The personalization economy is creating challenges for fashion and apparel brands trying to keep pace with consumer expectations and needs. To address this need, Gerber Technology is launching FashionTech Platform 1.0, which includes software, equipment and consulting to set-up a purchase-activated fashion model with a digitally integrated e-commerce and on-demand design to print, cut and sew micro-factory operation. The first FashionTech Platform 1.0 installation will be implemented in partnership with OnPoint Manufacturing in Florence, Alabama and PAAT, Inc. in Nashville, Tennessee.
“Our eco-system, the expertise of our people and recent advances in our technology are enabling us to deliver value to our customers, helping them to achieve the countless benefits of a demand generated micro-factory,” said Karsten Newbury, SVP and GM of Software at Gerber, “To effectively achieve this concept you need a strong knowledge base and products that can digitally integrate the design through production workflow with speed and efficiency.”
FashionTech Platform 1.0 eliminates costly inventory and re-defines just-in-time manufacturing, so production adjusts as demands fluctuate – allowing products to be produced more efficiently and sold at full retail price without heavy discounting. OnPoint Manufacturing has expertise in digitizing processes and on-demand work flows. Their current mass customization manufacturing process supports millions of unique SKUs.
“We have been working with Gerber for several years now,” said J. Kirby Best, Chairman of OnPoint Manufacturing and PAAT. “We are continually refining our approach to mass customization and we believe adding Gerber’s full suite of software and automated cutting systems will help us to dramatically improve our speed and efficiency.”
The FashionTech Platform 1.0 includes an e-commerce virtual try-on application developed by Avametric, and the complete set of Gerber’s Digital Solutions tools including the newest software releases of YuniquePLM®, a cloud-based product lifecycle management software, and AccuMark®, the industry-leading pattern design, grading, marker making and production planning software as well as AccuMark 3D. Data will be transmitted directly to the micro-factory environment where the optimized marker files from AccuMark will drive a digital printer to print and continuously feed finished textiles to a GERBERcutter® Z1 with CountourVision™. A combination of robotic and lean loop sewing operations will be deployed depending upon apparel finishing requirements.
The FashionTech Platform 1.0 announcement was made to industry leaders at Gerber’s 20th annual ideation tech conference. Transformation was the core topic as Gerber highlighted key trends, like the need to embrace digitalization in the fashion supply chain to enable speed and personalization.
