Digitalization may not be the only solution for the industry

Digitalization of processes is something very important. However, it is rather a facilitator and does not mean operations in a plant will be improved through such change. This information was presented in the panel “Global Scenario of the Textile and Apparel Industry and Retail Sectors,” delivered by Saskia Hedrich, a senior expert at consultancy company McKinsey, during IAF’S World Fashion Convention, on October 17, in Rio de Janeiro (RJ).

“It is very important to understand digitalization, and I think it is essential that we turn analog into digital data. But that is not all. You have to know how to leverage that data, change processes and, finally, how it all may lead to completely new business models,” revealed that expert.

Another important information was provided during her presentation. “Digital printing has called industry players’ attention, but an analysis will show that many of them are hesitating to apply this technology, because it requires several changes that might be daunting,” she stressed.

Within the scope of digitalization and compliance, Mrs. Hedrich is assertive: “By adopting RFID it will be possible to improve the supply chain. And that will not only change an organization, but it might also change our relationship with suppliers.”

She also claimed that: “There are many challenges and I would like to stimulate you to think beyond compliance. We have realized that industry leaders think with a different mindset if compared to millennials. But it is important to know that sustainability goes much beyond compliance.”

The information provided during that panel included the results of McKinsey’s 2017 Apparel CPO Survey, which was mostly answered by businessmen from the European and North American textile and apparel sectors.

All news