Top 7 Garment Manufacturing Companies in Afghanistan

Despite the fact that Afghanistan has been one of the most prosperous countries in the world, garment manufacturing has not yet reached its full potential. This has caused many companies to look for other locations for their garment production. Luckily, there are some great options out there that can help you get started.

D&J Garment

Located in the heart of Guangzhou, D&J Garment manufactures a slew of apparel and related accessories, including their namesake brand of clothing. They have been in business for over 20 years, and employ a small army of tweeners who have built a slew of happy customers.

The mainstay of their business model is a streamlined process for ordering items, with an emphasis on customization. The company carries with it a hefty stockpile of fabrics, with a particular focus on polyester and nylon. It’s no wonder their products are top of the line.

The company has a small but savvy staff that pays close attention to detail, including the big picture and little p. They have the right people at the right time, and the right mix of fashion forward, fashion conscious execs to boot. In addition to their mainstay brand of clothing, they also do some bespoke contract manufacturing for clients who want the full service experience.

Zarif Design

Founded in Kabul, Afghanistan in 2005 by Afghan-American designer Zolaykha Sherzad, Zarif Design has re-invented traditional Afghan clothing for the modern woman. By combining traditional handcrafted textiles with contemporary Western aesthetics, the company is able to create beautiful and ethical garments.

With the help of local artisans, the fashion house works to preserve the ancient textile traditions of Afghanistan. The designs are crafted by hand from materials such as cotton and raw silk. The clothes are then embroidered by women in the courtyard workshop of the Kabul Carpet Export Center, which is located next to the mosque. Currently, the company employs more than two dozen people.

As well as working with Afghan artisans, the design house also tries to promote fair trade practices. By promoting natural dyes and sourcing all its fabrics from Afghanistan, the company is attempting to revive the country’s rich cultural heritage.

Unlike many other companies, Zarif Design also employs women. In fact, 60% of the company’s team is female. The designs are inspired by the motifs of Afghanistan, which include mandalas, calligraphy, and Arabic scrolls. Printed on silk, these pieces are both modern and traditional.

The company’s creations are available for sale on occasional pop-up events in Paris and Brooklyn. The design house is on a mission to help change the world’s perception of Afghanistan.

Weiye

Founded in 1996 by the intrepid Weiye Guo, Weiye is no slouch when it comes to cloth manufacturing. Its flagship garment division is known as Weiye Textiles, a subsidiary of a large Chinese apparel manufacturer. The company was also the first to introduce a new range of fabrics aimed at women. Its online retailing subsidiary is slated to make an RMB 115 billion yuan in 2010.

Weiye does a lot of business in China and abroad. However, its biggest growth driver is online retailing. In 2009, the company’s e-commerce business grew by a whopping 97% from 2008. While the company isn’t exactly a household name, the industry is ripe for consolidation. As the industry splinters into smaller sub-sectors, the competition for the best clothing is intensified.

This has led to a wave of innovation aimed at improving customer service, cutting costs, and boosting productivity. Among these initiatives is the use of a novel ERP system that enables the company to juggle hundreds of orders at a time, a feat that was previously unheard of. The company’s burgeoning e-commerce division has also spawned an innovative apparel design and prototyping department, which aims to develop next-gen clothing.

Hemp Fortex

Among the myriad textile companies vying for your hard earned dollar, Hemp Fortex tops the food chain. This vertically integrated manufacturer spins out a quality yarn into an array of fabrics. It also produces 70%-100% of its own electricity on site through solar panels. Hemp is a great source of fibre, and returns a respectable percentage of its nutrients back to the soil.

Among the plethora of sexy women, Hemp Fortex’s most notable employees include a female engineer who demonstrates the company’s attention to detail. With a brisk turnover rate of 10 million dollars a year, it’s no wonder Hemp Fortex is a bona fide success story. Certainly, they’ve tapped into the market by making smart business decisions.

One tidbit is that the company was the first to join the Fair Wear Foundation, an independent non-profit organization that has improved conditions at garment factories around the world. The company’s achievements have been recognized with multiple awards and accolades, including a spot on Forbes’ list of the world’s most innovative apparel brands.

Arlisman

Among the swarm of garment manufacturers that call the country home, Arlisman stands out as the best and brightest. The company is headquartered in Guangzhou, China and boasts an impressive roster of global customers.

This includes global brand powerhouses Adidas, Burberry and Calvin Klein to name a few. The company is also notable for being a good corporate citizen and for a number of other reasons. One of the many reasons that Arlisman is unique amongst its competitors is that the company has a small but well managed staff that demonstrates company wide commitment to quality, innovation and a positive work environment.

YOTEX

YOTEX is a Chinese sportswear and activewear manufacturer. It has an ODM and OEM factory in Fujian, China and a business office in Shanghai, China. It offers one-stop full package services for international markets. It specializes in outdoor soft shell, men’s sportswear, windbreaker jackets, womenEUR(tm)s pregnant clothes, and other functional clothes. It has over 20 years experience and has worked with brands from Europe, North America, and South Africa.

YOTEX has a team of textile quality experts, designers, and overseas partners. They are willing to work on custom design requests. They also offer OEM services, and design services. They have passed several certifications such as ISO 9001. They are specialized in men’s and women’s sportswear, active tops, windbreaker jackets, and other functional clothes.

YOTEX is part of the larger business group YOVA and TERRY. YOTEX mainly deals with the US market and Europe. The company also provides apparel for schools.

Afghanistan has a large amount of cashmere and silk. It is ranked third in the world in terms of cashmere production. It produces about 59,000 tons of cotton each year. However, it has not been able to build factories to process its cotton. The government is working on reviving the country’s textile industry.

Egypt

Despite the poor economic conditions, Egypt still has a modest garment industry. The country has about 1.5 million workers in 2,500 factories. It exports 8% of its industrial output. The EU is its largest export market.

The state textile industry accounts for 65% of the country’s textile manufacturing. It has also expanded its exports. Foreign direct investment has helped the sector grow. The government has made many efforts to boost the sustainability of the industry. In addition, low wages have contributed to its expansion.

Salamtex is an Egyptian company which has been in business for more than a century. It provides high-quality fabrics for both apparel and home textiles. The company is also a leading producer of lace fabric in the Middle East. The company has a client base in 15 countries. Its main products include cotton and intimate garments.

The company produces men’s and women’s clothes, including sweaters, sweatshirts and trousers. The company also has a specialized facility for medical uniforms. Other facilities specialize in casual pants and knitted garments.

The company is owned by the Farag group. Its biggest clients are Germany and the US. It is also a supplier of denim, non-denim, and workwear. Its main product is Egyptian cotton.