Ukrainian Duo Builds $25M Shoe Empire in Bangladesh

A copy of the Yellow Pages in a Dhaka hotel changed everything for Lavryk Andrity and his father in August 2007.

The Ukrainian duo was supposed to fly onward to Vietnam to scout business opportunities. But Andrity started wondering why they needed to leave Bangladesh at all, especially after hearing about the country's thriving tannery and leather industry.

He spotted an ad for Bangladesh Export Processing Zones Authority in the hotel's Yellow Pages directory. One unplanned visit to their office convinced the pair to cancel their Vietnam trip entirely.

"We visited Bepza, liked the people there and received full support," Andrity told The Business Standard. "We decided not to go to Vietnam and instead establish our company in Bangladesh. We are happy with that decision."

That choice led to Super Protective Shoes in Adamjee Export Processing Zone, a factory that now ships $25 million worth of military boots and safety footwear annually to markets worldwide. The company employs nearly 1,000 workers and produces up to 6,000 pairs of shoes daily.

Nearly two decades later, Super Protective Shoes exports to 60 to 70 countries across Europe, the Middle East and beyond. Military footwear makes up about 10 percent of exports, with most heading to Ukraine.

The company has invested $13 million in Bangladesh so far. Andrity, now chairman and managing director, operates offices in Ukraine, Europe and the UAE, plus a large warehouse in Germany that supplies products across different markets.

Workers at the Adamjee factory combine modern machinery with skilled handiwork across cutting, stitching, assembling and finishing stations. Liza Akter operates a leather cutting machine and earns around 23,000 taka monthly, while Niamat Ali has worked in packaging since 2019 because of good pay and working conditions.

The company sources leather from Brazil, Ukraine, India, Turkey, Pakistan and Bangladesh. It's now introducing specialized technology to create ultra-light safety shoes that maintain durability, responding to growing demand from younger consumers who want comfort without sacrificing protection.

The Ripple Effect

Super Protective Shoes plans to double annual exports to $50 million within two years and invest another $10 million in Bangladesh. New machinery will boost daily production capacity to 10,000 pairs, creating additional jobs in a region already benefiting from the company's presence.

As Bangladesh's footwear technology and supporting industries have matured, the company has been able to source more tools and equipment locally. That strengthens the entire supply chain and creates opportunities for Bangladeshi manufacturers to grow alongside the business.

What started as a chance hotel discovery has become proof that sometimes the best opportunities are hiding in plain sight, waiting for someone curious enough to look.