Thirty nine firms are going to get the "National Productivity and Quality Excellence Award 2021" in recognition of their continuous improvement in productivity and quality. 

The industries ministry, which is conferring the awards, published a gazette notification with the names of the recipients on Monday.

Besides, a trade body and an association have been selected for an "Institutional Appreciation Award 2021" in recognition of their contribution to the industrial sector and encouraging creativity.

The "National Productivity and Quality Excellence Award" is being provided under six categories.

Under a "Large Industry" category, 23 firms have won the award while six firms won under a "Medium Industry" category.

Four firms have won the award under a "Small Industry" category while one firm under "Micro Industry" and two firms under a "Cottage Industry" category.

Three firms won the award under a "State-owned Industry" category.

HMCL Niloy Bangladesh Limited, a concern of Nitol Niloy Group, won the award under a steel and engineering subcategory of the "Large Industry" category.

Abdul Matlub Ahmad, chairman of Nitol Niloy Group, said they ensure quality at every step during assembling Hero motorcycles at their factory to satisfy the customers.

"Our technicians and engineer's cross check every step from painting to assembling all components before make the delivery to the market so that no complaint arises after sales," he said.

He said they provide training to the staff so that they can continuously improve and develop their skills.

Ahmad said around 400 technicians and staff work in this factory located in Jessore, a district west of the country.

According to him, this factory has a capacity to assemble 2 lakh motorcycles per year but they assemble only 80,000 to 100,000 units per year. 

Moreover, they serve safe food to their staff and do not allow food from outside to avoid any kind of food poisoning.

"Considering these factors, the government chose to award our factory which is encouraging for other factories related to the engineering sector," he noted.

Sheltech Ceramics Ltd won the top award under a ceramics subcategory of the "Large Industry" category.

"It is a big achievement for us. We hope to be able to retain it," said Tanvir Ahmed, chairman of Sheltech Ceramics Ltd.

The concern of Sheltech Group started operations in 2018 and has become one of the biggest ceramic makers in Bangladesh, said Ahmed.

They had earlier received the award for their textiles, garments, electricity pole manufacturing and hotel business, he added.