Case Study: Custom Elastic Thread for a Military Supply Contractor in Portugal
Source:Fashion Lanyard /
Time:2026-09-18
Elastic Thread for a Military Supply Contractor in Portugal
A Military Supply Contractor approached us with a elastic thread requirement for the Portugal 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
- Shrinkage that only showed up after the first wash
- MOQ that was quoted per colourway rather than per style
- A spec that lived in an email instead of a tech pack
What we specified
| Item | Elastic Thread |
|---|---|
| Client type | A Military Supply Contractor |
| Market | Portugal |
| Order volume | 5,000 pieces across 6 specifications |
| Base material | Ceramic |
| Standard size | 8# Gauge |
| Finish | Chrome Plating |
| Sampling rounds | 2 |
| Delivery window | 4 weeks from PO to ex-factory |
| Compliance | ISO 14001 |
How it was resolved
- We rebuilt the specification around Ceramic and locked the tolerance before bulk.
- The finish was moved to Glossy Enamel Coating 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
- 5,000 pieces delivered inside the 4-week window.
- Unit cost held within 4.5% of the original quotation.
- Inspection-related rejection stayed under 1.5%.
- The specification is now on file, so reorders reproduce the approved sample.
What we would repeat
Keep one accountable owner on both sides. Most delays come from hand-offs, not from machines.
Planning something similar?
Send the reference sample or tech pack and we will come back with a costed specification, a sampling timetable and the compliance documents your market requires.
