Short Term Consultant -
Analyzing SME Requirement for
CAD System and Auto Trimmers

Relevant Experience:

• Bachelors degree in Textile Engineering and/or Industrial Engineering or related field required, Masters Degree preferred.
• Minimum 6 years work experience in clothing or textile manufacturing. Preference is for a professional with a specialization on apparel machinery, factory layout, design, and planning. A result oriented individual, with strong analytical and communication skills and a demonstrated sense of accuracy and attention to detail.

Job Description:

The manufacturing of garments in Pakistan is currently a labor-intensive process that provides opportunities for significant improvement. There are currently around 2,500 stitching units (Small Microenterprises or SMEs) across Pakistan, and the industry operates in a decentralized manner. Many of these SMEs lack well designed production processes, and the result is a waste of fabric and low productivity.

In order to help address this concern, the USAID Firms Project plans to assist 20 stitching units through workforce trainings and software upgrades to spearhead changes which will enable them to reduce their cost and improve their product quality. To assist in this goal, the project plans to provide CAD technology which will enable the SMEs to reduce the time it takes to produce prototypes and samples as well as save cost by reducing fabric waste, and auto trimmers, which are machines capable of cutting raw edges at the fabric and will significantly increase efficiency of production and improve the quality of the garment.

The objective of this consultancy is to identify and recommend the most efficient CAD technology and auto trimmers for each SME. The project intends to support 20 stitching units in all. The consultant will be responsible for conducting research on auto trimmers and CAD technology availability, performance, specifications and quality. This research will inform the recommendations made by the consultant to the technical team on appropriate technology for each SME. The consultant will be performing the following tasks:

1. Conduct research to evaluate the available auto trimmers and garment CAD technology.
2. Visit the 20 selected SMEs and review the products that they produce. This visit will include conducting an analysis of the existing stitching capabilities of each SME. The consultant will develop a questionnaire to tabulate this data.
3. Identify other supporting equipment to support the optimal deployment of auto trimmers and CAD technology.
4. Identify local and international vendors of all the required equipments. This will include the preparation of a matrix of detailed specifications for available auto trimmers and CAD technology including estimated costs. The consultant will conduct short interviews with the vendors. When possible the consultant will visit the vendors in person with designated Firms Project officials.
5. Submit a comprehensive report detailing the requirements of key and supplemental equipment. The report will detail the types of machine, preferred brand of choice including pros and cons, preferred vendor and costs involved in shipping, installation, operation, and maintenance of machinery for each SME.

Deliverables:

• Detailed specifications and cost information of available and appropriate auto trimmers and CAD technology.
• List of anticipated additional costs including shipping, installation, operation, and maintenance
• Relevant brochures or printed material on the above mentioned technologies
• List of vendors and brands including pros and cons. This list should include capacity to deliver and maintain machinery in Pakistan and Sindh Province. Notes from meetings with SMEs and vendors
• Questionnaires to be filled out during the interviews