Lead time
Also known as: Lead time, Delivery lead time, Turnaround time, TAT
Time from order release to delivery; in textile trade often broken down into production, transport and customs buffer.
Description
Lead time (or delivery / turnaround time) is the interval between order release and actual availability of the goods at the delivery point. In textile procurement it typically consists of several segments:
- Order-to-production: order confirmation, material planning, colour approval (lab dip), approvals – 1–4 weeks
- Production time: weaving/knitting, dyeing, cut & sew, decoration – 4–12 weeks
- Transport time: sea freight Far East–Europe 30–45 days, air freight 3–7 days, EU truck 2–7 days
- Customs and handling: 1–5 days
Typical total lead times: stock goods (blank textiles) 2–5 days, printing/embroidery 5–15 working days, cut & sew with EU production 6–10 weeks, Far East production 12–20 weeks. Fast-fashion players such as Zara/Inditex operate at lead times below 3 weeks from design to shelf; classic collection brands plan 6–9 months.
Lead times are shortened by nearshoring (Turkey, Portugal, North Africa), pre-booked fabric, digital sampling and modular stock concepts. Extending factors: Chinese New Year (2–4-week factory shutdown), Ramadan, Christmas season, ocean freight bottlenecks.
Properties
| Definition | Order to delivery |
|---|---|
| Stock goods | 2-5 days |
| Print/embroidery | 5-15 working days |
| Cut & sew EU | 6-10 weeks |
| Far East production | 12-20 weeks |
| Critical factors | CNY, Ramadan, ocean congestion |
Related product categories
Sources & references
1- Wikipedia: Lead time Wikipedia — Freie Enzyklopädie https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lead_time
