Avoiding Supply Chain Disruptions in Fashion Production
Managing a robust and trustworthy production supply chain can be one of the most difficult aspects for growing brands. Behind the scenes, brands face a complex web of challenges. Let's break down the global fashion supply chain and explore some innovative solutions to its biggest issues.
Sourcing and Production
Fashion brands often team up with suppliers and manufacturers scattered worldwide. Each country has its rules, labor standards, and methods, sometimes making coordination and quality control a challenge. Add in geopolitical uncertainties, trade disputes, and transport hiccups, and you've got a recipe for delays and extra costs.
AJG can help avoid disruptions by recommending our top-rated suppliers, with whom we have developed long standing relationships with. We have personally vetted all of our suppliers, even visiting each of our factories in person to strengthen our relationship. We work to match businesses with the best manufacturing partners for their products, and create strong networks that can respond to changing needs of our brands and the industry.
Costs and Ethics
The struggle to balance cost-effectiveness and ethical responsibility is real. The industry's competitiveness pushes brands to cut costs, sometimes by outsourcing to low-cost areas. But this can lead to ethical concerns, poor working conditions, and price swings in raw materials. Working with ethically certified suppliers is imperative. AJG only partners with suppliers who have been certified as using ethical labor practices. Certifications we look for are SMETA andWRAP, among others. We focus on partnering with manufacturing allies committed to fair wages and environmentally friendly materials.
Demand and Seasonality
Changing desires within the consumer landscape can be challenging to predict. Forecasting and managing inventory can be tricky, often resulting in stockouts or excess inventory. AJG recommends a data-driven approach, using our understanding of the industry and application of analytics to make informed decisions, allowing brands to plan ahead to ensure enough inventory is available to meet consumer demand.
Rethinking Minimum Orders
Historically high Minimum Order Quantities (MOQs) block smaller brands from entering or experimenting with new products. The industry's shift toward smaller, personalized orders poses a new challenge. AJG focuses on teaming up with manufacturers of different sizes, allowing flexible production for small-to-medium brands without sacrificing quality.
On-time Delivery Matters
In an industry where trends change fast, on-time delivery is crucial. Missing deadlines can impact market adaptability and business planning. AJG optimizes supply chain operations, working with trusted shipping companies and prioritizing suppliers capable of efficient handling and delivery, ensuring quick delivery times for client brands.
Overcoming Challenges
The challenges in the apparel production supply chain are many, but AJG aims to tackle them head-on. By embracing tech, encouraging collaboration, and prioritizing sustainability and ethics, AJG works towards efficient solutions for global fashion brands. Creating a transparent, resilient, and responsible supply chain benefits not just brands but also contributes to a more sustainable and ethical future for the industry.