The Review of Mark Planning Problem

Mark planning is one of the most important planning processes in garment industry. The major function is to generate a set of markers which is used as cutting guidelines or cutting templates in a cutting process. In other words, this process can be seen as a planning step of a cutting process which determines what sequence and how many parts will be cut. For the academic point of view, mark planning has been of interests for more than 15 years. Many papers were published with various objective functions, problem scenarios, and constraints. Therefore, a summarization of these papers representing key contents of each paper will be useful for researchers who are interested in this type of problem. The purpose of this paper is to introduce an exhaustive review of mark planning papers which is composed of three sections: the relevant background, the summary of papers, and the relationship between objective functions which is cost combinations and major garment characteristics. In conclusion, future researches should go forward the trend of integration between this process and other relevant processes in the production chain, e.g. cut scheduling, assembly planning, marker making

Optimized production and inventory decisions for a mixed make-to-order/make-to-stock ready-made garment manufacturer

In this thesis, a production and inventory planning model for mixed make-to-order (MTO) make-to-stock (MTS) production system in garment industry. Where the dominant production is typically for the Make-to-order production and the make-to-stock production is penetrating the mainstream production (MTO) as a way of enhancing the revenues and maintaining a positive cash flow, that are often degraded due to either seasonality of demands or production planning challenges. The model considers capacity planning for the mixed environment when there are predictable fluctuating demands. Due to the nature of the clothing business, it is challenging for a garment manufacturer to cope with seasonal changes while having the best capacity utilization. The literature acknowledges production planning in the garment industry. While a little focus was for capacity planning for seasonal fluctuating demands. Mathematical programming for capacity planning in a mixed MTO and MTS garment-manufacturing environment is a viable approach that can provide effective management decisions that can help the garment industry to strive in today’s competitive pace. The proposed model considers distributing the available capacity between MTO and MTS production and the implications of the costs and revenues for different capacity distribution. Decisions made on the production amounts, inventory levels and generated revenues are attained. The model was verified and validated by applying it to a local ready- made garment factory. The results ensured the validity of the proposed model. When analysis was made to the parameters that influence the decisions, it was found that distributing the capacity between MTO and MTS with different percentages had significant impact on the revenues and costs. The model was very sensitive to the increases in the fabric price and subcontracting costs while the overall net profits were not significantly affected by the changes in the inventory holding cost. Last, this work is useful in helping garment manufacturers adapt rapidly to seasonal changes by deploying their capacity effectively in favor of their projected seasonal plans

Competition Among Domestic Apparel Manufacturers

Apparel manufacturing characterizes a sustainable means of creating employment and encouraging economic growth; however, 86% of U.S. apparel manufacturing companies and 74.7% in North Carolina have closed since the late 1990s. Less than 3% of apparel bought in the United States is domestic. The purpose of this case study was to explore the strategies used by American apparel manufacturing business leaders who produce competitive products using Porter\u27s diamond theory as the conceptual framework. Data were collected through semistructured interviews of 4 business leaders from an apparel manufacturer that had been in business a minimum of 5 years in North Carolina. Member checking and transcript review were used to ensure the trustworthiness of the findings. Data were coded using a qualitative analysis software. Coded data were analyzed to identify themes. The results led to 3 major themes: technology, time, and brand development. The findings revealed that apparel manufacturing business managers used technology to produce competitive apparel products by owning the fiber, fabric, and technologies in the apparel products and shortened lead-times to the retailer. New knowledge from this study could contribute to social change through improved opportunities for apparel workers, improved business strategies among apparel manufacturing business leaders, and increased demand for apparel products produced in the United States. The findings from this study may also contribute to positive social change by potentially increasing business prospects for apparel manufacturers, suppliers, auxiliary businesses, thereby increasing revenue in North Carolina and the United States

Fuzzy Mixed Assembly Line Sequencing and Scheduling Optimization Model Using Multiobjective Dynamic Fuzzy GA

A new multiobjective dynamic fuzzy genetic algorithm is applied to solve a fuzzy mixed-model assembly line sequencing problem in which the primary goals are to minimize the total make-span and minimize the setup number simultaneously. Trapezoidal fuzzy numbers are implemented for variables such as operation and travelling time in order to generate results with higher accuracy and representative of real-case data. An improved genetic algorithm called fuzzy adaptive genetic algorithm (FAGA) is proposed in order to solve this optimization model. In establishing the FAGA, five dynamic fuzzy parameter controllers are devised in which fuzzy expert experience controller (FEEC) is integrated with automatic learning dynamic fuzzy controller (ALDFC) technique. The enhanced algorithm dynamically adjusts the population size, number of generations, tournament candidate, crossover rate, and mutation rate compared with using fixed control parameters. The main idea is to improve the performance and effectiveness of existing GAs by dynamic adjustment and control of the five parameters. Verification and validation of the dynamic fuzzy GA are carried out by developing test-beds and testing using a multiobjective fuzzy mixed production assembly line sequencing optimization problem. The simulation results highlight that the performance and efficacy of the proposed novel optimization algorithm are more efficient than the performance of the standard genetic algorithm in mixed assembly line sequencing model

Demand planning practices in the Gauteng clothing industry

The clothing industry is multifaceted and is characterised by garments with a short life cycle, unstable customer needs and varying fashion styles. This affects the accuracy of demand planning. In SA, the clothing industry has experienced a decline in the number of clothing manufacturers and manufacturing outputs as well as fluctuations in employment. This study investigates demand planning practices in the Gauteng clothing industry. A descriptive and exploratory study was conducted based on a semi-structured questionnaire. The structured data was descriptively analysed using SPSS and inferentially analysed using the Kruskal‒Wallis test as well as content analysis for the unstructured questions. The findings revealed that demand planning practices in the Gauteng clothing industry are conducted using the hierarchical and optimal demand planning approaches. The results also revealed that there are certain factors which affect the way demand planning is conducted in the clothing industry in Gauteng. These factors includes: scheduling, fashion clothes, point of sale system, imports, estimation, recession and lead time. Furthermore, the study revealed that there are differences in the factors affecting demand planning regarding the three key clothing stakeholders (fabric suppliers, clothing manufacturers and fashion designers). The study revealed that key demand planning practices employed in the Gauteng clothing industry are production planning, uncertainty prevention, forecasting and production machine capabilities. These practices are important attributes of the hierarchical and optimal demand planning approaches. The study recommends that the hierarchical demand planning approach is more effective when planning for basic clothes (which involved planning horizon of twelve months), while the optimal demand planning approach is effective when planning for fashion clothes (which involved planning horizon of six months). The study recommends that the Gauteng clothing industry should consider factors which affect demand planning when planning for customers' needs as they affect the level of productivity in the organisation.Entrepreneurship Supply Chain Transport Tourism and Logistics ManagementM. Com.(Logistics

Optimizing the work environment using lean and continuous improvement tools-printing floor

The study aims at solving the problems reported by the management using lean tools and continuous improvement tools. The purpose of using a lean tool is to configure the working process involved in production thereby reducing waste periodically. The tool also aims at improving the flow of process resulting in reducing the uneven workflow throughout the floor. The pull system from Kanban also found to improvise flow of materials at the production floor. The continuous improvement tool helps in streamlining works related to implementing works and reducing waste. In this work, the implementation of 5s has found its use in creating a tool room and tool chart along with a pull system introduced for the tools at the pegboard. The use of Kanban cards as pull system at tool chart for the tool is to monitor the flow of tool to the production units at the printing floor. The implementation of 5s in paint room is to organize the ink tins used for setup activity in the production process and to make the ink tins easier to find for the operator. PDCA (plan, do check, act) cycle one of the continuous improvement tools implemented for organizing the printing plates into a system by creating and thereby reducing the retrieval time of the plates by the operators. SMED (single minute exchange of die) performed on production units to find the activities involved in the setup operations and reducing the time needed to perform the setup operations. The results of the implementations made found to be satisfying that the tool room kept periodically and the use of Kanban cards on the tool chart for some tool being used through inspections performed. The systems implemented for organizing the printing plates helped in retrieving the plates from the system for a setup operation seem to have reduced from 17 minutes to 3 minutes. The implementation of 5s at the paint room in organizing the ink tins proven useful as the time needed for operators in obtaining the ink tins and introducing it into the system, a setup operation performed for production purpose observed during SMED process.O objetivo do estudo é resolver os problemas relatados pelo gerenciamento utilizando ferramentas enxutas e ferramentas de melhoria contínua. O propósito de usar uma ferramenta enxuta é configurar o processo de trabalho envolvido na produção, reduzindo assim o desperdício periodicamente. A ferramenta também visa melhorar o fluxo do processo, resultando na redução do fluxo de trabalho irregular em todo o piso. O sistema de tração do Kanban também descobriu improvisar o fluxo de materiais no chão de fábrica. A ferramenta de melhoria contínua ajuda na racionalização de trabalhos relacionados à implementação de obras e redução de desperdício. Neste trabalho, a implementação do 5s encontrou seu uso na criação de uma sala de ferramentas e um gráfico de ferramentas, juntamente com um sistema de tração introduzido para as ferramentas no pegboard. O uso de cartões Kanban como sistema pull no quadro de ferramentas da ferramenta é monitorar o fluxo da ferramenta para as unidades de produção no chão de impressão. A implementação do 5s na sala de pintura é organizar as latas de tingimento usadas para a atividade de configuração no processo de produção e tornar as latas de tingimento mais fáceis de encontrar para o operador. O PDCA (plan, do check, act) aciona uma das ferramentas de melhoria contínua implementadas para organizar as chapas de impressão em um sistema, criando e reduzindo o tempo de recuperação das chapas pelos operadores. SMED (single minute exchange of die) realizado nas unidades de produção para localizar as atividades envolvidas nas operações de configuração e reduzir o tempo necessário para executar as operações de configuração. Os resultados das implementações realizadas demonstraram ser satisfatórios que a sala de ferramentas é mantida periodicamente e o uso de cartões Kanban na tabela de ferramentas para alguma ferramenta sendo usada através de inspeções realizadas. Os sistemas implementados para organizar as chapas de impressão ajudaram a recuperar as chapas do sistema para que uma operação de configuração parecesse ter reduzido de 17 minutos para 3 minutos. A implementação de 5s na sala de pintura organizou as tintas de tingimento, comprovadamente úteis como o tempo necessário para os operadores obterem as tintas de corante e introduzilas no sistema, uma operação de configuração realizada para fins de produção observada durante o processo SMED

Management, Technology and Learning for Individuals, Organisations and Society in Turbulent Environments

This book presents the collection of fifty papers which were presented in the Second International Conference on BUSINESS SUSTAINABILITY 2011 - Management, Technology and Learning for Individuals, Organisations and Society in Turbulent Environments , held in Póvoa de Varzim, Portugal, from 22ndto 24thof June, 2011.The main motive of the meeting was growing awareness of the importance of the sustainability issue. This importance had emerged from the growing uncertainty of the market behaviour that leads to the characterization of the market, i.e. environment, as turbulent. Actually, the characterization of the environment as uncertain and turbulent reflects the fact that the traditional technocratic and/or socio-technical approaches cannot effectively and efficiently lead with the present situation. In other words, the rise of the sustainability issue means the quest for new instruments to deal with uncertainty and/or turbulence. The sustainability issue has a complex nature and solutions are sought in a wide range of domains and instruments to achieve and manage it. The domains range from environmental sustainability (referring to natural environment) through organisational and business sustainability towards social sustainability. Concerning the instruments for sustainability, they range from traditional engineering and management methodologies towards “soft” instruments such as knowledge, learning, and creativity. The papers in this book address virtually whole sustainability problems space in a greater or lesser extent. However, although the uncertainty and/or turbulence, or in other words the dynamic properties, come from coupling of management, technology, learning, individuals, organisations and society, meaning that everything is at the same time effect and cause, we wanted to put the emphasis on business with the intention to address primarily companies and their businesses. Due to this reason, the main title of the book is “Business Sustainability 2.0” but with the approach of coupling Management, Technology and Learning for individuals, organisations and society in Turbulent Environments. Also, the notation“2.0” is to promote the publication as a step further from our previous publication – “Business Sustainability I” – as would be for a new version of software. Concerning the Second International Conference on BUSINESS SUSTAINABILITY, its particularity was that it had served primarily as a learning environment in which the papers published in this book were the ground for further individual and collective growth in understanding and perception of sustainability and capacity for building new instruments for business sustainability. In that respect, the methodology of the conference work was basically dialogical, meaning promoting dialog on the papers, but also including formal paper presentations. In this way, the conference presented a rich space for satisfying different authors’ and participants’ needs. Additionally, promoting the widest and global learning environment and participation, in accordance with the Conference's assumed mission to promote Proactive Generative Collaborative Learning, the Conference Organisation shares/puts open to the community the papers presented in this book, as well as the papers presented on the previous Conference(s). These papers can be accessed from the conference webpage (http://labve.dps.uminho.pt/bs11). In these terms, this book could also be understood as a complementary instrument to the Conference authors’ and participants’, but also to the wider readerships’ interested in the sustainability issues. The book brought together 107 authors from 11 countries, namely from Australia, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Portugal, Serbia, Switzerland, and United States of America. The authors “ranged” from senior and renowned scientists to young researchers providing a rich and learning environment. At the end, the editors hope, and would like, that this book to be useful, meeting the expectation of the authors and wider readership and serving for enhancing the individual and collective learning, and to incentive further scientific development and creation of new papers. Also, the editors would use this opportunity to announce the intention to continue with new editions of the conference and subsequent editions of accompanying books on the subject of BUSINESS SUSTAINABILITY, the third of which is planned for year 2013.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

ICS Materials. Towards a re-Interpretation of material qualities through interactive, connected, and smart materials.

The domain of materials for design is changing under the influence of an increased technological advancement, miniaturization and democratization. Materials are becoming connected, augmented, computational, interactive, active, responsive, and dynamic. These are ICS Materials, an acronym that stands for Interactive, Connected and Smart. While labs around the world are experimenting with these new materials, there is the need to reflect on their potentials and impact on design. This paper is a first step in this direction: to interpret and describe the qualities of ICS materials, considering their experiential pattern, their expressive sensorial dimension, and their aesthetic of interaction. Through case studies, we analyse and classify these emerging ICS Materials and identified common characteristics, and challenges, e.g. the ability to change over time or their programmability by the designers and users. On that basis, we argue there is the need to reframe and redesign existing models to describe ICS materials, making their qualities emerge