Management Briefings
Last time we looked at some of the fundamental principles of LEAN and in particular how efficient planning practices were essential for the successful implementation of LEAN practices. This time let’s consider the role of IT in the LEAN process in more detail.
Glenn Walker
Finance Director
Dewhirst Group (UK)
As competition and pressure on profit margins grow, Fashion Manufacturers are increasingly looking wider for inspiration on how to maintain a competitive business. With its roots in automotive manufacturing and largely developed from the Toyota Production System (TPS), “LEAN Manufacturing” is one of the current strategies being adopted in our industry. A number of companies, such as Sportswear giants Nike and adidas have been promoting LEAN in their supply chains since the late 1990s. In this section, we consider ‘LEAN’ concepts, some of the fundamental barriers to achieving LEAN and the vital role of planning in achieving the required levels of visibility and coordination to support LEAN.
So Where Is The Problem? As the pressure increases in fashion sourcing, CHANGE is ultimately the only route to survival for most companies. Simply doing things the same way as before, but somehow hoping for a different result is not enough. With even tighter margins to manage and a high risk of penalties and excess costs…
We have seen factories typically carry at least 2 weeks WIP i.e. 14 days. Our customers and own experience show that with the simple controls facilitated through FastReact, WIP can quickly be reduced by at least 20%.
The UK Corporate Clothing market is regarded as being the most advanced and sophisticated in Europe. To get ahead in the corporatewear market, companies will need to provide what the customer wants in the most economic and cost effective manner possible, be able to react to changing demands and demonstrate that they are striving for continuous improvement.
Fast React are specialist providers of Planning, Sourcing and Critical Path Management solutions specifically developed for the Apparel, Textiles and Footwear sectors where tight margins and short lead-times are commonplace.
Latest News
Lever Style Reduce Lead Times, Improve Production Efficiency and Improve OTDP
Lever Style produce casual and fully constructed woven garments for the world's top brands including Armani, Calvin Klein, Cerruti 1881, Hugo Boss, Paul Smith, Ralph Lauren and Reiss. Production capacity is over 10 million pieces per year. FastReact has been integrated with the ERP system in place at Lever Style and has allowed them to reduce lead times, improve production efficiency and significantly reduce late shipment and air freight charges. More...
| What is RSS? 