Brands and manufacturers from 22 countries gather
to explore winning business strategies
August 04, 2015: 12:37 PM ET
PARIS, Aug. 4, 2015 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Lectra, the world leader in
integrated technology solutions dedicated to industries using soft
materials-fabrics, leather, technical textiles and composite materials-
recently hosted its first apparel manufacturing seminar in Bordeaux-
Cestas (France).
The two-day event brought together close to 70 participants from
different brands, retailers and manufacturers with experts and thought
leaders from the fashion and apparel industry. Companies from
22 countries were in attendance, including businesses operating in the
luxury and made-to-measure market, as well as mass manufacturers.
The goal was to explore innovative ways to add value to their offer
and share winning business strategies for today's rapidly changing
fashion marketplace.
"The world of business is changing quickly and nowhere is this more
true than in fashion," observed Daniel Harari, Lectra CEO. "Today's
generation is more connected than ever, which has disrupted traditional
business models and shifted the balance of power between brands,
retailers and consumers. In order to remain competitive in this
environment, companies have to completely rethink how they operate."
The importance of moving from competitive to cooperative business
strategies was a recurring theme during the event. David Birnbaum,
president of Hong Kong-based consulting firm Third Horizon, emphasized
the benefits of collaborative partnerships between suppliers and their
customers during his presentation on garment sourcing. "You can't compete
with one another and still get ahead. Think of it as the difference
between winning a race versus breaking a record. In the latter scenario,
everybody wins."
This sentiment was echoed during a roundtable on the value of connecting
brands, retailers and manufacturers, which featured panelists from British
retail giant Marks & Spencer, Chinese made-to-measure manufacturer Red
Collar and Sri Lankan exporter Omega Line. The discussion also touched on
how today's empowered consumer is turning the traditional retail business
model on its head. The panelists noted that instead of retailers suggesting
to customers what they want, customers are now telling retailers what they
want, which represents a huge shift-and a huge opportunity-in how business
needs to be handled.
Representatives from El Salvador-based activewear manufacturer Textiles Opico
and Sri Lankan high-end swimwear manufacturer MAS Linea Aqua spoke about the
challenges and benefits they had experienced when implementing Lean across
their business, advocating innovation and sustainability as keys to long-term
success. "Innovation is what changes things. If you don't evolve, you will
simply disappear. Technology has played a pivotal role in getting us to
where we are today," said Juan Zighelboim, president of Textiles Opico.
Both presenting businesses had embraced change and revisited their process
to become best-in-class examples of companies using lean methodologies
effectively in apparel manufacturing today.
"Our relationship with Lectra dates back 23 years. Since then, we have
been able to improve productivity, save time and fabric, optimize our
resources and deliver better-quality products. Other companies come to
offer us their solutions, but we feel supported on a global level with
Lectra; we see them as a long-term business partner," said Óscar Álvarez
Hernández, Operations Director for Mexican high-end menswear company
Industrias Haber's.
"We are here to accompany our customers in their journey towards change;
this includes helping them find new ways to remain profitable and competitive.
Manufacturing excellence is becoming a key focus because it allows companies
to set themselves apart from their competition. At Lectra, our mission is to
provide the vision, technologies and expertise to make that happen,"
concluded
Daniel Harari.
About Lectra
Lectra is the world leader in integrated technology solutions that
automate, streamline and accelerate product design, development and
manufacturing processes for industries using soft materials. Lectra
develops the most advanced specialized software and cutting systems
and provides associated services to a broad array of markets including
fashion (apparel, accessories, footwear), automotive (car seats and
interiors, airbags), furniture, as well as a wide variety of other
market sectors, such as aeronautical and marine industries, wind power
and personal protective equipment. Lectra serves 23,000 customers in
more than 100 countries with 1,500 employees, and registered revenues
of $281 million in 2014. The company is listed on Euronext.
For more information, please visit www.lectra.com
Contact - Lectra Headquarters / Press Dept.: Nathalie Fournier-Christol
E-mail: n.fournier-christol@lectra.com
Tel.: +33 (0)1 53 64 42 37 - Fax: +33 (0)1 53 64 43 40
VIP Apparel Event press release
http://hugin.info/143494/R/1943617/703850.pdf
HUG#1943617
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