Interview of Humayun Kabir, the inventor of Laaibah Ruti Maker
Humayun Kabir, The Inventor of Laaibah Ruti Maker talks about invention and local business atmosphere. Our business reporter interviewed him.
Q: Say something about your service life?
Humayun Kabir: I started my service life with a small computer-sale organization in 1997. Later I worked with country’s one of the renowned computer-sale company Flora Limited for a few years. Quitting this job I joined the PRAN GROUP, another renowned company of the country. Later, I started a food export business but I could not become successful.
Q: When you started Developing Ruti Maker?
HK: The invention of the machine I thought long ago, but I started the business with this product from 2011.
Q: What encourages you to invent the machine?
HK: Practically, This type of the machine invented many years back in the world. Especially, Electric Ruti Maker, Robotic Ruti Maker and Industrial Ruti Maker invented long ago. But these machines cannot produce boiled ruti. Laaibah Ruti Maker can produce all types of boiled ruti.
Q: Have you received any help from the Government in your invention?
HK: No. I did not receive any kind of help from the government.
Q: Where are your factory and office? How many people are working there?
HK: our factory is in Bunagati village of Magura District. Our sale centre is at 67, Siddik Tower, 4th Floor, Agargaon. About 50 people are working at the factory in Magura and 25 people are working in Dhaka office.
Q: What is planning for Rural Economy and Women Empowerment?
HK: Number of women working in our factory is high. Our factory management employed women first as painter in the country. About 25 women are working in our factory. They also engaged in manufacturing. We are planning to increase the number in future. You can term the company as women-friendly.
Q: How do your marketing and sale of your products?
HK: Most of Laaibah Ruti Maker is selling on online. Our company maintains website www.rutimaker.com. The company also received an order from home and abroad through the website. The company is also responsive on Facebook (facebook.com/Laaibahrutimakerfactory) and other social media. We also sale products through online shop and marketplace- Like DARAZ and Evaly. We also join various trade fair at home. Besides, our company is going to launch an online shop www.laaibah.com. The Company maintains a YouTube channel that helps received sales order. We also dispatch products abroad through GPO.
Q: You please name the country where you sale Laaibah Ruti Maker?
HK: The Company is selling the products in many countries like England, USA, Australia and Canada. At present, The Laaibah Ruti Maker is selling at around 28 countries in the world.
Q: Who are the target customer of your company?
HK: Many modern women buy the Laaibah Ruti Maker to save time.
Q: How many models of the machine and what is the price?
HK: There are three models of the machine for use in Bangladesh. One model is for export. The model of the machine prices is taka 2000, 2500, 3000 and 3500. The machine has a customized model for the restaurant. The price depends on size and quality.
Q: It is reported that your company’s products are being counterfeit?
HK: Yes. Hundreds of people are making counterfeit machine. These machines can not make ruti. They are cheating the buyers.
Q: How do you evaluate Bangladesh over local product innovation?
HK: We evaluate our country as `Sonar Bangladesh’. There are many possibilities in our country. Our wards can do much progress. But they do not receive any help from the government.
Q: What is your advice to our youth entrepreneurs?
HK: I say the government will not do anything to young entrepreneurs. My advice to do things to your own initiative for gaining success. In our country, the success of a business depends on entrepreneurs own initiative.