With the principle of permanent collections now a reality and export quotas now a thing of the past, fundamental changes in strategy and organization have taken place among apparel manufacturers. Whether high-volume producers or innovative product designers, fashion and apparel industrialists all face the same serious challenges: optimizing the use of their high-tech equipment in terms of productivity and quality, reducing costs, and improving process flexibility. The shortening of product time-to-market and the expansion of the number of articles within a single collection have led contractors to demand shorter and shorter manufacturing lead times. Manufacturers need to produce faster to satisfy orders, and they need added flexibility to fulfill more varied orders relating to more complex garments. Reduction of production costs in order to respond to contractor requirements is achieved by improved use of raw materials and by streamlining cutting room organization.