Has technology evolution stopped in the garment manufacturing industry from the
time it migrated from Europe and the US in the late 1970s…?
It’s more than 40 years and in the name of evolution only a few processes have been automated and/or IT enabled since then and many of these machines in reality are so cost-prohibitive that it becomes difficult to realize one’s own investments, maybe it’s due to the seasonal nature of apparel trade... but few exceptions are welt pocket setter and jeans pocket setter.
However, the pre-process segment has seen a revolutionary change because any mistake in this area impacts more on the international retailers of brands. Designing of fashion items, pattern making and then 3D simulated fit sessions, followed by iteration, and then marker making, all have facilitated faster in the store and thus reduced lead time, which means retailer or the brand buying closer to the season and possibility of quick design adaptations to the changing demands of the customers, which in turn leads to keeping a check on inventories and loss from mark downs and unsold inventory, turning the company into a profitable one.
Availability of cheaper automation would have been an ideal, for everyone, but we should not lose sight on skilling of workforce as an alternate to achieving our objectives. What surprises me is that at the manufacturers level even the training methodology for the operator, the key constituent for improving productivities, has not changed over the years even when so many automatic equipments are available in the market and also there is an increase in the use of attachments and folders. Neither any module has been developed for other important operations such as cutting, finishing, pressing, packing, etc. which could have facilitated productivity improvement. There is serious lack of initiative! …StitchWorld in this issue has attempted to put together many articles on the newer ways to training… I hope industry decision makers will get some inspiration and invite change… It is about time!
Other interesting reads in the issue include, the second article of the series ‘Automation in Sewing Room’, analysing how the common sewing automats work to your benefit. Pocket attaching on shirt front has been considered a critical operation and categorized as high quality zone or ‘A-zone’ within the garment.
Bangalore-based kidswear manufacturer Pradhan Mercantile (PMPL) is also in focus as Team SW in an exclusive interview with the first-generation entrepreneur Amir Pradhan, highlights its IT interventions for better management of its manufacturing operations. I am off to Texprocess Americas to bring to you the latest in technology!
It’s more than 40 years and in the name of evolution only a few processes have been automated and/or IT enabled since then and many of these machines in reality are so cost-prohibitive that it becomes difficult to realize one’s own investments, maybe it’s due to the seasonal nature of apparel trade... but few exceptions are welt pocket setter and jeans pocket setter.
However, the pre-process segment has seen a revolutionary change because any mistake in this area impacts more on the international retailers of brands. Designing of fashion items, pattern making and then 3D simulated fit sessions, followed by iteration, and then marker making, all have facilitated faster in the store and thus reduced lead time, which means retailer or the brand buying closer to the season and possibility of quick design adaptations to the changing demands of the customers, which in turn leads to keeping a check on inventories and loss from mark downs and unsold inventory, turning the company into a profitable one.
Availability of cheaper automation would have been an ideal, for everyone, but we should not lose sight on skilling of workforce as an alternate to achieving our objectives. What surprises me is that at the manufacturers level even the training methodology for the operator, the key constituent for improving productivities, has not changed over the years even when so many automatic equipments are available in the market and also there is an increase in the use of attachments and folders. Neither any module has been developed for other important operations such as cutting, finishing, pressing, packing, etc. which could have facilitated productivity improvement. There is serious lack of initiative! …StitchWorld in this issue has attempted to put together many articles on the newer ways to training… I hope industry decision makers will get some inspiration and invite change… It is about time!
Other interesting reads in the issue include, the second article of the series ‘Automation in Sewing Room’, analysing how the common sewing automats work to your benefit. Pocket attaching on shirt front has been considered a critical operation and categorized as high quality zone or ‘A-zone’ within the garment.
Bangalore-based kidswear manufacturer Pradhan Mercantile (PMPL) is also in focus as Team SW in an exclusive interview with the first-generation entrepreneur Amir Pradhan, highlights its IT interventions for better management of its manufacturing operations. I am off to Texprocess Americas to bring to you the latest in technology!
