New times call for new technologies. As we witness several trends in the fashion and textile arenas, we must adopt technology to fit these trends. Growing demand for sustainability production, changes in how we consume fashion digitally, and mass customization processes, all affect the technology we must use for meeting the new wave.
CAN YOU AFFORD LONG SUPPLY-CHAIN PROCESSES?
The current textile industry relies on a long supply chain with traditional manufacturing processes that are cost-effective only for large orders and large quantities.
In order to improve time to market and increase profitability, we need more efficient production. The entire business model is shifting today to print-on-demand. High volume inventory and long time-to-market are not an option. One of the biggest effects of the global pandemic crisis on the textile industry was the overflow of unused inventory that went to waste. You never know when the next crisis might hit. Be prepared and manage low volumes of inventory with on-demand, short supply-chain processes.
IS FAST REALLY FAST ENOUGH?
The fashion industry has changed tremendously in the last decade, becoming more demanding and expecting creative and unique opportunities. Just a decade ago the fashion brands and designers were showcasing only two collections per year. But this is no longer the case. The market changes in recent years created the need to show new items throughout the season. The emergence of e-commence and social media created a new customer type who constantly expects new and exciting custom designs. Customers want next day delivery, and expect it to be sustainable. Global brands and retailers offer limited editions. They need to work in three-month cycles, and in some cases even less.
NEW GAME, NEW SUPPLY CHAIN
The textile industry needs to adapt and react faster to the textile supply chain’s shorter lifecycle. In order to preserve and meet the new customer requirements, there is a need for shorter print runs, faster turnaround, creative and custom design, and sustainable production methods. With traditional production methods, this is impossible.
The market’s rapid change required a solution, and this is where digital manufacturing processes came in. Traditional textile manufacturers face challenges here; the ability to produce quickly and in smaller quantities, without the need to justify long runs, is essential, and only possible with digital technologies.
FROM “SUPPLY-DEMAND” TO “DEMAND-SUPPLY”
The most effective business model today reverses the order from “supply to demand” to “demand to supply,” whereby the customer is buying the product before it is even produced, and the manufacturer can provide it as quickly as possible.
Digital manufacturing simply means flexibility—no need for long lead times, complex supply chain or large inventory. This is mainly done with nearshoring of the supply-chain and using digital textile printing technologies for a sustainable, fast and controlled production.