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#Colloquia / Symposia

Global experts to speak at Apparel 4.0, first ever global summit at GTE

The 26th edition of Garment Technology Expo (GTE) ’18 will be held from January 19-22, 2018 in New Delhi’s NSIC Exhibition Complex. In the sidelines of GTE, on January 20, FashionatingWorld/DFU Publications and GTE 2018 are organizing a global summit ‘Apparel 4.0: Shaping the future with Smart Factories’.

Apparel 4.0 is the buzzword in apparel manufacturing and apparel technology industry today. It is an interpretation and application of Industry Revolution 4.0 in apparel technology and apparel manufacturing sectors across supply chain. The primary focus of Industry 4.0 is on increasing productivity, flexibility and efficiency in order to create smart factories. 

The summit aims to educate how Apparel 4.0 is shaping and transforming the global fashion and apparel business and the opportunities it offers for Indian industry. It will bring together apparel manInsightful sessions at summit  ufacturers, apparel technology solution providers and stakeholders who will discuss the major challenges apparel businesses are facing in today's digital marketplace, and identify practical steps companies can take to digitalise their value chain. 

Insightful sessions at summit   

The sessions will deliberate on the topic, ‘What exactly is Apparel 4.0, and the concept of Smart Factories? Are these factories already operational?’ How is digitalisation of apparel manufacturing processes, from design/creation to production, Apparel 4.0 is creating a new organisation of factory ecosystem. The summit shall also address opportunities and challenges of implementation for India; is India ready for such a transformation? 

Global industry experts at Apparel 4.0  

The conference has an impressive line of experts speakers led by theme presentation by Dr Mike Fralix, President and CEO [TC]2, USA. Dr Fralix, a PhD in technology management, is an globally acclaimed speaker on technology and automation. He also serves on the Board of Directors of the AAFA (American Apparel and Footwear Association) and active in several industry organizations including the IAF, where he serves as a member of the Board and Chairman of the Technical Committee.


Dr Prabir Jana, NIFT, while introducing the subject, will give the keynote presentation. Dr Jana, Head of Research at NIFT, is a visionary in technology development and management in apparel manufacturing. CEO & chairman Dürkopp Adler, Dietrich Eickhoff, would highlight  opportunities Apparel 4.0 brings in the global scenario, as a technology providerl; Samath Fernando, CIO, Hirdaramani Group of Companies, Sri Lanka will share his expertise as users’ perspective. Hirdaramani, a pioneer in the Sri Lankan apparel industry, has already implemented Industry 4.0 and the company is a one-stop shop for global brands with 38 manufacturing facilities across Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Vietnam & Ethiopia.  

Representing Indian perspective in terms of opportunities and challenges, Dr Rajesh Bheda, RBC will conduct a panel discussion with industry stalwarts H K L Magu, Chairman AEPC, Dr Darlie Koshy, ATDC, J D Giri, Shahi Exports, R C Kesar, OGTC, Sudhir Sekhri, GEA, Gunish Jain, Royal Datamatic and Vinod Aiyer, Fortuna Colours.

Zhang Min, Chairman, ShangGong Group would be the Guest of Honor at Apparel 4.0. The conference is supported by all leading textile trade bodies like AEPC, OGTC, CMAI, IKF,GEA, NAEC and GEAR


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