Gerber invites NY Fashion Institute students

“For the past 15 years, Gerber has welcomed hundreds of FIT students to our facility, sharing with them our knowledge and insight into the inner workings of the apparel manufacturing environment,” said Bud Staples, vice president of North American Sales for Gerber. “We are proud to have such a strong relationship with the faculty at FIT, providing them with the most advanced technology to prepare their students for a competitive entrance into the workforce.”

FIT’s Production Management program is a comprehensive study that focuses on the concept through delivery process – including supply chain management, sourcing, purchasing, production management and logistics. Graduates of the program go on to work at many major brands including Ralph Lauren, Li & Fung and Jones New York, while some start their own companies.

Mario Federici, assistant professor and chairperson at FIT, said, “Gerber’s generosity affords our students the opportunity to learn about the most current design and manufacturing solutions as they progress through our Production Management program. By the time they graduate, they are very familiar with the technology. With this knowledge, they are able to recommend automation solutions to their future employers based on an understanding of the importance of controlling costs and ensuring quality.”

FIT student Adam Thomison was particularly impressed by the level of integration between the design room and the cutting room. “I might own my own business one day, so it’s important to have knowledge of the automation technology that exists and how it can improve the overall production process.”

The visit offered the students a glimpse into the various aspects of the apparel manufacturing operation, starting with a pattern digitizing demonstration on Gerber’s Silhouette drafting table, followed by a demo of the AccuMark pattern design system and GERBERplotter XLp. The students were then shown the GERBERcutter DCS 2500, ideal for cutting samples or prototypes, as well as the GERBERspreader and GERBERcutter GTxL used in thousands of mass-production environments around the world.

For 40 years, Gerber Technology has worked with more than 1,200 educational institutions in 82 countries to help them provide students with hands-on experience working with the latest software and hardware technology on the market.