Deploying Industry 4.0 solutions to increase efficiency, reduce wastage in fashion supply chain: Fashinza

CXOToday has engaged in an exclusive interview with Mr. Abhishek Sharma, Co-Founder & COO, Fashinza

• How has the incorporation of AI, ML, and other advanced technologies into Fashinza’s clothing production process impacted the quality and efficiency of the products?

At Fashinza, we have incorporated AI, ML, and other advanced technologies into our clothing production process to improve the quality and efficiency of our products. With our intelligent quality app software, we are able to collect and analyze garments inspection data from factories to predict factory capacity and identify assembly line faults. As a result, we have been able to assign new orders more efficiently and deliver them more quickly. Additionally, our AI platform provides fashion brands with real-time order updates and recommendations in order to increase booking times. We are also using deep learning and prediction algorithms to offer sustainable supply chain solutions, allowing us to address difficult problems and transform the world.

By deploying AI to predict demand patterns and emerging fashion trends, we have been able to create demand forecasts based on customer behavior online. This has helped us with inventory management and improving our business impact decisions. Our team of more than 20 people supervises the machine learning algorithms which inform every action from designing garments to optimizing logistics. We also use Google AutoML to power our design and engineering processes, sales, and customer support. Predictive analytics are used to create futuristic trending designs, allowing us to deliver personalized recommendations for specific categories. This has streamlined the fashion B2B experience for our customers with intelligent garment tags based on data.

• What specific tools and technology Fashinza provides its SME partners?

In addition to the versatile manufacturing execution system that we offer, we also provide advanced analytics tools, predictive algorithms, and intelligent garment tagging based on data. Our manufacturing execution system enables our SME partners to gain better transparency over their manufacturing process, which helps them to achieve better quality with increased production efficiency. This system provides real-time updates on the progress of orders, including insights into production timelines, capacity utilization, and quality control. Additionally, our analytics tools and predictive algorithms enable our partners to make data-driven decisions that enhance their production efficiency and inventory management. By analyzing customer behavior and demand patterns, we provide our partners with insights into emerging fashion trends and demand forecasts. This helps our partners to optimize their product development, sustainable production, and profit optimization strategies.

• How has Fashinza’s technological guidance helped small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the fashion industry to scale their business? Can you share some specific success stories?

The Fashinza team is committed to helping small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the fashion industry scale their businesses by providing them with the technological guidance they need. Our platform connects fashion brands with garment manufacturers, enabling them to expand their reach and increase their revenue. For instance, Divyansh Apparels’ proprietor Sunil Kumar was able to transform his business by automating the entire production process through our tech platform. A year after collaborating with Fashinza, he was able to expand his factory from operating 20 machines to 80 machines. Our quality app software enabled Sunil to improve his factory’s productivity by managing production and applying quality control solutions. Kumar’s company now works directly with four international brands and generates approximately Rs 18 crore in annual revenue as a result of our collaboration. This success story is just one of many, and we are proud to be making a positive impact on the growth of SMEs in India’s fashion industry.

• Could you explain how Fashinza offers support to fashion brands from the initial design phase through to product delivery, and what the benefits do this end-to-end approach for fashion brands are?

We provide complete manufacturing support to clothing brands — from the initial design phase all the way through to product delivery. Fashinza provides access to an extensive catalogue of designs for women, men, activewear, and kids categories, and we also help source fabrics, conduct sampling, produce apparel according to the brand’s preferences, perform strict quality checks, and deliver the products on time. Our team provides support to brands throughout the entire process. With our end-to-end approach, fashion brands can communicate directly with suppliers and have 100% control over the production process. In addition, our platform provides real-time transparency and visibility into every step of the manufacturing process via notifications and images. This allows brands to build trust and transparency with their customers, leading to stronger brand loyalty and increased customer satisfaction. Overall, our end-to-end approach to manufacturing provides a seamless and stress-free experience for fashion brands, enabling them to focus on what they do best: creating beautiful, high-quality apparel for their customers.

• What tools or systems are in place to provide continuous monitoring, accountability and transparency in the apparel production process?

At Fashinza, we have developed an innovative Intelligent AI Application for Factories with the aim of helping fashion manufacturers digitize their supply chain management. Our application provides real-time tracking on the factory floor, quality checks, assembly line tracking, and real-time alerts through a line and master dashboard, which enables smart workflow management. Additionally, our application caters to the sourcing needs of factories, including raw materials and factory operations.

One of the most significant benefits of our Intelligent AI Application for Factories is that it enhances traceability since the manufacturing process is now digitized. This means that fashion brands can verify that production is happening in responsible factories, and raw materials and inputs can be tracked, providing a more comprehensive view of their supply chains.

We are proud to bring a new wave of Industry 4.0 to fashion manufacturers. As a result of the data collected and provided by our application, manufacturers are able to increase efficiency and reduce waste while improving throughput and efficiency. For instance, a slow or incorrect production line can be identified and dealt with early on if it becomes apparent. With the data, managers can access detailed insights into their factory’s production that they wouldn’t otherwise have.

• How does Fashinza connect global fashion brands with local SMEs in apparel manufacturing hotspots in India?

At Fashinza, we have created a unique digital marketplace that connects global fashion brands with local small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in apparel manufacturing hotspots in India. Our platform is our USP, as we have eliminated the typical complications that arise in the fashion supply chain process. With just a few clicks, fashion brands can state their detailed requirements, and we manufacture the products based on their demands. We have drastically reduced inventory risks by enabling brands to experiment with low Minimum Order Quantities (MoQs). Our openly available catalogue makes it easy for brands to select designs, and we have digitized the entire sourcing process to reduce Turnaround Time (TAT) and improve On-Time Delivery (OTD). We have also established partnerships with fabric suppliers and SMEs. Our platform empowers SMEs to work directly with some of the biggest fashion brands, both domestically and internationally. By consistently providing orders, we help apparel manufacturers utilize 100% of their capacity, ensuring they no longer need to worry about where their next order will come from.

• Can you describe Fashinza’s sustainability efforts in the manufacturing process, and how have they contributed to shaping the industry’s sustainability standards?

Fashinza has taken a holistic approach toward sustainability and we are committed to reducing the environmental impact of the apparel manufacturing industry. We understand that the manufacturing process can be resource-intensive and we strive to reduce our consumption of water and energy at every stage of the product’s life cycle. To this end, we encourage our partners to use sustainable fabrics that are produced without the use of harmful chemicals. By promoting green consumption and making the entire fashon supply chain transparent for our partner brands, we have set a new standard for social and environmental responsibility in the manufacturing process.

Our tech-enabled dashboard tracks the entire production process and our team is always present on the ground to ensure that all requirements are being met. We regularly verify the compliance standards followed by our manufacturers and provide real-time updates through a tech dashboard that all our customers have access to. Our efforts towards sustainability have not only reduced the environmental impact of the apparel industry but have also contributed to building a more responsible and sustainable manufacturing ecosystem.

• Can you explain how Fashinza approaches trend forecasting and navigates the complexities of fast fashion, and what technological tools the company uses in this regard?

We leverage AI-based tools and predictive analysis to forecast fashion and retail trends accurately. Our AI algorithms analyse vast amounts of data, which enables us to make informed predictions about future trends and provide real-time insights and predictions, enabling brands to adapt quickly to changes in the market and stay ahead of the competition. At Fashinza, we also use automation to reduce the time and resources required for manual data analysis. By using these advanced technologies, we can reduce the dead stock by making more accurate predictions about which styles and designs will be popular in the future, leading to better sales and financial success. At the same time, we are committed to improving sustainability in the fashion industry. Our predictive analysis helps brands make informed decisions that align with consumer preferences and reduce their environmental footprint. We constantly learn and improve our predictions over time, adapting to new data and changes in the market, which makes our forecasts more accurate and reliable than manual forecasting methods. Navigating the complexities of fast fashion can be challenging, but by embracing advanced technologies, we can make the process more streamlined and efficient while also improving sustainability. By leveraging AI-based tools and predictive analysis, we can forecast trends accurately, reduce dead stock, and ultimately help brands achieve success in a fast-paced and competitive industry.