Leading integrated computer hardware and software provider Gerber Technology announced last week the launch of a new e-business solution. The company has invested $20m in WebPDM spec and WebPDM B2B, which are based on the existing WebPDM v3.8, and will continue to provide a further $5m a year, said Marc Jaspers, managing director Europe at Gerber Technology's Information System Division. The new products have been designed to manage the time-consuming and costly product development process for the apparel industry.Gerber said that 27 companies, which were based in Europe, the USA, and Asia, and were split equally between the manufacturing and retail sectors, were quizzed on their product development needs. The companies' responses dictated the development of the final versions of the WebPDM products.Product development, a process that has been managed in the electronic, automotive, and pharmaceutical industries for some years, is still not managed by the apparel industry, Jaspers claimed. Speaking at a press conference held in Germany last week, he added that it was time the apparel sector caught up with other businesses: "Product development is still considered an art, but - although creativity is important - this is a business procedure like all the others in the company."At the moment, anywhere from four to eight departments get involved in product development: collection designers, marketing, the costing estimation department, quality, buyers, raw materials, sample makers, sales staff, the e-commerce division and all the offshore manufacturers that produce the garments. Although all those departments are necessary to develop the style, often nobody in the whole organisation is managing the process."
GERMANY: Gerber Launches Web-Based PD Tool
Get full access to all content, just $1 for 30 days


just-style gives you the widest apparel and textile market coverage.
Paid just-style members have unlimited access to all our exclusive content - including 21 years of archives.
I am so confident you will love complete access to our content that today I can offer you 30 days access for $1.
It’s our best ever membership offer – just for you.
Leonie Barrie, editor of just-style
Create sourcing plans that work
Find new apparel sourcing destinations, assess trade flows and manage tariffs. All in one place.
Most Popular
Insights
- Improving fashion sustainability is a team effort
- Suppliers at breaking point on broken retail model
- Regional flows still shape fabric & apparel trade
- Myanmar's several crises show way to better jobs
- Uncertainty shrouds Myanmar's clothing industry
News
- US clothing imports in Xinjiang detention order
- US Q4 in brief – Wolverine Worldwide, Steve Madden
- Brands challenged to use more recycled polyester
- Xinjiang forced labour focus of new US legislation
- Timeline – Coronavirus and the apparel industry
Market research
- Apparel Market in United States of America (USA) to 2024 with COVID-19 Impact Analysis
- Li & Fung Ltd (494) - Strategic SWOT Analysis Review
- Global Sportswear Market to 2025 with COVID-19 Impact Analysis
- Global apparel markets: business update, December 2020
- Talking strategy: the state of fashion in 2021
Oops! This article is copy protected.
Why can’t I copy the text on this page?
The ability to copy articles is specially reserved for people who are part of a group membership.
How do I become a group member?
To find out how you and your team can copy and share articles and save money as part of a group membership call Sean Clinton on
+44 (0)1527 573 736 or complete this form..
