Saitex

Between factory lockdowns and a shipping crunch, the pandemic is making it difficult for brands to take advantage of surging demand. BoF spoke with experts about how to make the best of a bad situation.

Ethical denim-maker Saitex’s automated facility in California is a sign that localised, just-in-time manufacturing may be poised for widespread adoption.

To mitigate future ruptures, fashion players must move away from transactional relationships with suppliers in favour of deeper partnerships that bring greater agility and accountability.

'Production is very far away from productivity,' said the founder of the world’s most sustainable large-scale denim producer.

While retailers in western markets have been the visible victims of the current crisis, behind the scenes the nuts and bolts of fashion’s supply chain are facing a bleak future.