Optimising apparel production in Industry 5.0 using a human-centric flexible manufacturing approach

The evolution towards Industry 5.0 highlights synergistic human–machine collaboration aimed at enhancing manufacturing efficiency, adaptability, and worker well-being. In contrast to Industry 4.0 automation-centric approach, Industry 5.0 emphasises the strategic integration of human expertise with targeted automation, optimising worker-task alignment while automating repetitive processes. In such context, this study introduces a Garment Flexible Manufacturing System (GFMS) designed to optimise production scheduling, material handling, and workflow coordination through intelligent scheduling, multi-channel processing, and automated warehousing. Implemented at LAFEIYI Clothing Manufacturing Co., Ltd. in Shantou, China, the GFMS was evaluated using real-world production data and workforce adaptation metrics. Experimental results indicate a 28% increase in daily output per worker, improved order fulfilment rates, and enhanced operational stability. These findings provide empirical evidence supporting the effectiveness of human-centric automation in apparel manufacturing, demonstrating the transformative potential of Industry 5.0 in improving production efficiency and worker conditions.