Meet The Team
Our founder has over a decade of experience in factory operations and production management with expertise in optimizing safety, quality, productivity, and cost in production operations across the globe.
Mr. Arshadul Islam
Founder & CEO
Mr. Islam has significant experience in factory operations and production management through his 15-year career with British American Tobacco (BAT) and its subsidiaries.
After spending nine years with BAT Bangladesh working in various Quality Manager and Production Manager roles, he was promoted to Secondary Manufacturing Department Manager and a Senior Leadership Team member in 2016. From 2018 to 2021, Mr. Islam then worked with BAT Singapore as the Head of Manufacturing and Factory Manager, followed by a two-year position at a BAT subsidiary in the US as the Senior Director of Manufacturing. Since 2023, Mr. Islam has worked with BAT Indonesia as the Regional Head of Manufacturing Performance in Asia Pacific, the Middle East, and Africa.
Throughout his career, Mr. Islam has focused on increasing safety, quality, and productivity for some of the largest BAT factories in the world. He has also led the development and implementation of a technology footprint for factory operations in multiple positions in line with BAT’s global strategy and Industry 4.0 standards in manufacturing digitalization.
Professional Experience
- 2024 – Present: Forge Institute of Manufacturing Excellence LLC, CEO & Head Consultant (NC, USA)
- 2023 – Present: British American Tobacco PLC, Indonesia, Regional Head of Manufacturing Performance (Asia Pacific, Middle East, and Africa) (Indonesia)
- 2021 – 2023: RJ Reynolds Tobacco Company (Subsidiary of BAT), Senior Director, Manufacturing (NC, USA)
- 2019 – 2021: British American Tobacco Singapore, Factory Manager (Singapore Leadership Team member) (Singapore)
- 2018 – 2019: British American Tobacco Singapore, Head of Manufacturing (Factory Leadership Team member) (Singapore)
- 2016 – 2018: British American Tobacco Bangladesh, Secondary Manufacturing Department Manager (Senior Leadership Team member) (Bangladesh)
- 2013 – 2016: British American Tobacco Bangladesh, Production Manager & IWS Lead, Dhaka Factory (Bangladesh)
- 2012 – 2013: British American Tobacco Bangladesh, Leaf Processing Manager, Kushtia Leaf Factory
- 2010 – 2011: British American Tobacco Bangladesh, Production & WM Planning Manager (3-month assignment)
- 2009 – 2012: British American Tobacco Bangladesh, Leaf Quality Manager, Leaf Operation (Bangladesh)
- 2009: British American Tobacco Bangladesh, Quality & Laboratory Manager, Kushtia Leaf Factory (Bangladesh)
- 2008 – 2009: BanglaCAT (Exclusive Dist. Of CATERPILLAR Inc.), Product Support Sales Engineer (Bangladesh)
Education & Credentials
- 2022: IELTS English Test – British Council & University of Cambridge
- 2019: Leadership Development Facilitation Skills – UK
- 2019: Global AM Pillar Workshop Level 4 – UK
- 2008: Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering – Bangladesh University of Engineering & Technology (US Equivalent)
The Forge Institute is dedicated to equipping small and medium sized manufacturers with the essential skills and knowledge needed to excel in manufacturing output and optimize efficiency, quality, and safety on the production floor.
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