To understand any company’s astronomical rise in any industry, it’s imperative to understand the story of the said company. 

The story of HATIL, the country’s leading furniture brand, started at a small timber shop in Dhaka’s Farashganj, by the bank of the Buriganga River, almost 60 years ago.  

In the firm hands of Alhaj Habibur Rahman, H.A. Timber Industries Limited took shape and became one of the prominent timber businesses in Farashganj, which was then Dhaka’s biggest timber hub. 

Over the next 32 years, before HATIL’s formal beginning in 1989, H.A. Timber Industries Limited positioned itself as a key player in the country’s timber industry. 

“He was a visionary man with a great reputation,” HATIL’s Company Secretary Md. Rezaul Karim ndc said about the founding chairman.

“Habibur Rahman was a leader who always thought of everyone, not just about himself. His vision was ‘us’, not ‘me’. He believed in collective development,” said the company secretary. 

Besides being a visionary, the late founding chairman was also a good father and a mentor. 

He mentored five of his sons and provided hands-on training on how to do business, how to earn money, and how to spend money. They are now steering HATIL towards its remarkable ascent to success. 

HATIL's ascent to the pinnacle can be attributed to a multitude of factors: the visionary leadership of the late founding chairman, Alhaj Habibur Rahman; the ongoing commitment to diversification and innovation by his eldest son, Selim H. Rahman; the unwavering determination of the five brothers; and HATIL's distinctive design and state-of-the-art manufacturing capabilities. 

Read more: Automation behind HATIL's most significant transformation, says Director Shafiqur Rahman

Hatil was established in 1989 and has since made significant strides in its long journey. 

In the 1980s and ‘90s, modern-looking furniture had to be imported from foreign countries. HATIL took the initiative to produce furniture locally and cater to the domestic market. 

After nearly 35 years in the industry, HATIL has indeed become a household name.

According to its company profile, HATIL now has 75 outlets across the country and 18 outlets overseas.

‘Slim is smart’

At the core of its manufacturing philosophy is the motto: 'Slim is Smart.’

HATIL's dedication to slim and minimalist design has not only reshaped the perception of furniture design in the country but also transformed consumers' preferences from ornate, heavy designs to sleek, compact, and minimalist styles. 

“Our furniture designs were not as modern as they are now; we used to follow more traditional designs,” Moshiur Rahman, HATIL’s director of sales and marketing, said. 

“People nowadays prefer slim-designed furniture because urban apartments are becoming smaller in size,” he said. 

Furniture design in Bengal underwent centuries of transformation, influenced by a variety of global cultures imposed by rulers from different parts of the world throughout history. This influence is notably apparent in the Mughal aesthetics present in furniture from that era.

Read more: HATIL’s ‘slim is smart’ has global appeal: Marketing Director Moshiur Rahman

Similarly, a fusion of British colonial aesthetics and traditional Bengali craftsmanship began to emerge during the British Colonial rule.

In the later half of the 20th century, furniture design in Bangladesh saw the influence of Scandinavian and European styles, incorporating eco-friendly materials such as bamboo and recycled wood, according to Shafiqur Rahman, Director of HATIL.

Shafiqur Rahman echoed his brother's sentiments regarding HATIL's role in transforming the country's furniture design.

“While traditional designs once dominated the furniture market, the younger generation now also favors modern minimalist designs crafted from local materials,” he wrote in one of his blog posts. 

HATIL, initially commencing its business with doors, now provides a wide array of products to its customers, including beds, sofas, and nearly every other household furniture item. 

Commitment to Quality

HATIL, Bangladesh's top furniture brand, is renowned for its quality and consistency, which has been crucial to the brand's enduring success. Shafiqur Rahman attributes this success to the brand's innovative approach, which incorporated advanced machinery and robotics into its production over the past decade.

“Previously, there was no plan in place to ensure an efficient manufacturing process,” Shafiqur said. “Often, it was seen that all parts for production were ready, but an important material was missing, causing the entire production process to come to a halt which, in turn, would add to the manufacturing cost.”

Read more: Commitment towards sustainability at the heart of HATIL: Company Secretary Md. Rezaul Karim

“Now, due to our streamlined operations, there is no backlog for any product,” he said.

HATIL now employs a time-based production system to minimize any time-related losses.

“The system was implemented on the advice of foreign consultants to enhance the efficiency of production and supply management. To ensure efficient time management, our German consultants assisted us in designing the machinery layout in our production factory,” he said.

‘Where quality meets craftsmanship’

While HATIL has come a long way from its traditional furniture designs, the country's leading furniture brand has not completely abandoned one of the fundamental elements of household furniture: its design.

And to keep up with the rising demands for HATIL’s “eco-friendly but aesthetically pleasing” furniture, Hatil has consistently adopted modernity, technology, and a responsible approach in all processes of its production chain. 

“From chairs and sofas to intricate cabinetry, HATIL’s factory unit crafts each piece with thorough attention to detail and follows a well-coordinated production process,” writes Shafiqur Rahman. 

HATIL’s production process begins with its carefully crafted sourcing strategy which is the fusion of sustainability and quality. 

Meanwhile, HATIL's skilled craftsmen continue to be immersed in an ongoing process of mix-and-match exploration, meticulous scrutiny, and experimental design efforts that align with its dedication to quality and aesthetics.

Automation in the driving seat

As HATIL’s operations, demand, and recognition expanded, so did its workforce. The company, which initially started with only 6 -7 staff members, now employs nearly 3,000 workers.

In 2004, due to increasing demand and the struggle to meet the growing production needs, HATIL decided to expand its operations.

This marked the beginning of the construction of HATIL’s factory in Gazipur.

Read more: Commitment to quality behind HATIL’s success: Director Mahfuzur Rahman

According to Md. Rezaul Karim ndc, while design played a significant role in HATIL’s success, another key driver was the incorporation of advanced technologies into its manufacturing processes.

“HATIL used to craft its furniture through a manual process, particularly because of intricate details that required a human touch, such as engravings. However, in order to meet the increasing demand and changing preferences, HATIL implemented semi-automation, then automation and now our production involves the use of robots,” he said.

HATIL’s use of automation in its manufacturing also ensures consistency in the design and size of every piece which is very difficult to deliver with manual labour, according to Shafiqur Rahman.

Always up for innovation

Since the inception of HATIL under the leadership of Selim H Rahman, the company has achieved new heights, driven by his unwavering commitment to diversification and innovation, said HATIL’s Company Secretary Md. Rezaul Karim ndc. 

With commitment to diversification and innovation come bigger changes and challenges. 

The country’s leading furniture brand has always adapted to changes that come with it. 

From introducing slim designs to lacquer finishing, the brand has consistently embraced new approaches, aligning with customer preferences at times and introducing new concepts to its customer base at others. 

“We tried to change the perception in the market which, prior to 2000, considered HATIL as a costly brand. After 2000, when we introduced processed and solid wood combinations, we were able to offer reasonably priced products,” said HATIL’s Director of Sales and Marketing Moshiur Rahman.

However, regarding its "slim is smart" design philosophy, Moshiur Rahman commented, "Initially, the idea of slim furniture wasn't widely embraced by customers, as traditional furniture had greater appeal to most." 

HATIL independently introduced the concept of slim design to the market, which subsequently altered customers' perceptions of furniture design.

Read more: Bangladeshi furniture industry needs reforms to reach its full potential: HATIL Chairman Selim H. Rahman