The Smart Factory Initiative

The Objective of the Smart Factory is to provide both foundational and ongoing training needed to revitalize the US based Apparel supply chain in support of the American Brand and Retail Industry while generating more US manufacturing jobs. The Smart Factory will be capable of producing a range of sewn products, including PPE face masks and gowns while demonstrating the latest state-of-the art manufacturing practices and technologies for PPE production.  And, will serve as a repository of information to assist industry with any questions regarding PPE production.

Established as a not-for-profit organization, the Smart Factory will consist of two centers working collaboratively: a Smart Production Center and an Industry Training Center. The Smart Production Center will redefine the value equation inherent in utilizing a domestic supply system for higher margin apparel.  

In addition to robotics and other forms of automation, the Smart Factory will employ the latest manufacturing technologies regarding systems integration and real time production control.  The Smart Factory will also embrace Industry 4.0 which includes machine learning and Artificial Intelligence to more accurately predict and manage performance and cost. 

The new model factory will also break traditional management paradigms by providing a modern, clean, fresh environment where employees will be part of the daily decision-making process.  Furthermore, employees with relevant abilities will be trained to perform many of the activities typically conducted by administrative staff and management.  Critical to the success of the model factory will be providing the skills training of workers to make important decisions, as required.  

The Smart Factory will meet and exceed the many pressing needs of the Fashion industry while creating a template for a new approach to manufacturing that could be applied far more broadly.  Neither the Smart Factory nor the work performed within its walls will bear much resemblance to the work environments of the past sewn products factories.  But the goals of the Smart Factory Initiative – creating a more responsive domestic supply chain, increasing profit opportunities for US apparel brands and retailers, bringing good manufacturing jobs back to the United States, creating profits for investors, and using resources more efficiently – are not so very different from those of the past.  Given the support it needs, the Smart Production Center working in concert with the Training Center will create a model capable of yielding enormous profits for investors, workers, and their communities while meeting the demands of  the Apparel Industry.