Alternative formulations for a layout problem in the fashion industry

In this paper we propose alternative IP models for solving the layout problem in the fashion industry as described in Degraeve and Vandebroek [Management Science 44 (1998) 301-310]. Before cutting, several layers of cloth are put on a cutting table and several templates, indicating how to cut all material for a specific size, are fixed on top of the stack. The problem consists of finding good combinations of templates and the associated height of the stack of cloth to satisfy demand while minimizing total excess production. Computational results indicate that our alternative models generally outperform the originally proposed model. We also discuss how the new models can be adapted for the multicolor version of the problem and how we can include a total cost approach. (C) 2002 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.