John Thorbeck

The Limits of a Lean Supply Chain

The pandemic exposed the weakness of the global manufacturing and distribution networks adopted by most big fashion brands. Executives need to change how they think and talk about supply chains to replace a culture of cost.

Fashion’s ‘First Mile’ Opportunity

Though poorly understood by many fashion executives and investors, upstream supply chains are a powerful lever for value creation, writes John Thorbeck in the first instalment of a new column: First Mile.

Op-Ed | Who Pays for Sustainability?

To fund a more sustainable future, the fashion system must become more productive, embracing a supply chain strategy rooted in shared risk, not lowest cost, argues John S. Thorbeck.

Op-Ed | Fashion Needs a New Business Model. Speed Is the Answer.

Fashion businesses need to move faster to remain competitive. But speeding up means more than chasing trends – brands must realign their entire supply chain to create both market and social value.

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