Role of Technology in Improving Supply Chain Efficiency

The textile industry is one of the oldest and most prominent sectors in India, contributing significantly to employment, industrial growth, and export earnings. Within this sector, Coimbatore stands out as a major textile hub, often referred to as the "Manchester of South India." The city is home to a vast network of spinning mills, weaving units, dyeing and processing houses, garment manufacturers, and supporting industries. Because of this extensive network, the efficiency of the supply chain becomes a critical factor that determines the overall competitiveness of textile industries in the region.A supply chain involves the flow of materials, information, and finances from raw material suppliers to manufacturers, distributors, retailers, and finally to consumers. In the textile sector, this chain is complex due to multiple stages - procurement of raw cotton, spinning, weaving, dyeing, finishing, packaging, warehousing, transportation, and distribution. Traditionally, these operations were managed manually, resulting in delays, errors, excess inventory, demand mismatch, and high operational costs.