p50,51 Ranks Profile passed:Layout 1 21/01/2009 15:55 Page 50
RANKS PROFIILE
Moving up in RANKS
Having been in the garment business for two decades,
RANKS is one of the most experienced traders in the industry.
Neill Barston speaks to head of the firm Atul Lakhani.
F
rom starting out working a Saturday job at Indeed, he’s had plenty of success to reflect point these days. It’s customer loyalty, product
Harrods as a student, Atul Lakhani has come upon in an industry which by his own admission lines and the service you offer which are
a long way. has seen many competitors fall by the wayside. important.”
The manager of RANKS is now celebrating 20 Being competitive and responding to market Maintaining a good relationship with his
years in the manufacturing and distribution conditions has clearly been at the core of his suppliers and customers has been something that
business at the head of a company that’s trading philosophy. Despite the present downturn underpins the company’s identity.
continually evolved. in the economy, RANKS has recently expanded its In such a competitive marketplace this has
Since he set up the firm at the end of the 80s, Harrow headquarters to incorporate an adjoining remained of central importance.
he’s seen it develop far beyond its original goal of storage facility. “All my suppliers have been very supportive and
selling purely t-shirts to a small client-base. This has made a significant impact on its most of them have stuck with me since the
Today, the company now offers a broad range operations and the firm now employs a total of 12 beginning.”
of products which encompass everything from people across its administrative and warehouse While some customers occasionally venture to
childrenswear and workwear to practical fleeces departments. sample products at the company’s headquarters,
and hoodies. In such challenging market conditions, having a many are not within easy travelling distance. Such
“I have no regrets about setting up my own strong work ethic is only halfway towards making circumstances dictate that the quality of products
firm, working for myself is the best thing I ever progress in the right direction. is maintained.
did. I feel proud that every penny I’ve ever earnt What does Atul believe that has been the Understandably, some of the most challenging
has been by the book,” explains the 46-year old unique selling point in his company’s success? issues that RANKS has faced have been on a
businessman. “I don’t think anyone really has a unique selling logistical level. In addition to the company’s main
| 50 | February 2009 www.printwearandpromotion.co.uk
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