Coventry clothing manufacturers are soon to be put through the 'rinser' to test the quality of their garments, and other aspects of their business, as part of a benchmarking scheme run by the Coventry Clothing Partnership.

Advisers from the Partnership's base at The Clothing Centre are set to visit local manufacturers and look at their production methods and business systems to see if quality can be improved and costs reduced.

The scheme is one of the first of its kind in the country for the clothing industry and will cover the whole spectrum of clothing, from trousers to blouses to childrenswear.

The aim of the project is to lead to the output of higher quality garments which will enable more Coventry manufacturers to supply high street retail stores.

Advisers will go through a questionnaire looking at key performance indicators including quality standards, delivery targets, and internal culture.

Councillor Ram Lakha, chairman of the Clothing Centre's management committee, said:

"The programme aims to support local manufacturers by showing if, and where, they can improve in a variety of areas.

"If manufacturers are aiming to supply high street stores then their garments must be of the highest quality. This benchmarking initiative will go some way in helping more Coventry manufacturers to achieve this goal.

"This scheme will also help to promote the image of the industry, something the Clothing Centre is very closely involved with."

Coventry Clothing Partnership has its base at the Coventry Clothing Centre in Foleshill Enterprise Park, Courtaulds Way. In addition to the Clothing Centre, the other participants are Coventry & Warwickshire Chamber of Commerce, Training & Enterprise, Business Link Coventry & Warwickshire, the city council's Coventry Centre for Investment and Coventry University.