Manufacturing 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.
Mr. P. Sundararajan
Managing Director
S. P. Apparels (India)
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.
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 Dynamics of Planning in the Footwear industry are ever changing and footwear businesses face an increasing number of challenges. In order for a Footwear business to be effective in today's difficult trading environment, it is imperative that the key planning criteria are fully understood and effectively monitored.
The elimination of quotas will invariably provide buyers with more freedom in where they place their orders. However, will, as many fear, price be the key determining factor for buyers, propelling low labour cost countries such as China, India and Vietnam as the only sources for apparel?
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.
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