apparel and footwear manufacturers.

US Ambassador to Bangladesh Brent T Christensen inaugurated the warehouse of Paxar Bangladesh Limited, a subsidiary of global company Avery Dennison, at the DEPZ.

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The 830-square-metre technology-driven warehouse has been set up alongside Paxar Bangladesh’s existing operations to increase its capacity to supply labels and other products to the readymade garment and footwear industries more quickly and efficiently.

The facility can accommodate around 25,000 cartons at a time. Its receiving, storage, order picking, packing and dispatch operations will be managed through digital and automated technologies, according to a Bangladesh Export Processing Zones Authority (BEPZA) press release.

The smart warehouse is part of Avery Dennison’s broader Manufacturing 4.0 initiative.

Speaking at the inauguration, Christensen said technology, productivity and supply-chain efficiency are important for enhancing Bangladesh’s competitiveness.

US companies can further strengthen the country’s industrial capabilities through technology, expertise and investment, he said, adding that such initiatives could deepen commercial and economic ties between Bangladesh and the US.

BEPZA Executive Chairman Mohammad Moazzem Hossain said technology-driven investment is increasing the capacity and productivity of enterprises in the EPZs and making Bangladesh’s export industries more competitive.

He described Avery Dennison’s Smart Warehouse as an important example of Bangladesh’s progress towards smart manufacturing, automation and modern supply-chain management.

“Companies like Avery Dennison are bringing not only investment to Bangladesh, but also technology, knowledge and modern production practices,” he said.

Before the inauguration, Christensen met with the BEPZA executive chairman at the Dhaka EPZ Zone Office.

During the meeting, Moazzem briefed him on BEPZA’s activities, investment in the EPZs, exports, employment, labour conditions and relations between workers and management.

He also highlighted BEPZA’s role in creating an investor-friendly environment and supporting Bangladesh’s economic development and export growth.

The meeting also discussed the potential for technology-driven investment in the EPZs, international standards and ways to unlock Bangladesh’s economic potential through mutually beneficial trade between Bangladesh and the US.

In a written comment in the visitors’ book, Christensen expressed his expectation of working together through a mutually beneficial trade agenda to unlock Bangladesh’s economic potential.

BEPZA currently operates eight EPZs and two economic zones. The Patuakhali and Jashore EPZs are also expected to begin operations soon.

Moazzem invited prospective investors to explore investment opportunities in the two upcoming EPZs.

Paxar Bangladesh has been operating at the Dhaka EPZ since 2003. The US-owned company has invested around $81 million in Bangladesh and currently employs about 1,500 people.