Coats Digital is pleased to announce that European fashion retailer C&A has adopted Coats Digital’s GSDCost solution to introduce more accurate and transparent costing and capacity forecasting across its extensive supplier network.
The GSDCost Solution will enable accurate costing as well as capacity forecasting through the establishment of international benchmarks based Standard Minute Values. This standardised methodology will enable C&A’s vendor partners to offer precise Cost to Make quotations, fostering efficient garment manufacturing processes and fact-based negotiations. The implementation of a common language and standards across C&A’s global supply chain aims to deliver on the company’s corporate social responsibility commitments while supporting sustainable growth.
C&A, with over 1,300 stores in 17 European countries, aims to provide quality and affordable fashion to its customers. As a member of the ACT Group, which promotes sustainability in the energy transition, C&A recognised the need for consistent costing and sourcing methodologies among its suppliers. Lack of standard practices led to inconsistent Cost to Make quotes and lack of transparency in sustainable practices. With the adoption of GSDCost, C&A aims to improve transparency in its sourcing process, collaborate effectively with suppliers, and achieve its sustainability goals.
Coats Digital’s GSDCost method analysis and pre-determined times solution is widely recognised as an international standard in the sewn products industry. This solution supports sustainability, collaboration and transparency in the supply chains by optimizing International Standard Time Benchmarks with standard motion code and predetermined time. This standardised method facilitates cost estimations, negotiation based on facts, and an efficient manufacturing process. By implementing GSDCost, C&A aims to enhance communication and collaboration between the brand and its vendors, ensuring a more transparent, connected, and profitable way of conducting business while promoting sustainability and fair working practices.
Nitin Kumar, Lead Technical cost, C&A Sourcing Asia, said, “As a member of the ACT group, we are continuously improving our supply chain to be more transparent, responsible and sustainable. GSDCost can bring transparency to our sourcing process through a standardised time management methodology, and further support the sustainable growth together with our supply partners.”
Coats Digital’s GSDCost method analysis and pre-determined times solution is widely acknowledged as the de-facto international standard across the sewn products industry. The solution supports a more collaborative, transparent and sustainable supply chain, in which brands and manufacturers establish and optimise ‘International Standard Time Benchmarks’ using standard motion codes and predetermined times. The use of standard motion codes and common standards allows for accurate cost predictions, negotiation based on facts, and an efficient manufacturing process.
Liv Zhang, Sales Director (Greater China), Coats Digital, commented, “We are absolutely delighted to have partnered with C&A to introduce a scientific and objective method analysis process of costing and sourcing. GSDCost allows the company to better align Cost To Make (CM) data across their supply chain, improve data sharing, and streamline negotiations. By phasing in a ubiquitous, standardised language for establishing accurate benchmarks around production methods, production times and costs, C&A is effectively breaking down previously siloed walls of communication between the brand and its vendors so both can benefit from a more transparent, connected, and profitable way of doing business, whilst also ensuring – as well as evidence – sustainability and fair working practices. We look forward to working closely with C&A to ensure the seamless rollout of GSDCost across its supply chain partners and help it future-proof its operation to meet the increasingly complex demands of a more discerning consumer.”
Coats Digital works with fashion brands and manufacturers, a leading partner in the digital transformation of the supply chain for fashion, to accelerate and optimise critical business operations through the use of connected technologies. Over 3,000 factories use its software and SaaS to improve agility, speed-to-market, efficiency, transparency and sustainability.
GSDCost as an internationally recognized standard focuses on establishing precise method-time benchmarks and manufacturing excellence for sustainable garment cost optimisation. The use of a common standard and language allows accurate cost estimation, fact-based negotiations, and efficient manufacturing while supporting CSR obligations in the industry.