INDIA
The textiles and apparel Industry is
labour-intensive due to which it is
difficult to standardise operations. To
overcome this problem operations
re-engineering can be adopted which
stresses on tools like high-performance
layout, quick changeover module
(QCO), quick quality response
(QQR), etc.
Roadmap to manufacturing excellence
To remain competitive in the international market it is important to simultaneously improve quality
and productivity on continual basis. Manufacturing excellence thus is the need of the hour to
sustain the growth that Indian textile industry has experienced.
1. Productivity improvement programme: To achieve higher productivity, India has to emphasise
on all areas of manufacturing including manpower, material, machine and capital. The key
components of productivity improvement programme are production planning and control,
improvement in system and processes and increasing focus on information technology.
I. Planning and merchandising: Apparel manufacturing in India is highly dispersed. Due to
the innate nature of the industry, enterprises have to devise effective planning mechanisms
that involve:
Estimating next six months capacity so that orders can be allocated in advance;
Allocating right order to the right factory;
Production plans for tools and materials, supplier planning, manpower;
Master production schedules (MPSs);
On-time customer approvals;
Effective material procurement;
Regular follow up on time and action (TNA) calendar;
Coordination among factories.
II. System and processes: The textiles and apparel Industry is labour-intensive due to which it
is difficult to standardise operations. To overcome this problem operations re-engineering can
be adopted which stresses on tools like high-performance layout, quick changeover module
(QCO), quick quality response (QQR), etc. These kind of standard operating procedures
(SOPs) bring in optimisation of process flow and streamlines it.
III. IT focus: IT is significantly missing in the industry in both small and large enterprises. IT tools
like management information system (MIS) and enterprise resource planning (ERP) can be
utilised for achieving efficiency and improving quality of production. It automates work flows
and makes the process faster and traceable to identify delays.
56 | FIBRE 2 FASHION NOVEMBER 2017