Bangladesh – Gazipur
Organisation : HAMS Group
Describe the building’s operational context (history, occupancy, specificies, …)
HAMS Garments Ltd. is an existing apparel manufacturing facility in Bangladesh with a gross floor area of 203,030 sq.ft. (18,861.95 m²) and approximately 3,216 regular occupants. As an operating garment manufacturing facility, the building has substantial and continuous energy demand associated with production activities, lighting, ventilation, cooling, compressed air, pumps, motors and other building and process systems.
Rather than replacing the existing facility, HAMS pursued a comprehensive operational transformation focused on reducing energy consumption while maintaining production requirements and occupant conditions. The project combined energy auditing, efficiency improvements, renewable energy, commissioning, metering, operational controls, preventive maintenance and staff engagement.
The effectiveness of this approach has been independently demonstrated through the building's achievement of LEED v4 Existing Buildings: Operations & Maintenance Platinum certification with 108 out of 110 points. The project achieved an overall 75.25% energy saving and 47.36% renewable energy contribution, demonstrating the significant decarbonisation potential of an existing industrial building.
The main actions implemented to reduce the energy consumption of this building.
HAMS implemented a coordinated package of energy-efficiency measures rather than relying on a single intervention. Investments were identified and prioritised through ASHRAE Level 1 and Level 2 energy audits and ongoing assessment of building and production energy performance.
Key measures included upgrading and optimising energy-consuming equipment and systems, improving lighting efficiency, reducing unnecessary electrical loads, optimising motors, pumps and other equipment, and improving the performance of ventilation and cooling systems. Energy metering and sub-metering were strengthened to provide greater visibility of consumption and identify opportunities for corrective action.
A major investment was the facility's 550 kW on-site solar photovoltaic system, substantially reducing dependence on grid electricity and fossil-fuel-based energy. Renewable energy now represents approximately 47.36% of the project's energy use.
Together with efficiency improvements, these measures contributed to an exceptional 75.25% overall energy saving, demonstrating that major energy reductions can be achieved through targeted investment in an existing, operational garment factory.
HAMS complements physical efficiency investments with a strong energy-management and operational optimisation system. Energy performance is continuously monitored through metering, equipment trend reviews and building-management practices, allowing the facility team to identify abnormal consumption and operational inefficiencies.
The project implemented ongoing commissioning, preventive-maintenance planning, equipment performance monitoring and defined operational responsibilities. Energy use is periodically reviewed against expected performance, enabling corrective actions rather than allowing inefficient operation to continue unnoticed.
A Demand Response programme, including a 10% demand-reduction drill, demonstrates the facility's ability to actively manage electrical demand during periods of grid stress. Operating schedules and equipment use are also reviewed to minimise unnecessary loads while maintaining manufacturing requirements.
This combination of measurement, commissioning, maintenance and active operational control helps ensure that energy savings are not simply one-time improvements but are maintained and continually improved throughout building operation.
HAMS recognises that technology alone cannot deliver lasting energy savings. The facility therefore integrates staff training, operational guidelines, employee engagement and responsible energy-use practices into its energy-management programme.
Facility and maintenance personnel receive training on efficient operation, preventive maintenance, energy monitoring and corrective actions. Operational procedures encourage equipment to operate only when required, unnecessary loads to be switched off, and energy-intensive activities to be managed efficiently without compromising production, safety or occupant comfort.
Employees are engaged in the broader sustainability programme and encouraged to participate in responsible use of energy and other resources. The facility also uses structured action plans, assigned responsibilities and periodic performance reviews to maintain accountability.
This combination of technology, operational discipline and behavioural engagement has helped embed energy efficiency into everyday factory management. HAMS therefore demonstrates a replicable approach for the apparel sector: substantial energy savings can be achieved not only through capital investment, but through better operation, informed users and continuous performance management.
I have deliberately separated the measures into the correct four categories so the judges can immediately understand the context → what HAMS invested in → how systems are optimized → how people and operational behavior sustain the savings. This should be stronger for this
