Merchandising Operations at Trouser Line Limited

Abstract

The ready-made garment industry plays an important role in the economy of Bangladesh and has been moving towards sustainable and lean manufacturing. This report examines the activities of Trouser Line Limited, a woven garment manufacturing company established in 2009. The company has 14 modern production lines, 1,600 employees and is based in Ashulia, Savar, and serves global fashion brands like Zara and Primark. This report focuses on the merchandising process at Trouser Line Limited, which is the vital connection between buyer's demand and factory production. The merchandising team is responsible for the entire order cycle, including processing order inquiries, calculating costs, making production schedules, making samples and coordinating raw material sourcing. These merchandisers are tasked with managing the cost, quality, and delivery timelines, making sure that each order goes through seamlessly from the initial inquiry to the final shipment. Trouser Line Limited has efficient “Lean” manufacturing and environmentally friendly technologies, but the study revealed that there are still some challenges in the company's operations. Since there is no separate supply chain department, the merchandising team has to do the time-consuming administrative work such as sourcing raw materials and customs clearance. This additional work detracts from strategic tasks like product development and buyer relationships, and can cause delays that necessitate expensive air shipping. This report suggests that to enhance the performance of the company, Trouser Line Limited should establish a separate unit of supply chain management from the merchandising team. Moreover, the company will benefit from fully leveraging an integrated digital software system and establishing partnerships with local fabric suppliers to shorten lead times, manage inventory and stay competitive in the global apparel market.