#Software

2020-02-27

Gerber’s innovation center empowers the digitization of the furniture industry

The Gerber Innovation Center in New York City opened for the furniture industry on February 19th with a one-of-a-kind microfactory experience. The undisputed leader of connected platforms hosted a full day of workshops, live demonstrations, and customer case studies to discuss the current challenges the furniture industry is experiencing with customization. Gerber demonstrated how companies of all sizes can conquer customization, creativity, speed and eCommerce challenges by integrating their entire process from design through production using the latest software and hardware solutions.

“Gerber’s furniture microfactory experience is unlike anything else,” said Ketty Pillet, Vice President of Marketing at Gerber Technology. “We designed this experience for the furniture manufacturers to be able to actually experience the on-demand process from design to print to production, leveraging the latest innovative technology.”

Like all industries, upholstered furniture is currently seeing a large demand for customized products and faster delivery times, causing a bind for companies who are still relying on manual processes. Those who fail to digitize supply chains relatively soon will continue to struggle as Gen Z, a generation who chooses to ignore predefined trends, starts to enter the furniture market.

The event was truly an end-to-end experience with an overview of industry trends and challenges, a customer testimonial from Bassett Furniture, and several presentations on the most innovative technology including CAD, digital printing, automated cutting, and even a laser solution from Virtek which aids in assembly.

During their all-day event, Gerber showed just how quickly on-demand manufacturing can happen by leveraging their integrated and connected platform to develop customized seats and pillows. The integrated solution, which features the latest in pattern making, digital printing, and IoT enabled digital cutting, streamlines the entire process and allows the company to remain both cost effective and sustainable by connecting different groups of users. The company also announced the launch of AccuMark February 2020 for the furniture industry which will allow them to reduce their time to market and allow for more creativity with a digital printing embedded process.

"Gerber’s solutions have helped us dramatically improve our process by reducing costly mistakes,” said Roger Leonhardt of Bassett Furniture. “Since using their software, we’re saving as much as 1 to 1.5 yards for every mistake that is prevented, which is up to $20,000 in savings.”

One of the biggest values of Gerber’s platform is its ability to connect the print-to-cut process. As Mike Sanders of Top Value Fabrics stated, digital printing is a crucial component for on-demand production because it allows a designer to take their artwork and turn it into a unique decor piece that no one else has. By implementing a digital printing process, designers are able to do any quantities of yardage in as many colors as they like with photo exact prints, unleashing creativity.

“Digital printing is so much further along than I thought,” said Bruce Beamer of Teknion Limited as he watched vibrantly printed textiles pass from the Kornit Presto direct-to-textile printer to the GERBERcutter® Z1. “Today’s event has really educated me on the latest technologies out there, some of which I was not aware of."

The Z1 is equipped with Gerber’s PrintSync device which integrates the printing and cutting process into one step, allowing for shorter lead times and reduced labor costs. The device can connect with any direct-to-textile printer with in-line drying capability.

Tunicotex Group boosts OTDP to 85%, cuts planning time by 25% & expands production capacity by 40%

Coats Digital is delighted to announce that following the implementation of FastReactPlan, leading Tunisian premium knitwear manufacturer, Tunicotex Group, has significantly improved its on-time delivery performance from 75% to 85%, reduced planning time by 25%, minimised delays and penalty costs, and unlocked 40% additional capacity to take on more customer orders and support sustained business growth.

Suzhou Tianyuan boosts costing accuracy to 98% with Coats Digital’s GSDCost

Coats Digital is delighted to announce that Suzhou Tianyuan Garments Co., Ltd., a leading manufacturer of high-quality sportswear and functional apparel for global brands such as Adidas, FILA, ANTA, and The North Face, has achieved remarkable productivity and cost management improvements following the implementation of Coats Digital’s award-winning method-time-cost optimisation solution, GSDCost.

Mango joins TextileGenesis pioneering traceability solution, a Lectra company, for a transparent value chain

Mango, one of the leading international fashion groups, has joined TextileGenesis, the pioneering traceability solution for the fashion and textile industries, to trace their natural and animal fibers, synthetics, man-made cellulosic fibers and leather. TextileGenesis, a Lectra company, offers a complete and secure cutting-edge technology with its six-dimensional (6D) offering and unique “fiber forwards” approach. Mango, has long been committed to maintaining a fully transparent supply chain, and TextileGenesis will reinforce this commitment.

Sustainable, lightweight, and sound absorbing: Polyester-based front trunk solution for BEVs

As car manufacturers look to further reduce their carbon footprint, Autoneum has developed an innovative front trunk solution for battery electric vehicles (BEVs), made entirely from polyester-based textile. The Ultra-Silent Frunk offers significant weight reduction, improved acoustic and thermal insulation, and uses up to 70 percent recycled material, supporting sustainable and efficient vehicle design. Autoneum, global technology leader in acoustic and thermal management for vehicles, has already received orders for the new frunk from three major OEMs in Asia and Europe to be built in three BEV models. Series production for two BEVs has been underway in China and Germany since last year.

Modern testing methods for raw cotton

The 38th International Cotton Conference Bremen will take place from 25 to 27 March 2026 at the Bremen Parliament. This conference has traditionally stood for in-depth expertise and international exchange. The program will focus on technical innovations, market trends, and regulatory frameworks across the entire value chain – from agriculture to the circular economy. With high-profile speakers, the conference is regarded as the key meeting point for the global cotton industry. Today’s focus: Cotton quality and testing methods.

Rieter responds to higher raw material prices

Global political and economic developments have been leading to rising raw material and energy costs for some time. The textile machinery industry is also affected by this trend. Rieter machines and components consist to a large extent of steel, copper, aluminum and electronics. These materials in particular have seen higher demand and higher prices in recent months.