During the upcoming Fespa Global Print Expo 2021 (12 to 15 October), Summa will be cooperating with several exhibitors to establish a micro-factory. It will show the future of apparel manufacturing in an On-Demand Apparel Microfactory.
The traditional production of garments led to piles of unsold garments which meant a heavy burden on the environment, logistical challenges (producing and shipping goods that will not be sold) and maintaining warehouses. This results in high production costs and low profitability.
The new way of producing garments is: “on-demand production” in micro-factories creating a more environmentally friendly production process. Micro-factories are on the rise and a complete game-changer. With on-demand manufacturing gaining popularity, being able to produce one-off pieces rapidly at a relatively small cost is crucial. Micro-factories allow this kind of very low-volume production while delivering a wide variety of products.
Follow the production process from A to Z at Fespa
The micro-factory setup establishes a real-production situation. After the design has been printed by Mimaki at booth 1-F45, the transferring of the printed textiles will be done on the Klieverik Vertex hybrid transfer printing calender at booth 5-M30. During that process sublimation transfer printing paper of Neenah Coldenhove (1-F71) is used, finally, the cutting of the designs will happen on the Summa L1810 laser cutter at booth 5-M29.
This way visitors are taken on a journey through the manufacturing cycle of a garment, whilst using automated features, smart functions and environmentally friendly methods for optimal production outcomes.
Sustainable entrepreneurship
This micro-factory, initiated by Klieverik, shows the future of sustainable entrepreneurship. This is reflected in the use of sustainable materials – provided by Greentex – and the micro-factory itself, saving water, energy and having a small ecological footprint.
All the materials used in the micro-factory at Fespa will not be wasted. This is where the company Sheltersuit comes into view. Sheltersuit repurposes the materials into sheltersuits for the homeless. A most impactful initiative that each of the cooperating companies is keen to support.
Collaborating companies
The companies who cooperated on the realization of this micro-factory are:
- Carolina Guzman - Fashion Design
- Greentex by Sutex - Textile
- Neenah Coldenhoven - Sublimation Transfer Paper
- Mimaki – Printing
- Klieverik - Transfer printing
- Summa – Cutting
- Sheltersuit – refugee sheltersuits
