At Australia Fashion Week there was much discussion about Smart Factories. So, what are they?
Smart Factories
Smart factories are highly digitised, responsive factories where production is automated, waste is minimised and recycling is integrated into every step of the process. While we have few examples in Australia, it's already becoming reality in manufacturing hubs across Europe, where government-supported initiatives such as Porto's integrated textile supply chain are demonstrating the viability of local, sustainable textile production.
The advantages:
Sustainability as a competitive edge: Australian-made textiles can differentiate themselves through environmental credentials, creating good jobs while reducing the fashion industry's ecological footprint;
Digital innovation: Technologies like Epson's Monna Lisa digital printing system allow for precise, on-demand production with minimal waste;
Supply chain resilience: Localised manufacturing reduces vulnerability to global disruptions;
Customisation at scale: 3D knitting technologies enable finished products to come off machines ready to wear, perfectly suited to consumer preferences.
The Collaborative Model
What I find particularly exciting is the potential for a "smart factory as a service" model. Rather than each brand needing to invest in expensive technology, cooperative engagement with smart factories could democratise manufacturing, making it accessible to smaller brands and designers.
The social benefits would be substantial. Imagine a hub like McLaren Vale becoming known not just for wine but for sustainable textile innovation, creating skilled jobs, fostering community pride, and establishing new export opportunities.
Could Australia specialise in knitwear?
Of course this is particularly exciting for me! The signs are promising. We already have exceptional raw materials with Kangaroo Island Wool pioneering a fully domestic supply chain. The key innovations driving this shift include:
Whole Garment Knitting Technology Advanced knitting machines can produce complete garments without traditional cutting and sewing processes, dramatically reducing waste whilst enabling unprecedented design flexibility. This technology transforms how we conceptualise garment design and production, moving to responsive, localised creation.
Just-in-Time Production Rather than producing vast quantities for uncertain demand, new production models enable manufacturing aligned with actual consumer needs. This approach minimises inventory waste whilst ensuring products reach consumers when they want them.
Economic Viability of Customisation Perhaps most excitingly, technological advances are making personalisation and customisation economically viable at smaller scales. Consumers can access garments tailored to their specific preferences without the premium traditionally associated with bespoke production.
Sustainability Through Innovation
This shift embodies a fundamental reimagining of fashion's relationship with environmental stewardship. Localised production dramatically reduces transportation emissions, whilst responsive manufacturing minimises overproduction waste that has plagued the industry.
The integration of domestic supply chains also creates transparency opportunities that enable consumers to make informed choices about their purchases, supporting the broader circular economy principles that are becoming increasingly important to both regulators and consumers.
The Broader Implications
For Australian fashion, this presents an extraordinary opportunity to demonstrate global leadership in sustainable production whilst building economically viable local industries. As these innovations mature and scale, they may well redefine not just how we produce fashion, but how we think about the relationship between consumer desire, environmental responsibility, and local economic development.
From Vision to Reality
The challenge lies in building the business case. With the right coalition of government support, private companies like Epson and industry advocacy, we can make this work.
This is why the Australian Fashion Week panel on smart factories was so crucial. By bringing together innovators from RM Williams, government and industry representatives, the Australian Fashion Council, we can chart the path forward.
The question isn't whether smart, circular textile manufacturing can succeed in Australia, it's how quickly we can make it happen!