A Leading light for the manufacturing industry the London A.R.C.

If you asked garment manufacturers and CMT units what they really need today to make their business successful you would probably here the following cross section of answers:-

1. More Business!

2. The introduction of quotas and tariffs to protect the industry/less red tape

3. Increased investment for plant and machinery

4. More buyers to ensure continuity of trade -this would then enable improved planning which in turn leads to greater confidence for investment.

5. Extra training for staff

6. More help with creating own ranges and the subsequent selling of collections

Well now there is help at hand and with the exception of point 2 manufacturers can at long last have the help that they so vitally need. 

The London Apparel Resource Centre based at the Florentia Clothing Village near Manor House London N4 is where manufacturers will find a way forward in today’s difficult trading conditions. The resource centre will offer a unique environment where designers and micro businesses will benefit from direct access to the latest software graphics, CAD systems and local manufacturing sources.

This London Development Agency funded project has enabled Mark Anthony and the London Fashion forum to create a unique service for London Based manufacturers that will aid in creating a retail/designer one-stop-shop for fast trak production. Retailers and designers can now approach the centre with confidence knowing that a dedicated and professional team will be able to provide quick turnaround production runs for most categories of garments within the industry.

The Clothing Village itself has over 30 quality CMT units available to offer diverse garments from ladieswear to menswear, shoes to bridal wear. A retailer or designer can provide technical drawings, size charts, trims, fabrics and patterns and the London ARC will produce garments to your exact specification….promptly and efficiently! This is what the industry REALLY NEEDS.

Both Chris Yianni and David Jones has worked long and hard hours to ensure the centre offers the best possible service in all respects:-

– Anthony Nicholas Cottage will serve as a workshop and resource centre and will offer training support on all aspects of the latest in house CAD technology. Seminars will be held where clients will gain first hand knowledge from mentors in the industry and business skills advice will be available from various government agencies.

– The designer studios will be based in Janet Louise Cottage and will host a cross section of micro businesses that will benefit from prestigious office space and the latest IT technology.

– The Resource centre comprises of a fully equipped showroom, sample cutter, reference library and open plan training area for up to 15 independent workstations. Each workstation will benefit from broadband Internet connection enabling access to the latest fashion trends and forecasts from around the world.

– All PC’s will be fitted with CAD visual graphics and pattern design software. Programmes will also be installed for spec sheets, costing and critical path management. Students will be encouraged to attend training sessions in the CAD bureau , which will incorporate Digitizing, laymarker/planner, pattern grading, pattern cutting, and sample cutting.

– Members will also have use of the extensive resource library, which will offer access to trend forecasting and will be well supplied with the latest publications from the industry. Clients will be able to download information and keep ahead of developments and trends facing the world of fashion.

– The centre will offer training for CAD graphics, pattern manipulation and grading, costing and critical path management. Designers will also have the opportunity to display their collections in a showroom environment and meet face to face with buyers.

Designer studios.

There are nine self contained fully serviced studio offices averaging 130 sq ft, which will appeal to both individual designers and micro business. Each studio is furnished with a flat screen monitor, computer, desk, office furniture, cutting table and broadband telephone connection. All P.C’s will have access to the latest trends and fashion forecasts and designers will have links to the LARC website.

Within the next three years there will be a total of  40 designer studios available.

Manufacturers and retailers will be encouraged to work with the designers and showroom facilities will be made available in the Resource Centre for meetings with buyers. An area at the back of the building has been established as a training area for up to 10 clients.

The London Fashion Forum and other business support organisations will be on hand to offer support and advice on the industry.

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Network

Studio units and workstations will be fully networked and all terminals will feed off one central server. The website www.londonapparel.com will act as an umbrella company where incoming data will be distributed to its’ intended location. Full access to critical path and order status via the intranet will also be available to manufacturers. Members will benefit from direct access to trend forecasting, the latest CAD software graphics and unlimited access to the reference library which will be well stocked with the most influential industry publications.

Training

Various courses will be held at the centre. CAD training will be offered to all members on both Lectra and Investronica systems and business skills advice will be available through various government sources. 

Membership

Members to the centre will be issued with a photo I.D. card that will allow access to the facilities within the centre, resource library and CAD Bureau. Each member will be issued with a unique PIN number, which will enable specific software. Peripheral devices such as, colour laser printer and scanner etc will operate on a chargeable basis.

Members will be entitled to subsidised training and will be encouraged to use the centre to produce their samples by utilising the local CMT facilities. Opportunities will exist to attend seminars on starting up in business and general business skills advice.

Subscriptions: Will be charged on an annual basis and the fee structure will be reviewed after 12 months.

This is a major extension to the range of services offered by the London Fashion Forum and naturally we are delighted to be managing such an effective and  much-needed initiative. We look forward to working with the many partners who were, and still are, involved in its conception and development. The centre is scheduled to open……………………

A special note of recommendation must go to both Chris Yianni  and David Jones who have put in many long hours to ensure the centre not only offers the above extensive range of services but also looks highly professional and exceptional. Careful planning and cost price negotiation has taken place to ensure that the best possible value for money has been received.

For further information please contact:

Kriss Barber

The Manager

London Apparel Resource Centre

Florentia Clothing Village

Vale Road

London N4 1TD

Tel 020 8802 5555

Fax 020 8809 5549

E mail This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.