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No more fast fashion with digital supply chains
An entrepreneur who is helping to digitise fashion supply chains believes technology could make it a more sustainable industry. Chathura Sudharshan connects designers, manufacturers, buyers and suppliers from across the world on his Chanodil online platform to simplify how garments are produced.
‘We think the scale-up potential is there to become a billion-pound business and a trillion- dollar industry in five to 10 years’ time’
The Sri Lankan native, who
arrived in Nottingham three years ago with a couple of hundred pounds to his name, has already managed to recruit clients from across the world and believes he could soon be sitting on a billion- pound empire.
He said: “Digitising supply chains
is going to be a big trend after the pandemic as we move towards virtual ways of doing business, and I can see very high growth in this area, particularly in the fashion industry as it seeks to cut costs and improve its carbon footprint. “We’re helping brands to
streamline the whole process so they have access to all the information they need across the supply chain on one screen, which is important for small and medium- sized brands. “This isn’t just a business for the
UK but for a global phenomenon, so we think the scale-up potential is there to become a billion-pound business and a trillion-pound industry in five to 10 years’ time.” Chanodil was founded in 2019 by
Chathura, who has both a fashion design and product development bachelor’s degree at the University of Moratuwa in Sri Lanka, and a master’s degree in entrepreneurship and business operations at Nottingham Trent University.
Chanodil founder Chathura Sudharshan The 32-year-old, who has also
worked in design roles in Sri Lanka and Bangladesh, developed the online business-to-business (B2B) service after identifying numerous pain points, including difficulties in finding manufacturers for small quantities, the management process, back-and-forward emails and high costs associated with the various supply chain elements. Companies can register on the
platform as a buyer, designer or manufacturer, and post a proposal setting out their needs – for example, someone may want to make 500 jackets using a certain material and needs help with the sourcing, sampling and production – and select the services they
require, along with deadlines and payment details. The platform creates an enquiry
that other companies can respond to with offers, while the software also enables users to manage and track their orders by logging into their online profile. Chanodil carries out a full audit of every business to ensure it is a sustainable and ethical manufacturer. The start-up is a finalist in the
Improvement through Technology category at this year’s Nottinghamshire Business Awards, run by the Chamber. Chathura added: “We’re able to
guarantee brands can access high- quality people in every element of the supply chain.”
A greener fleet for Wellglade Group
One of the East Midlands’ largest public transport groups has invested almost £5m on upgrading its bus fleets with cleaner and greener vehicles. Wellglade Group, based in Heanor, has spent £2.6m on 16 ultra-low
emission buses to be used in trentbarton services and another £2.1m on the same calibre of transport for 12 buses run by Kinchbus.
‘The more people who travel on our greener buses, the more we’ll all help improve the air we all breathe’
Its new Enviro200 buses, built in Britain by manufacturing firm
Alexander Dennis, will serve trentbarton rainbow one routes connecting Nottingham with Kimberley, Eastwood, Heanor, Ripley and Alfreton, as well as the Kinchbus 24/7 skylink services connecting Leicester with East Midlands Airport and Derby. Each bus exceeds the latest Euro VI emissions standard, emitting less
nitrogen dioxide than a new car, while using stop-start technology to further reduce emissions when stationary. They also feature glazed skylights, LED lighting, free superfast Wi-Fi and
USB power sockets at every seat. Jeff Counsell, managing director at trentbarton and Kinchbus, said
passengers will be able to travel in “even greater style aboard these super new buses”. “The more people who travel on our greener buses, the more we’ll all help improve the air we all breathe,” he added.
4 business network November 2020
L-R: Rainbow one drivers Louise Robinson, Dave Wilson and Anthony Armstrong with the new buses
The new skylink bus linking Leicester, Derby and East Midlands Airport
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