Manufacturing strategy auditing
for garment making companies
Dinesh Kumar Hurreeram
Faculty of Engineering, University of Mauritius, Reduit, Mauritius
Abstract
Purpose – To illustrate the development and use of a manufacturing strategy audit tool for both
assessing the current manufacturing strategy and for selecting appropriate alternative strategies with
a view to implement benchmarks, specifically in garment making companies.
Design/methodology/approach – The paper is a supplement to the existing literature on the
process of manufacturing strategy. The methodology is mainly based on the generic frameworks
proposed by Platts and Gregory and Skinner and involved the development of a manufacturing
strategy audit tool through the use of manufacturing system models constructed for the purpose using
the IDEF0 technique. An analysis of the manufacturing system models together with company
surveys led to the compilation of data regarding poor, average and better practices within
garment-making companies. The developed audit tool is a compilation of extensive data with regards
to these practices for comparison purposes and for setting strategic targets.
Findings – The manufacturing strategy audit tool has been used in five case study companies which
have been selected on the basis of their turnover, size and products manufactured. Only one case study
has been presented here, as an exemplar, to illustrate the appropriateness of the audit tool for
identifying poor, average and good practices for each of the functional areas within the company.
Moreover, the use of the audit tool as a guide for the formulation of alternative strategies is illustrated.
Research limitations/implications – The use of the audit approach supported by manufacturing
system modelling has been found to be very appropriate for manufacturing strategy formulation and
analysis. The present research illustrates its relevance and importance in the garment-making sector
for benchmarking purposes among others. The use of this methodology needs further investigation in
other sectors.
Practical implications – Use of the tool has shown promising results in the set of companies
considered for the research. It is in fact seen as a vital instrument for garment making companies
around the world, willing to achieve enhanced product competitiveness in an era of liberalised apparel
trade.
Originality/value – This paper fulfils the needs of companies, which see the process of
manufacturing strategy formulation and analysis as a myth. It adds to the literature on the process
of manufacturing strategy. The novel methodology using the case study technique sets the foundation
for all people involved in the organisation to work in teams for identifying areas of poor performance
and while appreciating benchmarks within the sector, set targets for meeting better performance
levels.
Keywords Strategic manufacturing, Benchmarking, Auditing, Garment industry, Mauritius
Paper type Research paper
Introduction
International apparel trade policies over the past 50 years have largely been dominated
by stands taken by the major importers namely, the European Union (EU) and the USA
(US) to limit invasion of their local market with apparel products from the developing
countries. The use of the Multi Fibre Agreement (MFA) up till the end of 1994 (GATT,
1994), the Agreement on Textiles and Clothing (ATC) effective till 2005 (WTO, 1994)
and Multilateral Agreements between the developed and developing countries have
The current issue and full text archive of this journal is available at
www.emeraldinsight.com/1463-5771.htm
BIJ
14,3
272
Benchmarking: An International
Journal
Vol. 14 No. 3, 2007
pp. 272-288
q Emerald Group Publishing Limited
1463-5771
DOI 10.1108/14635770710753176