Are Manufacturers Future Ready??

EMERGING TRENDS

• RISE OF DIGITALISATION IN OPERATIONS
• SUSTAINABILITY AND AUTOMATION PEAKS POST-COVID
• BASIC FASHION IS IN VOGUE
• TREMENDOUS GROWTH IN LOUNGEWEAR, ATHLESIURE, NIGHTWEAR
• LOW PRICE PRODUCTS AND VALUE RETAILERS DOING EXCEPTIONALLY WELL

The Covid 19 Pandemic has changed the apparel and retail dynamics all over the world. This clearly
means that the supply chains starting from the yarn to logistics stage needs to be amended and be ready
for the future.
As a garment manufacturer who has been exporting to international markets for decades adjusting to
these new norms while sustaining in business has become one of the biggest challenge.
However, where there is a will there is always a way is a perfect phrase to combat these tough times.
Team PERFECT SOURCING pens down few steps for your company to plan and prepare for the future.

STAGE 1

GO DIGITAL

Since Instead of a traditional seasonal buy, buyers are now looking at a product digitally and buying the product based on the needs of ‘now’, one has to plan every step of production via technology.

This will lead to a reduction of excess inventory, fabric waste and warehousing, making the industry more
efficient.

The primary driver of digital channels like e-negotiations, virtual sampling, virtual fittings, approvals, virtual showrooms will be used majorly.

Instead of receiving orders through email, use a platform or software where the orders are available from the buyer’s side.

Vendors can download it and, if there is any change in the placed order, it automatically gets updated.

STEP 2

Cost efficient product designs, aligning the supply chain to overcome delays and disruptions caused by Covid, open-mindedness to accept new products as well as investing in sustainable fabrics and backend including compliances will definitely help Indian stakeholders to increase the country’s prowess as a sourcing hub.

STEP 3

A ‘quick delivery’ strategy can always help manufacturers overcome the current challenges for instance; price battles can be solved; and they can become a preferred supplier to the brands.

Using tools like SSoT concept wherein a vendor can ask for extension of deadline due to any sort of delay caused in the operations at factory level.

If this transaction is reported in the system in a digitised manner where vendors request for an extension of certain number of days, the system keeps the record for future purpose and the same can be tracked later on if request was granted or not.

Once all the transactions are digitised, the next step for the companies is to start analysing the data.

For example, the brands can analyse the data and know the average lead time the vendor needs to provide a sample!

The data also tells the number of times a vendor was able to achieve right first time in sample making.

Because of this analysis, the brands can always choose to skip a few steps while deciding for lead time such as asking for multiple prototypes and giving size sets again and again.

STEP 4

Automation

The lockdown and plight of workers and dependency on them taught us a good lesson of being self-reliant in technology wherever possible.

As a result an unprecedented demand for automatic cutters, finishing machines, hanger systems, robotic sewing and automatic scanning of garments has been witnessed.

These are areas where company can save cost as well as time and gain profits in the long run.

Automation in areas like follow ups is also become necessary. “Why do you need a merchant calling up a vendor and saying where the shipment is?

Rather than people spending expensive time on follow up, the system needs to be given the responsibility.

Once all these stages are achieved, manufacturing companies in collaborative efforts with brands can be termed as future-ready companies.

STEP 5

With automation you can start working on styles that are basic and can be churned in big volumes at very
competitive prices.

This is what value retailers and discounters are looking for.

While we have a big competition with countries like Bangladesh and Vietnam India has always a upper hand with its skill sets, availability of raw material and now that we are one of the prime suppliers of Covid vaccine the reputation is all set to change the dynamics of business.

The low price private labels and discount brands are still selling the same volumes as they were in 2019.

The e-commerce players are increasing their volumes so there is actually no dearth of work.

Right investment and right time is the need of hour….. So let us gear up, fight and sustain for a beautiful tomorrow.

Let us Reboot and Shine Again