IAF’S Special Sessions: “We need to be disruptive in order to make changes”
The 33rd World Fashion Convention organized by the International Apparel Federation (IAF), on October 16 to 18, was held for the first time in Brazil, in Rio de Janeiro, under the theme “Conformity and Technology – key factors for the industry and retail segments.” The so-called “Special Sessions” were held on October 16 to promote the exchange of knowledge and experiences, and to warm the engines and provide even more strategic information.
The first panel was presented by Mike Fralix, CEO at [TC]² – a North American company specialized in state-of-the-art technology and robotics. During his presentation, that businessman dealt with issues regarding industrial transition to automation and on how to integrate human beings into such transformation.
“Jobs will be different. But people will still be fundamental for many different processes. After all, some machines require the operation, even if remotely, of skilled people,” he claimed.
Mr. Fralix talked about some already developed cases, such as the sewtable, which allows an item to be moved between machines without any human interference.
According to that expert, this change has already been implemented in textile and apparel sector companies in the United States and Asia, though in this latter area the transformation has been less intense.
“We need to be disruptive in order to make changes. In addition to that, we have to think about better product quality and business expansion, in order to include people in the process,” he concluded.
abit, IAF, IAF Brasil