FW
According to Axel Baumanns, Product Management and Sales, Kannegiesser, the garment industry in India is suffering. Speaking at the recently held GTE exhibition, he said, “Countries like Bangladesh, which proves to be an ideal manufacturing base for the US and Europe, have picked up business since 1998.”Though other countries have also picked up in garment manufacturing, mass production by US and Europe ensures the quality of these garments.
Bangladesh -an ideal destination for garment manufacturing
However, these garments need to be produced on a mass scale for which Bangladesh proves to be an ideal destination. As these garments don’t have many downtimes, they can be fully automated. “You can’t put fabrics at one end and expect a garment to emerge from another,” says Baumanns. These garments need to be customised to different sizes and preferences. Machines can’t achieve this. They deliver the same result every time.
Job creation to fuel sector development
According to Baumanns, Indians have it in their blood to make garments. “Tailoring shops abroad are run by Indians. However, they need to transfer their abilities to big garmenting companies. Countries like Vietnam and Indonesia have been doing this quite efficiently. However, these countries can’t do high fashion as they are far from the US,” he adds.
However, India is much closer. The country has improved immensely in the last 20 years as people have broadened their mindsets. They are traveling more. However, the country needs jobs which the garment industry can provide. Since sewing is something every woman can do, people can earn money and spend. It is a chain reaction. The more you earn, the more you spend.
In January 2020, Turkey’s fashion exports increased 5.8 percent. Europe was Turkey's main customer during this period. Germany, Spain and the United Kingdom’s import of Turkish fashion goods during this period went up 4.7 per cent, 8.7 per cent and 3.9 per cent respectively. The Netherlands, France, the United States, Denmark, Iraq and Poland were also among the main importers of the Turkish fashion.
The share of apparel in Turkey’s overall exports in January 2020 was 10.1 per cent. Turkey’s garment exports are projected to rise by 10 per cent due to the Coronavirus outbreak in China, which has delayed shipments. Turkey is the seventh biggest cotton producer in the world. It has the biggest machinery park in the world. The Turkish textile sector has a very strong image in the global market. The sector stands out thanks to its state-of-the-art technology, flexible production ability, capability of producing special products and high-quality workforce. It is the biggest textile manufacturer in Europe. It continues to make significant breakthroughs not only in design and fashion but also in technical textiles. The Turkish textile and readymade clothing sector as a whole has the highest foreign trade surplus.
Weak domestic demand growth, threat of cheap imports and dwindling incentives and exports are likely to keep volumes in the Indian textile sector muted. Withdrawal of incentives under the MEIS from India scheme may affect export players of made-ups (home textiles) and garments. Indian exports are likely to remain uncompetitive against counterparts in Pakistan, Bangladesh, Turkey and Vietnam. However, key raw material prices are expected to remain low in 2020-21, after a correction in 2019-20, contributing to a modest recovery in margins, stable working capital requirements and steady cash flows. Cotton prices may stabilise with improved cotton supply and an inventory build-up in the next fiscal. The industry adjusting to a low dealer inventory is becoming the new normal. Easing of the GST implementation issues might only provide modest support to demand growth, unless liquidity improves. Liquidity remains choked, with lack of bank funding and sluggish end-consumer demand. Sector consolidation may continue in 2020-21, while the mid and small commodity players continue to struggle.
However, regulatory support in form of GST refunds for spinning chains and availability of input tax credit from units operating in the unorganised sector or composition scheme may improve liquidity in the value chain.
Chuck Lambert is the new president and chief executive officer of American Apparel. Lambert has been with American Apparel since 2005. He was made vice president of manufacturing in 2006. In 2012, Lambert was promoted again, this time to chief operations officer.
American Apparel has been manufacturing combat and utility uniforms for all branches of the US military since 1987. The company produces between 80,000 and a lakh garments a month. Women’s jeans styles include a non-stretch cropped, wide leg jeans, a super skinny jean with two-way stretch, a stretch pencil jean and a button flare jean. The brand’s core item, 100 per cent cotton high-waisted mom jeans, are offered in an array of vintage-inspired washes like rainbow wash, pink tinted wash and marble blue wash. The women’s assortment also offers high-waisted cuffed shorts, a button-front A-line mini skirt and an American Apparel signature—denim hot shorts—in sizes XS-XL. For men, American Apparel offers skinny, slim and straight fit jeans in classic light, dark and black washes. American Apparel first introduced denim to its line-up of US-made basics in 2011. American Apparel at one time underwent a series of setbacks, including the removal of its controversial founder Dov Charney from his CEO position and bankruptcy in 2014.
Mukesh Trends Lifestyle is planning an initial public offering. Approval has been received from the capital market regulator SEBI. The IPO size could be approximately between Rs 75 to Rs 90 crores. The company plans to utilise the issue proceeds for setting up a manufacturing unit for knitted denim fabrics and working capital requirements.
The textile manufacturer based in Ahmedabad is engaged in the business of fabric processing, including bleaching, dyeing, printing and finishing of grey fabric to produce finished knitted and woven fabrics. The company commenced its commercial production in 1990 with an installed capacity of five million meters per annum for the production of woven fabrics. In April 2016, the company diversified its facilities to manufacture knitted fabrics by starting a separate commercial division for processing and printing knitted fabrics with an installed capacity of 3,600 MT per annum. The objective is to strategically improve and consolidate its position as a major textile manufacturer. Mukesh Trends is setting up a facility for manufacturing knitted denim to manufacture products like jeggings, jogger denims and jogger jeans. It is a first of its kind facility that can manufacture completely knitted denim. This fabric is usually imported from China, Turkey and Brazil and is hardly manufactured in India.
The IAF World Fashion Convention will be held in Belgium, November 9 to 11, 2020.
This is an unique fashion industry event, bringing together the entire global industry ecosystem to share high level industry insights and to jointly discuss concrete actions to create faster industry transition. It is an unique opportunity to gain the insights necessary to understand where the industry is heading and to join the conversation on concrete ways to make the necessary transitions. In fact the theme of this event is transition in the global fashion system. For this edition the format has been changed to better cater to the theme of transition. One day will be devoted to plenary sessions with top speakers from across the globe. On the second day, workshops with participants from across the fashion ecosystem will discuss major topics driving transition such as circular textiles and implementing new technologies.
The theme of transition recognizes the fact that the demand from societies and from consumers, the restraints posed by the earth’s ecosystem and the possibilities offered by technology converge to create a necessity for transition.
The International Apparel Federation has chosen to connect the convention to the EU as a whole, because of its vibrant fashion and textile industry.
The adiponitrile market is growing at a rate of around 4.5 per cent. Even as automotive applications continue to hold dominance in the adiponitrile market, end use applications in the textile sector for the production of clothing fiber, rugs and carpets are growing. Adiponitrile for nylon synthesis applications accounts for over 85 per cent of the global adiponitrile market. Most end-use applications for adiponitrile are aimed at the production of automotive components and materials, which account for nearly 42 per cent of the global market, necessitated by the high strength and temperature requirements of components like plug parts, radiator housing and hydraulic brakes.
The adiponitrile market is bolstered by a strong demand for polymer nylon 6-6, which finds widespread applications in the production of commodities such as electro-insulations, conveyor belts and carpet fibers. The demand for nylon 6-6 is continuing to grow across the United States and Europe, owing to its use as a popular resin in engineering applications. This is particularly true in terms of the demand for tire cords from the global automotive segment.
Developed regions, including North America and Europe, hold a 60 per cent share in the global adiponitrile market. But countries in the east Asia region are rapidly gaining traction accounting for nearly 20.6 per cent of the global market.
Miinto, a Denmark based omni channel retailer platform, founded in 2009, and has more than 200 people spread across its head office in Copenhagen and regional offices in Oslo, Amsterdam and Warsaw. They sell products in eight European countries - Denmark, Sweden, Norway, the Netherlands, Belgium, Poland, Switzerland and Italy. Miinto also has a strong network of local, independent fashion stores in each country.
The platform driven by the strong belief in the power of digital platforms to connect customers with local shopping and a true omni-channel customer experience is proud to help shape the future of a more sustainable fashion industry. Miinto aims to leverage existing resources by connecting customers with the stores that already have the products in place, rather than encouraging brands to produce even more of the same goods. The goal is to pave the way for a more forward-looking and climate-conscious fashion industry by minimizing overproduction and keeping independent retail alive.
At miinto.dk, one can shop directly from Europe's best independent clothing stores, all on one platform. Miinto.dk is a collective of more than 900+ independent fashion stores gathered under Miinto's network. Miinto's strong network consists of independent fashion stores and customers, each with their own unique style and product range offered through Miinto's webshop. The wide selection of women's clothing, men's train, children's clothing, sportswear and accessories has made Miinto one of Europe's largest fashion portals.
Many physical stores miss the opportunity to go online and reach a larger customer segment, as it is often expensive, cumbersome and resource-consuming when they already have a physical store to take care of. Miinto enables independent stores to start their online sales in a fast, easy and cost-effective way, allowing them to significantly expand their market.
The heart of UK fashion and leading fashion trade show, Moda, is showcasing a compelling line-up of footwear, accessories and womenswear brands including a host of returning Womenswear brands: Pomodoro, Rosa Clara, Cotton Brothers, Lewis Civit, Redi Fashion, Claudia C, Lewis Henry, Gabriella Sanchez, GODSKE, Rino & Pelle, Latte Clothing, D.E.C.K, Peruzzi, Naya, Kate Cooper, Bariloche/Tinta, Lucy Sparks, Suzy D, Personal Choice, Carmen, Ronald Joyce, Mascara, Marselini, Alex Evenings, Coco Doll, and Ella Boo/Lizabella.
Taking place from the 23rd – 25th February at NEC Birmingham, brands making their Moda debut are FPT, Hukka Design, Cherry Pie, See you Soon, Guzella, Khost, and Sonder/Glamour. Welcoming visitors as they enter the show, MODA Boutique offers a curated collection of contemporary ready to wear, accessories & jewellery boutique brands including; Vilagallo, Urban Code, Vysen Eyewear, Wild & Co, Proenza Jewellery and Ultra Tee.
Within Accessories an eye-catching selection of new and returning brands to look out for include Karen-
Collection, Tempest Designs, Fraas, Suva Socks, ENVY, Suzie Blue, Big Metal, and Eliza Gracious.
The Footwear Hall goes from strength to strength and the latest new signings include Brazilian men’s footwear brand Pegada; Ocean Refresh with their flip flops made from 16 plastic bottles per pair; and Turkish label Serts London. Much-loved women’s footwear brand Cara also makes its return to Moda while Superga Kids are using Moda to launch their very first kids back to school range, as well the Superga adult collections and Sebago.
33 Joints Ltd, one of the leading fashion footwear distribution companies in the UK and Europe, bring Ben Sherman, Scholl, O’Neill, Original Penguin, and Verbenas as well as Ben Sherman Kids, O’Neill kids, Original Penguin Kids, CR7 Kids, Scholl kids, and NASA kids.
Taking place on the 23rd – 25th February in Halls 6, 7 and 8 at the NEC Birmingham, Moda offers the industry with the ultimate environment for buying, networking, trends, and inspiration.
"The Indian subcontinent is moving towards automation as it reduces the overhead cost per unit of garment. People are investing in garment production need to be aware of these processes rather than just demanding results. “This is irrespective of where they are located, Vietnam or Bangladesh or India as the shipment time from all these places is more or less the same,” says Ramaswamy, Regional Manager, Veit Group."
The Indian subcontinent is moving towards automation as it reduces the overhead cost per unit of garment. People are investing in garment production need to be aware of these processes rather than just demanding results. “This is irrespective of where they are located, Vietnam or Bangladesh or India as the shipment time from all these places is more or less the same,” says Ramaswamy, Regional Manager, Veit Group.
Demand for better garments increases
Buyers are demanding better garments at cheaper rates. This is encouraging the industry to become organised and procure efficient products at the earliest. “To achieve this, people are looking at countries like Ethiopia, Kenya or other African options or South America,” adds Ramaswamy.
Proximity to a huge market is thriving the growth of the South American market. Most of the trade is shifting closer to the areas of consumption. For instance, Eastern Europe is moving closer to its consumption area.
Automation leads to efficiency
Implementing 4.0 is likely to take some time as we need to employ robots in our factories. The atmosphere has to be dust free, at this or that temperature. “Very few people realise the importance of customisation. Also, they are not willing to pay the higher price for customised garments. Automation helps these small production units to offer customised garments at lower prices,” states Ramaswamy.
The next year is expected to be difficult for garment companies as people are more inclined to spend on accessories than garments. “People are no longer buying garments as they are willing to repeat clothes for various occasions,” he adds.
As a huge amount of garment stock has accumulated in Europe and other parts of the world, prices are declining and profits are eroding. “Hence, online business helps consumers focus on the value rather than the price of these garments,” adds Ramaswamy further.
According to him, sustainability is gaining ground amongst fabric suppliers leading to more transparency and efficiency apart from water and power saving.
