Laura Sheldon

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Critical Path & Production Issues

FabricThe fabrics used in each of my ranges include wool, cord, synthetic fabrics & cotton. The majority of my range will be coming from the United Kingdom, as most of it is made out of wool and cord as it is an Autumn/Winter range. As it is an independent boutique, the store wouldn’t have the budget to send buyers across the world to keep on top of production. “Made in the UK”, also adds value to the clothing sold at Weavers Door.Transport Transport includes numerous methods of delivering goods across the world or country. Such as from the production factories to warehouses or to stores. Transport is a requirement to get garments from production to the stores. Without transport it wouldn’t be possible to complete any of this. The numerous forms of transport includes; planes, boats and trucks etc. As a buyer, you would have to ensure that you select the correct type and more costly way of transportation. Industrial Equipment Another resource required for production is industrial equipment. Without industrial equipment it would be difficult to produce a range, as each piece of equipment are essential during production. Industrial equipment includes; sewing machines, over lockers and chemical dyes etc. Sewing machines are the main and most important piece of industrial equipment when producing a garment, as the sewing machine sews the garment together whilst over lockers are used to add finishing touches etc. StaffStaff is one of the most important requirements for production was without staff, production wouldn’t occur. There are a number of different staff members within the production environment that are equally as important as each other. At the top of the staff pyramid is the Director. Within production, a Director or at least a manager, are vital as they provide other staff members with order and direction. Without a Director or at least a manager, employees would have no orders, therefore all production and the business as a whole would suffer. Quality control teamHaving a quality control team on site during production is of huge importance as they need to approve the garments produced, in order for the buyers of the range to put them in store. If the quality control team were not available, then the quality of the garments would be dismissed and it would be more likely for garments of a bad quality to be sold in store, which inevitably leads to an unhappy customer and a loss in profit. I have chosen to sell my range in Weavers Door. It is a luxury independent boutique for menswear. All clothing is always at an extremely high standard – therefore quality control is essential after the production of my ranges.

Resources required for production:- Fabric trims

- Transport; planes, boats, trucks and shipping etc. - Industrial equipment; sewing machines, dyes and chemicals etc.

- Staff; training and job roles- Quality control team

- Premises; factories, warehouses and head office etc. - Computers; internet, photoshop skills etc

- Communication methods; internet, skype etc.- Money and overall budget

ProcessPLANNING PLANNING – 4 WEEKS 15TH OCTOBER 2015RESEARCH RESEARCH – 2/4WEEKS 12TH NOVEMBER 2015 DESIGN DESIGN – 3 WEEKS 10TH DECEMBER 2015PROTO SAMPLE & COSTINGS PROTO SAMPLES – 2/4 WEEKS 31ST DECEMBER 2015PRE RANGE SELECTION MEETING 3 DAYS TO FLY OUT TO FACTORIES 28TH JANUARY 2016NEGOTIATION/TRIP TO FACTORIES FACTORY VISITS/TRIP – 2 WEEKS 31ST JANUARY 2016

FINAL RANGE SELECTION MEETING ACCESSORIES APPROVAL – 4 WEEKS 14TH FEBRUARY 2016PLACE ORDER 2 DAYS OF FLYING OUT TO PLACE

ORDERS13TH MARCH 2016

GARMENT FITTINGS GARMENT FITTINGS – 4 WEEKS 15TH MARCH 2016FABRIC ORDER FABRIC LEAD TIME – 6 WEEKS 12TH APRIL 2016TIME & COLOUR APPROVALS 2 DAYS GOING TO TRADE SHOWS 24TH MAY 2016

BULK PRODUCTION plus SHIPPING CHINA – SHIPPING LEAD TIME 12 WEEKS

26TH MAY 2016

WAREHOUSE – STORE ALLOCATION 2 WEEKS TO BREAK ALL THE STOCK DOWN

18 AUGUST 2016

PRODUCT LAUNCHED IN STORE 16 WEEKS 1ST SEPTEMBER 2016

Evaluate organisational and production requirementsProduct Organisational Requirements Production Requirements

As an organisation, it would be required to ensure each item has a care label due to the law.

As this item will be made out of synthetic fabrics, it will be a requirement to ensure it is on the label how to take care of the item. Such as whether it can be washed normally, or whether it can be dry cleaned. It would also be a requirement to ensure the fabrics used are waterproof, as that is what this item would be used for.

Another organisational requirement would be to ensure all suppliers are audited.

Aftercare for this particular item would have to be included. This is due to how leather can sometimes ware if it isn’t cared for properly.

Another organisational requirement is to ensure there is no use of child labour in any of the suppliers.

A production requirement for this particular item would be to ensure that it is fit for purpose. As this is an item from my Kidswear range, it would be checked whether the material used is practical for a child.

An organisational requirement would be to ensure all plans are followed with regards to sketches of garments in each range.

Another production requirement would be to ensure that all detailing of the hat is safe. Such as if the bobble fell off the top, it would be a choking hazard.

An organisational requirement would be to ensure the suppliers know how to locate and fix a problem.

Another production requirement would be to ensure the materials used are stain proof. This is due to how messy children can be and how they manage to get dirty on a day out etc.

An organisational requirement would be to ensure data is protected from suppliers and vice versa.

A production requirement of this product would be to ensure it is durable footwear.

An organisational requirement would be to ensure there is a particular team or person in the organisation to make all final decisions.

A production requirement of this garment would be to ensure it is waterproof. This is due to what this type of coat is typically known for. It would also to ensure there is a test for toxicity, as you don’t want things getting recalled.

It would also be an organisational requirement for all workers to have an idea of what the end goal of particular tasks are.

A production requirement of this garment would to ensure strong stitching is included when making the garment. As well as ensuring it is fit for purpose.