Coats Digital is pleased to announce that European fashion retailer C&A has adopted Coats Digital’s GSDCost solution to introduce more accurate and transparent costing and capacity forecasting across its extensive supplier network.
The GSDCost solution will provide accurate costing and capacity forecasting by establishing international standard time benchmarks based on Standard Minute Values (SMVs). This standardised methodology will enable C&A’s vendor partners to offer precise Cost to Make quotations, fostering efficient garment manufacturing processes and fact-based negotiations. The implementation of a common language and standards across C&A’s global supply chain aims to deliver on the company’s corporate social responsibility commitments while supporting sustainable growth.
C&A, with over 1,300 stores in 17 European countries, aims to provide quality and affordable fashion to its customers. As a member of the ACT Group, which promotes sustainability in the energy transition, C&A recognised the need for consistent costing and sourcing methodologies among its suppliers. The lack of common practices resulted in inconsistent Cost to Make quotations and a lack of transparency regarding sustainable practices. With the adoption of GSDCost, C&A aims to improve transparency in its sourcing process, collaborate effectively with suppliers, and achieve its sustainability goals.
Coats Digital’s GSDCost method analysis and pre-determined times solution is widely recognised as an international standard in the sewn products industry. It supports collaboration, transparency, and sustainability in the supply chain by establishing and optimising International Standard Time Benchmarks using standard motion codes and predetermined times. This standardised approach facilitates accurate cost predictions, fact-based negotiations, and efficient garment manufacturing processes. By implementing GSDCost, C&A aims to enhance communication and collaboration between the brand and its vendors, ensuring a more transparent, connected, and profitable way of conducting business while promoting sustainability and fair working practices.
Nitin Kumar, Lead Technical cost, C&A Sourcing Asia, said, “As a member of the ACT group, we are continuously improving our supply chain to be more transparent, responsible and sustainable. GSDCost can bring transparency to our sourcing process through a standardised time management methodology, and further support the sustainable growth together with our supply partners.”
Coats Digital’s GSDCost method analysis and pre-determined times solution is widely acknowledged as the de-facto international standard across the sewn products industry. The solution supports a more collaborative, transparent and sustainable supply chain, in which brands and manufacturers establish and optimise ‘International Standard Time Benchmarks’ using standard motion codes and predetermined times. This use of a common language and standards supports accurate cost prediction, fact-based negotiation, and a more efficient garment manufacturing process, while concurrently delivering on CSR commitments.
Liv Zhang, Sales Director (Greater China), Coats Digital, commented, “We are absolutely delighted to have partnered with C&A to introduce a scientific and objective method analysis process of costing and sourcing. GSDCost will enable the company to align Cost to Make data (CM) across its supply chain network, streamline cost negotiations, foster greater data sharing and improve business intelligence. By phasing in a ubiquitous, standardised language for establishing accurate benchmarks around production methods, production times and costs, C&A is effectively breaking down previously siloed walls of communication between the brand and its vendors so both can benefit from a more transparent, connected, and profitable way of doing business, whilst also ensuring – as well as evidence – sustainability and fair working practices. We look forward to working closely with C&A to ensure the seamless rollout of GSDCost across its supply chain partners and help it future-proof its operation to meet the increasingly complex demands of a more discerning consumer.”
Coats Digital, the leading digital transformation partner for the fashion supply chain, works with brands and manufacturers to optimise and accelerate critical business processes through connected technologies. Its software and SaaS solutions are used in over 3,000 factories worldwide, improving agility, speed to market, efficiency, transparency, and sustainability.
GSDCost, as an international standard, focuses on establishing accurate method-time-cost benchmarks for sustainable garment cost optimisation and manufacturing excellence. By using a common language and standards, it enables accurate cost prediction, fact-based negotiation, and efficient manufacturing processes while supporting CSR commitments in the fashion industry.
