Global apparel supply chain manager, Li & Fung Ltd. has joined forces with Softwear Automation, a US-based robotic sewing company.
The collaboration will allow Li & Fung’s global supplier network and Softwear’s autonomous sewing worklines to digitalise the supply chain. The initial focus will be on the manufacturers of T-shirts, and will then tap other product categories.
The demand for new and unique designs and quicker deliveries is on the rise. And, automated solutions by Softwear will not only enable manufacturers to better productivity and efficiency but create new, higher-value employment opportunities, such as engineers and technicians.
Under the collaboration, Softwear will provide all the technology needed to meet the ‘speed-to-market’ demand and made-to-measure manufacturing solutions; while Li & Fung will team up with a few apparel manufacturers to create first fully-digital apparel supply chain, scale up the level of technology incorporation and create customised solutions for its supplier network across the world.
Notably, Softwear’s digital T-shirt SEWBOT® Workline is completely automated and requires a single operator, to produce a piece in just 22 seconds. Further digitising the production processes in the supply chain along with Li & Fung will present a game-changing opportunity to manufacturers and suppliers.
It is worth mentioning here that Li & Fung’s Three-Year Plan (2017-2019) also revolves around three main aspects of Speed, Innovation and Digitalisation with an aim of creating the ‘Supply Chain of the Future’. The venture with Softwear falls in line with the former’s vision.
“We have already made substantial progress in our digital journey to create the Supply Chain of the Future and this partnership with Softwear Automation is another building block in our end-to-end digital supply chain,” says Spencer Fung, Group CEO, Li & Fung.
