The Leather Industry Changemaker Awards 2025, organized by Footwear Exchange in collaboration with ASK Trade & Exhibitions, celebrated Bangladesh’s first dedicated platform to honor excellence, innovation, sustainability, and leadership in the leather and footwear sector. The awards ceremony was held on 5 December 2025 at ICCB, Dhaka, with prominent guests including Syeda Rizwana Hasan, Honorable Advisor, and Saiful Islam, Chairman of BSCIC. The event brought together industry leaders, policymakers, and young professionals to recognize transformative contributions across the sector.
Purpose and Selection Process:
The awards aim to highlight achievements that drive sustainability, efficiency, and industry growth, inspire broader adoption of best practices, and strengthen Bangladesh’s global visibility in leather and footwear. Nominations were open to businesses and individuals across manufacturing, retail, and backward linkage sectors. Entries were evaluated through a rigorous three-tier process: initial shortlisting by experts, category-specific jury evaluation, and final deliberation by the grand jury. Judges included senior industry professionals and association leaders, ensuring transparency and credibility.
Nominees and Innovations:
Sustainability Practices
Bata Shoe Company introduced Bangladesh’s first fully digital invoicing system in retail footwear, reducing millions of paper receipts, chemical exposure, and boosting operational efficiency.
Process Efficiency
Edison Footwear Industry leveraged advanced automation and laser cutting technologies to improve precision, reduce waste, and enhance operational efficiency.
MAF Shoes Ltd. demonstrated full vertical integration, modern production techniques, and in-house material lab innovations, ensuring quality, scalability, and export competitiveness.
Frame House Footwear Ltd. optimized manpower, introduced automation in sewing and marking, and reduced material and chemical consumption while improving productivity.
Support Services
Step Shoe Last & Accessories Co. Ltd. strengthened the local footwear ecosystem by supplying critical shoe lasts, reducing costs and lead times, and enhancing production accuracy.
Building Material Ltd introduced eco-friendly water-based PU leather, reducing VOC emissions by 90% and minimizing import dependency.
Pidilite Bangladesh pioneered toluene-free adhesives for footwear, offering fast supply, compliance with global standards, and supporting local manufacturers’ efficiency.
Mr. Mohammed Nazmul Hassan: Jury Board Chairman.
Senior Vice President, Leathergoods & Footwear Manufacturers & Exporters Association of Bangladesh (LFMEAB) & Managing Director, Leatherex Footwear Industries Ltd.
Managing Director, E‑Zone HRM Limite
Dr. Md. Houmyoun Kabir Khan
Director, Investment Research & Economics Observatory, BIDA.
Ms. Badria Anis
Director (Marketing), Bangladesh Export Ltd & Tropical Shoe Industries Ltd.
Major (Rtd) Md Rafiqul Islam.
Secretary General, LFMEABPresident, LETS’B
Award Winners
The winners, chosen by the jury based on impact, innovation, and scalability, included:
Sustainability Practices: SAF Industries Ltd.
Process Efficiency: MAF Shoes Ltd.
Services: Step Shoe Last & Accessories Co. Ltd.
Emerging Changemaker: AKM Moshpiqur Rahman, Accenture Footwear & Leather Products Ltd
It was announced the “Legacy of Excellence” in honor of Syed Manzur Elahi, recognizing his enduring impact and leadership in Bangladesh’s leather and footwear industry.
The awards also featured expert panels and discussions on technology adoption, localization, and export competitiveness, making the event a platform for knowledge sharing and sectoral advancement, alongside celebrating outstanding achievement.
