A day in the life at the factory
From the first stitch to the last cut, join us for a day on the factory floor at CWT.
From firing up the machines to winding down for the weekend, Karandeep knows how to keep everything running smoothly and to schedule.
Here we join him to experience what an average day looks (and sounds) like at CWT’s factory.
What time do you arrive at the factory?
The factory kicks into action at 8 am. I arrive at 9 am but my work day starts at 7 am. I tend to wake up early and I use this time to get on top of emails and endless paperwork. The team works from 8-10 am, then we break for a quick cup of tea (milk and one sugar for me) before going back to work til 1 pm. We take 45 mins for lunch and if the weather’s nice, we’ll sit outside and get some sun on our faces.
What are you making right now?
We’re making a stunt vest for a company called ANKA Club. It’s run by a husband and wife stunt double team. Anton is currently filming World of Warcraft and was in Games of Thrones. They make clothing inspired by the garments they wear whilst stunt performering – like a utility vest but inspired by a stunt vest.
We’re also busy working on a new product (more on that to come soon!) and making our signature heavyweight hoodies and sweatpants.
What does the factory sound like? Do you play music?
The radio is always tuned in to Heart FM, sometimes the team even start singing along!
When the machines are fired up, it can be quite loud. The soft whirr of the sewing machines is overpowered by the cutting machines.
For people who aren't used to so much background noise, it can be hard to concentrate but you get used to it.
What’s your favourite part of the factory?
I love all of it, but if i had to pick one it would be developing new product. Everyones involved from the pattern maker, sample machinists, fabric cutters, to production managers. Every day is different and not without challenges but we just get on with it.
I spend most of my time between the sampling and QC area where we check for quality and probably the cutting table because I can’t help being nosy about the new products! I like to be in the detail – I'll check every hemline and seam to be sure each garment is perfect. I'm also always keeping a check on production schedules to make sure everything stays on track.
What’s the one job you put off doing?
Admin. There is lots of paperwork to do, but someones got to do it.
I spend most of my time problem solving. I got told once by someone alot more expericanced than me "we work with fabrics, not rocks" i didnt know what that meant at the time but i do now!
There have been times when we've been so close to the wire and something has thrown a spanner in the works. Fabric is reactive, it grows, shrinks, twists, whether it's a stitch out of line or a problem with our courier not able to fit all the boxes into the back of the van, we always end up finding a solution, like loading up the employees cars and following the DHL van to the depot.
We've even been known to work through the night to make sure our clients get their products on time.
What time do the machines stop and people go home?
The factory winds down at 5.30pm and on Friday we finish at 12:30pm, as a nice way to ease into the weekend.
