Meng Ruolan Apparel Brand Story | Since 2010
In 2010, in Dongguan, many small brands with design capabilities couldn't find factories willing to take small orders seriously. Either the minimum order quantity was too high, or the factory would lose patience after a few sample revisions. That's when Meng Ruolan Factory decided to solve this problem.
From an individual to a team
When the factory first started, there was only one pattern maker in the pattern room. Now, Mr. Li, head of the pattern department, has been here for 15 years. When a collar doesn't fit right or a cuff opening comes out loose, his first move is to adjust the angle on the paper pattern,not ask the client to change the design. The two young technicians working with him have picked up the same habit.
From a single process to seamless integration
At first, we only processed materials supplied by others. Customers often ran into a problem: the sample was right, but when they placed the bulk order with a different factory, the style came out different.We decided to keep development and production under the same team so that the person who understood the sample also handled the bulk order.No lost details. No mixed-up standards.
When facing a problem, look for the cause first.
In 2018, we had a batch of dresses made from viscose fabric. After washing, the bulk production shrank more than the standard allowed. We didn't rush into rework. First, we had to figure out which step missed the pre-shrinking record. It turned out to be a variation in that particular batch from the fabric mill. We also improved our incoming inspection process. Since then, every roll of fabric gets measured for shrinkage before and after washing, before it goes into production.
Growing from small orders to larger ones alongside the client.
In 2021, an Australian customer sent us a sample. She wanted a trial order of just 50 pieces. We adjusted the neckline curve and the hemline three times. She only placed the bulk order once she was satisfied. Now she places repeat orders of 3,000 to 4,000 pieces each season. Five years on, we no longer need to go back and forth on the basic processes, the standards were set in that original pattern. She is not the only one. We are happy to start with small orders and help brands test the market.
Maintain honesty regarding materials and production.
Some fabrics are simply beyond what we can handle. Some processes don't meet the requirements. When that happens, we tell the client straight up before we even make the sample, not after we have taken the order.If a fabric doesn't have OEKO-TEX or GOTS certification, we don't call it "certified fabric."
The Meng Ruolan of Today
At 8 a.m., the production team starts checking the sizes of the sample garments sent out the day before. At 3 p.m., QC is checking the neckline on a batch of dresses about to ship. At 7 p.m., the business team is still replying to modification requests from European customers. For 15 years, these same things have been dealt with every day. We don't want to be the biggest factory. We just want to be a production partner that customers stick with for the long run.
