Manufacturing is constantly changing – along with the needs of customers, and the broader economic environment. With supply chains falling into disarray and creating manufacturing havoc around the globe in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, the new ‘black’ today is making local, buying local.
Pathfinder shares the same philosophy and values as the companies they service. They understand the benefits of manufacturing locally, which makes them the perfect partners to help other manufacturing companies do the same. Pathfinder is committed to restoring the manufacturing balance, so its partners can bring their manufacturing home too, and reap the environmental, social and economic benefits that this brings.
Before the pandemic hit, reshoring was already a real consideration for many manufacturing companies, mainly because of increased wages in the once-cheap manufacturing centres of Asia, particularly in China. The arrival of COVID-19 has sharpened many a boardroom pencil as manufacturers see the advantages of bringing the process home. While for customers and clients it maybe the feelings of patriotism and national pride that this ethos generates, for manufacturers it is all about being pragmatic. A winning formula of shorter lead times, being responsive to customers’ needs, and being able to offer new products quickly and easily is focusing manufacturers’ minds as they face a new world order.
The positive benefits of manufacturing at home go much deeper, though. As manufacturers, we are all keen to reduce our environmental impact as much as possible. Making it at home significantly reduces unnecessary carbon emissions. Manufacturing processes are controlled through local regulations; and, with your customer just around the corner, trans-global shipping is eliminated.
As manufacturers pivot to the new reality, they are finding they need smarter, dependable and adaptable tools to increase productivity and lower manufacturing costs. Which is where Pathfinder comes in.
Back in 1996, Pathfinder’s founding directors John Hollo and Ross Kaigg shared a vision for an advanced fabric cutting machine that would be efficient and simple to use, while requiring minimal maintenance – all factors that speak to a manufacturers’ bottom line, in particular on the cutting-room floor.
Hollo and Kaigg’s passion for this vision is apparent with every machine they make. Pathfinder offers complete cutting-room solutions. Manufacturers create patterns using Pathfinder’s PathWorks™ CAD design software to digitize, edit and nest patterns. PathWorks™ has been designed so that anyone can learn to use it in less than 30 minutes.
In addition to their custom software, Pathfinder offers a huge range of cutting room technologies, including fabric spreading using high-speed fabric delivery machines, and automated CNC fabric cutters. Whatever your fabric, this technology can be used, including but not limited to knitwear, silks, woven, and denim of all different weights, all with a an incredibly close tolerance. More challenging fabrics such as glass-bonded or silicate can also easily be handled.
Backing their vision is Pathfinder’s radically different approach to doing business. Pathfinder is a valuable partner to have. Hollo and Kaigg’s focus has always been on producing user-friendly technology with fewer moving parts, less wear and tear and reduced on-going maintenance costs. Pathfinder doesn’t force small businesses into expensive year-on-year service contracts, instead allowing businesses the flexibility of maintaining the equipment themselves. The cost savings to Pathfinder clients is huge, often in the tens of thousands of dollars every year compared with other companies in the arena. Manufacturers can invest those savings in other areas of their businesses.
Pathfinder equipment has to be a serious consideration for every manufacturer that deals in fabrics and patterns – whether it is established or a new start-up. Pathfinder’s simple, robust and reliable machines are easy and fast to learn, will speed up productivity, and will save costs, allowing the manufacturer to stay agile and responsive in a constantly changing market.
Pathfinder has offices and distributors servicing the world market, including two offices in the US: one on the West Coast in Los Angeles, California, and a second in the Mid-West in Indianapolis, Indiana. There is also a Pathfinder presence on the East Coast with a distributor (D.C. Services) based out of Hickory, North Carolina.
Pathfinder has two offices in the US: one on the West Coast in Los Angeles, California, and a second in the Mid-West in Indianapolis, Indiana. There is also a Pathfinder presence on the East Coast with a distributor (D.C. Services) based out of Hickory, North Carolina.
