For sourcing managers, having a large supplier network can seem like the safest strategy. More suppliers can mean more options, additional backup capacity, and less dependence on any single factory. There is a difference between diversification and fragmentation. When a brand spreads its production across too many suppliers, each partner may only see a small portion of the overall business. … Read More
How to Vet an Apparel Factory: 5 Questions That Reveal More Than a Factory Tour
Choosing the right apparel factory is one of the most important decisions a brand can make. A factory may have impressive facilities, recognizable customers, strong capabilities, and competitive pricing, but those factors only tell part of the story. Understanding how a manufacturer operates, communicates, and responds when production does not go according to plan can reveal much more about the … Read More
Is Going Direct Really the Most Cost-Effective Option?
“Cut out the factory middleman and go direct.” It is a common conversation in the apparel industry, especially for brands looking to reduce production costs. At first glance, working directly with a factory can seem like the obvious choice. If there is no partner between the brand and the factory, the assumption is that the brand will save money. But … Read More
30 Years in Apparel: Three Things That Never Change
The apparel industry has changed dramatically over the last 30 years. The fundamentals of building good product and good business have not. Over three decades in the apparel industry, we have watched technology transform how products are designed, communicated and manufactured. Fax machines gave way to email and text. Hand-drawn sketches evolved into 3D modeling. Manufacturing footprints shifted as entire … Read More
Why Your Pre-Production Sample May Look Different From Bulk
One of the most important stages in apparel production happens between the pre-production sample and bulk manufacturing. While the two should ultimately represent the same finished product, they are created in very different environments—and understanding that difference can help brands set realistic expectations for production. What Is a Pre-Production Sample? A pre-production sample, often called a PP sample, is the … Read More