Disrupting Manufacturing webinar series, part one recording available
05/12/2023
UKFT members can catch up on an exclusive webinar discussing how made-to-order fashion can be a viable production method for UK manufacturers, with Shruti Grover of Pattern Project, Lectra and Jenny Holloway from Fashion Enter.
This webinar is the first in our three part series exploring how technology can solve problems and create opportunities within apparel manufacturing
Key takeaways: The concept of made-to-order, on-demand manufacturing is gaining traction in the fashion industry and could offer significant benefits for designers, brands, retailers and manufacturers but we must move quickly to take advantage of this opportunity.
Benefits could include:
- Reduced waste: Traditional supply chains often lead to overproduction and excess inventory, contributing to environmental waste. On-demand manufacturing can help to minimise this by producing items only when there is a confirmed order.
- Sustainability: On-demand manufacturing reduces the need for large-scale production runs and the associated negative impacts on the environment.
- Nearshoring: On-demand manufacturing in the UK can offer the opportunity for increased full-price sell through and greater transparency for UK and Western European brands
- Faster time to market: Traditional production cycles can be long and complicated. On-demand manufacturing can facilitate faster speed to market and response to trends.
- Effective inventory management: Made-to-order eliminates the need for excessive stockpiling and warehouse space, reducing costs associated with inventory management. This can be particularly beneficial for smaller brands with limited resources.
- Lower risk: Conventional manufacturing involves significant upfront costs and risks associated with producing large quantities which may not sell. On-demand manufacturing limits forecasting and allows brands to test the market with lower risk, producing items according to demand.
- Customisation: Made-to-order allows for greater customisation as products can be tailored to meet individual customer specifications or preferences, which can build loyalty and overall customer satisfaction.
- Digital technologies: Advances in digital technologies such as 3D printing, digital cutting and pattern-making, AI and blockchain, have facilitated the feasibility of on-demand manufacturing, enabling more efficient and precise production processes.
However, challenges around skills, knowledge and experience required for advanced technology adoption remain. While on-demand manufacturing may not replace traditional methods, it is likely to become an increasingly important component of the fashion industry’s future playbook, offering a more sustainable, responsive and customer-centric approach to production.
UKFT members can catch up on this and other webinars to discover exclusive insights, expert tips and game-changing strategies at your own pace. UKFT members enjoy on-demand access to all webinars which means you can catch up anytime, anywhere. Enhance your knowledge and stay ahead of the key topics in our sector. To access the recording, email info@ukft.org or find out about UKFT membership here.
About the speakers
- Pattern Project is a London-based start-up that is aiming to redefine garment manufacturing with disruptive technology. The company’s latest tool is Manny, an AI assistant powered by digital twin technology for factories, enabling responsive agile manufacturing for brands.
- Lectra is a global technology solutions provider for the fashion industry and has recently unveiled Fashion On Demand by Lectra , which connects and automates on-demand production from order reception to cut piece. It’s a turnkey solution comprising Lectra’s Digital Cutting Platform and single-ply fabric cutting solution Virga. This disruptive offer gives fashion companies a 360°-view of the entire on-demand process from small series to one-off production runs, which means brands can be faster, more agile and efficient in handling everything from last-minute orders, to custom and made-to-measure garments.
- Fashion Enter offers garment manufacturing for a wide range of brands based in north London and has recently made a number of investments in new technology, including digital cutting capabilities with Zund UK, digital fabric printing with Kornit Digital and 3D design software, virtual sampling capabilities, digital asset management with Style 3D.
Coming up in 2024: Disrupting Manufacturing
Disrupting Manufacturing is UKFT’s three-part webinar series developed as part of UKFT’s mission to empower a world-leading, future-fit, UK manufacturing sector. We have invited thought leaders and industry pioneers to explore how technology can solve problems and create opportunities for an ambitious UK manufacturing industry as the world rapidly changes around us.
The series will be valuable for UK manufacturers as well as brands and businesses with an interest in UK production. The webinars will share new industry developments; present opportunities that technology can provide; explore realistic ways of implementing it and demonstrate how businesses are pushing the boundaries of fashion manufacturing.