Fast delivery times in food clothing

Having sufficient work clothing available on time is crucial, especially for the food industry. That is why Lavans opened its own production location in Northern Macedonia last year. The delivery time of work clothing decreased enormously. The company can respond much more flexibly to customers' wishes. "We have everything in our own hands."

In 2018, Lavans was full to capacity. The family business, an expert in workwear, floor and sanitary hygiene, was unable to provide its own customers with workwear quickly enough due to long delivery times from their suppliers. "Delivery times ran up to fourteen weeks," says managing director Tristan van der Waart. "Our suppliers had their reasons for this, such as low availability of raw materials, but this did not solve the problem. We concluded that we no longer wanted to be dependent on suppliers for our own operations and services to customers. That's when our adventure began."

After extensive research the choice fell on a production location in North Macedonia in early 2019. Tristan: "We set up our own hall there, where fifty employees now work for us on a daily basis. The studio has been fully operational for over a year now. The delivery time is three to four weeks, and I am referring to the process from fabric to worn garment at the customer's site. That's really fast in the industrial clothing sector".

Knowledge partner for the food industry

Lavans sees fast delivery times for clean workwear as crucial for the food industry. It is a sector in which they have seen their customer base grow steadily for years, Tristan explains. "Food companies recognise the importance of food safety and hygiene. We see a change to high-care and cleanroom in our laundry and are truly a knowledge partner for the food industry. We have all the relevant certificates, including ISO:22000, as the only laundry in the Netherlands. We are very aware of the important role that clothing plays in the customer's production process, we are open to audits by companies and we can arrange processes in a customer-specific way. Food companies like to visit our new laundry in Helmond to see how we work with their own eyes".

Lavans' own workshop in northern Macedonia enables it to respond flexibly to customers' wishes

Advantages for companies

Lavans' own workshop in northern Macedonia enables it to respond flexibly to customers' wishes. "Where other suppliers don't feel like making three pieces of clothing, we do. Producing smaller productions is the strength of this location. We have our own designer and an office that makes patterns, we put emblems on the clothing and make trial models in our own workshop. The customer can judge the garment himself on the basis of a sample instead of a line drawing. And if he wants to change or reorder something, this is also possible in the short term. We are now in control of the entire chain".

Continuity and speed are the biggest advantages of the new production process for the customer, says Tristan. "We now have better stock positions. COVID-19 has led to the closure of the workshops of some suppliers. Because we have built up a lot of stock, we can remain open and continuity is guaranteed. This is very pleasant for our customers. In addition, our main location in Helmond has stock for replacement and replenishment".

High quality requirements

Lavans uses the same standards for the location in northern Macedonia as in the Netherlands, says Tristan. "We meet the highest standards and take all certifications into account. We carry out strict quality controls, no garment escapes our attention". Setting up our own production site from scratch is no easy task. "It requires a huge investment and you end up in a completely different culture. You have to experience that. We are constantly making adjustments". 

They attach a lot of value to good working conditions for the employees in Northern Macedonia. Tristan: "A good canteen and air conditioning are quite normal in the Netherlands, but certainly not there. We pay a salary that is above the minimum wage and we send out small pleasantries on public holidays.  In addition, we implement our own HR policy in the workshop, so that employees can develop themselves and really feel part of Lavans. When I get there and see the people who work there, it makes me proud".

www.lavans.nl