Profile of Tukatech: Pioneering Clothing Design Technology for Developing Countries
Tukatech is a leading developer and supplier of computer-aided design and computer-aided manufacturing (CAD/CAM) technology for the apparel supply chain. The company was founded in 1997 by Ram Sareen—an engineer and a former executive with Gerber Technology.
Tukatech’s products are used by a number of well known names in the industry—including Calvin Klein, Club Monaco, Gokaldas Images, Hanesbrands, Hirdaramani Group, Jockey, Li & Fung, Madison Maiden, Mandhana Industries, Orient Craft, Rampage, Richa & Co, Rocawear, SP Apparels, Speedo, The North Face, Triumph International, and Warnaco. Although the company has a number of competitors—notably Assyst Bullmer, Gerber Technology, GCL Distribution, Lectra Group, OptiTex, and PAD System—it has focused on developing simple-to-use computer-aided design (CAD) systems and offering them with built-in training and technical support. Furthermore, it operates a number of TUKAcenters, or “design cafes”, around the world. These enable smaller companies and those in developing countries to benefit from Tukatech technology and software even though they can not afford to buy their own systems. Tukatech also offers a separate web-based computer-aided design and computer-aided manufacturing (CAD/CAM) technology outsourcing arm, called TUKAweb.
Tukatech’s core product is a pattern design, grading and marker-making programme called TUKAcad, which can be enhanced for mass production by a powerful marker making programme called SMARTmark. Other products include TUKAplan product life cycle management (PLM) software, and TUKAstudio software for creating woven, knitted and jacquard designs. The company also has an awardwinning 3D virtual apparel prototyping software package called e-fit Simulator. This is said to be the only 3D sample-making software with built-in, real-time motion simulation and 3D animation, and it allows samples to be emailed to others for viewing on Blackberries and i-Phones. Another product, called TUKAforms, enables all companies in the supply chain to produce identical customised dress forms to ensure uniformity. Meanwhile TUKAtrack RFID-based software and hardware helps apparel firms to manage the progress of goods along the supply chain. One of Tukatech’s most important contributions, however, is its education and training programme. As well as boosting the uptake of Tukatech systems, this is helping to address a global shortage of engineers and training facilities.
Tukatech’s products are used by a number of well known names in the industry—including Calvin Klein, Club Monaco, Gokaldas Images, Hanesbrands, Hirdaramani Group, Jockey, Li & Fung, Madison Maiden, Mandhana Industries, Orient Craft, Rampage, Richa & Co, Rocawear, SP Apparels, Speedo, The North Face, Triumph International, and Warnaco. Although the company has a number of competitors—notably Assyst Bullmer, Gerber Technology, GCL Distribution, Lectra Group, OptiTex, and PAD System—it has focused on developing simple-to-use computer-aided design (CAD) systems and offering them with built-in training and technical support. Furthermore, it operates a number of TUKAcenters, or “design cafes”, around the world. These enable smaller companies and those in developing countries to benefit from Tukatech technology and software even though they can not afford to buy their own systems. Tukatech also offers a separate web-based computer-aided design and computer-aided manufacturing (CAD/CAM) technology outsourcing arm, called TUKAweb.
Tukatech’s core product is a pattern design, grading and marker-making programme called TUKAcad, which can be enhanced for mass production by a powerful marker making programme called SMARTmark. Other products include TUKAplan product life cycle management (PLM) software, and TUKAstudio software for creating woven, knitted and jacquard designs. The company also has an awardwinning 3D virtual apparel prototyping software package called e-fit Simulator. This is said to be the only 3D sample-making software with built-in, real-time motion simulation and 3D animation, and it allows samples to be emailed to others for viewing on Blackberries and i-Phones. Another product, called TUKAforms, enables all companies in the supply chain to produce identical customised dress forms to ensure uniformity. Meanwhile TUKAtrack RFID-based software and hardware helps apparel firms to manage the progress of goods along the supply chain. One of Tukatech’s most important contributions, however, is its education and training programme. As well as boosting the uptake of Tukatech systems, this is helping to address a global shortage of engineers and training facilities.
SUMMARY
INTRODUCTION
The company
Computer-aided design and computer-aided manufacturing (CAD/CAM)
Leading suppliers of computer-aided design and computer-aided manufacturing (CAD/CAM)
technology
COMPANY DEVELOPMENT
PRODUCT MIX
FACILITIES
PRODUCTS
TUKAcad: pattern design software
SMARTmark: a “powerful” marker programme
TUKAstudio: fabric design software e-fit simulator by Tuka: 3D sample-making software
TUKAforms: customised dress forms
TUKAplan: product life cycle management
TUKAtrack: tracking technologies
TUKAjet: plotting technologies
COMPUTER-AIDED DESIGN AND COMPUTER-AIDED
MANUFACTURING (CAD/CAM) OUTSOURCING SERVICES
TUKAcenters
EDUCATION AND TRAINING
The Tuka Academy of Pattern Engineering
SALES AND MARKETS
Turnover
Sales of systems
Key customers
Geographical markets
COMPANY STRATEGY
OUTLOOK
Expansion
SELECTED CONTACT DETAILS
INTRODUCTION
The company
Computer-aided design and computer-aided manufacturing (CAD/CAM)
Leading suppliers of computer-aided design and computer-aided manufacturing (CAD/CAM)
technology
COMPANY DEVELOPMENT
PRODUCT MIX
FACILITIES
PRODUCTS
TUKAcad: pattern design software
SMARTmark: a “powerful” marker programme
TUKAstudio: fabric design software e-fit simulator by Tuka: 3D sample-making software
TUKAforms: customised dress forms
TUKAplan: product life cycle management
TUKAtrack: tracking technologies
TUKAjet: plotting technologies
COMPUTER-AIDED DESIGN AND COMPUTER-AIDED
MANUFACTURING (CAD/CAM) OUTSOURCING SERVICES
TUKAcenters
EDUCATION AND TRAINING
The Tuka Academy of Pattern Engineering
SALES AND MARKETS
Turnover
Sales of systems
Key customers
Geographical markets
COMPANY STRATEGY
OUTLOOK
Expansion
SELECTED CONTACT DETAILS
LIST OF FIGURES
Figure 1: TUKAcad operator
Figure 2: Illustrations demonstrating e-fit Simulator 3D sample-making software
Figure 3: Identical TUKAforms from Tukatech
Figure 4: Soft flesh TUKAform from Tukatech
Figure 1: TUKAcad operator
Figure 2: Illustrations demonstrating e-fit Simulator 3D sample-making software
Figure 3: Identical TUKAforms from Tukatech
Figure 4: Soft flesh TUKAform from Tukatech
