Lectra’s SaaS Platforms Key to Industry 4.0

By Apparel Resources

In an exclusive interview with Apparel Resources, Daniel Harari, CEO, Lectra, speaks about how his company is driving Industry 4.0 forward and continuing to lead transformation in the industry by expanding the fashion value chain with new SaaS solutions.

In the business world, it’s rare for the hunter to become the hunted. But that’s exactly what unfolded for Gerber and Lectra – the company, once stalking Lectra, is now the one being acquired. This twist proves that relentless innovation is what keeps you ahead and on top.

We caught up with Daniel Harari, CEO, Lectra, who’s been leading the company for almost 35 years. So, how has Lectra managed to thrive in such a competitive industry for so long? According to Daniel, growth isn’t just about what you do internally—it’s about seizing opportunities beyond your own walls. When it comes to acquisitions, Lectra doesn’t settle for anything except the best. For one deal, the Paris-based company reviewed nearly 300 companies before finding the perfect match that fits its vision and goals.

And while Lectra’s cutters sell for double the price of most competitors, Daniel is unapologetic about sticking to quality over chasing lower price points. “For smaller companies that only need one cutter, we can’t downgrade our product to match that price point because our technology is too advanced and sophisticated. But for mid-sized companies that need two or three cutters, that’s where we become a much better choice. Once you compare throughput, efficiency and cost per garment, our system is more economical in the long run,” mentioned Daniel.

Daniel also spoke about how Lectra is driving Industry 4.0 forward and continuing to lead transformation in the industry by expanding the fashion value chain with new SaaS solutions.

Lectra, which reported total revenue of € 478 million (about US $ 500 million) in 2023, sees huge potential in India, even though it currently contributes just 3 per cent of total revenue. With 30 per cent growth in the Indian market in 2024 compared to 2023, Daniel is gung-ho about India’s future. “I believe Indian manufacturers are beginning to adopt agile production.” He also discussed how Lectra is addressing greenwashing in the industry. Here are the edited excerpts.

Read the complete interview here.

This article was published in Apparel Resources March 5, 2025. Lectra is a member of SPESA.

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