Over the last two weeks, Gerber participated in two global industry events, FESPA in Berlin and Texprocess Americas in Atlanta. At the shows, the company demonstrated on-demand manufacturing applications that included its Digital Solutions, integrating data from design to finished product leveraging YuniquePLM and the AccuMark Platform, digital printing technologies from three industry leaders, Gerber’s Z1 single-ply cutter with ContourVision automated scan-to-cut system and both robotic and lean loop sewing operations.
Increasingly in an on-demand world, consumers expect personalisation and immediate delivery when they see what they want. To remain competitive, brands and manufacturers are being compelled to re-examine their processes and find ways to become more agile and remain relevant in a time of ever-changing consumer trends.
“We have been investing in and developing technology to help our customers transform and connect their workflows to meet the needs of an on-demand world, enabling a seamless digital print and automated cutting workflow to work with leaders in digital textile printing,” said Scott Schinlever, President and COO Automation Solutions at Gerber Technology.
“Recently we showcased Gerber’s textile workflow and automated cutting in a variety of micro factories with Kornit, EFI Reggiani and Mimaki. The strong growth trend in digital textile printing can be accelerated by Gerber’s integrated eco-system of software and automated cutting systems, delivering value through connectivity and achieving Industry 4.0 expectations from concept to finished product.”
Adoption of Industry 4.0
Digitalisation and the adoption of Industry 4.0 principles are empowering purchase activated, on-demand manufacturing. Brands and manufacturers are able to respond to demand versus producing to supply. The approach eliminates costly inventory and re-defines just-in-time manufacturing, so production adjusts as demands fluctuate – allowing products to be produced more efficiently and sold at full retail price without heavy discounting.
Gerber says its team is passionate about supporting our customers and their needs as the industry changes. “We are empowering our customers to turn their data into speed, helping them be more agile and get their products to market. We back it up with best in class aftermarket support to ensure maximum productivity and lowest total cost of ownership in the industry,” said Mr Schinlever. “We look forward to continuing to partner with key players in the industry to help our customers compete and win.”
Gerber’s Digital Solutions
Gerber’s Digital Solutions include the newest releases of YuniquePLM product lifecycle management software, as well as AccuMark, the industry-leading pattern design, grading, marker making and production planning software, AccuMark 3D and AccuPlan.
The Digital Solutions architecture incorporates the tenets of Industry 4.0 and uses common file structures. Data can be passed to the cut room where smart machines, like the GERBERspreader XLs Series and the Gerber Paragonline of multi-ply GERBERcutters, can process the order with a simple barcode scan.
Closed-loop, end-to-end Digital Solutions like Gerber’s integrates software and smart machines, allows companies to automate their entire process and streamline data and workflow necessary to provide insight, maximise throughput, minimise errors and reduce labour costs to be competitive in mass production environments.

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