2014 九月 10

The challenges facing materials-driven companies.

For a select group of fashion, footwear and consumer goods makers, materials are a make-or-break proposition for product development. For these brands the specific characteristics of a particular material—its richness, uniqueness, quality or performance capabilities—become the inspiration for its products. A brand that puts an emphasis on materials makes a statement to customers. But these companies also face a number of challenges that are unique to materials-driven product development.

1. Cost. The exceptional materials that inspire luxurious products are not cheap. From special brass-covered buttons to fine cashmere and buttery leathers, there is an exceptional cost associated with beginning product development with stand-out materials.

2. Quantity. During the exploratory phase when designers are first experimenting with a high-end material, they may request changes from the supplier, and continue working with the modified samples. Some luxury brands may request up to 2,000 material samples annually, yet will only use 100! Obviously, this makes effective materials management a challenging – yet essential – part of the process.

3. Unique development process. Whether it’s an exclusive handbag, designer shoe or couture gown, luxury brands share common  characteristics in how materials drive product development. They begin the development process with materials, and only later start to sketch styles. Buyers get involved early in the process, talking with suppliers about pricing, lead times, capacity and compliance, to insure that stylists do not get too far in their process with a material that will not be feasible.

Advanced product lifecycle management software for apparel, footwear and consumer good industries can enhance the materials process without constraining it. In our next post we will explain exactly how.

For more on this topic read Centric’s white paper entitled “Materials-Driven Product Development in the Apparel, Footwear and Consumer Goods Industries: Luxury Brands’ Challenges and Opportunities.”