VMI in apparel manufacturing

Vendor managed inventory (VMI) is sweeping through many areas of retail as the next step in supply chain management. Retailers, particularly those in commodity markets, see it as an essential technique to reduce inventory - and apparel sellers are no exception. Although VMI is usually practiced between a manufacturer or middleman and a retailer, it can also automate just-in-time delivery of supplies to the manufacturer. This article by Prabir Jana, Professor Prabir Banerjee and Dr Alistair Knox explores the potential of VMI in apparel manufacturing.