**Iași:** Katty Fashion in Romania uses bespoke production and digital twin technology to protect garment supply chains from climate extremes and geopolitical disruptions, under the EU-backed R3GROUP project, aiming to enhance real-time response and adaptability amid rising global challenges.
Katty Fashion, a clothing manufacturer based in Iași, Romania, is redefining flexibility in the garment industry. With the capacity to adapt its production lines and processes based on specific designer orders, the company aims to provide a bespoke service that caters to a diverse clientele. Eduard Modreanu, the company’s technical lead, emphasises the necessity for such adaptability: “From order to order, we may have to adapt. We cannot create one production line or shop floor that fits everyone.”
This tailored approach is particularly beneficial as the company participates in the European Union-funded initiative known as R3GROUP. The project’s primary objective is to bolster the resilience of supply chains against disruptions caused by climate change and other unforeseen challenges.
Modreanu points out potential vulnerabilities in the supply chain, stating, “Let’s say there’s going to be flooding in Germany, and we get our materials from Spain. They cannot get here any more.” The company has engaged with researchers to thoroughly assess the origins of their textiles and accessories, identifying specific geographical weaknesses in its supply chain, particularly in areas like Spain and Portugal, which are projected to become increasingly susceptible to climate-related extremes such as heatwaves and drought.
In response to these findings, Katty Fashion is developing a digital twin of its supply chain and factory operations. This advanced model will allow the company to monitor the vulnerability of its suppliers in real time, integrating information from news sources and weather reports to anticipate potential disruptions. If material supply challenges arise, the system can suggest alterations to production lines and employee shifts, ensuring continued efficiency.
The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic has prompted many companies to reconsider their supply chains. Between 2020 and 2022, logistics difficulties prompted the concept of “reshoring,” where manufacturers opted for local suppliers to reduce delays. Some industries even pivoted entirely, as seen with distilleries that transitioned to producing hand sanitiser when demand shifted.
Additionally, the imposition of tariffs by former US President Donald Trump presented another challenge for manufacturers, forcing a reevaluation of supply chain dynamics. Many firms found reshoring to be economically impractical and considered relocating factories to areas less affected by tariffs.
While the disruptions caused by the pandemic eventually stabilised, ongoing climate change poses a longer-term threat to global supply chains. Examples include intensified droughts in Taiwan, which have serious implications for semiconductor production, highlighting the urgency for companies to adapt.
The R3GROUP initiative is not exclusive to clothing; it also collaborates with businesses in sectors such as metals and plastics. Tjerk Timan, project coordinator and EU project manager at France’s Industrial Technical Centre for Plastics and Composites, notes a varying level of engagement among firms when it comes to preparing for climate-related challenges. While some are proactively strategising for future threats, others exhibit a “head-in-the-sand strategy,” focusing more on immediate competitive pressures than on long-term resilience strategies.
Source: Noah Wire Services
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