99.5% uptime: how Empower Fashion safeguards production capacity

Every production manager knows the impact of unexpected equipment downtime. A single disruption can create scheduling challenges, put delivery commitments at risk, and place additional pressure on teams already working to meet demanding production targets.

That's why Empower Fashion, Lectra's latest maintenance contract, focuses on maximizing equipment availability and safeguarding cutting capacity. Since the beginning of the year, equipment covered by the contract has achieved an average 99.5% uptime, demonstrating how prioritizing maintenance can help manufacturers reduce operational risk and keep production running smoothly.

Empower Fashion gives manufacturers the confidence that their cutting equipment will be ready when production demands it. By reducing the risk of unexpected disruptions, it helps safeguard production capacity, protect delivery commitments, and simplify equipment management at the site level.

So what does this look like in practice? Here are four ways Empower Fashion helps safeguard production capacity:

#1 Guaranteed availability, greater peace of mind

Manufacturers achieving the highest levels of uptime prioritize equipment performance. They can therefore ensure that their production site will be in optimal condition whenever they need it. Lectra stands alongside its customers through the Empower Fashion maintenance contract, which now guarantees a defined level of equipment availability for Lectra customers.

With Empower Fashion, they benefit from comprehensive coverage for their cutting equipment, spreaders and plotters; maintenance delivered by Lectra experts using genuine spare parts; and access to the latest solution updates to maximize equipment availability and safeguard their investment for the long term. By identifying and addressing risks before they become production problems, they can minimize disruptions and maintain stable production performance.

#2 Greater financial control, greater operational confidence

Unexpected equipment downtime can have significant operational and financial consequences, from production delays to unplanned recovery costs. Empower Fashion helps manufacturers reduce these risks by providing greater predictability and control over equipment-related expenses, while helping safeguard production capacity.

Empower Fashion gives manufacturers the confidence to focus on their business, with guaranteed cutting room uptime, contractual performance commitments, and continuous guidance through Customer Success Reviews to help maximize operational performance and long-term investment value.

#3 Better visibility helps you stay ahead of problems

Maintaining high equipment availability starts with visibility. Valia Fashion Equipment gives manufacturers a clearer view of production activity and equipment utilization across the cutting room, helping them optimize performance and identify the best opportunities to schedule preventive maintenance with minimal impact on operations. Combined with data collected by sensors installed on connected equipment, this visibility extends beyond current performance to potential future risks. By detecting early warning signs of equipment issues, manufacturers can support predictive maintenance efforts and reduce the likelihood of unplanned downtime affecting production.

#4 99.5% uptime delivers more than reliability

Across the industry, more manufacturers are transitioning to Empower Fashion to secure high equipment availability and reduce operational risk. As adoption continues to grow, those already benefiting from the contract are gaining greater confidence in their ability to safeguard production capacity, control maintenance-related costs, and keep operations running smoothly.

In an increasingly data-driven industry, manufacturers with greater visibility into their operations are better positioned to secure production capacity, reduce uncertainty, and sustain high performance over time.

For manufacturers looking to maximize the value of existing equipment, the benefits of taking a more strategic approach to equipment performance are becoming increasingly clear.

One example is Mizuno, which uses Empower Fashion as part of its broader approach to operational performance and digital transformation. By combining connected services, performance visibility, and a strong focus on equipment availability, the company is helping ensure its cutting operations remain efficient, reliable, and ready to support production demands. Its experience demonstrates how manufacturers can move beyond corrective maintenance and build a stronger foundation for long-term production continuity and equipment performance.

As the industry evolves, a clear distinction is emerging between manufacturers who react to production risks and those who actively secure their production capacity. Increasingly, leading manufacturers are choosing approaches that provide greater predictability, visibility, and confidence in their ability to deliver.

See how this approach works in practice. Discover how Mizuno is maximizing cutting room uptime with Empower Fashion.