After in-house CAD controlled piece cutting, Zara use
subcontractors for all sewing operations. The
subcontractors themselves often collect the bagged cut
pieces, together with the appropriate components (like
buttons and zippers) in small trucks. There are some
500 sewing subcontractors in very close proximity to La
Coruña (in the Galicia region) and most work exclusively
for Zara. Zara closely monitor their operations to ensure
quality, compliance with labor laws, and above all else
adherence to the production schedule. Subcontractors
then bring back the sewn items to the same factory,
where each piece is inspected during ironing (by
machine and by hand). Finished products are then
placed in plastic bags with proper labels and then sent
to the distribution center. A system of aerial monorails
connects ten of the factories in La Coruña to the
distribution center. Completed products procured from
outside suppliers are also sent directly to the
distribution center. Zara use a sampling methodology to
control the incoming quality