Data compiled by GlobalData suggests technology and science-based companies are eager to innovate within the apparel supply chain sector as they make up the entire top 10 list of apparel supply chain patent assignees between 1 July and 31 July 2023.

Apparel supply chain patent assignee rankings for July 2023

Source: GlobalData

South Korean technology company Samsung Group submitted the most patent publications within the period (755) with the manufacturer of technology display panels LG Display Co Ltd sitting in second place with 264 total patent publications and its parent company LG Corp sitting in third place with 257 patent publications.

Others in the top ten list include technology companies Qualcomm Inc, Toyota Motor Corp, Canon Inc, Sony Group Corp, Apple Inc, Huawei Investment & Holding Co Ltd and Intel Corp.

Interestingly there wasn't any apparel or footwear companies in the top ten patents list for month of July.

Why are technology companies tapping into the apparel supply chain space?

Earlier this year Frank Henderson, CEO of Henderson Sewing Machine Company told Just Style: “Technology has finally got to a point where we can use its advantages today."

Sustainability remains a key focal point for the fashion industry but long, complicated and labour-intensive methods can hinder its progress.

The long list of technology companies issuing patent applications suggests they have identified the fashion sector's weaknesses and want to create solutions.

Henderson sees opportunities in robotic sewing and suggests there is more technology available for end-of-arm tooling, which means robots can be used more effectively and efficiently than in the past to pick up different shapes and pieces of fabric. 

Meanwhile, Dan Berzack, president of Sewn Products Equipment Company believes there's a big opportunity in using technology to aid with components. He says: “A lot of people spend a fortune trying to make robots do everything but there’s a tonne of opportunities in components. Using technology to make a pocket or hem a pocket and the automation of other repetitive manufacturing elements means you can manufacture with a higher paid labour market.”

Plus, German technology start-up Sewts, which aims to reduce manual labour with AI and robotics, recently concluded a €7m ($7.6m) series A financing round in a bid to solve labour shortages by automating clothing production.

Sewt's ultimate goal is to automate the clothing production element of the apparel supply chain, however its immediate target involves streamlining the handling of returned garments in the ecommerce domain. In partnership with the German Otto Group, Sewts has already prototyped a solution for this purpose.

Our signals coverage is powered by GlobalData’s Disruptor data, which tracks all major deals, patents, company filings, hiring patterns and social media buzz across our sectors. These signals help us to uncover key innovation areas in the sector and the themes that drive them. They tell us about the topics on the minds of business leaders and investors, and indicate where leading companies are focusing their investment, deal-making and R&D efforts.