The Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT) recently held a ceremony to mark the opening of its new sewing and cutting lab. The renovated facility, which features a GERBERcutter and spreader, will provide students in the production management programme with a complete view of the technology used in the product development and manufacturing process. FIT used funds from a New York City Council appropriation to purchase the Gerber equipment, which, in addition to software supplied by Gerber at no cost to the college, will give students a competitive edge when they begin their careers in the industry. 

Gerber and FIT have partnered for more than 25 years to bring its latest technology to the classroom. In addition to the new cutter and spreader, Gerber provided 19 copies of its AccuMark pattern design, grading and marker making software and installed a Gerber plotter and digitiser in the lab. Over the last three years, Gerber Technology has also placed more than 200 licences of WebPDM, software used in product data management and development, within FIT’s fashion design department. With the new installations in the lab, the value of Gerber solutions now in use throughout FIT totals more than $2.5 million.

Gerber Technology develops and manufactures integrated software and hardware automation systems for manufacturers and retailers in the sewn products and flexible materials industries.