Build It: How Ahmed Altaf is Using Data to Modernize the Knitwear Industry

Welcome back, fashion tech enthusiasts!

This article accompanies an episode of our podcast series Build It, where we ask: What does the future of fashion production look like when technology, sustainability, and heritage collide? At AM Group—a vertically integrated knitwear manufacturer based in Karachi, Pakistan—next-gen tools like WiMetrix, biometric systems, and MEMS technology are reshaping the way garments are made. Under the leadership of CEO Ahmed Altaf, AM Group is part of a new wave of manufacturers using data, automation, and vertical integration to take control of quality, speed, and environmental impact. This article explores the complexities of knitwear production and the vision required to lead transformation from the factory floor outward.

Listen to the full conversation:

Revolutionizing Pakistan’s Fashion Industry Through Technology

In the heart of Karachi, Pakistan’s largest and most fast-paced metropolis—and the 12th largest city in the world—AM Group is redefining what it means to produce knitwear at scale. As a vertically integrated knitwear production facility, AM Group is not just making garments—they’re streamlining a complex, often fragmented supply chain into a single, smart operation. “We’re a group of companies that specialize in knitted products,” explains CEO Ahmed Altaf. “We do everything in-house—from knitting to dyeing to finishing—so we can control every detail.”

This vertical structure gives AM Group a significant advantage in quality, cost control, and lead time. “When you outsource it [production], sometimes it’s harder to control the level of quality,” Ahmed says. “We want to make sure the product is exactly what [clients] are expecting.” Their current clients include fast-paced retailers like Zara, Pull & Bear, and New Balance, where quality and timing are everything.

Knitwear is one of the fastest-growing segments of global apparel. In 2022, the value of global knitwear imports reached approximately €25.8 billion, with Europe alone accounting for 34%—up from 26% in the U.S., according to CBI (Ministry of Foreign Affairs) and ITC Trade Map statistics. Meanwhile, Pakistan’s knitted fabric exports totaled $48.3 million in 2023, down slightly from $72 million in 2022 (Trading Economics), indicating volatility but ongoing global demand.

Knitwear production operates fundamentally differently from woven garment production—something many brands underestimate. “It all starts with the fabrics,” Ahmed notes. “There are many more checkpoints with knitwear. The construction and handling are different, which impacts every step of the supply chain.”

For buyers unfamiliar with knitwear, this learning curve can be steep. “There are more variations to manage. But that’s why we prefer working directly with buyers. We can be completely transparent and explain everything that’s happening and why,” says Ahmed.

“There’s so many people that are behind this entire process and I felt like that’s what made it so special.” – Ahmed Altaf

Ahmed’s passion for manufacturing is deeply personal. Growing up in Karachi, he spent time in his father’s factories, rotating through departments and developing an eye for process and detail. “I watched my father work in textiles, and I knew I wanted to do the same,” he reflects, “The sense of quality and process—it was just ingrained in me.”

After studying supply chain and marketing, Ahmed graduated during the height of COVID-19 and took over the family business with a new perspective.

“Growing up in Karachi, it was chaotic—you had to be street smart. I feel like I am a reflection of the city. I’m always running, always doing something, always want to keep moving forward.”

Technology Meets Tradition

That drive to evolve is what led AM Group to become an early adopter of WiMetrix, a production tracking system that brings real-time transparency and accountability to each step of the manufacturing process. “From my days in production, I remember how delays came from factories that only handled one stage of the process,” says Peter, co-host and Beyond Form co-founder. “With AM Group, everything is on site—you can check every stage. That’s a huge plus.”

WiMetrix has been especially effective for knitwear, where fabric behavior varies more than woven garments. Abdul, WiMetrix CEO, says that while “the principles of WiMetrix remain the same across fabrics, the obligations with each garment vary,” requiring careful adaptation. AM’s young leadership helped make them the first customer of WiMetrix in Karachi, showcasing their commitment to innovation and visibility. “Young people in business are encouraging key stakeholders to prioritize transparency,” says Abdul.

New Initiatives

AM Group’s larger sustainability strategy is embodied in its initiative: “AM’s Journey to Earth, Industry 4.5.” Through investments in biometric systems and MEMS (Micro-Electro-Mechanical Systems), the company has transformed its production floor. Over 1,500 machines are now connected, enabling seamless oversight and improved resource efficiency—a major feat in a city that frequently faces power outages and water shortages. According to McKinsey, up to 80% of a product’s environmental impact is determined during design and production, making these upstream innovations critical.

For Ahmed, sustainability isn’t just a checkbox. It’s a mindset shift. “It’s about reducing waste, encouraging product longevity, and being open about imperfections,” he says. Clients like Zara and New Balance are increasingly requesting regenerated yarns and traceable sourcing, and the AM Group is working to meet these standards without compromising style or speed. “Sometimes sustainable materials look different,” Ahmed admits, “but that’s part of the story.”

As the industry pushes for greater accountability and fewer intermediaries, Ahmed believes the key lies in alignment between brands and manufacturers. “Understand your production partner. Align your goals. Because if you’re not working together, it shows in the product.”

With one eye on innovation and another on long-term partnerships, AM Group represents a modern blueprint for how manufacturing in emerging markets can lead—not lag—in shaping fashion’s future.

Want to Learn More and Connect?

If you believe in smarter supply chains and sustainable fashion, support Abdul’s mission and explore the work WiMetrix is doing to reshape the industry from the inside out. Visit wimetrix.com to learn more.

If you're a founder or brand leader looking to build smarter, more sustainable supply chains, Wimetrix can help. Book a demo at Beyond Form to see how our tools bring real-time visibility and data-driven insights to your production process. Let’s shape the future of fashion—together.

Connect with Abhul and Peter on LinkedIn to learn more about what they’re up to and innovating!