Transforming perceptions and results into world-class manufacturing
Learn about an apparel factory’s transition to lean operations, powered by an engaged workforce, lean strategies and technological changes; process flow factory management; computer-generated time studies used to value engineer products; accountability, cultural change, daily management and leader standard work.
Hear how to transform an apparel organization into a mass customization facility with plans to produce custom apparel sold direct to the consumer. Get inside information about the cultural and technological journey needed for a transition from a traditional manufacturing mindset, through lean techniques as well as a highly-flexible workforce, employee engagement, collaboration/cross-functional teams, coaching/communication and variable pay incentives. Hear about RFID (radio-frequency identification) technology used for inventory control, the foundation for future technological changes in the company’s production equipment. Discover how to use computer-generated time studies to value engineer products, and how to calculate direct labor standards without using time studies. Gain insights from Southwick Apparel’s perspectives on sustainable process flow factory management, accountability, culture, kaizen, daily management/meetings/training, green operation, KPIs/metrics, leader standard work, preventive maintenance/TPM, kanban and just-in-time production, quick changeover/SMED, lean IT and value stream mapping.
Southwick Apparel has factories in Haverhill, MA; Garland, NC; and Queens, NY. Since 1929, its business philosophy has been firmly grounded in the singular vision of its founders – a love of quality and craftsmanship. The Golden Fleece Manufacturing Division of Brooks Brothers/Southwick Apparel is a 197-year-old clothing brand that is returning to its domestic manufacturing roots. The company produces clothing, shirts and neckwear for Brooks Brothers and Southwick as well as U.S. retailers and designers requiring domestic production. www.southwick.com
John Martynec has served as the senior vice president of manufacturing at Southwick Apparel since 2009. He directs and manages three unionized domestic operations manufacturing tailored clothing, neckwear and shirts. A graduate of the Rochester Institute of Technology with a B.S. degree in accounting, he previously worked for the Hickey Freeman Company. He has held positions in IT, cost accounting and as director of manufacturing.
Curt Clark has served as the director of manufacturing at Brooks Brothers for the past five years. He received a B.S. degree in engineering from the U.S. Military Academy at West Point and an MBA degree from Vanderbilt University. Clark has broad experience in operational improvement from 15 years’ service at the Kurt Salmon Associates consulting firm and as a leader in the U.S. Army. He has started and relocated factories, implementing manufacturing systems and optimized supply chain networks.
