Merchandising activities on Quality control

The main objective of quality control is to ensure that goods are produced to the first customer (Direct Order) and hopefully to the second customer (Recorder/Alter order/ new order) as well. If both customers can be satisfied then the manufacturer products are more likely to continue to be in demand. Satisfactory quality can only be ensured through (from the manufacturer pint of view)

• Knowing the customers‟ needs.
• Designing to meet them
• Faultless construction- manufacture.
• Certified performance and safety.
• Clear instruction manuals.
• Suitable packing.
• Prompt delivery.
• Feed back of field experience. 

Satisfaction quality can be ensured from the customer from the customer‟s point of view by

Merchandising activities on production follow up

Production plan After receive a purchase order from buyer merchandiser have to sit with production planner to make a production plan. Production plan contain below things

• Planned date to start knitting/ weaving to make the required fabrics.
• Planned date to start dyeing to color the fabrics.
• Planned date to start cutting fabrics.
• Planned date to start sewing the required garments.

Preparation of packing list before final inspection

There are many kind of packing system is used in Apparel Industry. Here are many kind of packing system is used in Apparel Industry. Some packing name given below:

1. Flat packing
2. Standard packing
3. Hanger packing

The back side of the packing some specifications are included for attracting the buyer. In the store room is used `VIM‟ card in these vim card some information is included such as buyer no, order no, style no, fabric qty. 

Preparation of shipping samples & sending to buyer through proper packing & documentation

Shipping: The procedure of transporting an item, usually through the email. Shipment is a very basic, common way of getting an item from one place to another, or from one person to another. This process can be done physically or by transporting commodities or cargo by land, air, and sea.

Shipping sample is prepared before shipment but it is send to buyer when final inspection is completed. This is an important sample to buyer that’s why sample department take extra care to make it. It is send to buyer by air for going early.

Sending Procedure of Shipping Sample:

• Making according to the measurement sheet.
• Quality check.
• Ironing.
• Labeling.
• Poly bagging.
• Forwarding letter.
• Measurement sheet.
• Finally re-check.
• Send to buyer by courier

Approval procedure & follow chart of sales samples

Sample is made when price is confirmed and orders are placed, usually is M size in all color combinations of expected order. Buyer held a meeting with its customer and records their response on order quantity per color, size etc. and finally place order to their vendor. Sales sample basically use catalogue buyer.

What are the deviations in general activities and expectations of Industrial Engineering department in apparel industries?

Generally in Bangladeshi apparel industries industrial engineering department contribute a little than the expectation from them and in maximum factories this department is as a show. But if industrial engineering department can focus their knowledge and activities in major two areas (I.e. factory cost reduction & maximize CM earning) then that department can be magic stone or role players of Bangladeshi apparel industries. Generally in the following cases we can mark the deviation:

1. Operation development:
Very few industrial engineers utilize their knowledge & experience in operation development. But it is very essential to focus on that case because through the continuous operation development we can simplify our operation, reduce possibility of operation deviation (I.e. defects), and reduce operating cost. Therefore we can surpass our competitors with low production cost & better product quality.

2. Problem solving:
It is very rare that industrial engineers attack the root cause of the problem. Instead of this they seek for temporary solutions. They never think that, that problems may arise again. Actually we should make some core projects to identify & eliminate the root causes of the problem. If we can do that projects in a proper manner then it can be guaranteed that our organization will face minimum problems and infrequently that ultimately will help to reduce production loss time and may ensure right first time product quality.

Sending quality samples to new buyer for better understanding of workmanship of factory

Samples play a vital role to get new order. Without quality sample suppliers cannot develop a new business, so sample should be better quality before bulk production. For that reason when we send quality sample to the buyer we have to follow something, those are:

MEASURING TOOLS USED IN GARMENT CONSTRUCTION:

Measuring Tape:

It has a smooth surface that is clearly marked with increments of inches and centimeters on both sides. It is usually about ½ inch to ¼ inch wide and 60 inches long, and has 1/8 divisions (Fig. 2g). At one end of the tape is attached a brass strip about 3 inches long and at the other end, a small brass covering.

Rulers:

They are used in sample rooms which are either clear plastic or metal. It is useful to have

SEWING AND EMBROIDERY TOOLS USED IN GARMENT CONSTRUCTION:

Besides a sewing machine in good condition, well selected sewing equipment and pressing equipment are essential for making garments of good quality and appearance.

Sewing box / kit: First and foremost, one should have a box or basket with compartments for keeping the things needed for sewing.

SEWING AND EMBROIDERY TOOLS:

Hand Sewing Needles:

They are found in sizes from the very fine 9 to the heavy 18. The best quality needles are made of hand ground steel. For hand sewing medium length needles with a short oval eye is selected. Crewel needles designed for embroidery work have a long oval eye.

Sewing Machine Needles:

They are found in sizes from the fine 9 to the heavy 18. The needles are made to fit the

Common Sewing Machine Troubles:

The sewing like any other machine, gives troubles of stitching like thread breaking, uneven stitching, puckering, bending and breaking of needle, looping of threads, skipping of stitches, etc. Little problems with the sewing machine can be very irritating and time consuming. They can happen to even the most experienced seamstress.

A person operating the machine should be able to rectify these and solve the problems. Some of the common machine problems are listed below:

• Breaking needles
• Looping of stitches
• Skipping stitches
• Variation in stitch length
• Puckered seams
• Upper thread breaking