Productivityin Indian Apparel Industry: Paradigms and Paragons Rajesh Bheda, Professor
GarmentManufacturing Technology Department National Institute of Fashion Technology
Labourcosts are fast increasing in India and other Asian countries. To retain it'scompetitiveness, Asian apparel industry will have to pay increased attention toproductivity improvement. The 1960's and 70's witnessed major researchinitiatives on apparel productivity in Western countries leading to aconsiderable improvement. The Asian apparel industry, however, shows much lowerproductivity performance. Studies have shown that the productivity performanceof an average Indian apparel factory is one of the lowest in Asia. This paperdiscusses the productivity level in apparel manufacturing in India, the factorsassociated with productivity in Indian apparel industry and the scope forimprovement.
