At the upcoming edition of Sourcing at MAGIC, attendees will be able to witness the factory of the future right on the show floor.
With a focus on automation and digitization in factories, the February installment of the Las Vegas trade show will highlight the micro factory and all that it’s capable of—which is essentially creating apparel on demand.
At the show, which takes place Feb. 11-14, attendees will be able to witness live demonstrations of what manufacturing will likely look like in very short order, watching a T-shirt go from CAD to clothing onsite.
“Automation will ultimately change where and how all apparel is produced—we are at a tipping point in terms of the technology necessary to move this forward,” said Sourcing at MAGIC president Christopher Griffin. “SOURCING at MAGIC felt it was a very compelling focus category that all buyers, brands and factories are interested in and are seeking guidance.”
The micro factory will showcase pattern making software, sew bot machines, auto drape technology and new digital printers for cotton, from companies like EFI, Optitex, EFI Reggiani, Klieverik, Zund, Eton System, and Henderson, which will bring the bots.
Seminars on “Moving into the Future of Manufacturing Fashion,” “Digitization of Sourcing and Agility in a Volatile World,” and “Smart Factories: The Future is Here,” will drive home the functionalities and benefits of this slew of new digital supply chain technology.
In other Sourcing at MAGIC news, UBM Fashion—which hosts the tradeshow, along with others in the industry—has been offered an acquisition deal by rival British business media group Informa that values the company at $3.8 billion pounds ($5.3 billion), the Financial Times reported.
When rumors of the potential deal emerged, shares of UBM stock rose more than 12 percent, while Informa saw a slip upward of 6 percent, as analysts weighed the benefits of the deal. As of publication time, UBM shares were trading down a half percent to 899 pounds ($1,247), and Informa’s shares were down 6.4% to 704 pounds ($976).
The deal would make for one of the world’s largest business event and exhibition operators. As a combined force, Informa would be able to expand its reach in the exhibitions business and piggyback on UBM’s strong presence in Asia where it’s been looking to expand.
Under the terms of the proposed deal, Informa’s shareholders will own 65.5% of the combined company, and UBM investors would hold the rest.