| Monno Ceramic Industries
began producing porcelain tableware for the Bangladesh
home market in 1985, and secured its first export
order the following year. Monno soon earned an enviable
reputation for both quality and value. The subsequent
introduction of bone china to its range of quality
dinnerware has only served to strengthen that reputation.
As the original exporter of porcelain dinnerware ‘Made
in Bangladesh’ Monno is proud to contribute
to the growth of the Bangladesh economy. In a developing
country the kudos accorded to exports and the valuable
foreign exchange derived is significant. Today in
Bangladesh Monno is a household name and regarded
as one of the country’s premier companies.
Bangladesh is still a relatively young country. When
after independence British India was partitioned in
1947, West Pakistan and East Pakistan were created.
Subsequently East Pakistan proclaimed independence
in 1971 and Bangladesh (meaning Bengali homeland)
came into being. As a developing country Bangladesh
is accorded preferential tariffs by the European Union
which means zero import duty on Monno tableware.
Monno offers products in Porcelain, New Bone China,
Ivory China, and real Bone China. In fact they source
the materials in their bone china body and glaze from
Stoke on Trent, to which is added pure water filtered
from their own wells. So Monno likes to think of it
as ‘English’ Bone China. Customers include
many well known prestigious department stores, speciality
and chain stores around the world for whom they manufacture
own label products. Some customers have been with
Monno for as long as 20 consecutive years and Monno
is proud to enjoy a close relationship with them.
They work with customers to develop their own shapes
or decorations, or can offer designs from their extensive
stable. Their talented teams of artists and designers
work closely with the experienced technicians of an
own in-house decal print unit. That combination of
man and machine helps achieve striking results.
Monno’s Porcelain & Bone China factories
are perhaps unique in being able to offer under one
roof the flexibility and versatility of many manufacturing
methods as best suit the size or nature of the product.
Monno has invested in modern machinery and can boast
high pressure casting, ISO Static Pressing, auto cup
lines, auto dip glazing, spray drying, and an open
firing system. That technology helps them in their
never ending pursuit of excellence. Manufacturing
capacity is in the order of 2 Million pieces per month.
Monno Products are safe! Tests carried out by CERAM
show their products fall well below the thresholds
for lead and cadmium release in tableware or cookware
coming into contact with foodstuffs as specified under
current European regulations. They also meet Australasian
and US Federal requirements as well as those specified
by California’s very tough ‘Proposition
65’.
The Monno Group of companies includes, significantly,
Monno Fabrics Ltd. and Monno Attire Ltd, as well as
printing and packaging companies mutually supporting
the activities of the Group. Monno is not therefore
dependent on outside suppliers for labels or packaging,
which helps to ensure orders are available on time.
Monno provides employment to some 5,000 skilled and
unskilled local artisans, crafts men and women, who
are encouraged to develop their full creative potential.
Training is highly regarded, especially when working
with some of the very best advanced machinery selected
from manufacturers worldwide. That technology helps
to provide Monno with a competitive edge in the market
place.
Monno is a strong supporter of the environment, using
for example only natural non toxic materials in its
porcelain, and only recycled pulp in its packaging;
disposing of waste factory product in accordance with
Federal and European standards. Monno does not employ
children or discriminate between gender, and has an
equal opportunity policy. Monno also cares for the
community, providing welfare, vocational training,
basic education for those less well off, together
with a home for underprivileged children. Those graduating
from these programmes are helped to find jobs according
to their individual abilities. Monno’s own ethical
and social environmental policy is in accord with
that of their customers and has satisfied the requirements
of all factory and ethical audits independently carried
out on their behalf.
At the time of writing the Monno Group is currently
building a hospital as will further benefit its employees
and residents in local communities. |
