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Press Release
Detroit, Michigan - Complete Image Manufacturing (CIM) becomes 70th TUKAcenter, located in the historic Eastern Market and serving the Detroit metropolitan area. CIM offers local brands and fashion designers product development and manufacturing capabilities, including virtual sampling, training, and demand manufacturing.
CIM TUKAcenter Detroit is owned and operated by Milton Putman and Terra Carter. It officially launches in February 2024, and will be highlighted in an upcoming documentary by a prominent industry film maker.
According to Carter, the motivation for launching CIM TUKAcenter Detroit is that, “In the post-pandemic world, it’s even more apparent the need for a strong supply chain. Sourcing state-of-the-art equipment and technology helps us to fuel a healthier supply chain.”
About Terra Carter
Carter has a lifelong passion for helping the people of Michigan. Over the last 20 years, her community outreach programs have included nursing home visitation, Thanksgiving Day parade events, and rallies for the Saint Vista Maria girls’ home. She is herself an entrepreneur, having devoted years to studying business and obtaining degrees in Business Administration and Global Supply Chain. Carter currently owns several businesses besides Complete Image Manufacturing (CIM TUKAcenter Detroit), including Nails and Brow Place, and ORB Girls Enterprises.
About Milton Putman
Like Carter, Putman is an entrepreneur in his own right, and is one of the most sought-after fashion enthusiasts in Michigan. He has been featured in popular fashion magazines like DBusiness and Detroit Fashion News. Putman currently holds the position of CEO and Founder of Complete Dominance Athletics, in addition to Complete Image Manufacturing (CIM TUKAcenter Detroit).
Besides entrepreneurship, Putman has a passion for fashion education and helping to develop, guide, and teach professional skills that are needed in business. He is an active member of the National Entrepreneur Association and serves on the board of the Young Entrepreneur program. Putman was also the recipient of the Round 20 Motor City Match, for which he was recognized by Detroit Mayor, Mike Duggan, and United States Secretary of the Treasury, Janet Yellen.
Education, Services, and Jobs
For Putman, CIM TUKAcenter Detroit encompasses everything he is passionate about. As he sees it, “The world is rapidly moving into technology for everything, and it’s just a matter of time before the fashion industry is next. Our programs will offer certified teaching of the machinery that is needed for fashion, sewing, and cutting. Fashion students will also learn about textiles, tech packs, sourcing for fabric, and other needed skills. Building these programs will not only provide education but also create jobs in Detroit.”
TUKAweb President, Geoff Taylor, expands, “Tukatech’s collaboration with CIM TUKAcenter Detroit has helped Ms. Carter and Mr. Putman to achieve their vision of a modern design, development, and production hub, located in an urban environment within the United States. We are excited to be working with their team, to be opening another cutting-edge TUKAcenter, and to be advancing the global success of this business model.”
CIM TUKAcenter Detroit will offer the following services:
Pattern digitizing
Convert physical patterns into digital files or create a reproduction of an actual garment.
Data conversion
Translate data from one system format to another, to assist in communication with any vendor or customer.
Pattern Making
Make or alter 2D garment patterns, based on required specifications. Create patterns from scratch or select from a library of pattern blocks.
Grading
Grade patterns for any size range.
Marker Making
Generate the most efficient cutting layout.
Plotting
Plot/print digital patterns or markers onto paper.
3D Sample Making and Fabric Visualization
Drape patterns and designs on a 3D model to see how it will look and fit without needing a physical sample.
Single-ply Laser Cutter
Cut using CAD data or the optical lens for demand manufacturing.
Sewing
On-premises sewing for samples or production orders.
Opportunity and Growth Potential
Taylor concludes, “There is tremendous opportunity and growth potential in Detroit. The automotive industry continues to invest in the area, and tech giants such as Apple, Google, Amazon, Microsoft, and IBM have all recently increased their footprint in the metro area.”
It is with such a positive outlook for the future of the city that CIM TUKAcenter Detroit is launching a world-class design and fashion production facility in the heart of the city.
This press release was issued February 5, 2024. Tukatech is a member of SPESA.
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