In fashion, it’s virtually impossible to create products that meet consumer expectations and maintain a competitive edge without the right raw materials. As the first element in the highly complex fashion supply chain, raw materials make up the majority of production costs—up to 70%—while accounting for half of all quality issues. It is therefore clear that the careful management of your raw materials could save you millions of dollars in preventative costs and protect your brand’s reputation in a noisy market.
Mieux vaut prévenir que guérir
Dans l'industrie de l'habillement, la qualité de chaque produit fini est directement liée à la qualité du tissu lorsqu'il est reçu en rouleau. Même si les fabricants travaillent avec des équipements de pointe et utilisent les méthodes de fabrication les plus exemplaires, cela ne corrigera pas les effets de l'utilisation de matières premières défectueuses, non performantes ou non conformes.
Many of the final-product quality issues experienced by textile factories are a result of inadequate raw materials being passed down the production line from the start. Some factory managers may not realize, however, that these problems are easily avoidable. Ensuring the properties of the fabric are compatible with the intentions of the end-use garment can—and should—be technically evaluated at the beginning of the creation process.
Engagez-vous auprès de vos consommateurs
In today’s hyper-connected world, consumers can publicly share their opinions about products with ease, making it more important than ever for fashion brands and retailers to listen to this feedback and integrate it into the selection and improvement of raw materials. Keeping this dialogue open will allow you to understand your consumers’ expectations and be clear on the requirements of your raw materials, so you can get the fit and comfort of your products just right—and inspire positive feedback.
In essence, working with better raw materials will:
- Réduire les défauts de qualité, tant au cours de la production qu'en magasin. En vous attaquant aux problèmes en amont et en identifiant les fournisseurs les plus aptes à garantir la capacité et à améliorer la productivité, vous pourrez améliorer la qualité et fabriquer de meilleurs produits.
- Améliorer la fluidité pour les fabricants. De meilleurs matériaux et tissus réduisent les problèmes, génèrent moins de déchets et, en fin de compte, accélèrent le processus de fabrication.
- Rendre les clients plus heureux. Les produits qui tiennent leur promesse de qualité et répondent aux attentes des consommateurs améliorent en fin de compte la satisfaction de ces derniers et attirent de nouveaux clients.
Commencer à la source
Raw materials in fashion go through numerous steps before the finished product is ready to sell, making visibility a challenge for brands and retailers. However, ensuring that the highest standards are set and achieved from the beginning is critical. It’s important to map the entire supply chain from the start of the development process—from sourcing raw fibers to garment production and beyond. This will allow you to implement effective quality management systems from the foundation stage that significantly improve operational performance while saving valuable time and money and leading to higher-quality goods.
Performing a complete evaluation will reveal any non-compliance issues and enable you to put in place a preventive action plan to resolve them. Some of these solutions include:
- Audits d'évaluation technique
- Corrective & Preventative Action Plan audits (CPAP)
- Inspection des matières premières
- Raw material essais
- Atténuation des risques liés aux matières premières
Applied together, these can significantly improve quality, costs, time, and consumer satisfaction.
La réduction des risques est également bénéfique
Improving the overall quality output from the raw materials stage also work in tandem with sustainability and traceability objectives, ensuring that you always know where your raw materials have come from and how they have been produced.
Managing raw materials quality generally involves two key elements to keep in mind:
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Quality should be embedded in the product across design, conception, and the selection of trims and materials
Quality output can be improved by working from as early as possible in the supply chain:
- By ensuring materials are chosen in accordance with the expected performance and fit, placing the voice of the consumer at the center.
- By securing specifications from the start through proper R&D, monitored production steps, and best manufacturing practices.
- By reallocating resources and efforts earlier in the supply chain and mitigating risks.
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Addressing raw materials quality enables you to address sustainability and traceability
Concentrating on the raw materials supply chain will also give rise to:
- De meilleures stratégies d'approvisionnement.
- Possibilités d'utiliser des matériaux plus respectueux de l'environnement.
- Possibilités de mieux comprendre vos parties prenantes (fournisseurs T2, T3) dans une chaîne de production souvent dispersée.
- Maîtrise de la traçabilité et renforcement de la conformité.
Through SgT’s many years of experience as textile quality experts, our team has learned that it is absolutely crucial to care about raw materials. We have therefore put in place a complete package of services to assist our partners in the quality management of their raw materials.
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