FW
A new book describes the origin and evolution of Japanese computerised knitting manufacturing giant Shima Sheiki. Shima Seiki is known for its wholegarment knitting machines.
The success story of Shima Seiki began in 1962 when Masahiro Shima laid the foundation of the company with the sole aim of developing a fully automated seamless glove-knitting machine.
With time, Shima Seiki proliferated its product range, adding flat knitting machines and entered the era of computerisation. As a result, the company started focusing on computer-aided knit design and programming and revolutionised the world of knitting with the introduction of the wholegarment knitting machine in 1995.
Today, wholegarment knitting machines produce knitwear for major high-street brands as well as high-end fashion houses.
The book narrates the story of how Masahiro Shima developed both technology and philosophy and connected them to build the empire of Shima Seiki, the market leaders of today in knitting. The book narrates the story of the inventor himself and how his company brought a revolutionary change in the fashion industry.
Shima Seiki offers total textile solutions. Shima Seiki’s seam-free wholegarment knitting technology offers an alternative to labor-intensive manufacturing.
Wholegarment knitting is capable of producing knitted items in their entirety on the machine, and allows complex 3D forms for fitting the human body or even car seats without the need for sewing.
American Eagle Outfitters (AEO) had digital sales growth of over 20 per cent in the fourth quarter, reaching record levels, making it the 12th consecutive quarter of double-digit growth.
Digital penetration increased 340 basis points in the fourth quarter, expanding to just under 31 per cent of revenue in the fourth quarter, compared to 27 per cent in the prior year period.
Earnings are projected to grow from 16 cents in the corresponding quarter of last year to 22 cents in the first quarter of 2018 (three months ended April 2018). Higher sales, a reduced promotional environment, benefiting from improved consumer confidence, and a lower tax rate are the main factors that should drive earnings growth.
American Eagle’s lingerie and active wear brand, Aerie, has gone from strength to strength, driving sales growth for the company. It posted a 15th consecutive quarter of positive comps in the fourth quarter 2017, at 34 per cent, building on the 17 per cent seen in the prior year period.
In addition to impressive growth in core intimates, the company has seen strength in apparel, active wear, and swim wear. The company expects the brand to cross a billion dollars in sales in the next couple of years, with a lot of this growth coming from its digital channel, which has been growing at a tremendous rate.
Aerie is also expanding its store count, with 35 to 40 new stores expected in 2018.
According to the Brandz Top 100 ranking, Dior, Gucci, JD.com and Abibaba recorded the highest growth in valuation in 2018.
The total cumulated value of these brands increased by 21per cent in a year, reaching $4.4 trillion. Among fashion, luxury and apparel brands, LVMH ranked 26th, Nike 29th, Hermès 39th, Zara 42nd, L’Oréal 44th, Gucci 54th and JD.com 59th.
Also listed were Ikea in 76th place, Ebay in 88th and Adidas in 100th.
The survey was conducted by Kantar. The retail category grew by 35 per cent, thanks to the e-commerce boom.
Technology and tech-related brands like Amazon, Alibaba and Ebay dominated both the retail category and also the Top 100 overall ranking, in which they accounted for more than half of the cumulated value.
Rwanda has expressed its willingness for further discussions with the United States on the dispute of imports of second hand clothes, despite the elapse of the deadline.
Earlier, the US had given Rwanda time till May 30, 2018 to review its stance on used clothes entering the country.
Rwanda had increased the tariffs on imported used clothes from $0.20 to $2.50 per kilo in 2016 with an intention of eventually phasing out the importation. The move is likely to boost its local manufacturing sector.
Rwanda is relying on major clothes manufacturers as the country seeks to phase out import of second hand clothes and promote made in Rwanda products.
It has undertaken several projects to boost the local industry. Some of these include the C&H Garment established at Kigali Special Economic Zone and UTEXRWA and Kigali Garment Centre (KGC), a company with over 400 shareholders tailors raising Rwf3 billion to start a clothing factory.
The garment industry is plagued by reports of dodging workers’ rights in the steadily growing Myanmar garment and footwear sector with new factories popping up all around Yangon’s industrial center, generating exports of $3 billion every year.
Research indicates that along with the potential physical and psychological costs of poor working conditions in garment factories, there can be significant financial harm, to both the women and the industry.
According to a 2017 report by Care International shows that in Cambodia, the productivity cost of sexual harassment in the garment sector is estimated to be $89 million per annum: $85,000 due to employee turnover as workers leave jobs where they feel unsafe, $545,000 due to absenteeism and $88 million in reduced productivity.
Prompted by the Cambodia figures, Ellen Maynes, Gender Operations Officer at International Finance Corporation, a part of the World Bank Group, says the organisation is planning the first-ever attempt to measure the scope of workplace harassment in Myanmar and how much it’s costing the country’s businesses.
Polyester is posing a threat to all natural fibers. World production of polyester went from five million tons in 1990 to more than 50 million tons today. Most of that growth occurred in China alone.
Cotton’s share in fiber use has dropped from 50 per cent to just over 30 per cent. Pressure from polyester production will continue and that is just a reality all natural fibers, including cotton, have to face.
However all is not lost. There is evidence China is shifting away from polyester production due to its negative environmental impact: converting crude oil, natural gas and coal into fiber is damaging to the environment. China has in recent years introduced several new acts of environmental legislation which impact on polyester production and, by association, commodity prices.
Cotton could potentially capitalise on such issues, as well as concerns about microfiber pollution.
While organic cotton undoubtedly has positive connotations with consumers, it is more expensive to grow with more variable yields, making it much more difficult to get to market at a profitable price point. Organic cotton is not necessarily economically viable.
While proponents of organic cotton will undoubtedly take issue with such sentiments there is no disputing the fact that the organic cotton market has struggled to maintain any significant momentum in recent years. Indeed, it often feels like a case of two steps forward, three steps back.
Heimtextil, the world biggest textile exhibition for home and contract textiles, will be held from January 08 to 11, 2019 in Frankfurt, Germany.
Over 160 Pakistani exhibitors are expected to participate in this international trade fair organised by Messe Frankfurt. The Trade Development Authority of Pakistan (TDAP) will also participate with Pakistan’s pavilion in Heimtextil Frankfurt 2019.
Around 55 exhibitors participated under the Pakistani pavilion and 158 exhibitors participated individually in Heimtextil Frankfurt 2018.
Pakistani companies showcased their products in attractive stalls with premium exhibitors such as Gul Ahmed, Kamal Textile, and Al-Karam Textile.
The exhibition included 2,975 exhibitors and 70,000 visitors from across the world.
Just three years ago, low prices led to US farmers’ planting the fewest acres with cotton in over 30 years. Now they are planting more land with cotton than they have for decades, attracted by relatively high cotton prices and the crop’s ability to withstand drought.
A 20 per cent increase from last year marks a sharp turnaround for the crop.
The switch to cotton in the southern plains of the United States could be long term as farmers move away from a global wheat market that is increasingly dominated by fast-growing supply from top exporter Russia. US farmers have struggled to make a profit on wheat due to a global glut.
Cotton is a safer bet than wheat because it can be grown with less water, at a time when drought has hit some areas of the US farm belt.
In Kansas, farmers plan to sow 1,30,000 acres of cotton, the most ever. Oklahoma cotton plantings are forecast at 6,80,000 acres, the largest since 1980.
Across the country, farmers will likely plant 13.469 million cotton acres, the most since 14.735 million in 2011.
Not surprisingly demand for cotton harvesters, which strip cotton from the plants and make bales, is going through the roof.
The World Trade Organisation will establish a panel to rule on a US complaint on certain programs in India that are prohibited export subsidies. India was not given an opportunity to object to the first request for a dispute panel by the US, as is the usual practice, because the dispute involves prohibited subsidies.
The panel was established under special provisions of the WTO’s Agreement on Subsidies and Countervailing Measures allowing panels to be established on first request for disputes involving alleged prohibited export subsidies. The programs targeted by the US include popular incentive schemes such as the Merchandise Exports from India Scheme, Export-Oriented Units Scheme and sector-specific schemes, including Electronics Hardware Technology Parks Scheme, Special Economic Zones, Export Promotion Capital Goods Scheme and Duty-Free Imports for Exporters Program.
The US, in its representation, argued that the programs provided financial benefits to Indian exporters, which allowed them to sell their goods more cheaply to the detriment of American workers and manufacturers. It alleged that while the exemption given to India from the ban on export subsidies had expired (as the country had surpassed the 1000 dollar threshold for per capital gross national product), it was yet to withdraw its schemes. India however is not convinced that the time it is entitled to for a phase-out of the schemes has lapsed and wants more discussion on the issue.
Sasa, based in Turkey, is one of the world’s leading producers of polyester fibers, filaments, polyester-based polymers, intermediates and specialty products.
With new polyester investment, in the production of polyester chips, fibers and filaments, Sasa will increase its production capacity from 3,40,000 tons a year to 3.1 million tons a year, making it one of the largest producers in the world.
Once the investment has been completed, Turkey will move from a net importer of polyester to a net exporter.
First of all, Sasa will produce pure teraphthalic acid and ethylene glycol, since these are raw materials to meet its own needs. The surplus will be sold.
The company has been one of the pioneer corporations in its field, demonstrating rapid growth thanks to incessant investments.
Sasa began its activities in the polyester sector in 1966. It has a robust technical infrastructure. It also has its own raw material production plant. In 2000, it strengthened its leading position in the sector by establishing a joint venture with Dupont, the leading global chemical company of the world.
In 2000, Sasa strengthened its leading position in the sector by establishing a joint venture with DuPont. Following the acquisition of DuPont’s shares by Sabancı Holding in 2004, it became a wholly-owned subsidiary of Hacı Omer Sabancı Holding.
