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Vietnam textile and garment industry is experiencing tough days as orders have moved from Vietnam to Myanmar and Laos. According to Pham Xuan Hong, Chairman of the HCMC Textile, Garment, Knitting and Embroidery Association, the orders for the second quarter of the year have come, but the number is lower than predicted.
Vu Duc Giang, Chairman of the Vietnam Textile and Garment Association (Vitas) also said at a meeting with the Prime Minister some days ago that many loyal partners have shifted to place orders with producers from Myanmar and Laos, because the two countries enjoy preferential tariffs when exporting products to the US and EU.
Meanwhile, TPP and the Vietnam-EU FTA which offer preferential tariffs to Vietnam’s exports still have not taken effect. Cambodia now enjoys zero percent tariff under the GSP program applied to underdeveloped countries, while Vietnam has to bear a tax rate of 9.6 percent.
Incidentally, Vietnam not only has to compete with Myanmar and Laos which are now attracting orders, but also with Cambodia, which outstripped Vietnam in exports to the EU, one of Vietnam’s largest export markets, in 2015 due to which many Vietnamese small and medium sized garment companies have had to shut down.
American & Efird (A&E) - the largest U.S. manufacturer of industrial and consumer thread, embroidery thread and technical textiles - is acquiring a majority ownership of Vardhman Yarns and Threads from its joint-venture partner, Vardhman Textiles.
Vardhman Yarns and Threads is India’s second-largest manufacturer and distributor of industrial and consumer sewing thread. When the transaction is completed, A&E will own 89 percent of the venture and Vardhman Textiles will own the other 11 percent.
According to Les Miller, A&E’s chief executive, the acquisition of Vardhman Yarns and Threads accelerates A&E’s continued global growth and diversification. Our long-standing blue-chip customer base - including leading global brands, multinational corporations and regional manufacturers - rely on A&E as a mission-critical supply-chain partner.
Miller said that the acquisition will help A&E meet demand for high-quality products in India and increasing international demand for exports from India.A&E, a KPS Capital Partners portfolio company, will invest significant capital and resources in Vardhman Yarns and Threads to ensure environmental sustainability, technological innovation and customer service.
According to the latest market report from Transparency Market Research (TMR), the global textile chemicals market is set to reach US$29bn by 2024. Thus, the global industry is estimated to expand at a CAGR of 3.7 per cent between 2016 and 2024.
Textile chemicals are used on all textile applications such as apparel, home textiles and industrial textiles, and aim to provide a function to improve the textile and optimise the manufacturing process. The research reveals there are “more than 60 classes of functional chemical products are employed in coating and sizing chemicals, colorants and auxiliaries, finishing agents, surfactants, desizing agents, bleaching agents, yarn lubricants and other miscellaneous applications.
In terms of volume, ‘coating and sizing chemicals’ was the largest product segment of the textile chemicals market in 2015, as they provide lust and a silky texture to fabrics, according to the findings. Sizing chemicals are used frequently in the apparel applications industry in order to increase the absorption rate of the fabric.
‘Finishing chemicals’ was the fastest growing product segment in terms of volume in 2015. Colorants and auxiliaries, predominantly used in dyeing and printing of textiles, had significant share in the global textile chemicals market in 2015.
A total of 1,388 out of the 1,452 readymade garment factories inspected by Accord on Fire and Building Safety in Bangladesh are lagging behind the schedule in implementing corrective action plan while remediation in 57 factories are progressing as per schedule. Only seven factories so far have completed all the remediation items suggested by the major European retailers’ platform.
Starting from November 2013, Accord conducted initial inspections at 1,550 readymade garment factories and provided corrective action plans to 1,452 units. During the inspection, the Accord identified 32,726 electrical, 32,033 fire and 19,415 structural safety hazards in the factories.
The result is that 74.80 per cent of the electrical and 50.50 per cent of the fire safety hazards have been corrected while the percentage of correction of the structural safety hazards is 36.80 per cent.
Accord conducted a successful pilot safety committee training program at 56 supplier factories having registered trade unions and the initiative has formed safety committees in 33 of the factories.
If any factory seeks financial assistance for remediation, Accord would facilitate negotiation over the issue between the lead buyers and manufacturers.
Following the Rana Plaza building collapse on April 24, 2013, that killed more than 1,100 people, mostly garment workers, western retailers and apparel brands, in response to public outrage, began a major push to improve safety in Bangladeshi factories linked with their business.
Nigeria is looking at increasing non-oil exports to the United Kingdom and the United States of America. The Nigerian-British Chamber of Commerce (NBCC), Nigerian-American Chamber of Commerce (NACC), Nigerian Export Promotion Council and Nigerian Investment Promotion Council (NIPC) are leading Nigerian exporters and other Nigerian and international stakeholders in the quest for international markets for Nigerian non-oil exports.
The NBCC will next month lead a delegation of Nigerian exporters to London to explore partnership opportunities and showcase Nigerian non-oil exports.
The UK trade mission, which includes private and public sector operators, will include discussions between the NBCC and London Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) and other stakeholders on how to smoothen the process of Nigerian non-oil exports to UK.
The UK export trade mission comes at the same time that the ban placed on export of Nigeria-originated beans to European Union countries lapses. The EU had in June 2015 slammed a one-year ban on dried beans from Nigeria over poor storage and preservation practice. The Nigeria Agricultural Quarantine Service (NAQS) has assured that the EU concerns have been addressed and the ban may be lifted next month.
Nigeria is also looking at facilitating exports under the African Growth and Opportunities Act (AGOA). AGOA seeks to promote economic growth, trade, and investment in sub-Saharan Africa by providing duty-free access to the US market for some 7,000 qualifying African products until September 30, 2025. AGOA also provides duty-free access to all clothing as well as certain textile exports from countries that qualify under the Act’s ‘wearing apparel provisions’.
Trident for the March quarter has reported a net profit of Rs 55.48 crores. Net profits have seen a surge of 37 per cent as compared to the fourth quarter of financial year ’15. EBITDA for the period stands at Rs 194.22 crores. Total income from operations stands at Rs 968 crores for the quarter as against Rs 978 crores for the corresponding period of the previous fiscal.
On a year on year basis, net profits after minority interest stand at Rs 227.98 crores whereas for the previous fiscal it stood at Rs 117.81 crores. Net profit has increased by 93 per cent. EBITDA stands at Rs 741.41 crores and has increased by seven per cent from the previous year. Consolidated total income for the period stands at Rs 3706.49 crores.
On a CAGR basis, EBITDA and net profits for the period of three years have grown by four per cent and 39 per cent respectively.
Trident is an Indian company engaged in the business of manufacturing agro based paper, yarn, terry towels and sulphuric acid. The company also has a captive power plant. The company operates in two business segments: textile and paper. The company is currently in an expansion phase but has managed to post double digit profits.
Several sportswear companies are looking to participate in the active wear boom through the inorganic route. In May 2014, Columbia Sportswear acquired 100 per cent ownership of prAna. prAna is a yoga wear lifestyle brand that’s seeing not only strong sales traction, albeit on a smaller scale, but also diversification benefits for the remainder of Columbia’s product portfolio.
Hanesbrands has made two acquisitions in the active wear space. In 2010, the company acquired Gearco, which owned the Gear for Sports brand. In 2015, the company purchased Knights Apparel. The products of both companies use licensed collegiate logo apparel.
Some companies have also looked at providing brand exclusives with select retailers. Hanesbrands’ C9 by Champion products retail exclusively in Target stores. Target and Walmart accounted for about 28 per cent and 21 per cent of Hanesbrands’ US active wear sales, respectively, in 2015.
While Kohl’s has reported strong sales in Nike products, the company has also launched its own line in partnership with Shay Mitchell. Companies such as Nike are looking to expand distribution through wholesalers, including department stores such as Macy’s and Kohl’s, both within and outside the United States. Nike’s largest wholesale partner, Foot Locker, is also looking to expand on vendor relationships to drive higher apparel sales, particularly among women and children.
Pakistan and Romania are interested in strengthening bilateral trade relations.Around 700 Pakistani investors are looking at profitable business ventures in Romania.
Presently, Romania imports cotton, leather, garments, fruits and bed sheets from Pakistan; while Pakistan imports white timber, wood furniture, chemicals, cereals, flowers, canola seeds.
Pakistani products like textile, leather, and mangoes are very popular in Romania. Romania is a member state of the European Union.
Historical relations between Pakistan and Romania were established in 1964. Both countries are exploring more avenues of cooperation in diversified fields. Organising joint cultural shows and frequent exchange of business delegations are the options which could be used to exploit untapped bilateral trade and investment potential in both countries. The countries are looking to promote and consolidate bilateral cooperation in the political, economic, trade and cultural areas.
The trade volume between Pakistan and Romania is 300 million dollars a year. Pakistani products are very popular in Romania. Pakistan is interested in exporting its products, especially textiles, garments, leather articles, sports goods, pharmaceutical products, rice and surgical instruments, to Romania.
Romania is the only country which has four honorary consulates in Pakistan. The Pakistan-Romania Friendship Association is wholeheartedly working to cement relations and explore more areas to work on.
Malaysian designers are looking to penetrate the Chinese market amid a growing demand for more fashion labels. Recently two leading Malaysian fashion designers, Khoon Hooi and Melinda Looi, presented their autumn/winter 2016 collections at the Shanghai Fashion Week.
Spending power in China is expected to grow in tandem with its rising economy, especially from the growing middle class. Shanghai is poised to be at the forefront of China’s fashion industry. Malaysian designers oriented towards sophisticated, modern and chic designs are considering Shanghai as their base in China.
The total import value of garments and shoes by China reached 6.6 billion dollars last year, an increase of 6.4 per cent as compared to the previous year.
The expansion of China’s middle class in recent years has also resulted in a positive growth in demand for imported clothing.
In Melinda Looi’s second season in China, she felt encouraged by the positive response from buyers and the media. Looi’s collections are sold in over ten countries and she expects the Chinese market to become the key market for her within the next one to two years.
In the past, she and Khoon Hooi have trotted out their collections at trade shows and fashion events in fashion cities such as Paris, London, Milan and New York.
Rubal Jain, Managing Director, Safexpress, has been named by the Economic Times as the most inspiring business leader in logistics.
He has completed his MBA from Stanford University, US. He has also completed his bachelor degree in Operations Research from Columbia University, US.
Jain strongly focuses on building successful relationships with customers by ensuring best-in-class service and quality levels. He has spearheaded the development and rollout of an Oracle based ERP system for IT-enabled processes in operations and finance at Safexpress.
Safexpress considered a synonymous with supply chain and logistics in India, the brand plans to continue expanding its network further. It has planned a few more logistics parks this year, at locations like Varanasi, Siliguri, Jaipur and Aurangabad. It is also investing heavily in technology.
Safexpress which opened in 1997 offers cutting edge logistics solutions to its customers, enabling them to focus on their core competencies. The firm adds maximum value to businesses at every level, right from providing world-class warehousing support to ensuring time-definite deliveries of goods.
With its fleet of over 4500 GPS-enabled vehicles and the country’s largest distribution network spanning over 610 destinations, Safexpress covers every corner of India. Safexpress provides supply chain and logistics services to over 5000 corporate clients.
