Ceiling fan having smooth sailing as an industrial sub-sector

Saif Uddin | Published: May 12, 2026 22:56:36

Bangladesh is gradually achieving domestic production capacity in ceiling fans on the back of supportive industrial policies, and rising investment in light engineering and electrical appliances. Growing consumer confidence in locally made products provides a spur for this industrial sub-sector to thrive on, insiders say.
According to them, local manufacturers, including grey-market operators and renowned brands, now meet nearly 70-80 per cent of national ceiling-fan demand, marking a significant shift from heavy import dependence seen a decade ago. Conversely, some companies are now spreading their wings abroad with export-quality products.
The rise of local ceiling-fan manufacturing is being viewed as a positive signal for Bangladesh's broader electrical and electronics sector, where domestic companies are increasingly investing in technology, energy-efficient products and modern manufacturing facilities.
A recent visit to Electrical Markets in Nawabpur Road , the country's largest wholesale hub for electrical goods, reveals such transformation in this light-engineering economic field vividly.
Shops were seen selling a huge range of products manufactured by local brands, whereas they once displayed mostly imported fans from China, India and Pakistan.
Traders at Nawabpur say consumer perception has changed considerably over the years as Bangladeshi manufacturers' improved quality, design and after-sales service satisfy them.
Retail prices of conventional 56-inch ceiling fans currently range between Tk 2,300 and Tk 3,500, depending on brand and model. Decorative premium fans and remote-controlled models are priced between Tk 5,000 and Tk 12,000, while energy-efficient Brushless Direct Current (BLDC) fans are selling between Tk 4,500 and Tk 8,000 on the retail market.
However, the price is "slightly higher this year than that of last year", says a buyer, Masum Ahmed Rubel. "I came here to buy a new ceiling fan for my home use, but prices have increased by Tk 400- Tk 500 on different models."
Mr Rubel also says he was looking for ceiling fans made by local brands since he believes that the local companies have gathered adequate technical capabilities to provide quality products.
"After my exploration for several hours, I have become confident that I shall get better after-sales service from local brands," he says, adding that imported ones' prices are also much higher compared to the indigenous ones.
Mamun Sheikh, a salesperson at Golden Electric Centre, says there are around a hundred local companies that manufacture ceiling fans, but only a handful are widely known for their marketing strategy and operations of scale.
"Low-income buyers mostly look for cheaper fans without attention to the origin, while others look for renowned brands for reliability ," observes Mr Sheikh. On the other hand, imported products still have demand in decorative and premium categories.
The manager of another retail shop called Fan City, Daud Hussain, mentions that most of the imported fans come from Pakistan, followed by India and China.
"We sell premium-category ceiling fans whose price begins at Tk 6,000, while there are as high as Tk 20,000."
Industry insiders estimate Bangladesh's annual ceiling-fan demand at around 5.0 million to 6.0 million units. The total market size is guesstimated between Tk 14 billion and Tk 15 billion.
Market participants estimate annual growth of the sector at around 8-10 per cent, supported by rising temperatures, population growth, rapid urbanisation and expansion in the housing and construction sectors.
Industry observers say several policy measures have supported the growth of local manufacturing over the years. Higher duties on imported finished products, incentives for local industries, expansion of industrial infrastructure, and easier access to technology have encouraged domestic companies to invest in production facilities.
Renowned local brands include Super Star, Vision, Click, Walton, BRB, Energypac, Jamuna, Konka and MEP.
Manufacturers say local production has evolved beyond basic assembly operations. Several companies now have in-house capabilities for motor winding, blade fabrication, moulding, painting and quality testing.
Industry insiders have said technological advancement is becoming one of the key drivers of competition in the sector. Unlike conventional fans that generally consume around 70-80 watts of electricity, BLDC fans can operate using nearly 28-35 watts.
Several local manufacturers have also introduced remote-controlled models, smart features and decorative designs targeting middle-income and upper-middle-income urban consumers.
Against this backdrop, local manufacturers are increasingly investing in advanced technologies and export-oriented production.
Mohammad Allama Mursed Muneem, chief marketing officer of RFL Group which manufactures ceiling fans under Vision and Click brands, says the local market for ceiling fans is becoming increasingly competitive as consumers are now prioritizing both energy efficiency and product design.
"With our growing dominance on the local market, we are now exporting Vision- and Click-brand ceiling fans to different countries," he says about fan-market expansion abroad.
He has identified some features of their product lineup, including aerodynamic- blade design for better air delivery, double- shielded ball bearing for durability, and high-quality copper motor for efficient performance.
"However, the sector has to deal with some challenges like increased manufacturing cost," he says.
Mr Muneem has identified significant increase in global aluminum and copper prices, as well as rising diesel and furnace- oil costs, impacting transportation expenses, increase in petrochemical prices, affecting raw material costs.
He says ocal manufacturers are investing in modern technologies and production facilities to improve quality standards and strengthen consumer trust in Bangladeshi products.
Contacted, Nurul Afser, Deputy Managing Director of Electro Mart Group which manufactures Konka- brand ceiling fans on the local market, said a huge grey market is a threat for local brands.
"One of our primary challenges stems from the informal or 'grey' market players. Because we prioritize quality and compliance, our production costs are significantly higher due to superior material sourcing."
There is a stark price disparity between compliant products and those manufactured without following proper standards or compliance, he says, adding that while informed customers still choose quality brands, the massive price gap remains a major hurdle for them.
Despite being a locally manufacturing sector, they face high taxation, Mr Afser laments, adding : " If the government provided better policy support or fiscal incentives, it would be much easier for compliant companies to compete and thrive in this market."
Despite some challenges, industry stakeholders remain optimistic about the sector's future.
Analysts say the ceiling-fan industry is expected to maintain strong growth over the coming years due to rapid urbanisation, expansion of housing and commercial infrastructure, and growing demand for energy-efficient home appliances.
According to a projection by global consulting firm 6Wresearch, the Bangladesh ceiling-fan market is likely to witness strong growth in the next four years.
From 12.41 per cent in 2025, the growth rate steadily ascends to 16.33 per cent in 2029, it project.
saif.febd@gmail.com