Streamline complex compliance & certification requirements
Workwear brands navigate a maze of regional and industry-specific standards, including safety and flame resistance, temperature control, visibility and durability. Products need to meet rigorous certification requirements to provide wearer protection and comply with regulations. Managing these requirements across multiple spreadsheets without a centralized system is not only time-consuming but also prone to errors.
For brands like First Tactical, precision is non-negotiable.
A dedicated workwear PLM like Centric PLM is designed to house and track specifications, documentation and approvals in one place. Brands build more confidence, efficiency with a zero margin for error, absolute version control and full traceability is critical.
“We have to tie color codes to product SKUs. I was able to build that logic in Centric PLM myself and I don’t have a technical background. That’s how intuitive Centric PLM is!”
– Process Excellence Specialist, Image Solutions Inc.
Accelerate long development cycles
Leading workwear brands like Carhartt use Centric PLM and Centric Planning™ to accelerate development and bring order to complex product lifecycles.
“Our fabric specs were housed in one place, our garment specs were housed in another place, and the line plan architecture was stored elsewhere. We needed a single source for the truth.”
Drive SKU proliferation
The necessity to accommodate multiple styles, fits and size ranges across regions often leads to an explosion of SKUs. Dovetail, a brand known for its commitment to size inclusivity, exemplifies this challenge with a high number of SKUs per style. Their designer explains, “Our SKU count is extremely wide, because we’re carrying this array of both waist sizes and inseam lengths.” This makes the design and development process complex.
Once Dovetail turned to a workwear PLM, they gained the flexibility to manage complex sizing.
By centralizing product data, Centric PLM eliminates version control issues. This, in turn, reduces the chance of costly errors and time waste.
Reduce supply chain disruptions
Ongoing material shortages, transportation delays, increasing tariffs and rising costs in the workwear industry have made supply chain management unpredictable. These disruptions devastate delivery timelines and profit margins for workwear brands. With an AI-driven PLM for apparel and gear, real-time visibility across sourcing, production and logistics mitigates risks and creates operational resilience.
When Image Solutions faced fragmented communication within their existing legacy system, they knew it was time to upgrade to Centric PLM. They were working in silos, using email and a ticketing system to manage product development.
Since going live, the company, which has a global supply chain of more than 46 vendors, has transformed its operations by centralizing product data and making it easy to access and track.
Balance durability with sustainability
Workwear brands face pressure to create products that are both environmentally responsible and durable. Meeting sustainability targets like reducing waste with recycled fabrics and packaging shouldn’t compromise safety or performance. With a designated product lifecycle management for workwear, companies leverage data to make choices that align with their company goals.
A proven, trusted solution for workwear teams
From the factory floor to the field, a workwear PLM is a digital hub designed to streamline ways of working among teams. Industry leaders like First Tactical, Berne, Duluth Trading Co., JAANUU, Keen and Brunt bring their products to market with Centric PLM, knowing they benefit in the long-run.
“When you bring in new team members, you realize how much knowledge is stored with individuals. With Centric PLM, we can store that knowledge in one location. It’s beneficial for purchasing teams to view yard yields and better predict demand. This was one feature our COO was looking for in a PLM.” – Director of Technical Design at First Tactical.
As the workwear sector enters a new era of speed and innovation, companies who embrace digital transformation with Centric PLM move ahead and gain efficiency in operations, accelerate timelines and reduce human errors.
