Case Study: Crystal Martin achieves 6.5% factory efficiency improvement with Coats Digital's Fast React solution

Crystal Martin Achieve Rapid ROI through Fast React Planning

Crystal Martin, part of the Hong Kong–based Crystal Group, is a Sri Lanka manufacturer of lingerie and sleepwear producing around 3 million garments per month for Marks & Spencer and planning some 200 sewing lines including subcontractors. Facing rising customer demands to shorten lead times, improve flexibility and cut excess costs, the company needed a way to boost planning efficiency and reduce supply-chain waste.

By implementing Fast React in late 2007 to integrate planning and pre-production, Crystal Martin gained improved visibility of WIP and early warnings of delivery issues, enabling quicker reactions and less line idling. The changes delivered rapid ROI: a 6.5% uplift in factory efficiency (3.5% in 2008 and a further 3% in Q1 2009), a 38% reduction in air freight costs in 2008, and roughly a 15% cut in UK warehouse stock.

Crystal Martin

Carl Morley

Supply Chain Director