Abstract The layout re‐arrangement of fashion production lines realizing many small batches is rarely deployed according to well‐known engineering procedures. In fact, it would often appear too complex to call a plant engineer for the proper layout design of such small production lines.Rather, it is preferred to apply empirical methodologies when considering, generally, factory know‐how, general business needs, safety requirements, and so on. In the
present work, the results of a fashion manufacturing line re‐layout were compared by analysing the current situation with the solutions provided by a ʺhomemadeʺ company design, both through a systematic layout planning approach and a broader lean reengineering activity