Step by Step Execution of Garment Export Order

Execution of Garment Export Order

Md. Ferdus Alam
Department of Textile Engineering
Southeast University
Email: ferdus.j@gmail.com

 

Execution process of garment export order is one of the principal parts of the merchandiser’s day-to-day activity. Once the merchandiser received the order details from the buyer or customer. He will perform the work from sampling to line development / product development process along with other departments of the apparel industry like designing, sampling, etc. After order confirmation, the next job for the merchandiser is to execute the order in the bulk format, means, perform the product development process for the total order quantity with stipulated time frame. During this process, he has to undergo various technical issues and problems regarding the production. This article details step by step the various activities performed by a merchandiser during an garment export order execution process.

Execution of Garment Export Order

Steps of Garment Export Order Execution
Steps of garments order execution are described as follows:

1. Inquiry of a product:
First of all, supplier collects the product from the buyer and enquiry the product.

2. Lead time/Space Availability:
Lead time is time difference between buyer order confirmation date, date and delivery date. Within the time, garments must be delivery.

3. Costing:
Costing means the way of calculating the cost of production of garments. Costing is done considering-

4. Order Confirmation:
An order confirmation is a written confirmation which is issued by buyer to the manufacturer. It serves as tool to avoid confusion and mistakes in case order does not confirm to the original offer.

5. Purchase Order (P.O):
A buyer generated document that authorizes a purchase transaction. It includes description of product, quantities, prices, discounts, payment terms, date of shipment etc.

6. Guarantee of payment:

  1. Telegraphic Transfer (T.T): It is cash payment. Now it is not use.
  2. L/C (Master) provided by buyer: L/C or Letter of Credit is a document which prepared by buyer to the manufacturer.

7. T & A Calendar Making:
T & A or “Time and Action” calendar is made by the manufacturer to complete the production within a specific period of time.

8. Fabric & Accessories Booking:
After making of T & A calendar, fabric & accessories booking is necessary.
Without fabric, all materials used in garments are called “Accessories” or “Trimmings”.

9. Back to Back L/C:
Back to Back L/C is issued on the strength of master L/C. It is issued by the export’s bank to the supplier to produce raw materials. It has 70-80% financial value of Master L/C.

10. Sampling:
The process of collecting or making sample is called “Sampling”.

Types of Garments Sample

a. Proto Sample:

Features:

  • These samples are made by the manufacturer by available fabric and accessories.
  • These samples are made before or after order confirmation.

Purpose:
By These samples buyer checks whether or not the factory can make the garments.

b. Fit Sample:

Features:

  • These samples are made by the manufacturer by available fabric and accessories.
  • These samples are made after order confirmation.

Purpose:
By These samples buyer checks the fitness or measurement of the garments.

c. Pre-Production (P.P) Sample:

Features:

  • These samples are made by the manufacturer by actual fabric and accessories.
  • These samples are made after order confirmation.

Purpose:
Buyer will do bulk production following P.P sample.

d. Size Set Sample:

Features:

  • These samples are made in all sizes.
  • These samples are sent to the buyer.
  • These samples are made in the production floor.

Purpose:
These samples are made only for PP meeting or internal purpose.

e. Production Sample:

Features:

  • These samples are collected from the production floor while bulk production is running.
  • These are sent to the buyer.

Purpose:
By these samples buyer compares Production Sample with the P.P Sample.

f. Garments Test Sample:

Features:

  • These samples are collected from the production floor while bulk production is running.
  • These are sent to the testing house.

Purpose:
By These samples Testing House tests different aspects of the garments and sends “test report” to the buyer and factory.

g. Shipment Samples:

Features:

  • These samples are not so mandatory.
  • These are sent to the buyer after the shipment of the products.

Purpose:
By These samples buyer compares the Production Sample with the Shipment Sample.

11. Fabric & Accessories in House:
Here confirms all fabrics and accessories in their hand.

12. Inspection of the inventory & Report Making:
Check the quality & quantity of fabrics and accessories in house. After checking a report is made with the test data.

13. Pre-Production (P.P) Meeting:
This meeting is held just before going to the bulk production. This meeting is conducted by following persons-

  • Buying House QC
  • Factory QC
  • Buying House Merchandiser
  • Factory Merchandiser
  • Cutting Master
  • Pattern Master
  • Production Manager
  • Sample man

You may also like: Pre-Production Meeting: Key of Production in Apparel Industry

14. Pattern & marker making for bulk production:
Pattern is a hard paper which is made by following each individual component for a style of garments. Marker is a thin paper which contains all components of different sizes for a particular style of garments.

15. Trial or pilot Cutting:
Little amount (for 200-300 pieces of garments) of fabrics are cut for checking the efficiency and production cost of the garments.

16. Bulk Cutting:
Here total fabrics required for bulk production are cut.

17. Numbering, Bundling & Sorting:
After cutting of fabrics numbering, bundling and sorting process are done. Then cut pieces are sent to the sewing section.

18. Production Line Set-up:
Production line set-up is the arrangement of sewing machines where the input of the first machine is cutting part of the fabrics and the output of the last machine is complete garments.

19. Sewing:
Cutting pieces are attached by sewing to make the complete garments. Different types of sewing machines are used in production line.

20. Finishing:
Finishing includes ironing, packing, cartooning etc.

21. Pre-Final Inspection:
This type of inspection is done only by factory Q.C. It may be at the end of the production line.

22. Final Inspection:
Final inspection is conducted by the –

  • Buyer
  • Buyer Q.C
  • Trader Q.C
  • Self-Inspection: Conducted by the factory Q.C.
  • Third Party Inspection: Conducted by the testing houses.

23. Delivery:
If everything is ok, then supplier sent the goods to the buyer.

You may also like:

  1. Career in Merchandising: Factory vs Buying House
  2. Garment Costing Tips and Techniques for Students and Professionals
  3. Step by Step Knit Garments Merchandising: A Beginner’s Guide
  4. Fabric Sourcing: Key Task for Garment Merchandiser

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2 thoughts on “Step by Step Execution of Garment Export Order”

  1. It’s really good article for those who are interested to work in apparel industry.

    Pls also share home textile merchandising process

    Reply

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