Since the abolition of the multi-fibre agreement in 2005, the apparel industry has gone through a massive transformation that affected both apparel producing and apparel sourcing (buyer) countries. However, due to the transformation of the industry and advances in technology, the industry is now more capital and knowledge intensive. The conventional belief that automation requires standardization and thus limits variety has been the primary reason for the slow uptake of automation in the fashion industryThe conventional belief that automation requires standardization and thus limits variety has been the primary reason for the slow uptake of automation in the fashion and apparel production industry in the past; because fashion is not fashion if it is standardized! Hence, automation in the industry has been focused on the production of commodity products like t-shirts, polo shirts, and jeans. Cheaper labour countries must therefore rise to the occasion and adapt to the changing environment.

Source: Dhaka Tribune February 11, 2018 18:00 UTC