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