About Us

Who are we?

Cortex forms part of a diversified group of companies, the portfolio of which is set out below, and is a proud Level 2 contributor, which has been in business for 25 years. Cortex offers a complete “one stop” solution from basic work-wear to sophisticated upmarket ladies and men’s corporate wear.

Why Choose Us?

The success of Cortex is premised largely on a dynamic and highly skilled handpicked team, which collectively has over 100 years of experience in the apparel trade. From an award-winning design team, to a production technologist who was responsible for the manufacture of Armani and Dolce & Gabbana apparel, to a business leader who has won many accolades, the Cortex executive is extremely well positioned to provide you with extraordinary uniform solutions.

The blue-chip brands that have entrusted their solutions to Cortex is testimony to the emergence of Cortex as leader in the apparel field. Cortex is fast becoming the supplier of choice in South Africa, having successfully dressed many of the big corporates such as Department of Infrastructural Development, Famous Brands, Samancor, Empact Group, Supercare, Standard Bank, First National Bank, African Bank, Airports Company of South Africa amongst others. In addition to the above brands, the experienced executive team has also been involved with Corporate Clothing Ranges for Blue Chip Clients such as Kulula, Porsche, Nedbank, SAA, ABSA and Netcare to mention but a few.

Cortex always strives to offer a complete, creative, educated and intelligent solution to meet the requirements of its client base. To complement its apparel offering, Cortex also offers a wide range of exciting promotional items.

These items vary from t-shirts and caps to folders, bags, office accessories, technology items and the like. Cortex’s team of promotional experts will find you the perfect item for your every need.

INFRASTRUCTURE

LOCATIONS

All manufacturing is controlled by head office in Johannesburg. All our partner factories and warehouses are equipped with the latest technology, and all based in Johannesburg and East London. We also have dedicated representation in all other major centres of South Africa.

EMPLOYMENT

Cortex currently employs over 50 employees directly. Although this direct employment remains relatively small, via our Enterprise Development program and CMT outsourcing model, we support in excess of 1,000 people indirectly. These partners are all dependant upon the contracts and orders secured via Cortex to ensure a through flow of product and business
continuity.

MANAGEMENT MODEL

The salient features of the Cortex Management Model encompass the following key ingredients:

  • Specialised development of garments and fabric selection by award winning internationally recognized designers
  • A highly regarded executive team with over 100 years of garment manufacturing experience both locally and internationally
  • Trained, experienced and qualified staff in quality control
  • SABS certification
  • Highly effective distribution via Joint Venture partners
  • Best of breed CMT partners
  • Internationally recognized Image consultants

SINGLE SOURCE OF SUPPLY

Raw material manufacturing – direct supply to the group from International and local mills.

DELIVERY

  • Pre-determined Deliverables via critical path analysis guaranteed
  • Once-off raw material development
  • Garment manufacture
  • Individual pack and delivery

DEDICATED ACCOUNT MANAGEMENT TO SERVICE AND REPORT ON THE FOLLOWING:

  • Dedicated management team for client with single direct reporting to Head of Department
  • National image consulting and fitting facilities service offered via our strategically located offices
  • Launch plan and delivery management systems
  • Client budget management
  • Detailed report management identified by client requirement
    • Staff database maintenance with regards to size/quantity/order cancellations and transfers
    • Exception reporting
    • Returns management and reporting
    • Procurement of raw material reporting
    • Manufacturing and production reporting
    • Quality management reporting
  • Electronic procurement & system
    • Interlink download and reporting
  • Manage garment stock, raw materials and forecasting
  • Logistics including Local & National distribution management
  • Disciplined returns department

DESIGN

IMAGE CONSULTING & FITTINGS

Our current network of experienced international image, style and fitting Consultants are trained and fully equipped with national fit ranges, order forms, IT support and refined knowledge to provide you, the client with the best knowledge and service.

Our national footprint encompasses inland, coastal and neighbouring countries with further presence within the African continent.

We guide our clients via seminar based training on the maintenance and wardrobe policy of each specific client. This leads to a successful implementation of the program with all ethnic origin and all age groups within the client’s framework, resulting in a high participation of wearers throughout the programme.

DESIGN CAPABILITY

  • Award winning designers in situ
  • Technical team with expertise of over 70 years in Corporate, Retail and Export markets
  • Conceptual design based on client specific needs
  • Textile Technologist and specialists in fabric selection supported by independent lab reporting
  • In-house product development
  • Gerber & Lectra trained, computerized pattern technologists
  • SABS, Export and Retail QA standards adhered to during design process

IT PATTERN MAKING & DESIGN TOOLS LECTRA/GERBER SUITE OF PROGRAMMES ENCOMPASSING COMPUTER AIDED DESIGN

  • This enables CORTEX to design and re-engineer fabrics and prints
  • Ability to conceptualize design into patternmaking
  • Translating concepts into initial selective choices of design
  • Technical drawings of designs
  • Internet transferable files

PATTERN MAKING FULLY AUTOMATED

  • Efficiency and accuracy in patternmaking Leading to improved fabric utilization and cost savings.
  • Quality Management to specifications
  • Time saving management tool
  • Adherence to on-going pattern construction
  • Automated high volume cutting facilities at our factories

PRESENTATION OF DESIGN BOARDS TO CLIENT

MOOD BOARDS

Design teams present a variety of mood boards indicating various “stories”. The Mood boards include proposed fabrics, styles and conceptual ideas for the proposed new range

BRANDING IDEAS

Branding ideas are portrayed on design boards in the format of sketches. Fabric samples are attached to design boards.

DESIGN BOARD – VARIOUS OPTIONS

A portrayal of ideas of styles, fabric and colour palettes.

  • Once the client has perused the design boards and has held in-depth discussions with a client focus group, a final range is decided on
  • Feedback of range is communicated to the CORTEX Design Team

DESIGN MANAGEMENT SCHEDULE IMPLEMENTATION

Once feedback has been obtained from Client the following process follows

DESIGN (2)

FINAL DESIGN STORY BOARDS

  • Final design boards, fabric boards and feelers are created after client feedback and then represented to Client

FABRIC ORDER OF SAMPLE RANGE

  • Sample lengths are ordered for the new range
  • Fabric testing scheduled with fabric suppliers /
    principals
  • Lab dips arranged to match the palette chosen
  • Client signs final lab dip

TECHNICAL DRAWINGS / TECHNICAL TEAM

  • Technical drawings are created by in-house designer, indicating all the details required on the garments
  • Technical drawings are client specific
  • Technical drawings are discussed with the head of the technical team, which leads to pattern construction stage

PATTERN CONSTRUCTION / PROTO-TYPE STAGE

  • Overseen by the Technical Director
  • Patterns are constructed using the sophisticated Lectra/Gerber system
  • Once patterns have been constructed, it is then forwarded to the Cutting room where garments are then cut and prepared
  • The cut garments are forwarded to our Sample room division where a dedicated team of sample seamstresses assemble the garments
  • Once garments are completed, it is followed by the quality assurance inspection according to pre-defined specifications
  • Once garments have been checked and fitted on the mannequins, it is then ready for the next stage

SAMPLE RANGE PRESENTED TO CLIENT

  • The sample range is presented to the client for perusal
  • Sample range includes proto-types samples, which have been produced and are ready for sign off by the client.

DESIGN AND DEVELOPMENT OF FABRICS

  • Innovation of design and conceptualization.
  • Development and sourcing of fabrics
  • Liaising with fabric representative and consulting with overseas principles
  • Sourcing of all raw materials
  • Establishing of fabric specifications

CLIENT APPROVES RANGE

Once the client has fitted the proto-type sample range and discussed the range with the client focus group, the range is approved · Any changes are discussed and implemented at this stage

DESIGN (3)

RED SEAL SAMPLE STAGE

Once client approves the range the next phase follows
whereby Red Seal samples are produced and signed off by the client.

  • With these Red Seal samples in place, the next phase of the range is produced

WEARER TRIAL RANGE (If Required)

Wearer Trial ranges produced in various sizes and presented to the Client.

  • Feedback is forwarded to and if necessary small amendments and changes are made to the garments

FITTING RANGE (If Required)

  • A fitting range is produced at this stage of the process
  • Fitting range includes all styles and sizes within the selected, approved range
  • Purpose of the fitting range is for all the wearers to try on and view the garments, the aim of this exercise is to attract all wearers

ACCOUNT MANAGEMENT

ORDER MANAGEMENT

Ordering procedures can be broken down into the following aspects, which when considered as a whole, provide the client with a complete ordering solution:

  • HR Integration
  • Order Form Design
  • Order Handling
  • Order Validation
  • Lifecycle
  • Brochures & Forms
  • Web based Ordering

ACCOUNT MANAGEMENT

CORTEX’s principle aim in managing the account in terms of administration is to remove the burden of policing the wearer’s entitlement away from the client and into our area of expertise.

  • To do this we rely on information fed to us from the client’s HR department.
  • Amendments are carried out by the system update, then the employee is marked with a message showing date and time of the amendment and what function was carried out.
  • The information required from the HR department is typically provided as a password e-mail on a weekly/monthly basis.

SPECIAL MEASUREMENTS

As part of the order valuation process, orders are assessed to ensure that they are not special measurement garments. If the garment is deemed a special measurement, a further assessment is conducted to ascertain if the special measure is an additional length, larger, small grade, or if indeed, a specialist required.

Upon completion of the assessment a communication is forwarded to the wearer detailing the nature of the special measure and the expected windows of delivery. 

ORDER PROCESS FLOW

  • Client direct liaison via Key Accounts Manager
  • Letter of Intent signed giving us the go ahead to get started
  • Contract and SLA signed
  • Fabric lab dip signed off and approved for bulk fabric production
  • Fabric lab testing results approved
  • Finished garment stockholding and raw material stock agreed upon and included in contract
  • Fabric order placed for bulk: typical ETA 12 weeks. 6 Weeks manufacture. 4 Weeks on the water from overseas. 2 Weeks at Durban Port and customs clearance + arrival at our Fabric warehouse in Johannesburg
  • Whilst fabric manufacture is our first priority, the balance below follows during the 12 week fabric manufacture time for best time management
  • Product design development and sample sign off
  • Order catalogues, fitting catalogues,
  • corporate wardrobe policies created and printed
    Seminar training for and on behalf of client by consultants nationally
  • Personalized fittings start nationally via personalized fit ranges or generic fit ranges
  • Electronic Orders downloaded once a month or per clients needs Proforma Invoices created

Garment manufacture and quality control: 8 weeks manufacture
subject to fabric being available Picking, packing and on
body delivery to individual staff member: 10 working
Invoices sent to client

MANAGEMENT REPORTING

ELECTRONIC PROCUREMENT & SYSTEM INTERLINKS

We have a stable platform of Internet accessibility, which is linked to all workstations within the business. We are, however, committed to offering our clients the most convenient and secure access to our services and as such, our e-commerce solution is multi-facetted but very straightforward.

Our online ordering system, will offer not only online order processing, but also a direct EDI interface to our system to enable Client to monitor (in real-time) the order progress through all its phases.

This process is electronically linked to Bills of Materials, Production Orders, Stock on Hand, Pick & Pack, Dispatch and Return and Exchange Procedures. These services enable our holistic approach to e-commerce.

DAILY/WEEKLY REPORTS

We have a number of standard reports, which we use on a daily basis and certain of these reports will offer types of
information required by Client.

Stock Movement Report Order Analysis Raw Material Usage and Inventory Levels achievement of Targeted Production Milestones

MONTHLY/QUARTERLY/ANNUAL REPORTS

  • Stock Usage Reports [Monthly, Quarterly & Annually]
  • Delivery Performance [Monthly, Quarterly & Annually]
  • Percentage of Order Delivery over/Under Target
  • Customer Service Overview Reports [Monthly & Annually]
  • Delivery,
  • Quality After Sales Analysis, which includes a Returns Analysis
  • Product Quality Activity Report–By Raw Material Fault Report or By Make Up Fault Report

PLEASE NOTE THAT STOCK MANAGEMENT IS A CONTINUOUS DEVELOPMENT AND WE CONSTANTLY ASSESS STOCK LEVELS TO ENSURE THAT DEMAND IS MET. STOCK MANAGEMENT IS CONDUCTED SIMULTANEOUSLY WITH ALL PICKING & PACKING THAT OCCURS.

MANUFACTURING

QUALITY MANAGEMENT & CONTROL PLAN

Clothing continually monitors the production quality control
at our various manufacturing facilities and internally. This
quality process takes the form of random in-line spot
checks and a 100% quality audit prior to dispatching or
placing into stock.
Cortex encourages our dedicated manufacturing facilities to
invest in their machinery and continually engages in open
dialogue with regards to the types of machinery required
and the performance, which that machinery will give to
ensure production efficiency and productivity, whilst
retaining price competitiveness.

MANUFACTURING

Our manufacturing facilities are encouraged to conform to SABS 0157, which is the pre-cursor to ISO 9002 and the Woolworths, Edgars Quality Management Systems.

This confirmation ensures that our Outsourced Network base are capable of manufacturing the stated garments according to the specifications.

Prior to the commencement of any production, we submit 3 pre-production samples for testing to achieve Red Seal status. This ensures that the client, manufacturer and Cortex retain one sealed sample for checking against the bulk manufacture.

The garments are all checked online during Production and again prior to dispatch to the warehouse. Cortex then conducts a further 100% check on all garments upon receipt, either from our contracted CMT operations at our warehouse, situated in Johannesburg, by our qualified Quality Audit team.

Prior to dispatch, we can also request the SABS to complete a full inspection of the goods and issue a certificate of conformance, which will be attached to your invoices and packing slips, confirming that the dispatched goods conform to your specification.

PROCEDURES INCLUDE

Each garment style is sampled, fully graded via LECTRA / GERBER Systems, and formally approved with sealed samples retained as the benchmark for production.

  • Certificate of conformity is required for the supply of materials
  • Fabric shade standards established with the fabric supplier, QA controllers via our Light Spectrometer, Design team and the client
  • Staff visits our manufacturing plants to view production and review compliance with our policies etc. Our audit document is based on the SABS compliance document. Contracted manufacturers are required to consistently demonstrate the ability and commitment to produce garments, which meet our specifications
  • Staff works closely with our contracted manufacturers to ensure that quality Standards are under stood and continuously applied
  • Both an in-line inspection and final inspection of finished goods before dispatch to warehouse is required
  • Substandard work, noted during production or audit, is rejected and the contractor fully briefed on corrective measures/action needed for future manufacturing
  • Garments requiring specialized manufacturing techniques are sourced from within a network of contracted manufacturers who are able to produce garments which meet exact standards
  • Specifies fabric, trimmings, and all other garment components
  • The technical director agrees upon production methods and each garment style is sampled, graded and formally approved through the provision of sealed samples before manufacturing

The basic component of our Quality Control Process is one of identifying specific processes that must be adhered to in order to ensure a robust product for the end wearer. These salient processes have been listed below, as well as the steps which we undergo to ensure the quality of our product.

QUALITY

– Process Identification –

  • Raw Material Purchasing Process
  • Raw Material Receiving and Test Process
  • Approval of Red Seal and Black Seal Sampling
  • In Process Inspection and Test Process
  • Final Inspection and Test Process
  • Packing Process
  • Pre-Delivery Inspection Process
  • Delivery Process

The Above Detailed Reports Are Available On Request

GARMENT FINAL SAMPLE AND
SEALING TO ENSURE THE HIGHEST QA
STANDARDS DEVELOPMENT SAMPLES

Once the client approves the sample for production, a style name will be allocated.
A TECH PACK will be produced and request for Red Seal will be issued.

RED SEAL SAMPLES

Approved samples ready for production. They will be submitted prior to production taking place – Red Seal sample must comply with all the points in the TECH PACK

3 Samples are made-these are assessed by the Head of Design, Technical Director and QA Department

A RED SEAL CERTIFICATE will be issued once approved

A copy of the Certificate with a sealed garment will then be sent for manufacturing

BLACK SEAL SAMPLE

First samples from the production line are once again double checked against the RED SEAL/TECH PACK. Once approved a BLACK SEAL CERTIFICATE will be issued for formal production to commence.

QUALITY (2)

FINAL AUDIT SYSTEM TO ENSURE CLIENT RED SEAL STANDARDS AREADHERED TO

Final in line audit is to ensure no quality problems can be identified and corrections are made at this point.

STEP 1: SELECTION

Once 80% of the order is complete, 15units at random are selected. This selection must be representative of all sizes of the order

STEP 2: MEASUREMENTS

In order to check and confirm the measurements, the approved pre-production sample, together with the relevant appraisal report and measurement guideline must be used for comparison purposes

STEP 3: SELECTION

Commencetheinspectionbymeasuring 5 units

  • Check the grade up and down
  • All units measured must fall into the tolerance as laid down by the International Standards
  • Corrections are made
  • Process is repeated

STEP 4: FINALIZING AUDIT

If only one fault is found and it is minor the audit will pass

  • If two faults are found within the 15 units selected the entire production will then fail
  • Each garment will then be individually inspected
  • Corrections will be made
  • Process will be repeated

WAREHOUSING & DISTRIBUTION

  • Garments are received directly from our factories into our main warehouses in Johannesburg after final quality audit at factory level
  • Our warehouses are state of the art, automated and dust free
  • 24 Hours security and Insurance cover
  • Once garments are received, We take 10 working days to individually pick, pack and deliver to client nationally