Published By VOLUNTEERS IN TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE 1600 Wilson Boulevard, Suite 500, Arlington, Virginia 22209 USA Telephone: (703) 276-1800, Fax: (703) 243-1865 Telex 440192 VITAUI, Cable: VITAINC Internet. vita@gmuvax.gmu.edu, Bitnet. vita@gmuvax
Blue Jeans ISBN: 0-86619-293-X [C]1987, Volunteers in Technical Assistance
INDUSTRY PROFILES
Introduction
This Industry Profile is one of a series briefly describing small or medium-sized industries, The Profiles provide basic information for starting manufacturing plants in developing nations. Specifically, they provide general plant descriptions, financial, and technical factors for their operation, and sources of information and expertise. The series is intended to be useful in determining whether the industries described warrant further inquiry either to rule out or to decide upon investment. The underlying assumption of these Profiles is that the individual making use of them already has some knowledge and experience in industrial development.
Dollar values are listed only for machinery and equipment costs, and are primarily based on equipment in the United States. The price does not include shipping costs or import-export taxes, which must be considered and will vary greatly from country to country. No other investment costs are included (such as land value, building rental, labor, etc.) as those prices also vary. These items are mentioned to provide the investor with a general checklist of considerations for setting up a business.
IMPORTANT
These profiles should not be substituted for feasibility studies. Before an investment is made in a plant, a feasibility study should be conducted. This may require skilled economic and engineering expertise. The following illustrates the range of questions to which answers must be obtained:
* What is the extent of the present demand for the product, and how is it now being satisfied?
* Will the estimated price and quality of the product make it competitive.
* What is the marketing and distribution plan and to whom will the product be sold?
* How will the plant be financed?
* Has a realistic time schedule for construction, equipment, delivery, obtaining materials and supplies, training of personnel, and the start-up time for the plant been developed?
* How are needed materials and supplies to be procured and machinery and equipment to be maintained and repaired?
* Are trained personnel available?
* Do adequate transportation, storage, power, communication, fuel, water, and other facilities exist?
* What management controls for design, production, quality control, and other factors have been included?
* Will the industry complement or interfere with development plans for the area?
* What social, cultural, environmental, and technological considerations must be addressed regarding manufacture and use of this product?
Fully documented information responding to these and many other questions should be determined before proceeding with implementation of an industrial project.
Equipment Suppliers, Engineering Companies
The services of professional engineers are desirable in the design of industrial plants even though the proposed plant may be small. A correct design is one that provides the greatest economy in the investment of funds and establishes the basis of operation that will be most profitable in the beginning and will also be capable of expansion without expensive alteration.
Professional engineers who specialize in industrial design can be found be referring to the published cards in various engineering magazines. They may also be reached through their national organizations.
Manufacturers of industrial equipment employ engineers familiar with the design and installation of their specialized products. These manufacturers are usually willing to give prospective customers the benefit of technical advice by those engineers in determining the suitability of their equipment in any proposed project.
VITA
Volunteers in Technical Assistance (VITA) is a private, non-profit, volunteer organization engaged in international development. Through its varied activities and services, VITA fosters self-sufficiency by promoting increased economic productivity. Supported by a volunteer roster of over 5,000 experts in a wide variety of fields, VITA is able to provide high quality technical information to requesters. This information is increasingly conveyed through low-cost advanced communication technologies, including terrestrial packet radio and low-earth-orbiting satellite. VITA also implements both long- and short-term projects to promote enterprise development and transfer technology.
PRODUCT DESCRIPTION
1. The Product
Blue jeans are work pants made from cotton denim. These blue jeans have four pockets, with brass rivets used at pocket openings where the stress is greatest. Waist sizes range from 28 to 44 inches, while lengths are 30 to 36 inches.
There are also fashion junior and children's jeans that can be made with the same equipment and similar materials.
2. The Facility.
This Profile describes one plant operating with one shift and making 15,000 dozens of blue jeans a year, and another that produces 22,000 dozens a year.
It is especially important for a small factory to be able to produce varied styles. Therefore, it is imperative to have a designer/pattern-maker available to quickly produce properly fitted items as requested by the customer.
GENERAL EVALUATION
Capital requirements for this plant are moderate and little technical skill is needed. The product is in wide demand but price competition is often keen. Production appears suitable for many developing areas.
1. Outlook
A. Economic
Depends on the conditions in country.
B. Technical
Good used reconditioned sewing machines can perform just as well as some of the items listed on page 4. They can cost half the price of new machines.
2. Manufacturing Equipment Flexibility
The machinery and equipment used to produce blue jeans are similar to the kind used in the apparel industry to manufacture other types of clothing. Therefore, this plant could manufacture other wearable items or other fabric products.
3. Knowledge Base
A good business plan is necessary. A two to three-year projection should be prepared and caution taken against overextension. Management should have:
a) Business experience
b) Knowledge of field
c) Sources of capital
d) Knowledge of market
e) Knowledge of procurement of material & equipment
f) Capability to find government support
4. Quality Control
Quality control is very important, and specifications vary from company to company and garment to garment. For example, an entire order can be rejected for as little an error as the number of stitches per inch or the tension of the thread.
5. Constraints and Limitations
In developing countries there is usually an ample labor pool that is easily adapted to this industry. However, there may be a shortage of designers, pattern-makers, cutters, and mechanics. Other considerations include:
- There are no special transportation requirements, but good highways would be helpful.
- Manager and supervisors should be fully experienced.
- Some operators will be operating more than one machine.
- After break-in period, production workers should go on piece work rates.
- Experienced cutters and designer/pattern-maker are required.
MARKET ASPECTS
1. Users
Individuals, institutions,and organizations.
2. Suppliers
In most urban centers there are sales representatives of equipment manufacturers and jobbers of fabrics. It may be too expensive to go to the United States or other western nations to look for design, fabrics and machines. Hong Kong and Tokyo are also good sources for these items.
3. Sales Channels and Methods
Sales may be made direct to large stores and to wholesale houses for distribution to small retail outlets. The market needed will depend to a great extent upon the purchasing power of the local population.
One path to explore is contracting with U.S. garment manufacturers that could supply a steady source of work for the plant. However, large investments in plant and equipment for exports should not be undertaken unless there is a written commitment from the manufacturer or contractor who can guarantee an outlet for the garments.
4. Geographic Extent of Market
Domestic - Product is easy to ship and transport costs are normally low in relation to product value. Market may be nationwide.
5. Competition
A. Domestic Market
Very small makers and imports may provide competition.
B. Export Market
The plant is relatively small and might have great difficulty in competing with large-scale plants or with exports from areas where labor is plentiful and cheap.
6. Market Capacity
Under average conditions a population of about a million would probably be large enough to support production of a small plant.
PRODUCTION AND PLANT REQUIREMENTS
Requirements Annual Output: 15,000 dozen 22,000 dozen
1. Infrastructure, Utilities Small Plant Medium Plant Land 1/2 acre 1/3 acre Building (one story) 6,000 s.f. 10,000 s.f. Power connected load 100 hp 120 hp Fuel (for steam, heat) Water (processing, sanitation, fire) Other
2. Major Equipment & Machinery Small Plant Medium Plant Units Units Tools & Machines cloth spreader (1) (1) cloth unwinder (1) (1) cutting tables (2) (2) cutting machine (heavy duty) (3) (4) cloth drill (1) (1) buttonhole machine (1) (1) button stamp machine (1) (1) riveting machine (1) (2) feed-off-arm machine (2) (2) double needle machine (11) (13) bartack machine (1) (2) safety stitch machine (7) (9) single needle machine (6) (8) overlock (1) (2) pocket press (1) (2) double needle flatbed for loops (1) (1)
Support Equipment & Parts furniture & fixtures hand trucks (3) (1) 20 hp boiler (1) (1) pressing machine (1) (2) chairs & workbenches work tables storage shelves spare parts & tools work baskets truck/van (1) (1)
(*)TOTAL ESTIMATED COST of equipment & machinery only $114,000 $139,000
(*)Based on $US 1987 prices. The costs provided are estimates and are given only to provide a general idea f or machinery costs; they are not intended to be used as absolute prices. Costs still need to be determined on a case by case basis.
(*)3. Materials & Supplies Small Plant Medium Plant
Raw Materials denim 360,000 yards 540,000 yards
lining 32,000 yards 45,000 yards zippers 15,000 dozen 23,000 dozen size tags 15,000 dozen 23,000 dozen labels 15,000 dozen 23,000 dozen thread (12,000 yd. cones) 4,200 cones 6,000 cones buttons 1,410 gross 2,200 gross
rivets 7,500 gross 11,000 gross
Supplies lubricants office supplies factory supplies
Packaging
4. Labor Small Plant Medium Plant
Skilled designer/pattern-maker 1 1 cutters 2 3 operators 26 36 pressers 1 2 floor help 6 8
Semi-skilled
Unskilled 4 5
Administration manager 1 1 office 1 1 supervisor 1 2 mechanic/chauffeur 1 1 5. Distribution/Supply flow Small Plant Medium Plant
Amount in/out per day 60 doz. 80-95 doz.
6. Market Requirements Small Plant Medium Plant
- 1 million
(*)This includes an approximate amount of materials used over a period of a year. It does not mean that a year's supply must be stored on the premises. PROCESS DESCRIPTION
- Diagram
- Remarks
Plant layout indicates an orderly f low of work f rom cutting to finished goods. It should be fairly simple to arrange machines and operations according to need. An area should be set aside for design and pattern making.
REFERENCES
Unless otherwise stated, these addresses are in the United States.
1. Technical Manuals & Textbooks
Fashion Institute of Technology 7th Ave. and 27th St. New York, New York 10001 Library and Bookstore with full listing of books on design and pattern-making, marketing, etc.
Who Puts the Blue in the Jeans? Adventures in the World of Work. Random House, Inc. 1976. 73 pp.
2. Periodicals
Women's Wear Daily & Daily News Record Fairchild Publications 7 E 12th Street New York, New York 10003
Bobbin Magazine Bobbin International, Inc. PO Box 1986 1110 Shop Road Columbia, South Carolina 29202
Apparel Industries Magazine 180 Allen Street Atlanta, Georgia 30328
Apparel World 366 Park Avenue, South New York, New York 10016
3. Trade Associations
American Apparel Manufacturing Association 2500 Wilson Blvd. Arlington, Virginia 22201
National Knitwear & Sportswear Association 366 Park Ave., South New York, New York 10016
4. Equipment Suppliers, Engineering Companies
Hudson Sewing Machine Co. 109 Johnston St. Newburgh, New York 12550 (dealer in all types of equipment)
The Singer Company 135 Raritan Center Parkway Edison, New Jersey 08837 (sewing room equipment, cutting room equipment)
Kurt Salmon Associates 350 Fifth Avenue New York, New York 10118 (management consultants, consulting services)
5. Directories
Buyers Guide: A Source Guide for the Apparel Industry, produced by The Associate Membership Congress American Apparel Manufacturers Association 2500 Wilson Boulevard Arlington, Virginia 22201
6. VITA Resources
VITA has on file a number of documents related to the textile and apparel industry. For example:
Selected Information Resources on Textiles. Compiled by J.A. Feulner, National Referral Center, Library of Congress, May, 1980. 17 pp. XII-E-1, P. 1, 022470, 12.
- VITA Venture Services
VITA Venture Services, a subsidiary of VITA, provides commercial services for industrial development. This fee-for-service includes technology and financial information, technical assistance, marketing, and joint ventures. For further information, contact VITA.