In 2023, Smartex published the first-ever Modern Textile Factory (MTF) Report, pulling together insights from a group of experienced industry stakeholders ranging from factory owners & operators, material & process innovators, former brand executives, & policy experts.
The report covered how the four key industry trends of price, speed, quality & compliance were driving a necessary seachange in factory operations – making the modernization of operations crucial to maintaining competitiveness. Highlighting five pivotal pillars for factory enhancement, the report underscored the critical importance of resource efficiency, real-time data utilization, data-driven decision-making, stakeholder integration, & fostering high-quality jobs in safe work environments.
For 2024, Smartex is doubling down on its focus on factory operations by deep diving into the crucial & much needed creation of a robust data highway that connects all tiers of the supply chain. Recognizing that data is the cornerstone of informed decision-making, this year’s focus aims to understand existing data needs & communication processes, & discuss how this can be radically & pragmatically improved across the textile supply chain.
Smartex is proud to introduce our 2024 MTF Committee to discuss this topic:
Factory Perspectives
- Mikael Weinholtz – Executive Director Business Strategy, Seduno Group
- Kapil Kumar – CEO & Founder, Sagar Textile Mills
- Manoj Dimri – CEO, GoodEarth Apparels
- Kevin Xia – General Manager & Owner, Shilead
- Deniz Ata – Director of Business Development, Pameks Giyim
- Arfan Zaman – Assistant General Manager, Mascom Composite Limited
Brand Perspectives
- Louise Claughton – Former Vice President, PVH Corp
- Mark Green – Advisory Board Member, PDS
Innovator & Legislation Perspectives
- Patricia Ahufinger – CEO, Nodes Studio
- Lutz Walter – Managing Director, Textile ETP
- Gilberto Loureiro – CEO & Co-Founder, Smartex.ai
Full bios on each member can be found below.
The 2024 MTF Committee will meet four times this year to discuss this key topic moderated by Smartex’s Innovation Director, Max Easton. In December, Smartex will release the second edition MTF Report pulling together the key insights from the Committee’s discussions.
As concluded in 2023, if factories want to thrive in a market that demands the same competitive prices as well as increased speed, quality & compliance, they need to accelerate their modernization now. Many challenges exist – but an inevitable change is afoot. By the end of this year, the MTF Committee hopes to be able to shed some light on its direction so we can keep building the Modern Textile Factories we all need.
