Abdullah Hil Rakib: The man who revived industries, remembered after sudden demise

Image: TBS

Abdullah Hil Rakib, a prominent figure in Bangladesh's apparel industry and managing director of Team Group, died at the age of 54 on 9 June in a canoeing accident in Canada.

Rakib was widely respected for his transformative impact on Bangladesh's garment sector. Under his leadership, TEAM Group — a garment manufacturing and exporting company — grew rapidly, reaching annual exports of $600 million and employing more than 23,000 workers. This success was achieved in just 15 years, a feat that many in the industry acknowledged as unparalleled.

Born into modest circumstances, Rakib began his career in merchandising after graduating from university. But he quickly set out on an entrepreneurial path, acquiring struggling textile and apparel businesses, infusing them with new capital, and restoring them to profitability — a strategy rarely executed so successfully in the country.

Despite relying on bank loans to revive distressed factories, Rakib never defaulted — an uncommon achievement in Bangladesh's industrial sector.

In recent years, Rakib's focus expanded beyond growth and profitability. He became a vocal advocate for sustainability and green transformation in the garment industry, recognising the pressing need for environmentally responsible practices in a sector facing increasing scrutiny and global competition.

Tributes continue to pour in for a businessman many viewed not only as a leader in his field but as a visionary who combined ethical integrity, strategic foresight, and personal charisma to shape an enduring legacy. 

Anis A Khan, former managing director of Mutual Trust Bank, described the news on social media as "sudden, tragic and deeply devastating." He added, "This is the most premature passing of a business leader in the country."

Syed Nasim Manzur, managing director of Apex Footwear, said, "It is almost impossible for me to believe that Abdullah Hil Rakib has left us forever. He was one of those rare souls who left a mark on whomever he met; despite his remarkable success and achievements in apparel and textiles, his reach was much beyond his industry."

'Save your uncle': Rakib told his daughter with his dying breath

Even before his death, he set an exemplary example.

Along with Rakib, his son Mahir, and a friend, Saifuz Zaman Guddu, were also in the canoe. They had taken it out on a lake near a resort owned by a Bangladeshi.

Enam Al Sadik, a close friend of Rakib for over four decades, said that none of the three were wearing life jackets. Earlier, Guddu had been in the same canoe with his children, which later gave Rakib, Mahir, and Guddu confidence. But after paddling some distance, the canoe capsized.

Rakib's son Mahir managed to swim to shore. Seeing the others drowning, Rakib's daughter swam toward her father, who pointed to his friend, Guddu, and said, "Save your uncle."

The daughter brought Guddu to shore and began administering CPR. Rakib's wife watched helplessly from the shore as Rakib drowned. Despite their efforts, Guddu could not be saved either.

Early life 

Rakib was born into a middle-class family. His father worked in the Air Force, which allowed Rakib to attend BAF Shaheen College and Adamjee Cantonment College, completing his SSC in 1986. He then enrolled at Notre Dame College and later earned a master's degree in Marketing from Dhaka University. Before finishing his master's, he joined Dekko Group as a merchandiser.

Around 1994, during his nearly one-year tenure at Dekko Group, he caught the attention of the owners due to his quick learning, excellent management skills, and unmatched integrity.

His reputation soon spread across buying houses, leading to a job offer in 1995 from Singapore-based Texline at a monthly salary of $600.

A risky road to success

Around 2008, he took the bold step of leaving his lucrative job to pursue entrepreneurship, establishing a buying house called Team Sourcing Company Limited, which took orders from buyers and placed them with other factories. 

However, some well-known and compliant buyers, as part of their traceability requirements, preferred to place orders directly with factories. At that point, he took the risk of setting up a factory himself.

With a strong buyer base, he opted to acquire existing, struggling export-oriented textile and garment factories — including 4A Yarn Dyeing, South End Sweater Company Limited, and Brothers — instead of building new ones. He swiftly revitalised these six units.

His strength lay in owning a buying house, which ensured a steady stream of orders. He also had strong relationships with international brand buyers, which encouraged banks to come forward with financing. 

After 2015, as part of business diversification, he expanded into pharmaceuticals, retail, real estate, and information technology, achieving notable success. 

A key contributor to his journey was support from banks and financial institutions, especially City Bank. A senior bank official who handled Team Group's transactions told TBS, "Team Group's banking transactions were satisfactory. They would acquire sick industries, and although payments were occasionally overdue by a month, they were never defaulters."

A contributor to sustainability and branding

Beyond his business ventures, he significantly contributed to the Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA), serving four terms as director, including one as senior vice president. During this time, he was instrumental in advancing skills, research, apparel diplomacy, branding, and sustainable development within the sector.

He spearheaded initiatives like the Centre of Innovation, Textile Technology Business Centre, Responsible Business Hub, and Future Centre. His dedication earned him the Kotler Entrepreneur of the Year and CEO of the Year – Innovation awards in 2023.

Furthermore, two of Team Group's factories have achieved US Green Building Council LEED certification, with one earning the highest Platinum rating. Company officials anticipate that another factory will soon receive green certification.

His legacy will go on

Abdullah Hil Rakib, the driving force behind the rise of Team Group, had set a bold target: to transform the company into a $1 billion annual turnover enterprise by 2027 — a goal later extended to 2030 due to the pandemic.

But that dream was left unfinished. Does that mean his billion-dollar export dream for Team Group will remain unfulfilled?

"Not likely," says Enam Al Sadik, who is also the executive director of Southend Sweater Co Ltd. 

Speaking to TBS, he said, "Rakib was a visionary leader with a strong grip on corporate culture. Over the past year, he focused intensely on sustainability and automation, making the company less people-dependent and more process-driven."

Enam noted that merchandisers often form close ties with raw material suppliers, sometimes leading to unethical gains. "But Rakib was above all that." This integrity attracted global brands like GAP Inc. and Adidas.

"He decentralised over 10 companies under the same group, making each one self-reliant. So even in his absence, the company is well-positioned to meet his $1 billion goal," Enam added.

For his family, friends, and colleagues, his loss is deeply personal. As Syed Nasim Manzur reflected, "I shall miss his quiet strength, his calm response to every crisis, his unwavering support for any friend in need, and his visionary outlook for the retail industry in Bangladesh.

"Though Abdullah Hil Rakib is no longer with us, his influence endures through the industry he helped shape and the countless lives he inspired," Nasim added.