Mr. Tanvir Ahmed is the Managing Director of Sheltech Group. He is also the Director of Envoy Group, which includes textiles and garments and the first denim mill in the world to obtain a LEED Platinum certification. Envoy Textiles has recently been awarded the National Export Trophy (Gold). In the year 2014, Mr. Tanvir Ahmed was recognised, by the government of Bangladesh, as the youngest CIP at the age of 29 for his contribution to the national economy. He holds a Master’s degree from Cardiff University, the UK, and a Bachelor of Arts degree (with Honours) from Kingston University, the UK. He also obtained a Diploma from the London School of Economics (LSE). His area of expertise is business management, administration and finance and his entrepreneurship involve real estate, textiles and garments, hospitality service, financial trading, aviation and ceramics. He is currently an Executive Committee member of Bangladesh Employers’ Federation. He is also a Director at the India-Bangladesh Chamber of Commerce and Industry (IBCCI). He shared his present business ventures and future plans during an exclusive interview with Ceramic Bangladesh recently.
Sheltech is a trusted name in the country’s real estate sector since 1988. The company has delivered more than 3,800 apartments in about 200 projects in various locations in Dhaka city. For quality management, it has obtained “ISO 9001:2015” as the first Bangladeshi real estate company. Sheltech follows the Bangladesh National Building Code (BNBC) and its projects are playing a vital role in consistent growth overcoming barriers. Designs are prepared following BNBC and all its projects are duly approved. It ensures international safety and quality standards in construction. The company maintains on-time handover of projects and after-sales care. No legal disputes can be found in its projects and that help a hassle-free registration. It believes in continuous innovation and improvement in products and services.
“In most of the cases it is a lifetime investment for the clients. So, clients search for a company that is dependable. Timely delivery of real estate projects within budget and to the level of the quality standards specified by the client is an index of successful project delivery for real estate developers. Sheltech understands the scenario and work with full enthusiasm to ensure the clients’ needs,” said Mr. Tanvir Ahmed. However, it is a difficult process for the developer, as many critical issues need to be addressed to complete the project on time, which can only be accomplished by a well-structured and efficiently managed company, he added. On the overall real estate development in Bangladesh and the future of this industry, Mr. Tanvir said, “While the RMG sector and a few more industries are keeping this country’s economy afloat, there is one industry that has continued to grow surprisingly well – The Real Estate. It is one of the fastest-growing sectors in the country.”
“Sheltech understands the scenario and work with full enthusiasm to ensure the clients’ needs. It has obtained ‘ISO 9001:2015’ as the first Bangladeshi real estate company”
“The sector has seen tremendous growth in recent years, with the establishment of a number of new real estate companies and development of new projects. The present demand and trend for housing in the country allows us to think the future growth of this industry is very promising,” he said. The birth and making of Sheltech were led by Mr. Tanvir Ahmed’s f irst generation. He is the one from the second generation who is now following his ancestor’s footprint. Mr. Tanvir Ahmed started serving the hospitality industry through “Platinum Hotels by Sheltech” in 2008. He got involved with the real estate industry since 2010. Sheltech is always concern to reduce environmental impact of construction. It has set a standard for an environment-friendly construction process. Design of structural elements concerning critical combinations of gravity, seismic and other loads is thoroughly checked. “We maintain strict supervision by site engineers and the quality control team to ensure construction is according to design. We ensure shore protection during foundation. We provide a safe and organised construction environment through safe pedestrian movement, a soundless, dust and garbage-free construction site while ensuring labour safety,” said Mr Tanvir. From land acquisition to after-sales service, Sheltech provides one-stop solutions through architectural and structural design, construction management, interior solution, registration process, resolving legal issues, arrangement of utility connections, customer service after delivery and secondary market dealing through buying, selling and renting.
Unlike other industries, the real estate industry has to overcome various challenges. It is a key engine of economic growth since it has a large multiplier effect on other sectors as well. It creates opportunities for its linkage businesses. Focusing on the growth, Mr. Tanvir said, “The real estate industry plays an increasingly significant role in the national economy, accounting for approximately 8% of GDP on average, and along with its 269 associated linkage industries, contributing about 12-14% to GDP. The worldwide lockdown imposed to control the spread of Covid-19 led to a global financial crisis. Bangladesh has also been affected economically. However, the pandemic effects are getting reduced and almost all business sectors are making a rebound.”
“Despite the pandemic challenges, the real estate market recovered quite well in 2021. One of the main challenges for real estate developers is the increase in prices of construction materials. Apartment registration cost in Bangladesh is also quite high which becomes a burden for buyers and makes it more difficult to purchase apartments. Besides the home loan process and interest rate are an issue of concern for the sector,” Mr. Tanvir added. The trend and character of real estate development are very significant and this is a positive sign for development of the country. Nowadays housing supply largely depends on private developers. There are some limitations to operate a real estate business in Bangladesh. Sheltech always ensures development of a culture that provides simplicity in work and nurtures growth among the employees. Regarding the company’s culture and collaboration with others, Mr. Tanvir said, “We have an open-door policy among employees and their leaders. Anyone from the team, no matter what his/her position is, is allowed to come and share his/her ideas with their leaders.” “There are di f ferent projects spread all over the market feasibility, understanding demand and value added products. For a growing business, one needs to ensure the required things as mentioned above. Additionally, one has to ensure effective leadership throughout the company is crucial. Similarly, business ethics and integrity are also important. To make this journey successful, an effective MD is highly required. A very responsible position like MD requires strong leadership skills, built upon foundation of being social, practicing empathy and having ample amount of patience. More importantly, an effective MD needs to be a visionary. capital, running simultaneously. The very nature does not allow me to go to ground level and figure out every problem. But there would be no one better to figure out the solution of a problem than the one who is directly involved in the process. Therefore, our culture realises that a great idea might be locked in the unlikeliest of minds and we always keep our door open for all the minds to discover a great one. Our employees help each other out constantly by sharing knowledge and experience. As a result, toughest jobs become considerably easier if there is a sense of belongingness among colleagues. Honestly, I myself experience joy seeing my people have created a family of their own in Sheltech,” Mr. Tanvir added. According to Mr. Tanvir Ahmed, to grow a company the most important things are – human resource strength, consistent steady profit, When asked about an effective MD, Mr. Tanvir said it is one who is brave enough to dream big and properly communicate this vision throughout the company. They need to have a keen eye to identify the
right person and assign him/her into the right position. Encouraging others and showing positivity is simply mandatory and s/he must be able to manage people and develop a work environment that encourages skill development and modernisation to ensure innovation and business development. Finally, having strong knowledge regarding the current market economy and not to be afraid of change.
“I don’t lead a team; I solemnly believe I lead a family. Therefore, the responsibility of ensuring food on the
table falls on the shoulder of head of the table. If I don’t care like this for my employees, if I just say they are my family and not believe in it, I don’t think I will feel any accountability. So, caring for them is a factor that adds to leading. However, it’s not limited to care. Sometimes you need to be harsh, sometimes you need to be kind, all so that one can see the potential that he/she is being regarded to,” Mr. Tanvir said on how he leads his team. “To maintain all these puts me through an emotional rollercoaster ride at times. To handle that, I practice patience, without it I would compromise my well-being. At a young age, we have been taught that ‘patience is a virtue’. But my experiences have taught me that ‘patience is a talent.’ Listening and empathising are other important steps of leading my family. Communicating clearly, every idea from the team properly considered and finally encouraging makes a good leader I believe. I strive to remain strong in the face of challenges and keep balance between listening to my team members’ opinion with an open mind and being decisive and adhering to the team principle.”
Sheltech is always concern to reduce environmental impact of construction. It has set a standard for an environment friendly construction process.
Mr. Tanvir Ahmed has to deal with the stress and challenges that come with his profession. He said, “If I am being perfectly honest, it actually boils down to two very specific factors. Knowing your team members, in other words knowing their abilities and their limitations. It is important to have faith in yourself, faith in others, faith in your intentions and faith on the Almighty. I try my best to know my people, I know some of the most amazing minds and most dedicated minds in the country and they love this company as their own to find a way to make it to the other side of the tunnel.” He added, “The Chairman of Sheltech Group Engineer Kutubuddin Ahmed always says one thing, ‘Every crisis has an opportunity’ and I really try to find it. I am just blessed that I have these highly talented team members with me who believe the same. For example, during the times of the Covid-19 outbreak, I have seen these people I care about struggling, I promised there will be no negative reflection on their jobs or payment. Our employees immediately got focused and my faith came to fruition as I successfully kept my promise.” The growing ceramic industry is contributing to the real estate sector and is a booming manufacturing sector in Bangladesh. Over the years the industry has flourished immensely. The country’s ceramic industry is estimated to be doubled in size by 2023. It will be aided by the growing domestic real estate industry and rising demand for products. The industry that started its journey in the 1960s currently caters to 85 per cent of the local demand along with serving a major portion of the export market: progressing towards being the third largest sector in the next five years. Regarding this, Mr. Tanvir said, “No matter what the situation would be in the coming days, the ceramic industry would obey its role of protecting walls, providing an edge to the beauty of the f loor and maintaining the essence of the well-being of everyone.” With the rise in the real estate industry, the ceramic industry is also booming as a linkage industry.
People want a more aesthetical way of living. There is a growing preference for digitally printed tiles as their intricate designs help improve the aesthetic appeal of the house/office space. The use of new technologies for printing designs on tiles has helped manufactures to offer a wide spectrum of unique designs. Today, consumers are extremely hygiene-conscious, and this has given rise to another innovation in the tiles segment – germ-resistant tiles. These tiles are made using a special glaze and undergo a unique anti-microbial treatment which helps prevent the growth of germs, bacteria, and fungus on the tiles. So, Mr. Tanvir thinks the future level of incorporation and benefits of using ceramics in real estate development are bright and many investments are coming in this sector. Sheltech Group now consists of real estate development, consultancy, hospitality, meat processing, tea estate, property management, industrial construction, share trading, ceramics, aviation, abrasive paper and secondary apartment buy-sell. Regarding his future plans for the company, he said, “We have plan to expand the ceramic industry as well as RMG concerns in the coming days along with establishing footprint on sanitary and glass industry.”
Written by Sheikh Iraj
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