What started nearly one and a half decades ago with a modest capital of 1.5 million taka and 35 employees has now grown into one of the leading footwear manufacturers in Bangladesh. Lotto Bangladesh (Express Leather Products) began its journey in a small 10,000 sq. ft. factory in Tongi, Gazipur, and today operates from a 90,000 sq. ft. facility employing around 2,000 workers.

Recently, the company took a major step to expand its operations by investing nearly 100 crore taka to build a new manufacturing facility in Kapasia, Gazipur. On Sunday, the foundation stone for the new factory was laid at Amraid Bazar, Kapasia, alongside the unveiling of a new shoe model named “Super Light.”

Currently, Lotto generates annual sales exceeding 300 crore taka. With the new factory operational, the company expects its revenue to surpass 800 crore taka within the next five years. The new facility is projected to create jobs for about 1,000 people and also open up greater opportunities for exports.

Express Leather Products started in 2007 primarily as a subcontractor making shoes for other brands. Since 2011, the company has been producing and marketing Italy’s Lotto brand locally under license. Besides leather goods, the company has also ventured into ready-made garments, manufacturing clothing for the British brand Lee Cooper since 2019.

The new factory will be built on nearly 25 acres of land and will house three separate production lines for footwear, garments, and accessories. This expansion is expected to more than double the company’s production capacity.

Bangladesh’s footwear market is estimated at around 22,000 to 24,000 crore taka annually, with branded shoes accounting for 30-40% of the market share. Lotto competes alongside leading brands like Apex and Bata in this lucrative sector.

Currently, Lotto has 220 retail outlets nationwide. The company plans to open 200 more stores, establish 200 franchises, and expand its network to over 5,000 suppliers within the next five years.

Express Leather Products has also signed a joint investment and technology cooperation agreement with a Chinese company to further boost production capabilities.

Kazi Jamil Islam, Managing Director of Express Leather Products, said that despite rising production costs due to currency depreciation and dollar shortages, efficiency improvements have helped control pricing. He added that political stability and government policy support are crucial for further growth in exports and investment.