The Changing Phase of Apparel Logistics

In a consumption driven society, consumers get to interact mainly with people in the sales outlets, whereas, there are other bare bones such as manufacturers, wholesalers, dealers etc involved in the network of ‘Logistics’.

Apparel making has reached a phase wherein, it requires a right blend of lead time, quality, and cost. Apparel manufacturers need to keep abreast of the market trends so as to keep their rivals at bay. To facilitate this, they need to have the right kind, and supply of the required fabrics that match up with the current trends. Every apparel manufacturing company needs to work out with logistics to bring the required fabrics on the cutting table on the right time.

As per recent reviews, global market for fashion apparels is estimated to be around billion, with a predicted growth of 10% annually. Demand for fashion apparels has given way for more specialized services in the logistics industry. An ultimate apparel making firm needs to have good top notch services such as design development, vendor compliance, quality check on the apparels, packing, delivery, and ultimately good consumer demand. Supply chain management and other logistics have become increasingly important for companies to remain competitive in the global market. This includes the entire chain of activities such as design, manufacturing, warehouse, delivery, and service products.

A modern, efficient facility with appropriate storage systems for the processing of merchandise is necessary. Adjustable garment rail brackets enable a flexible system to adapt a seasonal and stylish change in the garment industry. A trolley conveyer system with an operator input movement will reduce the picking time by 50%. To curtail the costs, multi level floor-to-ceiling bays can be created to enable fast order picking of flat and hanging garments. This system will optimize the full height of the building, and also use less floor space leaving more room for other activities. Sloped mesh decks makes picking of garments easier, and more ergonomic also.

During the past, companies mostly focused on the internal facts within their own company. Now they have started extending their efforts well beyond, encompassing the entire supply chain. Technology is the latest hit word in the apparel world. With novel technology solutions, apparel makers are attempting to reap rewards with integrated supply chains. More focus is placed in packaging improvements and standardization across the suppliers.

Apparels have a short life cycle, and their demand dies with the changes in trends. So it is more important, that these merchandise reach the store racks within a short period of its manufacture so as to satisfy the fickle fashioned consumers. Currently, many apparel makers are going in the natural way. New logistics platform structures mark the start of market integration, making brands to expand their market across the globe. This makes competition more intense, thereby putting the apparel merchandisers under more pressure for survival.

Logistics in apparel industry is more trends driven, comparatively over other verticals. The core principle for success in apparel fashion business is the time to market. Most of the retailers today, source their manufacturing operations to countries where labor costs are cheap. In case of outsourcing manufacturing activities, turning a design concept into a finished product requires much attention. Short response time is more important to meet with the ever changing market demands. Controlling the complete product lifecycle; from design to sale is called as vertical integration. Technology and logistics need to get the job done on time, and also ensure good quality. This will provide an end-to-end control of the process, adequate quality, cost efficiency, and ultimately satisfied and long term customers.

The responsibility for planning, and maintaining appropriate logistics is evolving continuously, becoming a challenging region, thereby demanding more focus from the apparel manufacturers

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