Supply Chain Management Field Trip to Local L.A. Sewing Factory

Merchandise Product Development Students in the Principles of Supply Chain Management class participated in a field trip last week to Cr-Jry Corp, a sewing factory close to FIDM’s Los Angeles campus. They were tasked with rating the factory, owned by Carlos Rios (pictured below), to assess whether or not it would be a viable option if they were launching a collection.

Their instructor, Fashion Designer Rebecca Eliason (pictured above), gave them an exercise to reinforce the Higgs Index, an apparel and footwear industry self-assessment standard for assessing environmental and social sustainability throughout the supply chain.

The students audited the factory, making notes on whether or not it was compliant with California state laws, such as garment registration, labor rates, and overtime wages. They were also asked to check workplace safety, looking for things such as protective gloves for the cutter, protective needle guards on sewing machines, visible first aid kit, covers on electric panels, and accessible fire extinguishers. They noted emergency exits and other building safety conditions.

As they conducted the audit, Ms. Eliason gave them a tour of the facility, pointing out a current project in production.

Her former student, now FIDM Alumna, Chelsie Kadota hired this factory to manufacture her swim line, S.I.E. Swim, this season.

It was the perfect example to see the stages of garment construction. There were three distinct areas in the room: cutting, sewing, and finishing.

The swim label is heat transferred onto the garment at this final stage.

Supply Chain Management is a required course in the Bachelor of Science, Apparel Technical Design program. Technical Design offers careers where pay, growth and travel opportunities are among the highest of any career in the fashion industry.

Categories:  Apparel Technical Design Merchandise Product Development