ALKARAM PVT LTD
ALKARAM PVT LTD
   Email: alkaram@alkaram.com
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COMPANY: AL-KARAM TEXTILE
MILLS
Qurattulain (339-2021)
To
In partial fulfillment of
In Course
           MS.MARIA MOHSIN
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                                Course Facilitator
ABSTRACT
product quality. The visit underscored the critical role of SCM in maintaining
products.
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                         ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
We want to thank you for guiding and supporting us as we worked on this Supply
environment and commitment to excellence inspire us. We are truly grateful for
the chance to learn from your knowledge and experience in supply chain
Management.
Thanks for your patience and willingness to discuss topics. Our conversations
We feel fortunate to have had you as our mentor, and We appreciate the positive
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Thank you, MS. MARIA MOHSIN for your support and guidance.
                                                Table of Contents
1-COMPANY PROFILE ................................................................................... 9
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  3.2- International Distribution Export Markets: ............................................................ 12
3. Cost Reduction:............................................................................................................ 20
b. Qualitative Methods:.................................................................................................... 22
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  b. Production Scheduling: .................................................................................................... 23
1-Supplier Diversification:................................................................................................... 25
1-COMPANY PROFILE
Alkaram Textile Mills was founded in 1986 to offer cutting-edge textile solutions globally, and
our adventure officially began. Alkaram Textile Mills quickly became one of Pakistan's top
textile manufacturing and exporting industries, with a presence in the US, UK, France, and
Portugal.
Alkaram’s reputation and distinctive image have grown over more than 35 years in constantly
expanding goods and services in domestic and international markets. The largest vertically
integrated textile facility in Pakistan at the moment is Alkaram Textile Mills.
Alkaram Studios was founded in 2010 to demonstrate the breadth, scale, and innovation of
Alkaram’s product portfolio, building on the global character of Alkaram Textile
Mills. Men, women, and children may all find stylish clothing and accessories
1.1- Overview
Alkaram Textile Mills, established in 1986 in Pakistan, is a leading name in the textile industry,
renowned for its premium quality fabrics, modern designs, and global exports. The company
offers a wide range of products, including home textiles, apparel fabrics, and ready- to-wear
collections, catering to local and international markets.
    •     Cotton Sourcing: Pakistan, being a major cotton producer, provides high-quality raw
          cotton to Alkaram. The company collaborates with local and international suppliers to
          ensure consistency in quality.
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   •   Dye and Chemicals: Sourced from reputable global suppliers to maintain vibrant colors
       and fabric durability.
2.2- Spinning
   •   The cotton is processed into yarn at spinning facilities, ensuring uniformity and strength
       for subsequent weaving or knitting processes.
   •   Alkaram utilizes advanced looms to produce a variety of fabric types, from plain
       weaves to intricate patterns. The integration of knitting machines enables
       diversification into stretchy and comfortable fabrics.
   •   State-of-the-art dyeing and printing units handle vibrant and intricate designs. Digital
       printing technologies allow for customized patterns and minimize environmental
       impact.
2.5- Finishing
   •   Fabric undergoes treatments like softening, wrinkle resistance, and shrinkage control to
       enhance quality and usability.
2.6-Product Manufacturing
   •   Apparel:
Tailored using modern stitching units for ready-to-wear collections.
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   •   Home Textiles:
Converted into bed linens, curtains, and other items with precision.
   •   Global Export:
Alkaram’s strong logistics network delivers to North America, Europe, and the Middle East,
ensuring timely and secure shipments.
• Multi-Brand Stores:
Products are also available at leading multi-brand retail stores nationwide, increasing reach to
• E-commerce:
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Alkaram operates a robust online store, enabling nationwide access to its products. The online
Alkaram collaborates with regional wholesalers and distributors to supply fabrics to small
1. North America: (USA, Canada): Major buyers include fashion brands, department
2. Europe: (UK, Germany, France): Home textiles and fashion fabrics are popular
3. Middle East: Regional demand is catered to through distributors and direct sales.
• B2B Partnerships:
Collaborates with global fashion brands and home textile retailers to provide customized fabric
solutions.
Leveraging online marketplaces like Amazon and other regional e-commerce platforms to cater
Regular participation in international textile expos helps Alkaram establish direct connections
customers.
Warehouses in key cities like Karachi and Lahore streamline inventory management.
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   •   Global Logistics:
The export process adheres to international trade regulations, ensuring seamless customs
suppliers to customers. The choice of transportation mode depends on factors like cost, speed,
1. Road Transport is typically the most effective and efficient for Alkaram’s local
2. Rail Transport is also useful for bulk materials like cotton, making it cost-effective for
Sea Transport is the most cost-efficient for bulk exports of finished goods, especially to
international markets. It ensures large volumes can be shipped at a lower cost.
   1. Air Freight is used for urgent or high-value shipments, though it's less commonly
       used due to higher costs.
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5- Inventory Management at Alkaram Textile Mills
   •   Demand Fulfillment: Maintain optimal stock levels to meet market demands without
       delays.
   •   Cost Efficiency: Minimize storage and holding costs by avoiding overstocking or
       understocking.
   •   Quality Assurance: Ensure that raw materials and finished goods are stored in
       conditions that preserve their quality.
   •   •Sustainability: Reduce wastage through efficient planning and control.
a. Just-in-Time (JIT):
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   •   Balances ordering costs with holding costs to determine optimal order sizes for raw
       materials.
c. ABC Analysis:
d. Safety Stock:
• Ensures older inventory is used or sold first, especially for time-sensitive materials.
Alkaram Textile Mills employs a combination of advanced tools and systems to manage its
inventory effectively. These tools integrate technology and industry best practices, ensuring
seamless inventory control. Below are the key types of tools used by Alkaram for inventory
management:
Alkaram uses ERP software such as SAP or Oracle ERP to centralize inventory management
processes. These systems integrate multiple functions, including procurement, production, and
sales, ensuring real-time inventory tracking and reporting.
Features Utilized:
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   •   Demand forecasting and planning.
   •   Integration with supply chain and financial systems.
The Warehouse Management System (WMS) optimizes storage, retrieval, and inventory
tracking within Alkaram's warehouses.
Alkaram employs data-driven forecasting tools to predict future inventory needs, ensuring
optimal stock levels.
Tools Used:
   •   Microsoft Power BI: For analysing historical sales and market trends.
   •   AI-Based Software: Custom algorithms for predictive analytics.
Examples:
   •   Zoho Inventory: For managing purchase orders, stock levels, and fulfillment.
   •   Odoo: Open-source software for comprehensive inventory tracking and integration
       with other business operations.
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   •   Sensors in warehouses monitor environmental factors like temperature and humidity to
       preserve fabric quality.
   •   Smart shelves with weight sensors alert for replenishment needs.
6.7-Sustainability Tools
Alkaram integrates sustainable practices into inventory management using technology such as:
   •   Waste Reduction Software: Tracks and minimizes material wastage during production.
   •   Energy Monitoring Tools: Optimizes resource use in warehouses.
Alkaram uses platforms like Microsoft Teams or Slack integrated with ERP systems to
facilitate communication across inventory, production, and sales teams.
Alkaram Textile Mills, like many forward-thinking companies, is exploring the use of
blockchain technology to enhance its supply chain operations. Blockchain offers transparency,
security, and traceability, all of which are valuable in the textile industry. Here's how Alkaram
could integrate blockchain into its supply chain and the factors that support its use:
   •   Traceability of Raw Materials: Alkaram can use blockchain to track the journey of raw
       materials (e.g., cotton, dyes) from suppliers to the factory. Each transaction, including
       sourcing, transport, and processing, is recorded on the blockchain.
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   •   Product Provenance: Blockchain can ensure that the finished textile products are
       ethically sourced, meeting sustainability standards, and providing transparency to
       consumers.
Benefit:
   •   Trust: Provides customers, partners, and regulatory bodies with verifiable data on the
       origin and processing of materials, ensuring compliance with ethical and environmental
       standards.
   •   Automated Payments and Transactions: Alkaram can implement smart contracts that
       automatically execute payments or orders once predefined conditions are met, such as
       delivery timelines or quality checks.
   •   Supplier Performance: Smart contracts ensure that suppliers are paid based on meeting
       specific criteria, such as timely delivery and quality standards, without manual
       intervention.
Benefit:
   •   Efficiency: Reduces the time spent on administrative tasks like contract approvals, and
       ensures faster, more accurate transactions.
Benefit:
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   •   Reduced Stockouts and Overstocking: Real-time data ensures better forecasting and
       more accurate inventory management, leading to reduced carrying costs and improved
       service levels.
   •   Brand Protection: Blockchain helps in verifying the authenticity of the fabric and
       finished goods by creating a digital certificate of authenticity for each product.
   •   Counterfeit Prevention: Alkaram can track each item from raw material to the final
       product, making it easier to identify counterfeit goods in the supply chain and ensure
       customers are receiving genuine products.
Benefit:
   •   Carbon Footprint Tracking: Blockchain can track and record the environmental impact
       of Alkaram’s production processes (e.g., water usage, carbon emissions) to meet
       sustainability goals.
   •   Sustainable Materials: Alkaram can verify that raw materials are sustainably sourced
       by tracking certifications and ensuring that suppliers comply with sustainability
       standards. Benefit:
   •   Sustainability Compliance: Blockchain provides irrefutable proof of sustainability
       efforts, helping Alkaram adhere to global environmental standards and appeal to eco-
       conscious consumers.
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1. Trust and Transparency:
Blockchain provides an immutable ledger, ensuring transparency at every step of the supply
chain. These builds trust with consumers and business partners by providing verifiable data on
sourcing, production, and delivery.
The decentralized nature of blockchain prevents tampering with data. This ensures that critical
supply chain data (like inventory records or payment information) is secure and trustworthy.
3. Cost Reduction:
By reducing the need for intermediaries and manual tracking systems, blockchain streamlines
processes, thus reducing administrative costs and human errors.
The implementation of smart contracts further eliminates the need for intermediaries, reducing
transaction costs and delays.
4. Improved Collaboration:
Blockchain enables better collaboration between Alkaram and its suppliers, manufacturers, and
distributors. The shared digital ledger ensures that all parties are working with the same
information, improving decision-making and coordination.
5. Regulatory Compliance:
Blockchain helps Alkaram meet industry regulations by providing verifiable, auditable records.
Whether it's adhering to environmental standards or Labor practices, blockchain can make
compliance easier and more transparent.
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8- Forecasts in Supply Chain and Demand:
Forecasting is a critical function at Alkaram Textile Mills, enabling the company to align its
supply chain with market demand and optimize operations. The process involves analyzing
historical data, market trends, and advanced technologies to predict future needs accurately.
• Sources of Data:
   1. Historical Sales Data: Patterns from previous seasons, product lines, and customer
       preferences.
   2. Market Trends: Insights from fashion trends, consumer behavior, and industry reports.
   3. Customer Feedback: Inputs from retail outlets, e-commerce platforms, and B2B
       partners.
   4. Macroeconomic Indicators: Factors like inflation, global demand shifts, and raw
       material availability.
8.2-Forecasting Methods
a. Quantitative Methods:
1. Time Series Analysis:
2. Regression Analysis:
3. Moving Averages:
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b. Qualitative Methods:
1. Market Research:
2. Expert Judgments:
    •   Input from marketing, sales, and production teams to forecast demand for new
        collections.
c. Hybrid Approach:
    •   SAP Integrated Business Planning (IBP): Helps in demand forecasting and aligning
        inventory with production plans.
    •   Microsoft Power BI: Provides data visualization and trend analysis.
    •   Machine learning algorithms analyse vast datasets to predict demand patterns with
        higher accuracy.
    •   AI tools adjust forecasts dynamically based on real-time sales and market conditions.
    •   Tools like Hadoop process data from multiple sources, including social media and
        customer reviews, to understand emerging trends.
b. Production Scheduling:
   •   Aligns manufacturing schedules with demand peaks, minimizing idle capacity and
       overproduction.
c. Logistics Optimization:
   •   Ensures timely delivery by predicting shipment needs and aligning them with market
       requirements.
d. Supplier Collaboration:
   •   Forecasts are shared with suppliers for better coordination and timely availability of
       raw materials.
As a leading textile manufacturer, Alkaram faces various challenges in its supply chain,
stemming from market dynamics, operational complexities, and external factors. Below are the
primary challenges and their impact:
   •   Cotton Price Volatility: Fluctuations in global cotton prices impact cost planning and
       profitability.
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   •   Quality Consistency: Ensuring consistent quality in raw materials such as cotton, dyes,
       and chemicals.
   •   Supplier Dependence: Reliance on a limited number of suppliers may lead to
       bottlenecks during supply disruptions.
2-Demand-Supply Mismatch
   •   Seasonal Demand Variations: Peaks during festive seasons (e.g., Eid) or market
       slowdowns affect production and inventory planning.
   •   Forecasting Errors: Despite advanced tools, predicting demand for new product lines
       or uncertain markets remains challenging.
   •   Delays in Transportation: Both domestic and international shipments face delays due
       to infrastructure limitations or customs clearance.
   •   Rising Costs: Increasing fuel prices and shipping costs inflate logistics expenses.
   •   Global Disruptions: Events like port closures, natural disasters, or geopolitical tensions
       can disrupt the supply chain.
4. Inventory Management
5. Technological Integration
7. Workforce Challenges
   •   Skilled Labor Shortage: Difficulty in retaining skilled workers for high-tech supply
       chain operations.
   •   Labor Disruptions: Strikes or workforce shortages can halt production and delay
       shipments.
   •   Competition: Intense competition in the textile industry puts pressure on pricing and
       innovation.
   •   Geopolitical Instability: Trade tensions or embargoes can disrupt global supply chains.
   •   Demand Fluctuations: Sudden drops or surges in demand due to global health crises
       (e.g., COVID-19).
   •   Operational Disruptions: Factory shutdowns, supply delays, and worker safety issues
       during pandemics.
10.1-Mitigation Strategies
1-Supplier Diversification:
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Reduce dependency on single suppliers by collaborating with multiple sources.
2-Advanced Technology:
Invest in AI-driven forecasting and automation for better demand and inventory management.
3-Sustainability Programs:
Adopt eco-friendly processes to meet global standards and reduce costs in the long term.
4-Resilient Logistics:
Partner with multiple logistics providers and use technology to optimize routes and reduce
delays.
5-Employee Training:
Regular upskilling programs to improve workforce efficiency and handle advanced systems.
11- Conclusion:
Alkaram Textile Mills' supply chain plays a crucial role in driving operational efficiency,
customer satisfaction, and business growth. Key benefits include:
   1. Efficient Raw Material Sourcing: Ensures a steady supply of quality materials, reducing
          risks associated with shortages or price fluctuations.
   2. Optimized        Production:     Helps   align   production   with   demand,   minimizing
          overproduction and underproduction through advanced forecasting.
   3. Effective Inventory Management: Enables real-time monitoring and management of
          stock, reducing excess inventory and stockouts.
   4. Global Distribution: Facilitates timely delivery of products both domestically and
          internationally using multiple transportation modes.
   5. Risk Management: Strengthens the company’s ability to handle disruptions and adapt
          quickly to market changes.
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6. Sustainability Practices: Supports ethical sourcing and eco-friendly production
   methods, enhancing brand reputation.
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