Supply Chain Initiatives in the Australian Textiles Footwear, Clothing and Leather Industry

Abstract

This paper examines case studies on supply chain management (SCM) in twelve Australian textile, clothing and footwear industry companies. The companies were recipients of Australian government assistance aimed at enhancing supply chain and global competitiveness in the Textiles, Clothing and Footwear and Leather (TCF&L) industry. The findings are similar to those in academic literature and government reports that an increased strategic and global focus by the supply chain needs to be supported by adequate information flow, appropriate value-adding processes, of suitable leading technology application and people-valuing and innovation-fostering company environment. Important too, for, company prosperity is continuous reduction of waste and cost. The findings further reflect the general instability of trading arrangements in the Australian TCF&L industry as companies, and hence the respective supply chains, adjust, not always with success, to global competition and a shrinking industry infrastructure.