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In order to strengthen sales and after sales services, analyse industry and product trends, expand the business and further improve customer satisfaction, Huntsman Textile Effects has streamlined its India commercial organization. With a dedicated sales teams covering the North, Central and South India and Sri Lanka regions compared to North and South regions, the teams are now more geographically aligned with Huntsman Textile Effects’ customer base in India. Being more focused on a smaller region will improve operational efficiency, customer focus and response time for each sales team as they benefit from more agile and quicker decision-making.
Headquartered in Mumbai, the sales teams will be supported by a full-fledged technical resource team and regional marketing team aimed at enhancing the performance of each function. These teams will also provide dedicated strategic marketing and higher level of after sales support.
Recently Huntsman Textile Effects has also made significant investments in R&D and technical services. The increased capabilities of its R&T and technical service laboratories in its Lighthall Corporate office complex will improve sales and after sales service offerings.
To boost investment and meet growing demand from the synthetic textiles industry, the government is looking at lowering excise duty on man-made fibre (MMF). The Ministry of Textiles is contemplating a cut in excise duty on MMF in the new policy scheduled to be announced in a month’s time. While cotton fibre attracts zero duty, a 10 per cent excise duty is levied on MMF. On several occasions, the MMF industry had asked the government to exempt MMF from excise duty, arguing that the garments produced by them are primarily used by economically weaker sections of society.
The textile commissioner, Kavita Gupta too has affirmed the government is considering a cut in MMF excise duty. Gupta is speaking on the sidelines of TAG 2016, the 8th Annual Conference on Textile and Apparel Industry organised by FICCI. India's fibre demand is likely to double in 10 years with the government increasing impetus on textiles sector for both domestic consumption and exports of readymade garments. India's cotton fibre output currently stands at 6.5 billion kg, which may go up to 8 billion kg by 2025.
The Bangladesh government’s policy of promoting readymade garment exports has created an anti-export bias for other sectors and put hindrances in competition and product diversification in the non- RMG sectors, says a Asian Development Bank (ADB) report.
he report titled ‘Country Diagnostic Study: Consolidating Export-led Growth’ recommends the government identify barriers to other productive sectors and eliminate anti-export bias against non-RMG export for ensuring economic diversification. The ADB report recommended withdrawal of some RMG sector supports which have outlived their useful lives.
‘As a general principle, incentives for new industries need to be time-bound while these [the RMG sector incentives] are not. Special incentives, such as corporate income tax exemption or tax holidays for imported machinery, need to be removed,’ the report said.
Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce and Industry president Syed Nasim Manjur feels the government’s wrong policy discouraged non-RMG sectors’ growth. He said, that the government provided zero-tariff facility for importing fire safety equipments for RMG sector but imposed up to 65 per cent duty on the items for the non-RMG sectors. The industry president said that the RMG sector enjoys various tax benefits including incentive but other sectors are not entitled for the benefits that lead an entrepreneur shutting his/her non-RMG units. He demanded a long-term sustainable support for the non-RMG sectors.
Textile manufacturers in Egypt prefer US cotton to local Egyptian cotton. The reason: deteriorating quality of Egyptian cotton. Extra-long staple cotton like Giza 86 and Giza 88 is being mixed with medium-staple types like Giza 90. Therefore, US exports of lint cotton to Egypt increased by 30 per cent in 2015 compared to 2014. Cotton production in Egypt is made up of about 90 per cent extra-long and long-staple cotton, while 10 per cent are short and medium staple varieties.
Some manufacturers choose US Pima cotton as a better alternative to Egyptian cotton due to its higher quality. Although the prices of US Pima cotton are higher than Egyptian extra-long staple cotton, the deterioration of the Egyptian extra-long staple cotton has forced local spinners to rely on Pima cotton to produce high quality yarn.
Egypt is famous for its extra-long and long-staple cotton, which are highly praised as the longer length of cotton fiber results in finer fabric. However, the extra-long and long-staple cotton are unsuitable for many textile operations which prefer short- and medium-staple varieties.
Egyptian cotton has been in decline for some years and it has accelerated after cash subsidies were removed. Many farmers replaced cotton acreage with rice.
A consortium comprising companies and liquidators will keep US teen retailer Aeropostale going and potentially save 229 of its stores. Aeropostale will continue as a business, though with much fewer than the 800 stores it had before it filed for bankruptcy in May amid fierce competition from online retailers, fast fashion trends and the fast-changing tastes of its young clientele. It had been losing money for 13 successive quarters.
The consortium intends to operate at least 229 of Aeropostale’s US stores, in addition to Aeropostale’s e-commerce business and its international licensing business. This way , Aeropostale has avoided bankruptcy liquidation. It hopes to continue to serve customers, emerge with new ownership as a financially stronger company positioned to compete and succeed in an evolving retail landscape apart from preserving thousands of jobs.
New York-based brand is popularly called Aero. It markets accessories and skirts, polos, jeans, hoodies and T-shirts mostly for teenagers. For decades Aeropostale has influenced American teenagers' style and fashion sense. At least five US teen retailers like Pacific Sunwear have filed for bankruptcy in the past two years, as the spending habits of young people shift and they visit malls less often.
"Worldwide, there is a growing sense concern about the quality standard of some of international brands. Of late, quality issues of some of top clothing brands have surfaced out in the open. According to AQSIQ some of the imported industrial products have not qualified the quality measures in June 2016. The products failed to pass the required standards in terms of colour fastness, pH value indicating the presence of excess formaldehyde"
Worldwide, there is a growing sense concern about the quality standard of some of international brands. Of late, quality issues of some of top clothing brands have surfaced out in the open. According to AQSIQ some of the imported industrial products have not qualified the quality measures in June 2016. The products failed to pass the required standards in terms of colour fastness, pH value indicating the presence of excess formaldehyde. As per reports, H&M branded man-made fibres, knitted men's t-shirt imported from Turkey by Haiensimolisi (Shanghai) Commerce had to be destroyed as pH values were high similarly Uniqlo imported men’s denim shirts from Bangladesh, was returned as PH values are not upto the mark. Shockingly, some of the biggest names like Eleven Paris, Levis, Versace, and Topman fall in this list.
Sub standard clothes a health risk
Excess pH values in clothing destroy the acid-base balance, causing skin allergy. It is understood that the garment dyeing and processing process, inevitably get exposed to many chemicals, so a range of pH values is a good barrier to ensure skin health. Because normal human skin pH value is acidic, and can protect the body against infection but in fashion industry pH value is found to be too highly alkaline causing skin irritation, burns, bacteria, etc. Similarly, high formaldehyde content can also stimulate the skin and mucosa, leading to respiratory diseases. It is worth mentioning that, formaldehyde in clothing is also a big problem. Formaldehyde is mainly used for wrinkle, shrink-proofing, color brightness. However, manufacturers are using cheap additives that contain formaldehyde, that result in people wearing them, the chemical is gradually released in the course and may enter the respiratory tract, eyes, and skin thereby causing complications and illnesses.
Since 2011 the national and local government in China has issued import expansion policies for imported clothes and inspection of batches for five consecutive years. However, there is gap in the quality of imported clothing and consumer demand. Hence, quality and safety needs to be improved.
Supply chain management exposes vulnerability
Recently, Giorgio Armani (Shanghai) trading company recall plan was submitted to the State administration for quality supervision. However, the punishment is weak. With China’s economic development and high consumption level, 'fast fashion ' brands in China are being gobbled up. Single regulatory management remains primary means of garment quality control. What's more, can sampling assure quality, fundamentally speaking, it all depends on the fabrics and accessories. Indeed producers have the obligations to subject their products to inspection or entrust a third party inspection, before entering the market.
"For the second year in a row, H&M Foundation has announced one million Euro grant for innovative ideas in sustainable fashion. The foundation’s ‘Global Change Awards’ recognises new initiatives and ideas to challenge the environmental impact of fashion. The H&M Foundation is a non-profit global foundation, privately funded by the Stefan Person family, founders and main owners of H&M."
For the second year in a row, H&M Foundation has announced one million Euro grant for innovative ideas in sustainable fashion. The foundation’s ‘Global Change Awards’ recognises new initiatives and ideas to challenge the environmental impact of fashion. The H&M Foundation is a non-profit global foundation, privately funded by the Stefan Person family, founders and main owners of H&M.
Focus on making fashion industry circular
“The Global Change Award aims to spark ideas that enable products and resour ces to have more than one life. Finding ways to reinvent the fashion industry is a fundamental part of a more sustainable future. Moving towards a circular fashion industry is of immense importance. Even though it’s challenging, it also opens up great opportunities, and makes clear business sense” says Karl-Johan Persson, Board Member of the H&M Foundation and CEO of H&M. Johan goes on to explain innovations that occur as a result of the awards will not be “owned” by H&M, they will be made available to the whole fashion industry. The Global Change Award aims to speed up the transition to a circular business model for the entire fashion industry.
One of the key concepts for this year’s Global Change Awards is ‘making the fashion industry circular’. The ‘circular economy’ is an economic model designed to eliminate waste and restore valuable resources. This applies to all areas of the fashion industry, and to achieve it the fashion industry needs to reinvent itself: how to design, what materials to use, how to dye, cut and sew, ship, sell, own, use and dispose fashion. “New technology, business models and materials can make this possible. By transforming to a circular model, the fashion industry will be able to produce fashion for a growing world population while operating within the planetary boundaries and ensuring a long term viable business,” explains Erik Bang, Project Manager, Global Change Awards.
Comepetition will be over three categories this year: Circular business models, Circular Materials and Circular Processes. While Circular Business Model covers ideas on how to reuse, repair, share, digitalise or extend the life of products, Circular materials will cover ideas on new fibres, recycle techniques, and leather substitutes, etc. Circular processes would find new methods around chemicals, water and dyeing, as well as 3D printing, demand-driven manufacturing, etc.
The Who’s Who in the judges panel
The judges would include David Roberts, Founder of Exponential Leadership & chairman in 1Qbit Information Technologies Inc, Rebecca Earley, Professor in sustainable textile and fashion design at University of the Arts London , Ellis Rubinstein, president and CEO, The New York Academy of Sciences among others
"The fifth edition of Galleria Intima, one of the biggest shows for India’s intimate apparel industry concluded in New Delhi with a massive participation of 200 visitors and more than 500 exhibitors. Organised by Intimate Apparel Association of India, the event covered diverse aspects of the intimate apparel industry, including fabric, laces, fibre, machinery, packaging methodology, design trends, creativity, innovation and accessories. "
The fifth edition of Galleria Intima, one of the biggest shows for India’s intimate apparel industry concluded in New Delhi recently with a massive participation of 200 visitors and more than 500 exhibitors. Organised by Intimate Apparel Association of India (IAAI), the event covered diverse aspects of the intimate apparel industry, including fabric, laces, fibre, machinery, packaging methodology, design trends, creativity, innovation and accessories. The 2016 edition was marked by the presence of government officials, industry professionals, brands, vendors, allied industry players under one roof.
Global players boost industry
IInaugurated by Rashmi Verma, Secretary (Textiles), the Galleria Intima 2016 received a warm response from participants. Verma reiterated the government’s support for the event and lauded the efforts of the IAAI. While welcoming the visitors and exhibitors she explained the idea behind the recent booster offered to the textiles and apparel industry and invited more international participation. Verma stressed upon the growing opportunity for the industry especially in newer markets like the US and Europe. She also focused on the government’s Rs 6,000 crores package for the apparel and textiles industry and upcoming labour reforms and TUF schemes.
Rakesh Grover, President of the IAAI, discussed the problems and concerns ailing the intimate clothing industry and submitted a memorandum asking for the intimate clothing industry to be included in the list of merit goods under the GST bill. Pointing out the role of the association in promoting and expanding the industry he said “This year, we have more than 80 participants from more than 10 countries. This exhibition has more of a Southeast Asian participation. That’s because Southeast Asian countries including China are supplying to the world. In five years, we want to bring the industry to Rs 48,000 crores. Now it’s Rs 24,000 crores. We are working on manufacturing, branding, technology and retail.”
Creativity, innovation the major highlights
Besides bringing forth the latest trends in the industry, the event also addressed the challenges being faced by the intimate clothing industry. It emerged as a key platform for collaboration of talent, skill, business and ideas in the industry. Creativity and innovation were major highlights in the ‘Trends Pavilion’ managed by Professor Monica Gupta and her team from NIFT.
Explaining the event’s growth over the years, Dhiraj Makhija, Makhija Intimates explains, “The show has been growing from strength to strength year on year. The inclusion of new companies from India and abroad, and an array of unique products under one roof are some of the USPs of this show. We get to meet our fellow companies and understand latest trends from the seminars and panel discussions. Going ahead, we would like to see more participation from Indian companies as well as from distributors of companies based overseas to harness better business deals.”
The US government has given approval to duties on imports of a Chinese specialty fabric that allegedly was dumped into the US market, undercutting American-made products at places such as Auburn Manufacturing, industry’s leading expert in the manufacture of high performance textiles for extreme temperature protection. The duties approved by U.S. Department of Commerce will take effect on products that have been imported into the country going back in June at the rate of 162 per cent of the declared value.
This is a really big win, Kathie Leonard, president and CEO of Auburn Manufacturing, said. It shows just how many subsidies have been going to Chinese manufacturers from their government.
US Rep. Bruce Poliquin, who worked with the rest of Maine’s congressional delegation to help Auburn Manufacturing bring its case to the Department of Commerce, said that the preliminary ruling will help create a level playing field for manufacturers.
Poliquin said that China illegally subsidises its manufacturing such that they’re able to sell their products over here and dump their product here. The fact that these duties are so high shows how much these Chinese companies and the government there have violated international law.
Auburn Manufacturing produces amorphous silica fabric, a fireproof material that is used in welding and other manufacturing, and employs about 40 people in Auburn and Mechanic Falls. Chinese dumping has cost the company about 30 % of its market share for the specialty fabric over the last three years and has caused them to cut back the company’s workforce by about 20 per cent over the last year.
India will soon take on the leadership in the global apparel industry by edging out Bangladesh, Vietnam and even China, says Tirupur-based clothes maker T R Vijaya Kumar who owns CBC Fashions. He's a second-generation manufacturer, who's transformed his small family undershirt business employing 1,700 employees into an apparel exporter. His ambitions are even greater, that of tripling exports and adding 500,000 jobs in the process.
According to Kumar, after the cost of production has gone up in China, they are phasing out textile. Naturally, opportunities will go to other countries. It is for us in India to grasp the opportunity. The hindrance is that other Asian nations are way of India in apparel exports. India's $17 billion exports of apparel were about half as much as Bangladesh's last year and its 3.7 per cent global market share lagged behind Vietnam's 5.1 per cent. Narrowing the gap is crucial.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi's biggest failure so far has been the inability to boost employment, says a recent poll. Some time ago, his government had announced a nearly $1 billion package for textile and garment makers, including subsidies for hiring, tax refunds and relaxation of overtime rules with a goal to create 10 million jobs and boost exports by $30 billion in the next three years. ICRA, the local unit of Moody's Investors Service, called the target challenging as demand slows in importing countries.
