CAD/CAM Firms Focus on Niches, Service
Software-based companies remain in heated battle for apparel industry dollars, but companies such as PAD System Technologies, Tukatech Inc. and Intentia are making moves to become more focused, customer-friendly and vertically integrated in order to gain an edge. Retail is still soft in some sectors so these companies and others expect to see competition intensify. Service has become a key focal point and these companies are making moves in reaction to this.
PAD System Breaks Out the SWAT Team
PAD, which markets pattern-making and designing software from its California Mart office, has a solution for hooking customers who are a little uncertain about choosing from among the myriad of programs currently on the market. It just calls upon its SWAT team.
PAD’s SWAT team is comprised of the company’s most trained and knowledgeable technicians—-some all the way from the company’s home base in Canada. The team, armed with stopwatches and computers, visits those unsold clients and puts the PAD system to the test before their eyes, pumping out a sample next to any competitor’s. The test results in a 95 percent sell-through, said PAD’s U.S. director, Kristen Gloviak.
“It gives [the customers] a real test drive and there’s no obligation,” said Gloviak, who eight years ago helped expand PAD into the U.S. from its home base in Montreal.
The SWAT team will also give potential customers a thorough performance audit, highlighting potential cost savings, which can be achieved through systems updating. According to Gloviak, tests using PAD have resulted in time savings of at least 50 percent over older systems and of more than 30 percent over newer ones. The SWAT program was launched about 18 months ago and has helped support the company’s ongoing growth, according to Gloviak, who noted that PAD’s U.S. business has climbed from 3 to 350 users in eight years.
One of the keys to PAD’s growth has been its ability to interface with most of the hardware on the market, according to Gloviak. It’s also been staying on the cutting edge of design by offering 3-D capability, which has attracted a lot of independents and companies looking to reduce the time spent in producing samples.
“We’ve seen a big influx of freelancers who work out of their homes,” Gloviak said. “We’re also looking to educators.”
For the local market, PAD has enlisted a number of new Spanish-speaking technicians to work with Los Angeles’ large base of Spanish-speaking pattern makers. The company has also been bringing in customers to its Cal Mart offices for training.
“You can use PAD without looking at one word,” Gloviak said. “Everything is quick-key and icon-based. If you need to change a size range, you do it in a flash, rather than in 10 minutes. It pulls tasks together so much easier,” she said.
The software is now offered in 40 countries and 15 languages. Clients include Honda, Bebe and the U.S. Navy. Prices range from $2,500 to $15,000.
Tukacenter Off to Auspicious Start
Los Angeles-based Tukatech’s new Tukacenter is off to a solid start. The center, which rents CAD stations and conducts learning sessions for smaller businesses and designers, opened its doors on May 2 and recently graduated its first set of students. There were no caps and gowns, but the participants were happy and so were Tuka execs.
“When we launched this, I figured we’d need about 50 students in the first six months to make it profitable. We already have [had] 85 in the first six weeks,” said Tukatech CEO Ram Sareen.
The graduates ranged in age from a 19-year-old to a 72-year-old.
“Whoever said that computers are only for young people [is] wrong,” emphasized Sareen.
“One way to grow business in the city is through training and education, and this is a great start,” added industry veteran Roger Williams, who was on hand for the graduation.
The center, at 1029 S. Broadway in Los Angeles, has 20 stations for rent along with digitizers and plotters. Memberships start at $50, with rental fees of $10 per hour. Call (213) 746-3830.
Intentia Eyes Partnerships for Efficiency
Intentia, which markets Movex software for supply-chain management, has been looking to partnerships and regional management to streamline its U.S. operations. The Swedish company, which operates in the U.S. out of Chicago, has divided up its operations into four market territories—the Midwest, East, South and West—in order to allow each area to focus better on sales and service. As part of the move, Intentia has taken over the personnel and customer base of Intentia West, a former partner and division of El Camino Resources International.
The company also has partnered with Justwin Technologies to develop an interface between Movex and Justwin’s Product Data Management and Collaboration software solution for apparel and textile manufacturers. This will allow each to share domain expertise in the sewn products industries. Product Data Management and Collaboration software is designed to streamline pre-production development processes through concurrent document management, automatic costing and efficient workflow collaboration.
The venture will support existing and prospective customers by speeding up development cycles and reducing time to market. “With seasonal volatility and tight production schedules a way of life for apparel manufacturers, rapid product development and time to market are critical,” said Robert McKee, Intentia’s director of fashion industry applications. “This will help control costs and increase product specification accuracy, thus reducing time to market and increasing return on investment.”
