From Humble Beginnings to Export Powerhouse — The Story of Mars Apparels Limited

Mars Apparels started in 1994 as a modest knitwear factory with around 150 employees. Over the decades, it has grown significantly — expanding capacity, workforce and product range — now being a major garment manufacturing and exporting name based in Chattogram (Chittagong), Bangladesh.

Major milestones

• Establishment in 1994.
• Growth from ~150 employees to hundreds, and sub-stantial expansion of machinery.
• As of recent data, the company employs around 950 workers under its main branch.
• Production capacity (knit garments) scaled up, enabling export of large volumes annually.

Why its growth matters

• It reflects the dynamic growth of Bangladesh’s apparel export industry.
• Demonstrates how a small export-oriented knitwear factory can evolve into a global supplier by scaling operations, improving capacity, and targeting international markets.
• Offers inspiration for emerging entrepreneurs in textile and manufacturing in Bangladesh and beyond.

Possible lessons / takeaways

• The importance of starting lean and focused (knitwear) before diversifying.
• Scaling sustainably: hiring workforce, increasing machinery, but maintaining standards.
• Export-oriented mindset from early on: aligning product offerings with global demand (e.g. intimate-wear, activewear, hosiery).