Pioneering Excellence
Epic Group has been a key player in the apparel industry for decades, evolving from a textile trading house to a global leader in sourcing, manufacturing, and innovation. Since 2005, the company has operated state-of-the-art facilities in Bangladesh, Jordan, and Ethiopia, delivering world-class apparel solutions, with expansion plans for India in the near future. Headquartered in Hong Kong, with design studios in New York, Hong Kong, and London, the Group combines speed, efficiency, and cutting-edge technology to meet evolving market trends. CEO Suraj Kalra and Chief Sales & Marketing Officer Anurag Asthana discuss the company’s commitment to sustainability, innovation, and quality, its partnership with top global brands, and consistently raising industry standards through its ‘Relentless Pursuit of Better’ philosophy.
The apparel industry is under pressure to adopt circularity. What are the key challenges and opportunities you foresee in achieving a fully circular apparel supply chain?
Suraj Kalra opens up about the complexities: Achieving a fully circular apparel supply chain is fraught with challenges such as the need for robust reverse logistics, educating consumers, and aligning fragmented supply chains. These challenges, however, open doors for innovation in materials, recycling processes, and stakeholder partnerships, helping us pioneer sustainable practices that are both cost-effective and environmentally beneficial.
How do you see the role of Industry 4.0 technologies like AI, IoT, and automation shaping the future of apparel manufacturing?
Anurag Asthana paints the future with technology: Technologies like AI, IoT, and automation are transforming apparel manufacturing by enhancing production precision and operational efficiencies through real-time data analysis and automation of labor-intensive processes. These technologies help us optimize our operations, reduce waste, and enhance quality and sustainability.
With a growing emphasis on transparency, how can the industry improve traceability from raw material sourcing to the final product?
Suraj sheds light on transparency efforts: To enhance traceability, we're in the process of implementing blockchain technology for immutable records and collaborating with suppliers to uphold transparency. These efforts make it easier for products to be traced, thereby building trust and accountability.
What trends or innovations do you believe will define the apparel industry over the next decade, and how is Epic Group preparing to lead in this evolving landscape?
Anurag delves into what's next: In my assessment, the next decade in the apparel industry will be defined mainly by sustainability, smart inventory systems and product innovation. Ancillaries could include social media influence, personalization, and digitalization of the workflows. For example, making a quick turnaround of on-demand manufacturing using bio-engineered fabrics could be a near-ideal end state. At Epic Group, we are actively investing in technology and sustainable practices to not only adapt but also lead in this evolving landscape, ensuring we remain at the forefront of industry advancements.
Epic Group has a long history in the apparel industry. Can you share how the company’s journey from textiles trading to state-of-the-art manufacturing reflects its philosophy of the ‘Relentless Pursuit of Better’?
Suraj reflects on the company's evolution: Epic Group’s evolution from textiles trading to state-of-the-art manufacturing is a testament to our philosophy of the ‘Relentless Pursuit of Better’. This journey has been driven by our commitment to innovation, efficiency, and sustainability. Each step taken is aimed at enhancing our value chain mainly involving elevating our people’s skills, our production standards, and embracing emerging technologies, which collectively empower us to meet the dynamic needs of our customers.
"Additionally, we try and drive passion for improvement across the various aspects of our operations on a daily basis," says Anurag.
Sustainability is clearly at the core of Epic Group’s operations. Could you elaborate on the impact of your sustainability initiatives, such as the Zero Liquid Discharge facility and use of biomass, on your production processes and the environment?
Suraj highlights environmental strides: Our sustainability initiatives, including the Zero Liquid Discharge facility and the use of biomass, significantly impact both production processes and the environment. These efforts have reduced our water footprint and reliance on fossil fuels, promoting a cleaner production cycle. The outcome is twofold: we achieve operational efficiency while minimizing our ecological impact, aligning with our long-term commitment to sustainability.
Anurag quantifies the impact: Epic Group's sustainability efforts are transforming our production processes and reducing our environmental footprint:
- Energy and GHG Emissions: Upgrades to energy-efficient technologies and investments in renewable energy are aimed at reducing our GHG emissions by 65% per garment by 2030, enhancing operational efficiencies.
- Water Conservation: By improving our effluent treatment plants and adopting water-saving technologies, we have cut water usage by 23% since 2019, contributing to significant environmental conservation.
- Sustainable Materials: Utilizing 28% sustainable fabrics in 2023, like recycled cotton and polyester, we have reduced our ecological impact and have supported industry-wide shifts towards sustainable raw materials.
- Chemical Management: Compliance with ZDHC guidelines ensures 99.99% of our chemicals are sourced responsibly, improving product sustainability and ecosystem health.
Your ‘Factories of the Future’ initiative is exciting. How do these micro-factories enhance agility and efficiency, and what role do they play in meeting evolving market demands?
Suraj discusses innovative production models: Our ‘Factories of the Future’ initiative aims to introduce micro-factories that enhance agility and efficiency by deconstructing production. This initiative will support both large scale production runs as well as drive the due agility in fast response or test & scale systems. This model will allow for quicker response times to market demands, tailoring output to specific customer needs. By harnessing advanced technologies, these micro-factories would facilitate a more flexible production strategy, ensuring we stay competitive in a rapidly changing market landscape.
Epic’s design studios and product development capabilities are among your key strengths. How do you balance creativity and functionality while focusing on sustainability in design?
Anurag explores creative synergies: At Epic Group, we believe that creativity and functionality can coexist harmoniously within sustainable design. Our design studios prioritize eco-friendly materials & processes while pushing the boundaries of innovative aesthetics. By involving multidisciplinary teams that blend artistic vision with technical know-how, we create products that resonate with consumers and adhere to our sustainability goals during the raw material and finished goods manufacturing processes.
Epic Group has embraced digital transformation with technologies like EPICOMS, SAP, and 3D sampling. Could you discuss how these advancements improve operational efficiency and sustainability?
Anurag celebrates technological advancements: Technologies like EPICOMS, SAP, and 3D sampling have revolutionized our operations, though we go beyond and have developed multiple other in-house solutions. We are actively tapping into Machine Learning and Artificial Intelligence to catapult our product design, innovation, planning and execution engines to meet the demands of Industry 4.0. These advancements streamline workflows and enhance real-time decision-making, leading to improved operational efficiencies. In terms of sustainability, digital platforms allow for better resource management, waste reduction, and forecasting, ultimately reducing our environmental footprint while maintaining high-quality standards.
With operations in multiple countries, how does Epic Group manage cultural and operational diversity to maintain its global standards and brand values?
Suraj talks about cultural synergy: We are proud of our diversity. Epic Group effectively manages cultural and operational diversity through comprehensive training programs and a unified corporate culture that emphasizes our values. By fostering an inclusive environment and empowering local teams, we ensure that our global standards are met while allowing flexibility to adapt to local market nuances.
As a major player in the apparel industry, how does Epic Group address challenges like supply chain disruptions and rising costs while ensuring quality and speed to market?
Anurag tackles tough issues head-on: To navigate supply chain disruptions and rising costs, the very talented and experienced teams at Epic Group emphasize robust risk management strategies and diversified sourcing practices. By building strong relationships with multiple suppliers and investing in technology for better visibility, we are able to maintain the due supply predictability for our customers. Our data and analysis driven proactive approach ensures that we adapt swiftly to market fluctuations and consumer demands.
Can you tell us about your partnerships with global brands and the strategies you employ to nurture these long-term relationships?
Suraj discusses the guiding principles: Our partnerships with global brands are nurtured through transparent and credible communication, shared goals and shared values. We focus on co-creating solutions that align with their visions while leveraging our manufacturing capabilities. These long-term relationships are built on trust, quality delivery, and mutual growth, enabling us to innovate continuously together.
Your commitment to empowering women and fostering a multi-skilled workforce is commendable. Could you share specific initiatives that highlight these efforts?
Suraj champions gender equality: Epic Group is committed to empowering women through dedicated training programs and leadership opportunities. Initiatives such as mentorship schemes and skill development workshops aim to build a multi-skilled workforce while ensuring equal opportunities for all. Our efforts are focused on creating pathways for women to thrive in the industry, driving both personal and professional growth.
Anurag underscores the initiative: For example, we have mandated that a majority of our production floor supervisors be women!
Epic’s focus on product diversification includes categories like athleisure, uniforms, and safety gear. How do you identify emerging trends and align your offerings accordingly?
Anurag analyzes market dynamics: We identify emerging trends through comprehensive market analysis, consumer insights, and collaboration with industry experts. Our dedicated teams are close to market and are constantly researching market opportunities, shifts in consumer preferences and lifestyle changes. By leveraging data analytics and feedback loops, we ensure that our product diversification aligns with market demands and positions us ahead of the curve.
How does Epic Group view its participation in Bharat Tex 2025 as a platform to showcase its innovations and values, and what key objectives do you hope to achieve during the event?
Suraj concludes with forward-looking enthusiasm: Our participation in Bharat Tex 2025 is an invaluable opportunity to showcase our commitment to sustainability, innovation, and craftsmanship in the apparel industry. We aim to engage with stakeholders, exchange insights, and look for thought partners towards shaping the future of apparel.
