Rajesh Kasetty

Quality management in garment manufacturing ? Quality management in garment manufacturing involves a systematic approach to ensuring that products meet specified quality standards throughout the production process. Here are key aspects to consider: 1. Quality Planning Setting Standards: Define quality standards based on customer expectations and regulatory requirements. Quality Control Plans: Develop detailed plans outlining quality checkpoints during production. 2. Supplier Quality Management Vendor Selection: Choose suppliers with proven track records of quality. Material Inspection: Inspect raw materials upon receipt to ensure they meet specifications. 3. Process Control Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs): Establish clear SOPs for each manufacturing process to ensure consistency. Training: Train staff on quality standards and procedures. 4. In-Process Inspection Quality Checkpoints: Implement regular inspections during production to catch defects early. Feedback Loop: Use inspection results to inform production adjustments. 5. Final Inspection End-of-Line Checks: Conduct thorough inspections before shipping, focusing on dimensions, stitching, and finishing. Compliance Testing: Ensure products meet safety and regulatory standards. 6. Quality Audits Internal Audits: Regularly assess processes and compliance with quality standards. External Audits: Invite third-party audits for an unbiased evaluation of quality practices. 7. Continuous Improvement Data Analysis: Collect and analyze data on defects and returns to identify trends. Corrective Actions: Implement corrective actions based on findings to improve processes. 8. Customer Feedback Post-Delivery Assessments: Gather feedback from customers regarding product quality. Complaint Resolution: Develop a system for addressing customer complaints efficiently. 9. Certification and Standards ISO Standards: Consider adhering to international quality standards like ISO 9001 to enhance credibility. Sustainability Standards: Explore certifications related to sustainability and ethical practices. 10. Technology Integration Quality Management Software: Utilize software solutions for tracking quality metrics and managing documentation. Automation: Implement automated inspection technologies for consistent quality checks. By focusing on these areas, garment manufacturers can enhance product quality, reduce waste, and improve customer satisfaction.

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Unicon Leather, based in Kolkata, India, is a leading manufacturer of sustainable leather bags. They are dedicated to creating high-quality leather products while maintaining a strong focus on sustainability. Here's how they ensure their leather bags are 100% sustainable: Ethical Sourcing: Unicon Leather sources their raw materials responsibly, ensuring that the leather used is ethically produced. This includes working with suppliers who adhere to environmental regulations and animal welfare standards. Eco-friendly Production: The manufacturing process at Unicon Leather incorporates eco-friendly techniques. They focus on reducing waste and minimizing the environmental impact of their production processes. This includes using water-based adhesives and other non-toxic materials​ (Mysite 4)​​ (Mysite 4)​. Handcrafted Quality: Each bag is handcrafted by skilled artisans, ensuring minimal waste and a lower carbon footprint compared to mass production methods. This artisanal approach also supports local communities by providing fair wages and safe working conditions​ (Mysite 4)​. Durability and Longevity: By focusing on high-quality craftsmanship, Unicon Leather produces durable bags that are designed to last for years, reducing the need for frequent replacements and thereby minimizing environmental impact​ (Mysite 4)​. Transparency and Certification: Unicon Leather maintains transparency in their production processes and is often involved in obtaining certifications that affirm their commitment to sustainability. This includes certifications related to ethical labor practices and environmentally friendly production methods. https://lnkd.in/dcxEzu3w

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The reality of designers in India’s apparel industry: Where do we stand? In India, the average salary of a tailor ranges between ₹18k to ₹25k per month, not including the overtime they regularly do. These tailors often work 3-4 hours extra per day, and earn only ₹40-50 per hour for their efforts. For night shifts, companies often provide meals as compensation, which usually cost around ₹200 per day, adding up to around ₹3,000 extra per month, taking their total salary to ₹28,000. And yet, given their living conditions, education levels, and struggles, this hardly seems like fair compensation. Now, compare this to the situation of fashion designers in the same industry. Designers typically hold a diploma or degree in fashion design, having invested years in education, but their starting salary is not much different from that of a tailor. Entry-level designers earn between ₹25k to ₹35k, while senior designers, who have significantly more experience, earn between ₹35k to ₹60k. Despite this, designers often have long working hours (12 hours a day, 6 days a week), no overtime pay, and they face the pressure of being constantly replaced. Companies can and do replace designers frequently, but this is not the case with manufacturing teams. So, where do designers stand after devoting so many years to education? Are we really nothing more than daily wage workers with a lucrative position? Over the past 18 years, I have seen many experienced designers – with 12, 15 or even 20 years of experience in the field – struggle to find jobs. But they are rarely interested in retaining their existing talent. Designer jobs have become a revolving door, while the manufacturing team remains intact. It is clear who benefits from this system – and it is not the designers. I advise young people entering the industry now to focus on retail management rather than design. If you have the means, consider studying at prestigious institutes like NIFT or NID, or even take advantage of opportunities abroad. Join established international brands rather than local brands because local brands can waste your time, and the path is tough, especially for male designers. Your dreams will increase along with the responsibilities. I started my career with a salary of ₹18,000, which eventually rose to ₹1.35 lakh. Yet, despite my progress, I faced many personal and professional setbacks. But that's a story for another day. The point is to understand - designers are being undervalued in the current system, and something needs to change. Now, I'm talking to my fellow designers through #MMAK_DesignServices* about my plan. This plan is for *us* - for designers who have devoted years to their craft and are ready to use their experience to create something of lasting value. If we come together, we can leverage our collective skills and build a brand that we have control over. I believe in following this path and I will make it happen, no matter how long it takes .

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How significant is the BHA (भ) Footwear sizing system for the Indian market? Footwear and Apparel sizing is a highly complicated affair, and has always confused customers leading to needless hassle, confusion, and frustration during purchases. For Footwear, UK, US, and Euro sizing have long been the standard, although the feet sizes and the anatomies around which these have been standardized are questionable! The human anatomy varies quite a lot among different geographies as well as among numerous races. And this is where localization comes into the picture, for both Footwear and Apparel. The average Indian foot size and anatomy varies quite a lot from the western standard, and the regional variation adds further to this complexity. Indian feet are shorter and wider on average as per data collected in the CSIR-CLRI study, owing to which we Indians often end up wearing one or a half size larger than the required foot length size. So, an Indian standard becomes the need of the hour for brands and manufacturering houses to design comfortable footwear suited to fit the majority of its 1.4+ Billion inhabitants. This is where the latest proposal to conceive and standardise a separate BHA (भ) Footwear sizing system becomes critical. The naming however can be more on the side of IND or BH (similar to Indian auto license plates) to aid in easier pronunciation and understanding by communities speaking multiple languages/dialects across the country. The detailed survey carried out to gauge the requirement has covered 1 lac+ individuals from 79 different locations spread across 5 geographical zones in the country. This system aims to significantly solve the problems faced by manufacturers, stores, and customers alike, including having less number of sizes to manufacture and stock-up, easier and faster purchase decisions, more comfortable and breathable designs, and less volume of returned products, thus reducing waste. Customer awareness and the extent of adoption by brands to the new standard would be key to its success. The BHA standard has been designed with 8 size sub-classes based on age groups ranging from Newborns to Adults. The BHA standard is set to come into effect in as early as 2025. Source(s): India Today, the Business of Fashion

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"Unwrapping the Leather Accessories Market in India: Trends to Watch in 2023-2024" The Indian leather accessories market is poised for significant growth, driven by increasing demand for premium and sustainable products. Here are key trends shaping the industry: 1. Sustainable Leather: Eco-friendly leather alternatives, recycled materials, and responsible sourcing gain traction. 2. Digitalization: E-commerce platforms, social media, and influencer marketing drive sales and brand awareness. 3. Personalization: Customized leather accessories, monogramming, and bespoke designs appeal to younger generations. 4. Quality over Quantity: Consumers prioritize durability, craftsmanship, and quality materials. 5. Affordable Luxury: Aspirational brands offer affordable, high-quality leather accessories. 6. Wellness-focused Designs: Leather accessories incorporating wellness features, such as air-purifying bags. 7. Revival of Traditional Crafts: Indian artisans' traditional techniques, like hand-stitching and embroidery, gain popularity. 8. Collaborations and Limited Editions: Brand partnerships, exclusive collections, and limited-edition releases drive excitement. 9. Men's Grooming and Accessories: Growing demand for leather wallets, belts, and grooming accessories. 10. Experiential Retail: Immersive retail experiences, workshops, and events enhance brand engagement. Statistics : 👇🏻 •⁠ ⁠Indian leather accessories market projected to grow at 12% CAGR (2023-2028) •⁠ ⁠Online sales expected to account for 30% market share by 2025 •⁠ ⁠75% of Indian consumers prioritize sustainability in purchasing decision. The Indian leather accessories market is evolving, driven by consumer preferences for sustainability, quality, and unique designs. Brands embracing these trends will thrive in this growing market. #indianleathermarket #accessories #trends #demand #linkedinfam

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Useful Abbreviations for Apparel Merchandising >> Part-3 e.g.-for example ETA-Estimated Time of Arrival etc.-and so forth ETD-Estimated Time of Departure exp.-Express F/W-Fall/Winter Fab.-Fabric Fig.-Figure FOA-Free on Air FOB-Free of Board FOB-Free on Board/Freight on Board FOC- Free of Charge/ Cost. FPP-Full Package Program FPT – Fabrics performance test FPT-Fabric Performance Test FW-Fabric Width Fwd.-Forward GMT-Garment GPA-Garment Purchase Agreement GPT-Garment Performance Test GSM-Gram per Sq. Mtr GSP-Generalized System of Preference GW- Gross Weight HPP-Half Package program HPS-High Point Shoulder IC- Inspection Certificate i.e. -that is I/O-Instead of Inc.-Incorporation Incl.-Including Inst.-Instant Inv. -Invoice Invt.-Inventory

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Few Short-forms used in Textile Industry: #Merchandising 1. TPI – Twists Per Inch 2. TPM – Twists Per Meter 3. Ne – English Cotton Count 4. Nm – Metric Yarn Count 5. Tex – Yarn Linear Density (grams per 1000 meters) 6. Den – Denier (grams per 9000 meters) 7. GSM – Grams per Square Meter (fabric weight) 8. RFD – Ready for Dyeing 9. CPB – Cold Pad Batch (dyeing method) 10. DPI – Dots Per Inch (printing resolution) 11. EOQ – Economic Order Quantity 12. FIFO – First In, First Out (inventory management) 13. CAD – Computer-Aided Design 14. CAM – Computer-Aided Manufacturing 15. BOM – Bill of Materials 16. QC – Quality Control 17. FMI – Fabric Mass Index 18. CMT – Cut, Make, and Trim 19. WIP – Work in Progress 20. PO – Purchase Order 21. PFD – Prepared for Dyeing 22. PFP – Prepared for Printing 23. L/D – Lab Dip 24. MOQ – Minimum Order Quantity 25. SMV – Standard Minute Value (used in garment production) 26. SOP – Standard Operating Procedure 27. RSL – Restricted Substances List 28. ZLD – Zero Liquid Discharge 29. DWR – Durable Water Repellent 30. FMEA – Failure Mode and Effects Analysis 31. H&M – Hanks per Meter 32. FFS – Flat Filament Spun 33. PES – Polyester 34. CV – Coefficient of Variation 35. FPI – Feeder Per Inch 36. SLS – Sustainable Luxury Standard 37. PCS – Pieces 38. HTHP – High Temperature High Pressure (dyeing method) 39. JIT – Just In Time (production strategy) 40. NR – Natural Rubber 41. PA – Polyamide (Nylon) 42. PU – Polyurethane 43. PP – Polypropylene 44. POY – Partially Oriented Yarn 45. FDY – Fully Drawn Yarn 46. DTY – Draw Textured Yarn 47. DOF – Degree of Freedom 48. TOC – Total Organic Carbon 49. ATC – Air-Textured Yarn 50. CFR – Code of Federal Regulations 51. SAM – Standard Allowed Minute

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what can I do improvement for footwear industry I would also like to add that unless the industry leaders give platform to the skills, this industry will not be able to grow. The only reason for the lack of exports is the lack of new talent, especially the Indian leather export industry does not create an inclusive platform for players. I can say this from my experience so far. Established players are always afraid that new talent will destroy their legacy of years, which is... See more Independent Import and Export Business... It is time to bring a change in the way and mindset of leather making, still following old ways deprives us of modernization, follow sustainable practices not by words but by heart

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Did PMTS fail India? General Sewing data (GSD) was the de-facto labour costing solution for apparel manufacturers in the early 90s. GSD/timeSSD/ProSMV/SewEasy etc. are customized Predetermined Motion Time System (PMTS) for calculating standard time of any sewing operation. MTM-2 is  the industry agnostic building block for PMTS. I got myself certified as India’s first GSD practitioner way back in November 1995. GSD entered India through Info-Edge solutions (a subsidiary of KSA Technopak at that time) in 1997. NIFT faculty members underwent an appreciation course on GSD to ensure that students were sensitized about PMTS, and still continues. Despite our best effort to convince GSD to provide a certification system to create independent/freelance PMTS engineers failed and GSD decided to emphasize it as a software solution and partnered with IIGM to market in India. Due to wrong positioning of GSD (as a software / database / dataset), the demand for GSD practitioners (with illegally copied code sheets) started increasing and training took the backseat. Many organizations hired those GSD practitioners (who brought datasets with them illegally) and started using them. Almost two and half decades later…..where are we? Today alongside GSD we have Pro-SMV/SewEasy/timeSSD as well as many clones available officially. We have organizations with licensed versions of software without practitioners (so they are unable to use) and on the other hand there are licensed practitioners with illegal databases or created their own version. Copy and counterfeit is a sign of growth of any brand, Levi’s boss once mentioned very proudly that “counterfeit Levi’s is our biggest competitor”. But that may not be the case with PMTS. The essence of any PMTS engineer is the ability to see or visualize the sewing operators motions and select the motion codes correctly. This requires shop floor level practice for at least 2-3 years before you become desk-bound. Unfortunately most of the GSD practitioners became desktop industrial engineers (obsession with the database). Some estimates show there may be 1000+ certified PMTS practitioners in India. Even today I see factories (where so called practitioners exist!) are clueless about estimating the standard time for any sewing operation. Nobody cares (dares!) to analyze an operation afresh! (that means they are incapable to do so), but merely adding some factors to an existing time (God knows the source!). I know this post may evoke strong reactions from industry, but at the end India failed very badly. Coats Digital Methods Workshop timeSSD® Keerthi Abe

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Textiles and Retail: Update for the day - 21st Aug Indian Textiles Corner South India cotton yarn market stagnates amid low demand, export woes The South India cotton yarn market remains stagnant due to sluggish demand and export challenges, particularly with shipments to Bangladesh. Cotton yarn prices are stable, but trade volume has decreased. Uncertainty surrounds domestic demand revival, while global market factors and limited cotton supply add to the market's cautious outlook. https://lnkd.in/gZXxV9WY ICE cotton recovers from last week's lows, gains on positive factors https://lnkd.in/gqaieXfE US shoppers sharply boosted spending at retailers in July despite higher prices The retail sales jumped 1% from June to July, the biggest such increase since January 2023, after having declined slightly the previous month. https://lnkd.in/giFnjBCM Bangladesh: Apparel industry upbeat with positive gestures from international buyers Despite the recent political unrest in Bangladesh, certain international fashion brands have expanded their sourcing from Bangladesh. Companies like US Polo, Gap, and Express are just a few of the well-known names that are boosting their sourcing from Bangladesh; however, a newcomer is the Korean brand BYC. https://lnkd.in/gaBipJXn Sri Lanka's manufacturing expands in July; suppliers' delivery time up Sri Lanka's purchasing managers' index for manufacturing was 59.5 in July this year, indicating a continuous expansion in manufacturing activities. The increase in new orders and positive employment figures were driven by the textiles and apparel sector. https://lnkd.in/g9enUcpJ Andhra Pradesh Government to release new textile policy soon, says Minister https://lnkd.in/ggtSgrvz India Retail Corner Dollar, Rupa optimistic about double-digit margin growth and export opportunities - The Indian innerwear and athleisure industry is steadily growing, Growth is being driven by volume. - EBITDA Margin guidance: Rupa & Co.: 10%-11% for FY25. Dollar Industries: 11%-12% for FY25 - Rupa & Company plans to expand significantly by adding over 100 stores in FY25. - Rupa expects to see increased demand in the athleisure, thermal, and ladies' wear segments. https://lnkd.in/gc_gvrDe JR One Footwear to set up two more factories in Tamil Nadu https://lnkd.in/gNtGGnGA Bagzone Lifestyles Pvt Ltd, the parent company of Lavie and Lavie Luxe, has introduced an online exclusive brand - Lavie Signature. Positioned between Lavie and Lavie Luxe, Lavie Signature is priced between Rs 2,000-Rs 3,500. https://lnkd.in/g3Z_US-Z Rekha Jhunjhunwala-backed Baazar Style Retail may launch IPO this week https://lnkd.in/gEDngABx V-Mart launches three stores in North India Two of the stores are in Bihar, in Pupri and Purnia and one is in Uttar Pradesh, in Jhansi. https://lnkd.in/g_PkZsyY Reliance Retail’s Yousta opens at Ambience Mall, Gurugram https://lnkd.in/gMh9HCer #informativepost #iamsandeeprohilla

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Business Process Both Textiles & IT who needs Yarn? The Manufacturer Who Needs The Manufacturer Company Database? IT Companies to Develop the Website to show the Yarn Verity to the Manufacturer & Buyers Here Buyer's are getting Struggle to Reach the Yarn Manufacturer Prices even Manufacturing Companies as well they have to depend the agency or Middle Man.. Knitting, Dying, Washing,Compacting all needs website to show their services and Price range to the Manufacturing Companies. many of the Big companies Using Man power Services by IT Consulting & Services. ERP Software The Manufacturing companies need ERP Software but they have to reach the Decision Makers. Manufacturing Companies The need to reach the Retail Brand's Buyers or Agency or Agent Both Domestic & International.. Accessories The Manufacturer needs Trims & Accessories Company Database. Manufacturing Companies Needs Knitting & Dying, Washing, Compacting, Cartoon Box,Poly bag,Ready Fabric Companies Database. Here Everything is depending on the Database... Database is Most Powerful to Run the each & Every Business. This Called Customer Relationship Management.. Textile Manufacture Textile Manufacturers and Exporters in India. Zoho Wipro CTS Infosys HCLTech UK Fashion and Textile Association Fashion Network Worldwide Fashion Forward Network

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Our recent poll reveals that 'Getting Timely Delivery' stands as the towering challenge in fabric sourcing. Addressing this challenges often requires a combination of strategic planning, efficient logistics management, strong supplier relationships, and investment in technology and infrastructure. Share your thoughts and experiences in the comments below. #TimelyDelivery #CustomerEngagement #Supplychain #ApparelIndustry #Garmentindustry #TextileIndustry #Challenges

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Boosting India’s Textile Industry: A Call for Investment in Ready-to-Cut Fabric Read the complete article on the Linnseed App. Available on Google Play store and Apple App Store. #cottonyarn #cotton #textileindustryindia

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