Transforming and Optimizing Threads

Written by Urim Song Zhu

MechSE alumnus Hardy Komandiwirya (BSME 2002, MSME 2004) has undergone a quite a unique journey, developing from a MechSE student to his current role as a successful general manager and entrepreneur in China’s garment industry. Through his story, one can learn the essence of perseverance, adaptation and continuous learning.

Komandiwirya’s journey begins with the mindset that was instilled within him by Professor Ty Newell (now professor emeritus) during his fourth year of study at Illinois.

“Rather than try to solve a problem using a pen and a calculator, he taught us to use Excel software and solve it through trial and error,” said Komandiwirya.

This hands-on learning approach instilled in him a desire for continuous improvement. Rather than confining himself to the office, Komandiwirya actively engaged with the production floor, identifying challenges and devising solutions. His engineering background equipped him with the analytical skills necessary to streamline processes and optimize production.

Komandiwirya’s career began with a trip to Beijing in 2002, when the city was preparing to host the 2008 Olympics. Seeing this development occur before his eyes, Komandiwirya was determined to develop his career in China. Coming from an Indonesian background, this was not an easy transition, as he came across multiple hurdles, including language and culture barriers, to name a few. However, his exposure to different cultures in his part-time job in the MechSE computer lab and his continuous need to adapt for his degree helped him overcome such hurdles.

His career began at a garment factory in China, named Koon Fat Garments Limited (KF Garments), where he was further immersed into the country’s culture, and where he met his future wife. There, he gradually worked his way up to general manager. In this role, it is necessary for him to develop the business, streamline the production line, increase production capacity, and work with a staff of about 1,000. This requires heavy optimization of the manufacturing process, something he had learned during his years at Illinois. The garments are shipped to the U.S., with current clients including Urban Outfitters, PacSun, and Abercrombie, to name a few.

This experience with optimization also encouraged him to pursue a secondary career as an entrepreneur, where he finds areas that need improvement and/or optimization. From this, he has started multiple businesses, and has gained a great deal of experience from this.

“I normally start a business with an open mind, knowing that I may make mistakes and that that is okay. As long as I learn from my mistakes and can optimize the process in order to bring me to a win or future profit, it is worth doing,” said Komandiwirya.

From this mindset, he started his own garment trading company, Creative Textile Limited, which caters more to high-end customers. Here, his team develops for the customers and outsources the bulk production to the other factory. He also started an Amazon side-hustle, Tuan Yuan Electronics, which sells small home appliances.

Komandiwirya’s journey serves as an inspiration for engineers and entrepreneurs alike, reminding us that with determination and adaptability, any dream is within reach.