California Apparel News

Los Angeles–based technology provider Tukatech Inc. has formed marketing alliances with Los Angeles trend companies Snapfashun and Design Options to bring the latest silhouettes and colors to users of the company’s CAD and product development systems.

Hollywood-based Snapfashun produces a library of ready-made garment sketches based on the latest trends from California, other parts of the United States and Europe. Tuka’s CAD users now have access to select Snapfashun illustrations to construct patterns, manipulate styles and create new garments. Snapfashun is giving Tuka users 10 styles a month, but that may increase soon, said President Bill Glazer.

Similarly, they can access portions of Design Options’ broad stable of color and trend forecasts. The company, one of the few color forecasters based on the West Coast, produces several volumes of color and trend forecasts for the apparel, gift and home industries. Both programs get underway this month.

TukaCenters open in N.Y., Vancouver

In another move, Tukatech said it has enlisted New York–based Better Methods Apparel Centers to become one of the company’s TukaCenters, its design studios that are open to the trade for CAD rentals and services such as product development, pattern-making, grading, marker-making, plotting, sample-making and consulting. The center will be open to the local trade as well as to Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT) students.

Industry veteran Joel Krieger and his son, Mark, will manage the center, which was founded 40 years ago. “Joel’s experience and guidance will strengthen our group tremendously,” said Tukatech Chief Executive Officer Ram Sareen.

Krieger helped launch computerized grading and marking at FIT and established the first computerized pattern service in the country when he founded National Computer Inc. in 1971.

“TukaCenter New York is not a start-up company,” said Mark Krieger. “It has 15 TukaCAD workstations with the capability of taking data from Gerber, Lectra or any other CAD system; digitizers; plotters; and enough experts with a great deal of experience in pattern-making, grading and marker-making. With the support of TukaWeb, we can now offer a 24-hour turnaround service at an affordable price.”

The new TukaCenter is located at 519 Eighth Ave., on the 25th floor. In addition, Tukatech also moved its New York office to the same space. The office offers additional support such as training and educational seminars.

The company has also opened its Canadian headquarters and TukaCenter in Vancouver, B.C., through its wholly owned subsidiaries, TukaTech (Canada) Ltd. and TukaCenter Vancouver.

The Vancouver operations are based at 201 West Seventh Avenue in the city’s garment district, where staffers will handle sales, installation, support and training for all of Canada. Visitors to the TukaCenter will be able to take advantage of the company’s pattern-making, grading, marker-making, training and plotting services on a rental basis.

For more information visit www.tukaweb.com, www.snapfashun.com or www.design-options.com.

—Robert McAllister