Case Study: Custom Waterproof Breathable Fabric for an Airline Catering Supplier in Finland
Waterproof Breathable Fabric for an Airline Catering Supplier in Finland
An Airline Catering Supplier approached us with a waterproof breathable fabric requirement for the Finland market. The brief was specific: a defined look, a hard launch date and a unit cost that had to survive freight and duty. This case study records what was specified, what went wrong in sampling and how the bulk order was delivered.
The challenge
- Reorders that quietly changed supplier and changed the hand feel
- Shrinkage that only showed up after the first wash
- A zipper puller that broke under pull test at the warehouse

What we specified
| Item | Waterproof Breathable Fabric |
|---|---|
| Client type | An Airline Catering Supplier |
| Market | Finland |
| Order volume | 10,000 pieces across 2 specifications |
| Base material | PU Leather |
| Standard size | 140 gsm |
| Finish | Rainbow Iridescent Finish |
| Sampling rounds | 2 |
| Delivery window | 6 weeks from PO to ex-factory |
| Compliance | REACH SVHC Screening |
How it was resolved
- We rebuilt the specification around PU Leather and locked the tolerance before bulk.
- The finish was moved to Rose Gold Plating after strike-off tests showed better durability.
- A pre-production sample was approved and retained as the golden reference.
- Production ran with in-line inspection and a mid-run photo report.
- Cartons were packed to the client's own barcode and ratio specification.

Result
- 10,000 pieces delivered inside the 6-week window.
- Unit cost held within 3.0% of the original quotation.
- Inspection-related rejection stayed under 0.5%.
- The specification is now on file, so reorders reproduce the approved sample.
What we would repeat
Approve a pre-production sample made from the actual bulk base material. Substitute material behaves differently in finishing.
Planning something similar?
Tell us the item, the quantity and the delivery window. We will quote it with the sub-processes named, so the lead time you approve is the lead time you get.



