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Santoni is a leading Italian seamless knitting machine builder. Now, it has created new stretch denim products using its seamless circular knitting machines. New Santoni machine has been used for developing a total fresh look capsule collection that offers body hugging, comfortable, sporty, chic and trendy denim items from head to toe.
This is an indigo-based concept, not seen previously on seamless garments. This product concept further enhances the idea of innovative knit denim as a counter-point to the traditional woven denim fabric. It’s a stretch indigo denim concept that brings new innovation to athleisure wear.
In addition, Santoni, with its green label seamless technology, guarantees to have fewer machines involved in the production flow chart, lower energy costs, smaller machine footprint and a shorter production process. The design, flexibility and styling options that come with seamless technology make Santoni and indigo knits an ideal partnership.
Santoni was born in 1919 as the first Italian socks machine manufacturer. Since then it has become a leader in the production of electronic knitting machines for garments without seams. Today Santoni meets 97 per cent of the worldwide demand for seamless machines used for making underwear, sportswear, hosiery, beachwear, outerwear and medical wear.
Picanol’s turnover grew 27 per cent in the first half of 2016 compared to the first half of 2015. The balance sheet increased by 11 per cent from December 31, 2015, to June 30, 2016. Picanol makes high tech weaving machines, based on the airjet or rapier technology. The turnover of the industries division increased 19 per cent in the first half of 2016 compared to the same period in 2015. Thanks to continued cost-control combined with improved productivity, the industries division achieved an operating result of 8.9 million euros compared to 4.9 million euros in the first half of 2015.
Moreover, the industries division realized a turnover increase of seven per cent to other customers with a strong focus on castings and machining (Proferro) and its controller capacities (PsiControl) to attract new projects.
During the first half of 2016, Proferro was able to further expand its customer portfolio, both in terms of casting and in the finishing of castings. PsiControl achieved further growth with existing customers and also undertook a number of new customer projects, including projects in the engineering industry and in healthcare. The turnover of the weaving machines division grew by 30.4 per cent due to the increasing demand for quality and technology and backed by the favorable exchange rate of the euro.
Acreage under cotton in India during the 2016-17 crop year is expected to be lower by about 10 per cent than that of the current year. However, productivity is likely to be higher during the 2016-17 season due to better weather conditions across all cotton-growing regions of the country. Therefore, output for 2016-17 season is expected to be similar to that of the 2015-16 season. Total cotton supply for the 2016-17 season is estimated at 400 lakh bales while the domestic consumption is estimated at 308 lakh bales, thus leaving an available surplus of 92 lakh bales.
Maharashtra is expected to contribute 87 lakh bales, Gujarat 88 lakh bales and Madhya Pradesh 20 lakh bales. In the south, Karnataka is expected to contribute 21 lakh bales, while Telangana is expected to be the highest at 49 lakh bales. About 42 lakh bales are expected from Punjab, Haryana and Rajasthan. Except for Maharashtra, rains have not been good in the other cotton-growing states, including Gujarat, Andhra Pradesh and Telangana. Maharashtra, Gujarat, Telangana, Punjab and Andhra Pradesh bore the brunt of pest attacks last year.
Cotton planting in the country may fall to the lowest in seven years in the 2016-17 marketing season, thanks to pest attacks, the late onset of monsoon and the shift to pulses and oilseeds by farmers.
Economic and trade experts at the China-Pakistan CEOs forum have urged Chinese companies to open their businesses in Pakistan to overcome the high labour costs they facie in China. Also, Pakistan has huge youth population, they could be utilised for economic development. The experts were participating as panelists in a discussion during the second session of the CPEC Summit and Expo. The summit was organised by the Ministry of Planning, Development and Reforms.
Moderating the session, chairman of Gul Ahmed Textile Mills Bashir Ali Mohammad said that since the West had failed to share globalisation opportunities, China had to come forward with a new strategy and vision to promote growth. Ali Mohammad was accompanied by two Chinese and a Pakistani panelist who discussed the opportunities and benefits of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC).
Mohammad was of the view that 21st century belongs to Asia due to the vast opportunities and potential it had been offering. However, he stressed the need for having regional connectivity to take advantage of this potential. He said that the CPEC would boost growth as it would create connectivity in the Asian region. He said that China was still exporting the world's 36 per cent of textile. So if the Chinese shifted this industry to Pakistan, it would benefit them as well as Pakistan.
Federal Minister for Planning, Development and Reforms Ahsan Iqbal stressed on the need for undertaking proper homework before initiating any project. He said that the CPEC projects had been fundamentally based on three principles - scientific planning, step-by-step approach and easier part first. More than 150 leading Chinese businessmen and investors attended the Summit and Expo.
Bangladesh’s apparel exports to some 11 non-traditional markets slowed last fiscal when the export performance to nine East European countries remained unimpressive. Factors like higher duty, complex rules of origin and the absence of continued efforts to promote products and explore markets were responsible. Devaluation of currencies against the dollar in the importing countries and the aftermath of a couple of tragic industrial accidents followed by the country's post-election political turmoil also played a part in the lackluster export performance.
Bangladesh’s non-traditional export markets are: Australia, Brazil, Chile, China, India, Japan, Korea, Mexico, Russia, South Africa and Turkey. Traditional export destinations are the US, Europe and Canada. These buy more than 84 per cent of Bangladesh's readymade garment products.
Apparel exports to the non-traditional markets witnessed more than 20 per cent growth during the period from the fiscal year 2011-12 to 2013-14. But the growth slowed down to 10.48 per cent in fiscal year 2015-16. In the previous fiscal year the rate stood at 8.90 per cent.
Germany is the second largest single export destination for Bangladeshi garments after the US. Swedish retailers also plan to increase their sourcing volume from the country.
Bangladesh has the world’s lowest wages, after Myanmar and Sri Lanka, a skilled workforce, and also the upper hand owing to China becoming less competitive in recent years.
To help garment factory owners secure loan easily, the Bangladesh government has fixed a new rate of interest and services charges under the donor-assisted refinancing fund. Charges have now been capped at 7.0 per cent, which used to be between 9-10 per cent earlier, according to a guideline issued by the Ministry of Finance (MoF). The new rate comes as the Bank of Bangladesh (BB) is yet to start disbursing money from the remediation fund on a full scale basis because of high interest rate and service charges levied by the government agencies. A fund of over Tk 3.18 billion (U$38-40 lying idle after poor demand from the owners due to unfavourable interest rate, it is pointed out.
So far, the country's apparel entrepreneurs avoided accessing to funds at 9-10 per cent interest from the facility that has a cheap foreign-aided component. It may be remembered that the Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) has repeatedly been demanding to bring down the interest rate and service charges between 3.0-5.0 per cent.
Willow, the once dominant but troubled Australian fashion label, is to wind up by end of September. Giving this information, the company’s website says its online store would not trade after August 29 while its four physical stores in Melbourne and Sydney would down shutters on September 30. In its hey days, the label was reportedly worth $20 million and had 20 physical stores nationwide.
After a strategic review of its brands that also include JAG, Sportscraft and Saba, the Apparel Group had announced that Willow was for up for sale, last April. But nothing transpired. The brand, which became famous for its directional tailoring, was launched under Kit Willow Podgornik in 2003. But after a majority takeover in 2011 by the Apparel Group, things went sour between the company and the founder. Later, Podgornik left the brand in 2013.
Since, Podgornik started her own ethical fashion label, KitX which is also stocked at David Jones and is celebrated as one of the store's latest success stories, if its billing at the recent spring launch is any indication. The label is also a personal favourite of David Jones ambassador Jesinta Campbell, who recently posted a photo on Instagram of herself wearing a KitX shirt.
"The domestic textile and garment industry in China is facing a major downturn in traditional retail along in online retail sales and exports. With the domestic demand witnessing a decline, the performance of major players has also fallen sharply. Especially menswear business has suffered most. In fact, Busen shares and Hasson shares revealed in first half 2016 net profit 2308.44 Wan yuan and 53.6832 million yuan, respectively, down 298.21 percent and 37.44 percent."
The domestic textile and garment industry in China is facing a major downturn in traditional retail along in online retail sales and exports. With the domestic demand witnessing a decline, the performance of major players has also fallen sharply. Especially menswear business has suffered most. In fact, Busen shares and Hasson shares revealed in first half 2016 net profit 2308.44 Wan yuan and 53.6832 million yuan, respectively, down 298.21 percent and 37.44 percent. The performance of BAOXINIAO also suffered during the first half of the 2016 as quarterly show in the first quarter showed net profit 9,492,700 yuan, down 86.16 %.
Men’s wear brands see lower profits
Various key players in men wear business have witnessed a revenue loss. Brands like Angelo, Hazzys have registered decline in revenue. According to the company the decrease was mainly caused by low retail earnings and retail sales which suffered due to the increase discounts. The company’s net income declined due to reduction in sales, inventory, returns along with increased operating expenses. The growing trend of online shopping also poses a major threat. Recently, Carbene Clothing stores closed its underperforming entities after their newly opened retail outlets slowed pace. As of June 30, 2016, Carbene has 1,012 apparel shops after closing its 47 non performing stores.
The economic downturn and weak demand, continue to hover over China’s domestic textile and garment industry. Over the past two years, the domestic industry for menswear has been in decline. According to the industry analysts, the decline has been primarily in traditional retail due to changing consumer behavior and buying patterns. Quite a few retail store had to opt for consolidation. However it seems not just the menswear business but the overall e domestic retail industry may take a long time to complete re-balance supply and demand.
And the crisis is not only in men's wear business, the textile and garment industry as a whole is facing tough times, say experts. The overall downturn in the Chinese retail industry may take a long time to re-balance supply and demand, the overall domestic consumption of upgrade, segmentation and personalization needs of the market. Therefore, on the supply-side brands that fail to meet consumer demand, will exit the market, while other brands and channels will get an opportunity to adjust and reposition, products and services, marketing and channels to adapt to consumers and improve market share.
Denime Premiere Vision show has announced new dates, in a new location, at the heart of Paris where it was incepted. For its next edition to be held on November 2 & 3, Denim Première Vision will move into in a new Parisian space: the Paris Event Center (PEC), after having had five editions in Barcelona where the event took on a new dimension.
Since its inception in 2007, Denim Premiere Vision has affirmed itself as a driving force for the international denim community by initiating movements, giving surprises and getting into innovation. Each season of the exhibition in the last 10 years, the show has reinvented itself to better meet the needs of a demanding and versatile industry and the expectations of brands and of consumers in the constant quest for what’s exclusive and inspiring.
Denim Première Vision, is the market leader and benchmark for creative, high-end international denim industry. By moving to a new venue in East Paris, already chosen by some major fashion players for their fashion shows and showrooms, the organisers of Denim Première Vision are acting on thoughts that have been formed over several seasons to meet the expectations of the global denim market to be inventive.
US-based Wazoodle is looking to revive the textile industry in the country and promote in-house manufacturing. Wazoodle provides a variety of fabrics and sewing materials online through its official website. The company specializes in selling high-quality fabrics, diaper sewing supplies and sewing accessories at an affordable cost.
Wazoodle makes athletic jerseys and pique knits, microfiber terry plus, organic fabrics, bamboo or organic cotton knits, and pre-cut diaper making kits and soaker blanks in various fabrics.
Since 2010, the company has managed to create more than 500 jobs in the country. Wazoodle Fabrics, based in New Jersey, is a leading manufacturer and distributor of quality textiles, notions and other items. Its main focus is eco-friendly fabrics, particularly those used in articles that reduce the use of disposable items.
Wazoodle takes pride in supporting the textile manufacturing industry in North America. All the fabrics are manufactured in the USA or Canada. Any fabrics and notions sourced from overseas are only taken from trusted suppliers.
The company has over 70 years’ experience in manufacturing of textiles and quality control and quality assurance in pharmaceuticals and medical devices and an in-depth knowledge of textile chemistry, organic chemistry, microbiology.
