Production Sourcing Tool

Bio-based, Local and Circular textile and garment production requires a different way of sourcing and connecting producers, that is flexible and responsive to new materials and approaches and able to adapt to changes in the way garments are designed. Conventional sourcing models simply can’t accommodate different sustainable approaches and business models.

In this section you can find out about how a service platform can allow for a more connected and flexible approach to sourcing, allowing design teams and brands to prioritise Bio-based, Local and Circular practices.

Why do we need Bio-based, Local and Circular production sourcing?

Conventional production sourcing tends to rely on global supply chains that are difficult for brands and designers to navigate, monitor and interact with. This has become a problem because many stakeholders would like to transition to more sustainable means of production. 

In conventional production sourcing models,  impacts can’t be accounted for, when smaller production runs are required, or alternative, local materials are desired. Digital communication has provided an opportunity to start to change this status quo in the textiles and clothing industry, by allowing small and micro businesses to connect.

What is a production sourcing tool and how does it work?

A production sourcing tool is a business-2-business software platform with a sourcing marketplace that allows brands to identify manufacturers and suppliers. The platform includes a management solution designed to facilitate the quotation, ordering, tracking, and management of the garment production process. 

This type of service platform can empower brands and manufacturers to establish business profiles, forge connections with each other and external partners, and proficiently oversee their products and orders using collaborative management tools.

Within the HEREWEAR project, the production sourcing tool was expanded to incorporate materials and components suppliers, and allow the user to navigate and distinguish bio-based materials and components. Although not currently commercially available, the platform would ensure seamless integration and enrichment of product, materials and components data. An aligned Bill of Materials feature would reduce the friction between the production sourcing platform and other platforms and database systems, such as those provided by circular.fashion. Design teams would be able to import existing product, material and component data from external sources while enhancing it with additional information, ultimately facilitating the creation of purchase orders and export of this information to potential suppliers.