The Modern Enterprises

The concept of successful enterprises has changed dramatically all over the world. At the beginning of the industrial revolution, machines were competing with hands. Hand made products in homes or small workshops were quickly being replaced by Machine made products because they were cheaper and consistent. Today machine Were common & cheaper.

Any successful Company must have the following areas of work:

1. Manufacturing
2. Distribution
3. Design
4. Branding
5. Research and Development

MANUFACTURING

Garment factory is just the manufacturing part of the apparel business, and as discussed above, it is relatively the easiest part. Modernizing the manufacturing and production of garment is what we should be aiming for; since production of garment is also a vast area in itself we should break it up into different stages, such as

1. Equipment selection, planning and investment
2. Factory layout plans and facilities
3. Selection criteria of personnel and job descriptions.
4. Organization chart and designations in a medium scale woven garment factory.
5. Purchasing of fabrics, accessories and in house testing
6. Pattern making techniques for quality productivity improvement and cost reduction
7. Stitching methods and processes.
8. Cutting techniques
9. Process design, process analysis, and time motion study including work sampling.
10. Finishing, pressing and packing techniques.
11. Internal training of workforce.
12. Motivation and improvement of productivity of the workforce.
13. Safety and health of the workforce.
14. Management tools and methods.

Distribution & marketing:

It can be visualized as the method in which the product reaches the intended target. It is one of the parts of the selling aspect of the trade and there by also including marketing. It also means the method in which you get the product from the manufacturing facility to near by outlet or can involve warehousing agents, trucking, etc. It is important to note that each link in the distribution chain has a cost associated and therefore profit margin.

Majority of us are simply working on style given by their customers local agents and the mode of shipment, delivery date, and nomination of forwarding agent is specified. We just follow the procedure and that’s it, in the future Apparel companies will have to look at swelling differently. The distribution chain for manufacturing to overseas retailing can be as following:

1. Marketing and selling tools including costing.
2. Selection of sole agents in foreign countries.
3. Selection of forwarding and clearing agencies.
4. Selection of shipping or Airline companies.
5. Visiting trade fairs.
6. Locating and arranging a central warehouse.
7. Selecting transportation companies from warehouse to eventual destinations.
8. Implementing and managing all of the above through modern methods i.e. computer software etc.

Design:

It is this aspect of the apparel business, which is the most important and also the most rewarding. We all know the importance of designs in the trade. At least twice every year, new designs are developed somewhere and reach us through fax and email from our customers and we are asked to develop them and send them samples. We also are aware that a little difference in styling can sometimes increase or decrease the price. Why is it that local companies seldom design their won products? How many of us have trained designers in our factories?

Branding:

This is probably the toughest aspect of the apparel business. It requires a long-term investment, a lot of promotion and a clear vision. It also means that for the same product, the consumer is willing to pay more just for the name. When we think about LEVI’S our REEBOK. But there are million other small brands all over the work, which are trying to create their version of styling and recognition. Apparel companies who wish to expand their business through design and distribution must also invest in branding.

Research and Development:

There are 2 areas in the apparel business where initially research and development can play an important role.

• Identifying and creating new designs and material.
• Developing better and more efficient manufacturing capabilities.