Gerber, Lectra to Bow at MAGIC
The MAGIC Marketplace in Las Vegas has not traditionally been a strong trade show venue for technology vendors, but that’s starting to change.
Technology leaders Lectra and Gerber Technology will be taking space for the first time at the Sourcing Zone show within MAGIC, Feb. 21–24 at the Las Vegas Convention Center.
The companies will join a growing list of technology providers including GEAC, OptiTex/BMS, Jantex, Intuit, PKIM Inc., Tajima, Alibaba and LPI Systems. The Sourcing Zone has been a bright spot at MAGIC with growth expected to be up more than 40 percent this time with an estimated 650 exhibitors on hand. The sourcing show debuted at MAGIC in August 2003.
As global sourcing continues to expand, so does the interest in technology to help manufacturers and importers coordinate supply chains. MAGIC’s diverse attendee list, which includes sourcing agents, designers, manufacturers and others, has created opportunities for technology vendors and apparel companies alike.
“Companies are interested in becoming more globally connected, and we wanted to take the opportunity at MAGIC to inform apparel companies and manufacturers that we have the solutions to help them connect with suppliers around the world and ultimately improve their processes whether it be for design, production or communication across the supply chain,” said Lectra spokeswoman Melissa Gass.
Lectra, whose U.S. offices are based in Marietta, Ga., will show a range of products covering design, digital printing and collection management. Solutions expert Leslie Singer from Lectra’s Cypress, Calif., office will give demonstrations on the company’s GalleryWebDesign. Singer will be joined by Gass, account managers Winston Hall and Richard Farb, and Keith Rogers of the marketing department.
Gerber executives Rodney Harrelson and Brian Kastner from the company’s Cerritos, Calif., office will provide information on the company’s new Fashion Lifecycle Management (FLM) software, a Web-based tool aimed at helping companies manage their product development. The company also markets 3-D design software for apparel manufacturing.
Another 3-D specialist, OptiTex, will exhibit with business partner BDM to show its range of 3-D tools, which can be used to market products as well as help speed up the product-development cycle by creating virtual garments on the computer screen.
“We’re working on a movie that shows our motion-capture technology. We hope to have it ready for the show,” said company President Yoram Burg.
Cary, N.C.–based TC2 will present a seminar on size, fit and 3-D at 2 p.m. on Feb. 21.
GEAC will address product-development management and show its QuestPLM product at its booth. And Newport Beach, Calif.–based PKIM will be on hand to show its manufacturing and retail systems software. —Robert McAllister
