THIS MONTH'S TOPIC
What's Inside Your Supply Chain?
PUBLISHER'S NOTE:
Avoiding the Sourcing Scramble
As every seasoned sourcing executive knows, there are a myriad of factors, risks and miscellaneous scenarios that can throw a monkey wrench into your sourcing plan. From roller coaster raw materials costs and currency issues, to last-minute quality "surprises" and clogged transportation pipelines, there is plenty that can go wrong as you try to successfully maneuver product through the supply chain.
But it doesn't have to be chaos; the more intelligence and planning you put into your strategy on the front end, the more prepared you'll be to manage the problems that do pop up. In this month's Executive Issues, we explore the importance of diversification in your sourcing portfolio and managing your risks, and challenge you to ensure that you know your supply chain from fiber -- where it all truly begins -- forward.
Publisher
snichols@apparelmag.com
|
|
| Exclusive Feature |
| SOURCING LEADERS MANAGE THE THREE Rs: RISKS, RAW MATERIALS, RELATIONSHIPS
|
contributed by Jessica Roberti, Manager, Retail and Consumer Products Group, Kurt Salmon Associates, jessica.roberti@kurtsalmon.com
 It's another blow to the bottom line. A somewhat unexpected increase in sourcing costs is pinching already thin margins for soft goods manufacturers and retailers. The increased cost of raw materials, such as cotton, and diminished capacity in China's mills are driving up costs of goods sold and sending some sourcing groups scrambling.
At a time when cash-strapped consumers are looking to start spending again, but at much lower price points, this could be yet another setback for some soft goods businesses still trying to recover from the "Great Recession." For companies at the mercy of agents and vendors, this could spell serious trouble and only reiterates the importance of having both strong collaborative relationships with vendors and the ability to proactively manage fabric and construction details.
For full article:
Click here
|
|
| Vendor Viewpoint |
| WHY QUALITY, SALEABLE PRODUCT STARTS FROM FIBER FORWARD
|
contributed by David Sasso, VP, International Sales, Buhler Quality Yarns Corp., dsasso@buhleryarns.com
Do you know where your raw materials come from? For that matter, do you know if your supply chain has secured enough raw materials to cover your future demands?
A few more critical questions to ask yourself: Assuming you know the spinner, do you know how they purchase their raw materials and guarantee consistency of quality? Are there improvements in fabric quality which can be made from optimizing fiber utilization and selection? Do you understand how choosing the best spinning technology impacts optimal fabric quality, performance and price? These questions are not typically explored at the retail or brand level --though they should be.
For full article:
Click here
|
|
 |
|