Founder Mr. Rory combines global executive experience and technology innovation to help small brands achieve large-scale manufacturing efficiency
NEX Connected, an emerging technology platform combining artificial intelligence with the apparel manufacturing supply chain, announced the full release of its AI-driven production system. The platform gives small and medium-sized brands direct, intelligent access to premium manufacturing resources that were once available only to major corporations.
NEX Connected was founded by Rory (Yi Zhao), an experienced entrepreneur whose career has been devoted to the IT, Internet, and technology sectors. With leadership experience ranging from multinational corporations to publicly listed companies, Rory excels at applying advanced technologies to rebuild inefficient traditional industries. He is recognized for his exceptional cross-sector integration skills and strategic management expertise.
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The NEX Connected platform uses AI to remove long-standing information and expertise barriers in apparel production. Through natural-language input, users can instantly generate design drafts, receive modular pricing, and compare qualified suppliers—without hiring costly designers or mastering complex technical processes.
“Our goal is to make high-quality design and manufacturing as intuitive and accessible as natural language itself,” said Rory, founder of NEX Connected. “AI connects small brands with idle capacity in local factories, giving them the same agility and efficiency as big players, but at a fraction of the cost. It’s about unlocking value for everyone in the chain—from the factory floor to the final customer.”
Unlike traditional sourcing platforms, NEX Connected integrates intelligent scheduling, on-demand manufacturing, and live quality monitoring across a distributed network of partner factories. The result is a smarter, faster, and fairer ecosystem that delivers small-batch apparel within 72 hours while reducing waste and cost. The platform also promotes more sustainable manufacturing by encouraging efficient resource use, shorter production cycles, and transparent supplier relationships. It provides real-time visibility into production stages, empowering brands to plan inventory more accurately and minimize overproduction.
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Rory believes the future of apparel manufacturing lies in human-AI collaboration. “AI doesn’t replace craftsmanship,” he explains. “It amplifies it—giving designers and small creators new freedom to experiment, customize, and deliver at global standards.”
NEX Connected will expand in the United States and partner with more local manufacturers. Through AI, the company aims to help revitalize U.S. manufacturing and employment, establishing a sustainable and fair collaboration model aligned with higher environmental and ethical standards. The company’s long-term mission is to rebuild trust between creativity and production—proving that innovation and responsibility can thrive together. Looking ahead, NEX Connected plans to extend its technology globally, empowering creative communities and sustainable factories around the world.