Comparison of Apparel Production Systems: A Simulation

The purpose of the study was to analyze efficiencies of three production systems used in the apparel industry, "push" (bundle), kanban, and "team" (modular). A simulation model developed by the Textiles/Clothing Technology Corporation ([TC]2) was implemented and the "product" was retractable ball point pens. Three university faculty who were veterans of a [TC]2 seminar that focused on this simulation conducted the study. A 3x3x3 (production system x order x university) factorial with Latin Square design was implemented. Multivariate analysis of variance (MANOVA) tests were run and Least Significant Difference (LSD) comparison tests conducted to compare differences among pairs. Dependent variables were number of units produced, units in process, number of defects and average time (in seconds) per unit produced. Significant differences were found in relation to dependent variables, the production system used and order in which systems were introduced. Implications were given regarding implementation of the production systems within the apparel industry and utilization of the simulation model in the apparel production classroom.