Dedicated factory time.Vans* on the ground.
Experienced bag and softgoods design, development and factory support in Asia. I run scheduled development trips to the established bag, luggage and softgoods manufacturing regions across Asia, and I make a limited number of slots available for external clients.
Some things cannot be fixed by email.
There are points in any development where email, calls, samples and comment packs stop being enough. You know a visit can settle in a few hours what would otherwise take weeks of samples, shipping and remote explanation.
But sending a senior member of your own team to Asia for a single project can be expensive and disruptive to other workflow.
This model gives you another option. I can assign one of my scheduled days on a Far East trip and throw 25 years of softgoods design and development experience straight into your factory meeting room!
Although we can jump onto a video conferencing app at any given moment - I know, I do it(!) sometimes being there just cuts different. And things will happen much faster too. Time saved during a development can be critical to your launch window.
I am also a maker. I build high end performance bags (with my own hands) right here, using technical laminates and the best components and hardware. So when I am at a factory, I will be getting right into the construction and build methods of any product I am tasked to work on.
* And you can mostly find me wearing Vans! Good for Skating, GREAT for mashing a sewing machine pedal down!! ;-)
What can be done at the factory.
- 01Prototype and sample review
Handled, measured and assessed against the specification.
- 02HARNESS FIT, CONSTRUCTION AND USABILITY
Carried, loaded and worn, not judged from a photograph.
- 03Pattern and construction problem solving
Worked through at the table with the pattern room.
- 04Materials and component review
Fabrics, hardware, webbing and trims checked in hand.
- 05Manufacturing issue resolution
Sewing and assembly problems settled on site.
- 06Factory communication
Direct conversation with the people actually building it.
- 07Development meetings
Attended on your behalf, with your objectives in front of me.
- 08Quality and workmanship assessment
Stitching, finishing and consistency across samples.
- 09New project briefing
Hand over and walk through a new Tech Pack with your development team.
- 10Photography and documentation
Recorded properly so nothing relies on memory.
- 11Written follow-up
Findings, actions and recommendations after the visit.
The exact brief is agreed before travel, so the time at the factory is spent on the things that matter to your project.
Four steps, agreed before anyone books a flight.
01
Discuss
A short call establishes the factory location, project, objectives and whether it fits the an upcoming an upcoming planned trip.
02
Brief
We agree exactly what I need to inspect, discuss, resolve or report on.
03
Factory
I attend the factory on your behalf and work directly with the relevant development and manufacturing team.
04
Report
You receive the agreed documentation, findings, actions and recommendations following the visit.
From £1050 per factory visit (1 day).
That is the fee for the visit and to work on whatever we have agreed. International travel and core trip expenses are included.
Exact costs are agreed in advance, based on location, duration, factory requirements and/or if multiple locations or days are required.
Sending your team
- Return long-haul flight
- Hotels
- Time away from the business
632DESIGN TRIP
- Experienced bag developer already travelling in region
- Dedicated factory and project time
- Agreed tasks
- No additional travel or expense costs
- From £1050
This could make sense if:
- ■You already manufacture bags or softgoods in Asia
- ■A development problem would benefit from someone physically being there
- ■You need a factory or sample reviewed before committing further
- ■Your internal team cannot justify several days of international travel
- ■You want an experienced independent designer and developer with actual bag making experience representing your project
- ■You have several projects or suppliers that could be reviewed during one visit - reach out for a dedicated proposal - reach out for a dedicated proposal
Bespoke arrangements can be discussed for businesses needing more than one day or more than one factory.
Upcoming Asia trips.
The next shared factory trip is currently being planned.
If you have a factory, supplier or development project in Asia that would benefit from an experienced visit, get in touch. Routes and dates will be shaped partly around participating clients.
Discuss a factory visit.
A short call is usually the fastest way to work out whether a visit fits your project and the planned route. Send me a note here and I'll give you a call back at your earliest convenience.
632Design · Manchester, UK
Starting a full product programme instead? Use the project enquiry form.