The Quick Response Management System: Structure and Components for the Apparel Industry

Abstract

Pressures from low-cost, global sources change the competitive position of industries in high cost arenas. For these high cost companies in the textile, apparel, and other consumer products industries, the time-based strategy of Quick Response (QR) has been proposed as a manufacturing management system to create a new advantage. This system has been discussed by trade associations, consultants, and individual companies, but a need exists for comprehensive and generic study. This paper examines the definition and organization of the QR management system as implemented by a variety of apparel manufacturers. Three hypotheses were tested using results from a mailed survey to apparel company plant managers. Indications are that QR is more than an inventory system or a rapid delivery system. Strong support was found for the proposal that QR can be defined by a set of five component technologies. The results verify the definition of this management system and can aid manufacturers in many industries in the selection and adoption of an appropriate management system for manufacturing.