[TC]² Bi-Weekly Technology Communicator
Seminar Offerings at [TC]²
Still accepting registrations!
Pattern Development - |
September 22-24 |
Pattern Development bridges the perceived chasm between design and manufacturing. Understanding core concepts and terms can greatly reduce sewing problems and ease the transition from the corporate fit image to garment sales. Attend this class to learn the driving forces even if automated systems are used to do the majority of the work.
Learn introductory principles of fit, pattern development, and marker making. Hands-on activities include flat pattern manipulations and drafting.
Introduction to Apparel Manufacturing - |
September 28-Oct. 2 |
[TC]²’s best attended in-house seminar, Intro to Apparel Manufacturing, offers an overview of the entire manufacturing process with numerous hands-on exercises. Topics covered include: textile fundamentals, fiber formation and fabric design, fabric characteristics, material utilization, spreading and cutting theories, and much more. Key apparel terms and concepts are featured, along with standard terminology for seam and stitch formations.
Seams and Stitches – The Technical Details - |
Oct. 22 |
Basic stitch formation and seam constructions are described, and explanations for which stitch and seam type to use for specific products are outlined.
The seminars will be presented at [TC]²’s facility - 5651 Dillard Drive, Cary, NC.
To r egister, contact Debra Gill at 919.653.3501, or use our contact form.
For more information on these programs and other educational offerings, go to: http://www.tc2.com/what/seminars.html.
Key Strategies to Building a Sustainable Supply Chain
By Kim Anderson, [TC]²
Interest in green practices has been growing for over a decade. Being green has recently morphed into a larger concept—being sustainable. Today, almost every company is aware of the benefits of incorporating sustainable practices throughout the supply chain. The success of sustainable models such as the triple bottom line, where corporate and societal interests intersect, is evidence that companies are looking for more than just profits to measure success. However, just what are leaders in sustainable supply chain management doing differently from their more traditional counterparts?
Sustainable practices have moved beyond recycling paper and plastic bottles; eliminating Styrofoam cups and replacing them with paper; and turning off the lights at the end of the day. What separates true sustainable efforts from “feel-good” efforts is the amount of creativity behind them.
The literature defines a sustainable organization as, at the very least—one that does no net harm to natural or social systems while still producing a profit over an extended period of time. At the very most, a sustainable organization is one where the organization could continue to do business forever. Given the absence of a crystal ball, no company can make the assertion that it will be in business forever; however, truly sustainable organizations are those that continue to do business for a far longer time than their average competitor.
Ten companies that are considered to be leaders in sustainable supply chain management were recently investigated. All the companies investigated are categorized as exemplars. Exemplars are organizations that are well ahead of their industry on either social and/or environmental performance while still maintaining economic viability.
Although each company produced very different types of products and services, a few key strategic similarities were found. Some of the key strategies were integration, ensuring supplier continuity, closing the loop and traceability.
1. Integration
There are four major concepts to integration
1. |
Integrating the environmental and/or social goals and activities in such a way that they complement the economic activities of the organization and vice versa. |
2. |
Integrating the concept of sustainability throughout the organization. a. For example: making decisions that automatically include possible social and environmental impacts. Acceptable decisions are those that make improvements to either environmental, social or economical issues while not harming the other two. |
3. |
Integrating sustainability concepts into the organization’s guiding value also known as the guardrail. a. For example, a company’s guardrail might be to never outsource to companies that do not practice anti- pollution strategies, regardless of location. If the company outsources to China, they find companies there that will adhere to North American pollution standards. |
4. |
Integrating sustainable strategies throughout the supply chain. a. For example: Involving everyone along the supply chain in sustainable practices. No one person or group should be responsible for sustainability efforts. People within the organization that are not directly involved with sustainable activities typically do not take ownership. It is also important to have a top management team that is proactive and committed to implementing and maintaining sustainable practices. |
2. Ensuring Supplier Continuity
The concept of supplier continuity was first introduced when Japanese management techniques were taught to U.S. managers in the 1950’s. The concept involves trying to ensure that all members of the supply chain not only stay in business, but that they also thrive, reinvest, innovate and grow.
Ensuring supplier continuity includes a number of strategies, including decommoditizing—internal as well as external; supplier development; and increased transparency.
Decommoditizing
Internal
Make an effort to move some or all of the internal supply chain out of the commodity business. For example: produce products that not only compete on price, but also are deemed safer to the environment.
External
Make efforts to move suppliers out of the commodity business. In addition, treat commodity suppliers as if they are key suppliers by providing them with long-term contracts and access to supplier development resources. This practice can result in long-term relationships; access to information; and reduced risk.
Supplier Development
Examples of supplier development include training programs and investing in equipment to improve the supplier’s services and allow them to offer more products.
Transparency
Require detailed information on flows of money. This can provide insight into what is happening within the supply chain and enables improvements to be made. Transparency also helps to ensure that no one within the supply chain is being abused.
3. Closed Loop Theory
The closed loop theory means no waste is generated anywhere. Although this is impossible to attain, it has its merits as a constant goal.
4. Traceability
Demand information from suppliers such as how products are made; the byproducts of their production; and materials used. This knowledge can serve to improve existing processes and reduce risk.
Conclusion
Sustainable strategies are often vague and the focus is on a single function as opposed to the entire supply chain. Extending sustainable practices as far as possible upstream toward the raw materials and downstream toward the consumer yields the greatest benefits. Regardless of the product or services a company produces, key strategies can be utilized to ensure the consumer that they are patronizing a responsible company.
References
Michael Laff. Triple Bottom Line: Creating Corporate Social Responsibility that Makes Sense. February 2009.
Mark Pagel and Zhaohui Wu. Building a More Complete Theory of Sustainable Supply Chain Management Using Case Studies of 10 Exemplars. Journal of Supply Chain Management. Vol. 45, Number 2. April 2009.
New Zealand Business Council for Sustainable Development. Business Guide to a Sustainable Supply Chain: A Practical Guide. November 2003.
[TC]² Activity
MAGIC Show - August 29-September 2, 2009
By Tim Curran, [TC]²
Will Duncan and I visited Las Vegas to attend the MAGIC Tradeshow from August 29th through September 2nd. The primary trip focus was to conduct interviews with brands and retailers from the U.S. and to participate in a panel discussion regarding the future of sourcing.
[TC]² is leading an effort to launch a Haitian Apparel Center to provide operator and mechanic training, and to establish a full package center in Port au Prince. The center will train over 2,000 sewing operators during the next 12 months, and will provide training for mechanics and middle management, and launch an executive seminar series. Partners in this project include USAID, an independent federal government agency that supports long-term and equitable economic growth and advances U.S. foreign policy objectives, and CHF International, an organization that focuses on international development and humanitarian aid.
Will Duncan participated in a panel discussion as part of “The Future of Sourcing” program moderated by Steve Jesseph of WRAP. Other speakers included Mr. Anthony Corsano, of Anvil Knitwear Inc., Mr. Liviu Goldenberg, I.C. Isaacs (Marithe Francois Girbaud), Steve Lamar, AAFA, and James Wedel, of the Texas Organic Cotton Marketing Cooperative. The program was attended by approximately 70 people.
We also attended Apparel Magazine’s 3rd Annual Excellence in Sourcing Summit, along with more than 100 industry representatives. Panelists from Ann Taylor and Charming Shoppes agreed that vendor relationships, controlling costs and quality were key to success. Social compliance plays a vital role in selecting suppliers as well.
In viewing show exhibits, it was apparent that the current trends in fashion fit into the potential product offering from the Haiti apparel sector. There are opportunities for matchmaking with U.S. clients to seek partners as the Haiti Apparel Center becomes operational. The Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) is hosting an International Business meeting―to be held jointly with former President Clinton―that will take place in Haiti on October 1–2, 2009. Will Duncan and Margaret Bishop, Deputy Chief of Party with CHF, are speakers at the event and will present on the benefits of the Haiti Apparel Center for US Brands and Retailers.
The International Business meeting, pivotal for Haiti, is geared toward highlighting profitable business opportunities readily evident in the country, which make the case for very attractive returns to short- and medium-term investments, especially in the textile and sewn products, renewable energy, and agribusiness sectors.
The Industry Services Division of [TC]² provides consulting services in many areas of the industry around the globe. Often beginning with a Plant Assessment and/or a Business Process Analysis, the Industry Services team provides on-site training and development in Lean Practices and Organizational Culture, as well as Industrial Engineering. For further information on these and other valued services, please contact Will Duncan at (919) 653-3505 or via our contact form.
Partner Profile - Anovotek, LLC
By Karen Davis, [TC]²
Anovotek, LLC, of Barnwell, SC, is an industry-leading consulting firm providing innovative commercialization services to the global textile and apparel supply chain. The company’s success is driven by its industry experience, broad capabilities and solid alliances to offer high value services to its clients.
Anovotek's staff includes textile engineers, registered professional engineers, chemists and business managers with degrees ranging from BSc to MSc and PhD. These professionals bring business fundamentals, industry knowledge, global supply connections, and a critical understanding of materials science together enabling their clients to capitalize on emerging market opportunities. A recent addition to the staff is Lou Protonentis as the Director of Global Brand and Retail Services.
In addition to providing consulting services, Anovotek and its strategic business partners supply leading technologies to the global textile and apparel industry. Some of these include, Agiene® Micro Silver Crystal Technology antimicrobial, Skintex® MRIII micro encapsulated insect repellant, Kodak Traceless brand authentication and security technology, and Woodsilk renewable cellulosic fiber, yarn, fabrics, and garments.
[TC]² recently partnered with Anovotek on a project to establish a cutting and sewing facility for mosquito nets in Uganda. To review the September 2, 2009 article, please go to http://www.tc2.com/newsletter/2009/090209.html.
Material World Opening Night Cocktail Reception
benefiting the
AAFA Education Foundation
Presented in cooperation with California Apparel News and the California Market Center
September 30, 2009
5:30 - 7:30 PM
Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising
Tickets available for purchase at: www.apparelandfootwear.org
The AAFA Education Foundation provides scholarships to students in the sewn products industry through funding to thirteen AAFA-endorsed institutions. Since 1968, over 2,500 students have benefited from your generous contributions. Sponsorships are available.
Shuttle service will be provided from the California Market Center to the FIDM. Material World is an official event of the AAFA.
Key Sponsors:
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Apparel’s Tech Conference
The Apparel Industry’s Must-Attend Technology Event
November 11 - 12, 2009 | Fashion Institute of Technology | New York, NY
New in 2009 - Expanded Hours!
New in 2009 - All Educational Sessions To Include Case Studies!
Apparel's Tech Conference is an ideal environment for apparel brands, manufacturers and retailers to preview technology solutions and services from a select group of providers. Combining keynote presentations from industry thought-leaders with ongoing educational workshops and a Tabletop Exhibit area, the Conference provides convenient access to information and ideas designed to help you in your strategic technology decision-making.
Content focus includes: Design and Product Development, including PLM; Manufacturing; Information Technology; Sourcing, Logistics, Transportation; and Retail Intelligence. All of the 2009 concurrent educational sessions will include a case study component.
The Opening Keynote Session on November 11 will include recognition of Apparel's 2009 All-Stars. That same day, all Tech Conference attendees are invited to a Networking Reception immediately following the final sessions.
Attendance is complimentary for qualified apparel brands, manufacturers and retailers.
Important Dates
September
22-24 |
Pattern Development. Seminar at [TC]² . For details, click here. |
23-25 |
IFAI Expo ’09 - San Diego Convention Center. For information go to www.ifaiexpo.com. |
28-Oct. 2 |
Introduction to Apparel Manufacturing. Seminar at [TC]² . For details, click here. |
30-Oct. 2 |
Material World and Technology Solutions - Co-Locating with LA International Textile Show |
October
8-9 |
Gerber Technology Annual Software Users Conference - Gaylord Texan Resort & Convention Center, Dallas, TX. Go to www.gerbertechnology.com/usersconference.htm for details. |
15-16 |
SEAMS Fall Networking Conference. North Carolina State University College of Textiles. For details, go to www.seams.org. |
22 |
Seams and Stitches – the Technical details – seminar at [TC]². For details, click here. |
22-25 |
ExpoTextil, Lima Peru. For details, visit www.expotextilperu.com. |
For detailed information about industry events, visit www.techexchange.com
Thanks to the techexchange site sponsors
Apparel Magazine, Gerber Technology, Lawson, Lectra, Methods Workshop and Reach Technologies.
A Look Ahead in the Newsletter
Gerber User’s Conference Review
IFAI
View previous editions of this newsletter
[TC]²
5651 Dillard Drive
Cary , NC 27518
www.tc2.com
Phone: 919-380-2156
Fax: 919-380-2181
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