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Supply Chain
Sourcing in Africa (Part 2), Prime Example Wensum Ltd., Mauritius
By Yvonne Heinen-Foudeh, Senior International Correspondent
The proof of the pudding…
…is in first-class manufacturing, top-of-the-notch fabrics, and precise measurements. So much in a nutshell for the profile of Wensum Ltd, founded in Mauritius in 1971. It is these three key criteria with which the manufacturer of bespoke and premium ready-to-wear menswear and ladieswear manifests its track record in a pretty unique niche position. From the town of Curepipe, located on the plateau in the center of the island, Wensum products go under illustrious brand names all over the world.
The technically well-equipped company manufactures 60,000 parts per year, including 15,000 made-to-measure suits and 45,000 ready-made suits and costumes for the premium price segment. Annual production is planned to grow to 100,000 parts within the next 24 months, according to the goal of the owner and managing director Avinash Gobordhun. The demand for further growth is there. Projects to adapt operational capabilities are underway. "The segment is highly demanding, and the competition at our level is manageable," Goburdhun tells us as we talk in his office.
Just at that point, the head of the cutting department enters the always-open door of the patron. A problem occurred with the repeat and calculated fabric consumption on the Gerber single-ply cutter. Clet Baba, the automation specialist and consultant, leaves our round after giving a lecture on the rush job. Customer demands first.
The Wensum client list reads like a who's who of fine tailoring. Among them are Balmain, Carini, Orivis, Soulery, and names like Ede and Ravenscroft, New and Lingwood, Hackett, and Harrods, to name but a few. And then there is the house brand Bladen with its long going history, as well dedicated to traditional English tailoring, as made-to-measure and ready-to-wear at a somewhat more moderate price, offered also locally in one of in near future two company-owned stores in Mauritius.
Wensum worldwide
From the paradisiacal island in the Indian Ocean, the high-quality products go to a good 20 countries on five continents. Because the company, which currently counts 360 employees, is also a master of freight, everything to do with logistics.
BespokeThe British market for historical reasons has a special role to play. At least 12 of the noblemen's outfitters on Savile Row, the "Golden Mile of tailoring" in London's Mayfair district, place their orders for made-to-measure clothing with Wensum. Delivery time, if so desired, within ten days - with the transport of the noble pieces at a retail price from the mid-four-digit GBP range - by air freight, of course.
Imported and processed are the finest outer fabrics from Italy, including Barberis, Canonico, Delfino, Loro Piana, Reda, English provenances (Alfred Brown, Harris Tweed, Holland, Scabal), or even the finest fabrics from the French weaver Dormeuil. In total there are about 800 wool fabrics from Super100 types, also with mohair and cashmere mixtures, to the finest silk and linen qualities for the demanding clientele to choose from.
Traditional tailoring techniques"It is probably our immense flexibility across the entire process chain that enables us to meet the high demands of our overseas customers in the premium segment time and again," Avinash Gobordhun tells us. Indeed, the company, which was originally set up by the German menswear manufacturer Karl Kaiser, today enjoys an international reputation for suit production using traditional tailoring techniques.
And so, on our manufacturing tour, we experience a congenial mix of craftsmanship and the use of technology. The enterprise uses state-of-the-art CAD (AccuMark, AccuNest, and AccuPlan from Gerber/Lectra) for optimized pattern creation and cut planning. Would the entrepreneur consider implementing 3D CAD software for product development and merchandising purposes in the future to serve made-to-measure customers even better digitally, especially at a distance? "Anyone who is prepared to pay 2,000 GBP [about US$2,480] and far more for a suit is not interested in his personal avatar," Goburdhun replies promptly.
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With Avinash Gobordhun we also discuss the overall situation of the island nation’s garment sector: "Mauritius' apparel industry will have to further expand its overall flexibility out of its high-end niche to remain a considerable player on the world market,“ the Wensum owner emphasizes.
View into the company-owned store in Curepipe for the high-quality house brand Bladen. Photos: Yvonne Heinen-Foudeh
"Consistent quality assurance, continuous process optimization, and employee training ensure the positioning of Mauritian garment manufacturers even in times of crisis," emphasizes local technology provider & consultant Clet Baba. The owner of Automated Garment Technology Ltd. continues, "Digital transformation is progressing within the realistic investment framework."
Maintenance Manager Kevin Ramanna - solving problems before they occur.