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Keywords Supply chain management, Textik industry
Abstract The textiles and apparel industry has been neglected in terms of supply chain management research. Recently, the industry lias undergone a great deal of change, particularly with global sourcing and high levels of price competition. In addition, textiles and clothing has market characteristics, such as short product lifecycle, high volatility, low predictability, and a high level of impulse purchase, making such issues as quick response of paramount importance. This artick discusses characteristics of the textiles and apparel industry and identifies the perspectives of lean, agile and leagility (a combination of these) within existing supply chain literature, which have been proffered as solutions to achieving quick response and reduced lead times. Through case studies of textile and apparel companies, different approaches to supply chain management are illustrated.
Introduction
Textiles and apparel is a major sector for both the industrialised and the lesser developed economies, contributing both to wealth generation and employment. The sector represents a key part of employment in Europe, and also world-wide, and in Europe alone employs in excess of two million people (Werner Stengg, 2001). Turnover for 2000 was euro198 billion (Euratex, 2001). The European industry sector is dominated by large numbers of small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), and in 1999 the average sized company had 19 employees (Werner Stengg, 2001). The major constraints that SMEs face include limited financial resources, a lack of personnel and time, little or no experience, and limited confidence in implementing new systems (Storey, 1994). As a result, many small companies are either unable or unwilling to invest in marketing, design and innovative activities (Carson, 1985). Globalisation is a key factor in the industry (Werner Stengg, 2001), and one of the biggest problems affecting the UK manufacturing industry is the increasing threat from low labour cost countries.
The UK clothing manufacturing industry has been facing major problems during recent years. There have been 50,000 jobs lost in the last two years, and it is expected that this trend will continue (Hind and Parsley, 2000). In July 2000 Marks and Spencer asked its suppliers to cut the prices of garments already produced by 2 per cent. Two of their main suppliers, Coats Viyella and Dewhirst, both refused to accept the cuts,...