Ep. 41 - Fashion Has a Waste Problem. Batch LDN Doesn't. - Pim Vellenga

Overproduction isn't a fashion trend. It's a design flaw. Batch LDN built the opposite: made-to-order production, low inventory, local manufacturing - and a supply chain that only moves when demand does.KEY CONCEPTS COVERED:- How made-to-order fashion reduces waste, overstock, and returns- Why local manufacturing changes lead times, risk, and operational control- How logistics becomes central to customer experience in a zero-inventory modelIn this episode of Chain Reaction, Michael Ostroumov is joined by Pim Vellenga, Head of Operations at Batch LDN, for a practical discussion on how fashion supply chains can work differently. Pim explains how Batch LDN uses a made-to-order model to avoid sitting on finished stock, reduce markdowns, keep returns low, and put operations at the centre of the customer promise.This episode is particularly relevant for fashion brands, supply chain leaders, logistics operators, sustainability teams, and anyone interested in leaner retail operating models.Watch this episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/fRSWlV-3khI TIMESTAMPS:(0:00) - Introduction and guest overview(1:33) - Pim's journey from engineering and public art into fashion operations(2:42) - Becoming a Batch LDN customer before joining the business(4:37) - Why Batch LDN chose a made-to-order fashion model(8:45) - Zero inventory vs low inventory: what Batch actually stocks(11:20) - Managing fabric availability and supplier risk(13:50) - Why Batch manufactures locally in London(16:52) - Production capacity, quality, and scaling local manufacturing(19:31) - Outsourcing vs in-house operations in fashion logistics(20:30) - Why traditional warehousing doesn't fit Batch's model(24:17) - Why the company is called Batch LDN(26:04) - The role of technology in keeping the model scalable(28:44) - Managing customer expectations when products take two weeks(29:44) - Returns, waste, and why made-to-order changes the economics(33:12) - Magic wand question: fixing customs and import delays CONNECT WITH THE HOST & GUEST:Michael Ostroumov -  https://www.linkedin.com/in/michaelostroumov/ Pim Vellenga - https://www.linkedin.com/in/pim-vellenga/ CONNECT WITH FLOX:Website: https://www.flox.is/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/flox-logistics-services/ Related Service Page: https://www.flox.is/retail-fashion-logistics ABOUT THIS EPISODE:In this episode, Chain Reaction Podcast explores how made-to-order fashion can reduce overproduction, excess inventory, and returns while still delivering a high-quality customer experience. Pim Vellenga of Batch LDN explains how the brand manages local manufacturing, raw material availability, production batching, fulfilment partnerships, and customer communication in a low-inventory operating model. The discussion also covers the operational trade-offs behind scaling a fashion business without relying on traditional stock-heavy supply chains.#ChainReactionPodcast #SupplyChain #FashionLogistics #MadeToOrder #SustainableFashion