Fortis Group

1. Fortis Group (Bangladesh & Germany Conglomerate)

This organization is a major conglomerate that began in the apparel sector and has since
diversified its business interests.

Core Structure and Ownership

• Ownership: A joint venture between stakeholders in Bangladesh and Germany.

• Headquarters/Major Operations: Primarily based in Bangladesh, with factories in
locations like Dhaka, Chittagong, and Gazipur. They also have a German
marketing/sourcing entity (e.g., TexFortis Germany GmbH).
• Workforce: A large organization with over 10,000 employees.

General Principles and Standards Across Fortis Entities

Many companies associated with the name "Fortis" operate a formal and structured Occupational
Health and Safety Management System (OHSMS), often aligning with the international standard:

• ISO 4[Link] Several Fortis-named companies, particularly those in utilities,

engineering, and construction (e.g., FortisTCI, Fortis Vision), explicitly hold or work
with the requirements of this international standard for OH&S Management Systems.
• Commitment to Safety: The policies generally emphasize a fundamental commitment
from top management to:
o Provide a safe and healthy workplace.
o Prevent injury and ill-health (physical and mental).
o Achieve zero preventable injuries as the ultimate goal (e.g., FortisAlberta).
o Comply with legal and regulatory requirements.
• Core OHSMS Components: The systems are built around best-practice OHS principles:
o Hazard Identification and Risk Control: Hazards are to be analyzed, and risks
controlled before work starts.
o Employee Rights and Participation: Workers are made aware of their right to
know, participate, and refuse unsafe work. There is a commitment to
consultation and participation of workers.
o Stop Work Authority: Employees are often granted the authority to stop work if
they encounter anything unsafe.
o Continual Improvement: The system includes a commitment to continually
monitor, audit, and improve the health and safety program.
o Leadership and Accountability: Leaders are responsible for implementing and
maintaining the OHSMS elements and ensuring necessary resources are provided.
Examples from Specific Fortis Entities

Fortis Entity Primary Industry Key OH&S Management System Detail

Explicitly maintain an Occupational Health
and Safety Management System (OHSMS).
FortisBC /
Utility/Energy Emphasize a "Home Safely" culture and zero
FortisAlberta
preventable injuries. Detail support for Joint
Health and Safety Committees (JHSC).
States a commitment to operating an OHSMS
Fortis that ensures regulations and standards are not
Engineering & Engineering/Manufacturing only met but exceeded wherever possible, and
Manufacturing continually monitor, audit and improve the
program.
Achieved ISO 45001:2018 Certification,
FortisTCI Utility/Energy confirming their OHSMS aligns with
international best practice.
Holds ISO 45001:2018 Recertification,
Fortis Vision Construction/Contracting verifying their health and safety practices meet
the international standard.

List of Interested Parties

Here is a comprehensive list of the key interested parties:

1. Internal Stakeholders (The Company)

Stakeholder Category Specific Parties Interest

Directors, Managing Profitability, business growth,
Management & Director (e.g., Mr. diversification success, brand
Owners Shahadat Hossan), and reputation, and overall
other top executives. strategic direction.
Owners of the privately
Return on Investment (ROI),
held group (includes
Shareholders/Investors financial performance, capital
Bangladesh and Germany
appreciation.
jointly owned equity).
Over 10,000 workers, Fair wages, safe working
Employees & including management, conditions, benefits (medical,
Workforce skilled technicians, and transportation), career
factory-level employees. development, and job security.

2. Market and Commercial Stakeholders

Stakeholder
Specific Parties Interest
Category
Renowned international Quality of garments, timely
International
retailers and brands in Europe, delivery, competitive pricing,
Customers /
North America, Australia, and and assurance of
Buyers
Africa. ethical/compliant sourcing.
TexFortis Germany GmbH and Successful sales and
International other global sourcing/marketing marketing, global supply chain
Partners offices (e.g., Goldberg Styletex efficiency, and business
Inc. in Canada). development.
Fabric, yarn, and trim suppliers; Timely and consistent payment
Suppliers machinery providers; energy for goods and services, long-
suppliers. term contractual relationships.
Debt repayment, financial
Commercial banks (e.g., The
Financial stability of the group, and
Premier Bank Limited) and
Institutions long-term banking
lenders.
relationships.
Patrons of its domestic ventures
Quality of service, customer
Customers like Sarah Resort (Hospitality)
satisfaction, and investment
(Domestic) and buyers of Fortis Real Estate
value.
projects.

3. Regulatory and Industry Bodies

Stakeholder
Specific Parties Interest
Category
Bangladesh Bank, National
Board of Revenue (NBR), Tax compliance, adherence to
Government &
Department of Inspection for labor laws, trade regulations
Regulators
Factories and Establishments (exports/imports).
(DIFE).
BGMEA (Bangladesh Garment Representing the group's
Industry
Manufacturers and Exporters interests, policy advocacy, and
Associations
Association), BKMEA. industry best practices.
Compliance with
environmental standards (e.g.,
clean production, waste
Department of Environment
Environmental & management), fire and building
(DoE), local fire safety
Safety Regulators safety.
authorities.
 4. Community and Non-Governmental Stakeholders

Stakeholder
Specific Parties Interest
Category
People residing near the Employment opportunities,
The Local factories in Gazipur, Chittagong, community support,
Community Dhaka, and the location of Sarah environmental impact mitigation,
Resort. and local economic development.
Local and international labor Monitoring compliance with labor,
NGOs and rights organizations, compliance health, and safety standards;
Watchdogs auditors, third-party certification promoting fair trade and ethical
bodies. manufacturing.
Infrastructure Development Promoting and financing
Development Company Limited (IDCOL) sustainability projects (e.g.,
Partners and other development financial rooftop solar), successful
institutions. execution of green initiatives.
The group's non-profit arm Successful implementation of CSR
Fortis
supporting education and and charitable initiatives to benefit
Foundation
welfare projects. the poor and vulnerable in society.

The key issues and challenges can be categorized as follows:

1. Industry-Wide Economic & Market Challenges

• Global Market Volatility: As a major exporter of garments, the group is highly exposed
to the financial stability and changing consumer demand in its key export markets
(Europe, North America). Global economic downturns directly impact order volume and
pricing.
• Competition and Price Pressure: The Bangladesh RMG sector faces fierce global
competition, leading to intense pressure on manufacturers to minimize costs, which
affects profit margins.
• Infrastructure and Supply Chain Disruptions: While not unique to Fortis, all
Bangladeshi businesses deal with national-level challenges like power and energy
supply issues and logistics bottlenecks, which can affect production timelines and costs.
• Financial Health of the RMG Sector: The broader RMG and textile industries in
Bangladesh have faced issues such as being among the top loan defaulters nationally,
which creates a challenging financial environment for all participants.
2. Labor, Compliance, and Social Issues

• Maintaining High Labor Standards: Despite claiming strict adherence to compliance

(including third-party audits and exceeding safety standards), continuously maintaining
the highest levels of safe working conditions, fair wages, and labor rights for its large
workforce (over 8,500 employees) remains a persistent operational challenge in the
context of Bangladesh's labor environment.
• Retention and Skill Development: The need for a dedicated and knowledgeable
human resource pool is explicitly mentioned by the company, suggesting that finding
and retaining skilled workers and management, and investing in continuous training
(Future Leadership Programs, etc.), is a key operational focus and challenge.

3. Sustainability and Environmental Issues

• Resource Management: Even with green initiatives, the core textile business is
resource-intensive. Challenges include:
o Water Usage and Management: Ensuring environment-friendly water
management and wastewater treatment (though Fortis highlights rainwater
harvesting).
o CO2 Emissions and Fossil Fuel Dependency: Reducing the reliance on fossil
fuels and managing CO2 emissions is a constant challenge, despite efforts like
using a "Green Boiler" and renewable energy projects.
• Green Compliance (Challenge/Opportunity): Fortis Group actively seeks to certify all
its factories as LEED-certified by 2025, which, while a strategic goal, represents a
significant capital investment and regulatory challenge to achieve across all its
facilities.

4. Corporate and Expansion Issues

• Diversification Risk: The group has diversified into real estate, hospitality (Sarah
Resort), and sports (Fortis FC). Managing and ensuring profitability across multiple,
distinct business sectors requires varied expertise and carries risks associated with market
conditions in each new sector.
• Brand and Reputation Management: Successfully navigating the market while
maintaining its brand reputation for innovation and quality across its different companies
(garments, real estate, hospitality) is a perpetual corporate challenge.
Business/Partnership Opportunities and Career Opportunities.

1. Business & Investment Opportunities

The group's main business sectors and potential areas for partnership or investment include:

A. Garments & Textile (Apparel Exporter) This is one of the core businesses of Fortis Group,
with manufacturing units. Opportunities exist in:

• Manufacturing Partnerships: For brands looking to source garments (Activewear,

Sports & Activity wear, Outerwear, Casualwear, Denim Wear, Knitwear, Medical Wear,
Swim Wear).
• Supply Chain & Logistics: Opportunities for collaboration as they manage a global
supply chain.
• Technology & Innovation: They are known to focus on adopting advanced technology
like CLO3D, Browzwear, and Optitex for product visualization and an innovative R&D
team for fabric development.
• Green Initiatives: Collaboration on sustainability and environment-friendly projects, as
the group has engaged in rooftop solar projects to promote green energy.

Key Companies in this Sector:

• Habitus Fashion Ltd.

• Fortis Garments Ltd.
• KA Design Ltd.
• Arrow Fabric Ltd.
• Quattro Fashion Ltd.
• Mithela Textile Industries Ltd.

B. Real Estate & Construction The group has diversified into real estate and construction,
primarily through Fortis Real Estate and Fortis Builders Ltd. Opportunities include:

• Investment/Purchase: Investing in or purchasing residential properties and land projects

like Fortis Platinum Residence (villas/plots).
• Construction & Development: Potential for joint ventures or contracting services in
property extension, reconfiguration, refurbishment, and construction management.
• Ongoing/Upcoming Projects (Under the related brand Fortress Group): Residential
apartments in areas like Jolshiri Abashon, Bashundhara R/A, Sodesh Sornali R/A,
Purbachal R/A, Mirpur, and Uttara.
C. Hospitality

• Resort & Leisure: Investment or partnership opportunities related to their resort venture,
such as Sarah Resort (located in Gazipur).

D. Sports & Social Ventures

• Sports Development: Opportunities related to their football club, Fortis FC, which aims
to establish academies across the country.

2. Career Opportunities

Fortis Group frequently seeks talent across its various business wings. General career fields in
demand are likely to be:

• Garments & Production: Roles like Fashion Designer, Product Developer, Manager-IE
(Industrial Engineering), Manager-Production, DGM-Marketing and Merchandising.
• Supply Chain Management: Roles in planning, logistics, operations, warehousing, and
project management.
• Management & Administration: General managerial, HR, and administrative roles.
• Real Estate & Construction: Roles in construction management, architecture, and sales.
• Internships: They offer an Internship Program for fresh graduates.
• Leadership Programs: They also have a Future Leadership Program (FLP).

The key individuals identified in direct leadership roles and their

primary areas of activity are:

Leadership Name (if

Direct Role on Organization Activities
Position specified)
Overall Group Management and Strategic Vision:
Leads the entire conglomerate. Strongly advocates for
Managing
Md. Shahadat automation and technological upgrades in the RMG
Director, Fortis
Hossan manufacturing process to enhance competitiveness.
Group
Represents the group externally, setting the tone for
corporate culture and growth targets (e.g., export goals).
Governance and High-Level Strategy: Provides
oversight to the Board of Directors, ensuring compliance
Major General and strategic alignment with long-term goals. Likely
Chairman Md Sarwar involved in large-scale corporate relations and high-level
Hossain (Retd.) decision-making. (The search also links him to the
management of "AFC Fortis Bangladesh," suggesting a
governance role across different entities).
Leadership Name (if
Direct Role on Organization Activities
Position specified)
Operational Leadership and Sector Expertise: Direct
Managing
management and operational control, with a specific focus
Director (AFC
Jewel Khan on the core garments sector, drawing on his over 10 years
Fortis/Specific
of experience. Drives the development of the core team
Entity)
and company mission.
Project Management and Strategic Growth: Provides
Director (AFC expertise in project management, entrepreneurship, and
S M Saifur
Fortis/Specific technical oversight (chemical engineering background).
Rahman
Entity) Contributes to the strategic and governance aspects of
various group entities.
Financial and Expansion Strategy: Brings extensive
Director (AFC
experience in retail and private banking. Leverages
Fortis/Specific Saidul Amin
organizational and project management skills for the
Entity)
various expansion drives of the group.
Human Capital and Corporate Culture: Responsible
CHRO (Chief
for talent management, employee development, HR
Human Nusrat
strategy, and creating a sustainable and supportive
Resources Chowdhury
corporate environment for the large workforce (over
Officer)
10,000 employees).
Sports and Corporate Development: Leads the group's
investment in sports, particularly in developing the
President (Fortis Md Shahin
football club and the Fortis Sports Academy, aiming to
Football Club) Hasan
create a pipeline of future talent as a major CSR/branding
initiative.

Policy On Fortis Group

1. Sustainability and Environmental Policy

Fortis Group BD commits to environmentally responsible operations, which it views as a

cornerstone of its business philosophy. Key initiatives under this policy include:

• Green Energy Initiatives: Implementing renewable energy projects, notably Rooftop

Solar installations on its factory buildings (e.g., K A Design Ltd., Habitus Fashions Ltd.),
often with financing from organizations like IDCOL.
• Resource Conservation: Policy goals focus on Electricity Conservation and CO2
Management to reduce dependency on fossil fuels and lower the cost of production.
• Waste Management: Policies support Minimum Waste generation, Clean Production,
and the use of Safe Chemicals.
• Water Management: This includes adopting Rain Water Harvest methods for
environmentally friendly water management and reuse.
 • Eco-Designed Facilities: The group aims for and utilizes facilities built according to
high environmental standards.

2. Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) and Social Policy

The Group operates the Fortis Foundation, a non-profit, non-political, non-governmental,

voluntary, and charitable organization, to manage its social policies.

• Employee Well-being: Policies aim to provide a safe and healthy workplace with
facilities like:
o Child Care Rooms
o Medical Rooms
o Incentives and bonuses
o Free Transport
o Canteen Facilities
o Training Facilities
• Community Support: Initiatives extend beyond the factory gates, including:
o Providing Scholarships for workers' children.
o Establishing and contributing to educational institutions (e.g., Dighir Chala High
School).
o Organizing Free Medical Campaigns and distributing winter clothes to the poor.

3. Quality, Compliance, and Code of Conduct

Given its export-oriented nature, the Group adheres to a comprehensive set of quality and
compliance standards, often aligned with its international buyers and partners.

• Quality Assurance (QA): The policy is to maintain the highest standard of quality
throughout the production process. This includes:
o A Comprehensive Quality Manual.
o Detailed audits at all stages (fabric, trim, pre-production, in-line, and final
AQL audits).
o Acceptance of external agencies/3rd party inspection services and Social
Audits (Code of Conduct) for compliance checks.
• Labor Laws and Ethics: The policy requires employees, officers, and directors to
adhere to the highest ethical standards. This includes:
o Zero Tolerance for unethical conduct.
o A commitment to maintaining a respectful, inclusive, and safe workplace free
from discrimination, harassment, or bullying (as is standard in modern corporate
codes of conduct).
o Upholding local labor laws and employment regulations (e.g., No Child
Laboure).

In essence, Fortis Group BD's public-facing policy is built on a foundation of ethical business
practices, comprehensive environmental stewardship, and proactive social contribution.