Balancing style, functionality, safety and cost: Optimizing protective wear production with Lectra’s cutting room

The global protective clothing market, valued at $19.46 billion in 2024, is set to surge to $32.60 billion by 2033, driven by a 5.9% CAGR. Stricter safety regulations are pushing companies to invest more in protective gear, fueling rapid expansion. As manufacturers race to tap into this growth, they face increasingly complex challenges that demand smarter solutions.

1. Safeguarding expertise
   There is a shortage of skilled operators, and the onboarding process for newcomers is complicated and long. Depending exclusively on one or two experts who still carry out tasks manually introduces significant risk.

    

2. Cutting fabric waste to increase profitability and improve sustainability
   With fabric costs hitting more than $50 per yard, even small efficiency gains deliver big ROI. Manufacturers must think of innovative ways to cut down waste to meet new certification requirements for sustainability. 

    

3. Handling customized orders in frequent, small volumes
   With order volumes ranging from a single to several thousand units and each garment incorporating multiple fabric types, skilled operators are increasingly overwhelmed with the unpredictability of their workload. 

To succeed in today’s difficult business environment, manufacturers need to minimize material waste, maximize material efficiency and accelerate production – all while maintaining quality and adhering to safety standards. With Lectra’s technology, you can automate and simplify your entire cutting process from planning to production, and make smart decisions that will lay the foundation for long-term success. 

1. Become more cost-efficient by implementing sustainable cutting processes

• Eliminate paper and plastic usage and lower energy consumption
• Achieve the lowest cost per cut part and make informed cost-saving decisions

2. Streamline order management for higher efficiency and profitability

• Respond to quotes quickly
• Generate cutting orders faster and speed up production

3. Ensure uninterrupted production to stay on schedule

• Anticipate technical issues
• Reduce the risk of downtime and maximize machine availability