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India on Tuesday bid for greater systematic trade in textiles with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean). Textile Minister Smriti Irani told a large contingent of business leaders at an event organised by industry body Ficci, “India can be a one-stop sourcing destination for textile materials from Asean,”
The minister also touched upon the ghost of cheaper Chinese materials/finished products flooding Asean markets. “They cannot compete with the rich legacy of our handlooms,” she said proudly. To this effect, a unique fashion show was organised here on Tuesday by Ficci, where traditional fabrics from both India and Asean members were showcased by young designers from both sides. During the last fiscal, India’s textiles exports to the region touched $1.20 billion, while imports were $546 million. Textiles Secretary Anant Kumar Singh noted, “With a strong multi-fibre base and an abundant supply of raw materials like cotton, wool, silk, jute and man-made fibres, India enjoyed a distinct advantage of backward integration that many countries do not possess,”
Despite the operation of the FTA in goods with Asean, India’s exports of textiles and apparels to the region have been constant in the last few years and had not shown much movement. Though India has a unique advantage of having the presence of the entire textile value chain, its most exported items to Asean consisting of cotton fibre, cotton yarn and fabrics have not grown to the desired extent, Singh added.
The government has noted that Indian exporters have not been able to explore and leverage the terms of trade deal to its fullest advantage. It is also looking at methodologies to create a robust framework to export textiles and apparel to Asean markets, and further to China, Northeast Asia and the EU through their various trade agreements.
Investors have the opportunity of entering the entire value chain of synthetics, value-added and specialty fabrics, fabric processing and technical textiles. Trade and economy ministers from seven nations in the 10-country bloc was of the view that the speedy conclusion of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) was necessary. However, the Indian government said the sensitivities of all nations — services trade in its case — needed to be first taken into account.
The Belgian division of the multinational group Easyfairs – specialised in organising events and managing exhibition halls and congress centres – has taken over the event activities of the non-profit association Textirama. Textirama promotes the textile sector in Belgium and following this move, Easyfairs Belgium adds four fairs and a conference to its portfolio— the majority of which are in the professional sector of interior textiles:
Intirio, MoOD, Indigo Home Edition and the Intirio Conference have, in the meantime, become established concepts in the Belgian interior and textile sector. The Goed Gevoel Ladies Fair, an experience event for women and a cooperation with De Persgroep’s magazine, entitled Goed Gevoel, is also being transferred as part of the deal. With the acquisition by Easyfairs, the organisation of these events remains assured and the promotion of the sector is guaranteed.
Dirk Oosterlinck, Head, Easyfairs Events Belgium avers, “We believe in the power and the potential of the Textirama fairs and conference. This will benefit the entire textile sector in Belgium.”
The members of the Textirama Advisory Board will also continue to play an advisory role within this new business unit. “With these fairs in the B2B interior and decoration sector and the Goed Gevoel Ladies Fair in the B2C segment, we are adding a new and important business unit to our portfolio, one that enables us to develop new synergies with our existing fairs,” Oosterlinck added. The general manager of Textirama, Patrick Geysels and his team will lead and further develop the new B2B business unit ‘Textiles, Interior & Design’.
Patrick exults, “We are looking for continuity and professionalism within a rapidly changing fair landscape. In an organisation like Easyfairs we find the increase in scale that we deem necessary to be able to keep on growing.”
Invista's Cordura and Converse, the iconic street brand recognised around the world for its footwear and apparel, have collaborated to present durable new bags at Outdoor Retailer + Snow Show 2018. Reflecting lifestyle trends in urban cities, the bags are an essential item to meet the demands of being on the go — night and day. The Converse X Cordura collection brings skate-inspired durability to everyday wear.
"As we continue to encourage consumers to Live DurableTM in all facets of life, we're excited to team up with such a well-respected brand," said Cindy McNaull, global Cordura® brand and marketing director. "The Converse X Cordura® Collection is geared towards the young city dweller and features bags that are designed not only to serve as a stylish piece, but also a survival kit throughout their day."
The new collection delivers bold transit essentials and bags made for the city streets - whether it's a modern take on the traditional outdoor silhouette for long days with larger loads, a cross body pack that hugs close for secure carry during skate or bike, or a weekender duffle that's sneaker-friendly. The new Street 22 Backpack, Toploader Backpack, 3-Way Duffel, Utility Backpack and Fast Pack will be available February 2018.
At Pitti Filati, and as part of a journey to make better products, the Filpucci Group invites the fashion industry to experience its new line of creativity in sustainable yarn. The “Responsible Innovation Collection” represents a new level of smart innovation linked to responsible, eco-centric production. The collection uses the best high-tech, natural-based materials, combined with Filpucci’s dying & finishing expertise. This gives customer’s real access to a new, fashion-forward aesthetic, where quality and smart uniqueness in these new, more responsible yarns, deliver a new textile era of sustainable fashion solutions that are driven by ethical and natural values.
Filpucci has announced it is a new official partner of Creativity Lifestyle and Sustainable Synergy (C.L.A.S.S.). Since 2007, C.L.A.S.S., a unique multi-platform HUB based in Milan, specialises in integrating a new generation of eco-values for fashion, home products and business strategies. These values speak to a new, smarter, contemporary consumer.
Founded by Giusy Bettoni, C.L.A.S.S. introduces a new way of design thinking that represents a shift in culture, enabling businesses to be competitive and socially innovative. Filpucci is also a key ambassador for the unique C.L.A.S.S. partner product, Re.Verso™, for its luxury upcycled cashmere yarn. New additional steps on the Filpucci journey towards a more responsible approach to smart design and manufacture include: The signing of a new ‘Values Chart’ in conjunction with a joint consortium to guarantee sustainable production chains that are fully traceable with certified materials and measured environmental performances, such as reducing CO2, water use and power consumption.
The company is also GRS accredited with dyeing facilities that are second to none, boasting a GOTS certification alongside recycling 70 per cent of water and also as part of the DETOX campaign for the last 3 years. This is a key added value mirroring the entire company’s dyeing operation. The Filpucci Group produces its own ‘Balance of Sustainability’ report each year to measure and account for issues relating to the business impact of a responsible innovation strategy and research optimisation into origins of materials, transparency, certifications and processes designed to reduce environmental impacts and a no-waste manufacturing philosophy.
A four-day exposition on yarn, fabric, denim, dyes and chemicals will open on January 31, in Dhaka’s International Convention City Bashundhara (ICCB). It is expected to create greater interaction among local and international stakeholders. Conference and Exhibitions Management Services (CEMS) Global CEMS Global in association with China Council for the Promotion of International Trade (CCPIT TEX) is organising the trade show called ’13th Dhaka International Yarn and Fabric Show (DIFS)-2018 – Winter Edition’.
Two other exhibitions the ‘2nd Dhaka Denim Show 2018 Winter Edition International Expo’ and the ’30th Dye+Chem Bangladesh 2018-Winter Edition’ will also take place simultaneously. President and Group MD of CEMS Global, USA and Asia Pacific Meherun N Islam said the readymade garment (RMG) industry is the key driving force of the country’s economy with over 80 per cent contribution to export income. Bangladesh is currently the second-largest apparel exporter, after China, she said adding that the country has the ability to overtake China for various reasons including reasonable production cost. “Chinese entrepreneurs are looking for joint venture scope in other countries including Bangladesh as production cost is getting higher there,” she noted.
DIFS-2018 is expected to help Bangladeshi entrepreneurs expand business opportunities, she averred. A total of 350 organisations from 21 countries including Bangladesh, China, Germany, Italy, Malaysia, India, Taiwan and Vietnam will participate in the trade shows. They will display various types of products and services including yarn, denim, knitted fabrics, fleece, artificial leather, buttons and zippers.
"Juki India which works mainly in the non-apparel and knitwear industry showcased for the first time at the recent GTE held in Delhi and made a mark with its advanced technology machines. “This time at GTE fair, we showcased many advanced technology machines displayed for the first time in India. The machines are equipped with NTSC technology with directs drives and are connected with cloud,” says R Gopal Kukreti, General Manager. Juki launched a machine that makes 10 to 12 cuffs and collar in one go."
Juki India which works mainly in the non-apparel and knitwear industry showcased for the first time at the recent GTE held in Delhi and made a mark with its advanced technology machines. “This time at GTE fair, we showcased many advanced technology machines displayed for the first time in India. The machines are equipped with NTSC technology with directs drives and are connected with cloud,” says R Gopal Kukreti, General Manager. Juki launched a machine that makes 10 to 12 cuffs and collar in one go.
“At Juki, we are committed to customer satisfaction, and put all efforts to be close to customer needs,” says Kukreti. Juki India was established in 1995 as a representative office with a presence in New Delhi and Bangalore covering the Northern and Southern regions. Over the years, they have expanded operations significantly through nine branches at important apparel production clusters in the country and today have a full-fledged presence in with adequate sales and support.
Juki India has an extensive network of offices. This is further strengthened by the presence of agents and distributors who help in distributing their products. “We have continuously strengthened certain categories such as electronic assembly and apparel systems and equipment, with the technology of industrial sewing machines at its core,” says Kukreti.
Going forward, they are focusing on improved customer relations. The other division such Surface mount Technology (SMT) systems and household sewing machines also operate out of Juki India. “Our dedicated technical engineers and specialist team from Juki Corporation along with agents or distributors provide customer with machine knowledge, machine installation and maintenance services. Additionally, we conduct product seminars and training to all our valued customers and prospective buyers with the aim of providing technical and operational know-how of Juki industrial sewing machines,” he informs.
They also provide support to industrial customers in the form of services and software such as assisting apparel manufactures in improving productivity, developing highly efficient production systems and improving their work environment.
Kukreti sees strong competition in his segment and keeps ahead by providing good technical services to help client’s business grow, “We are associated with the industry for 22 years. We believe in quality and services. We are a Japan-based company and all manufacturing is done over there.” He feels “The future of garmenting is really bright,” and continues, “The domestic market is good and we need to exploit it properly. It will bring huge benefit to the economy. We are tapping markets in Chattisgarh and Jharkhand.”
"Tukatech is a solutions provider for textile product development. And as Umesh Gaur, President (Asia), Tukatech, says “We don’t just sell a product, we provide holistic solutions to our clients. A manufacturer/exporter looking at setting up a plant is not expected to be an expert in all areas of production and this is where we come into the picture by providing technical excellence and services.” Gaur says they have seven companies in their roster of clients — who were not tech savvy in some of areas of manufacturing. Tukatech helped them network with the right people and provided them support in-house."
Tukatech is a solutions provider for textile product development. And as Umesh Gaur, President (Asia), Tukatech, says “We don’t just sell a product, we provide holistic solutions to our clients. A manufacturer/exporter looking at setting up a plant is not expected to be an expert in all areas of production and this is where we come into the picture by providing technical excellence and services.” Gaur says they have seven companies in their roster of clients — who were not tech savvy in some of areas of manufacturing. Tukatech helped them network with the right people and provided them support in-house.
Offering time saving solutions
Explaining their working Gaur says, “Once a manufacturer gets a query on a product from an exporter or a domestic player, they first create a sample with all details like patterns, types and designs etc. We then use our software — which does not need a digitiser — to help the client create a product. This technology brings efficiency into the process along with faster pace and accuracy. The software minimises the chance of a product being rejected.”
Gaur informs they also provide solutions in warp knitting and grading. The major concern for a manufacturer is product development and approval. It takes time for a product to get approved, sometimes more than 30 to 40 days. “We help in reducing time cycle for approval by getting virtual sampling through the software. Then it is uploaded on cloud — which is another area of service we provide. This saves time, energy, labour and more. It’s all about productivity. So cloud solution and 3D are upcoming technology offerings. We also have cutting equipment and spreaders.” On India becoming a global garmenting hub, he says “India holds a trump card in many areas. Indian products are still considered best in quality, though we don’t produce in quantity like our neighbouring countries. We are blessed with a variety of fabrics and handmade designs. The kind of fabrics that are available here cannot be found anywhere else,” he expounds.
Gaur says they are looking to increasing market share, “We are happy with satisfied clients and well executed projects. Our bottom line is customer satisfaction. We are a US-based company and have significant expertise in our area of operation. There are more than 300 CAD companies worldwide. But we are doing exceptionally well everywhere. In India, we have clients like Future Group, KKCL, Gokuldas, Reliance etc. It is not that they are using these technologies first time but they chose us over competition because we provide them what others can’t.” Showcasing at the recent Garment and Textile Expo in Delhi, Gaur says they are associated with GTE from the very beginning. “The response in this edition of GTE was phenomenal. It’s been a win-win situation for us.”
The Clothing Manufacturers Association of India (CMAI) is organising the 66th National Garment Fair from January 29 to 30, 2018 at Hall I, Bombay Exhibition Centre, NSE Complex, Goregaon (E), Mumbai. This is the largest Spring/Summer Trade Fair ever organized by the Association. This B2B Fair will display more than 400 brands spread over 2,00,00 sq. ft. Approx 15,000 trade visitors are expected to visit the fair. The exhibits include men’s wear, women’s wear, kids wear, ethnic wear and accessories.
Apex Awards, the premier awards for Indian apparel industry, will be held on January 29 at Hall II. These awards acknowledge excellence in apparel manufacturing, marketing, supply chain management, exports, retail while recognising significant contributions to the industry from allied industries. This year, The Lifetime Achievement Award will be bestowed upon Sanjay Lalbhai, Chairman, Arvind Brands for his invaluable and outstanding contribution to the growth of the Indian apparel industry. Talking about bringing about policy changes, Rahul Mehta, President, CMAI says several amendments brought about by the GST Council were steps in the right direction and the textile and clothing industry has seen a fair amount of relief, especially in procedures. A lot more still needs to be done and CMAI is continuing its active interaction with the government and the GST Council to address these issues.
Teijin Aramid has announced plans to increase the production capacity for its Twaron super fiber by more than 25 per cent. This additional capacity will become available within the next five years. With this capacity expansion, the company will be able to meet future market demand and provide its customers with the material they need to excel in their markets. Demand for Teijin’s high-performance para-aramid fiber Twaron is growing steadily, and the outlook is positive. Expanding the aramid business is one of the Teijin Group’s key strategies, with an expected annual growth of 8 per cent. The company is determined to ensure that this growth will go hand in hand with an even better service for its customers.
As a market leader, Teijin Aramid aims to capture a substantial part of the global market growth, which should eventually lead to a future market share of more than 50 per cent. Substantial investments are planned to raise the production and adopt the latest technology.
By introducing lean methodology and internal optimization programs, Teijin Aramid has been able to increase its Twaron production capacity by 130 per cent since 1999. It is determined to keep up this best-practice way of working and keep investing in its factories, implement the latest technologies, and ensure economy of scale. This will enable the company to keep up with market demand and market competitiveness, while meeting its customers’ demand.
The total extra capacity is planned to be fully available in 2022. Teijin Aramid is currently implementing a new spinning technology at its Twaron facility in Emmen, the Netherlands, as was stated in July 2017. The extra capacity of that investment will become available as of May 2018.
United Towel Exporters is confident that exports to Europe will go up exponentially post the expansion of business following acquisition of a 70 per cent stake in the Netherlands-based Vespo Groep BV. The acquisition of majority stake in the home textile company would propel United Towel’s exports to $13.50 million in 2018, up 221 per cent from the current $4.2 million, the Finance Division told the Cabinet’s Economic Coordination Committee (ECC) in a meeting held late last month.
The projection while requesting the ECC to permit United Towel to remit $9.39 million to acquire 70 per cent equity in Vespo Groep BV. The State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) had forwarded the company’s request for remitting the money. Sponsors of United Towel have over 30 years of experience in value added textile manufacturing and exports of diverse products for the hospitality, healthcare, home fashion and work wear industries. Vespo Groep is a textile market leader in designing, producing and supplying products throughout Europe. The group’s expansion to Nordic countries is expected to enhance United Towel’s export prospects. The payback period of the proposed investment was expected to be about 13.5 years with the internal rate of return estimated at 26.72 per cent.
The proposed equity investment would be financed from export proceeds retained in special foreign currency accounts of the company. SBPs regulations permit textile exporters to keep 10 per cent of their export proceeds in foreign exchange. The Finance Division recalled that the ECC had decided in 2002 that the Central Bank should approve overseas investment proposals of up to $5 million, while investments valued at over $5 million should get the green signal from the ECC.
The SBP had evaluated the proposal and was seeking permission for remitting $9.39 million on the condition that the company would fund all future foreign remittances from the same account.
