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Leading Japanese flat knitting machine manufacturer, Shima Seiki has appointed Voltas as their new sales and service agent in India effective January 2018. To this effect, the Japanese firm has terminated the representation of Janaksons International, their former Indian agent. The Japanese firm is represented by Voltas's textile machinery division which would now handle sales and service support for Shima Seiki's products throughout Indian.
Shima Seiki in its recently issued release assured customers support will continue to be provided through this new partnership. Voltas Limited is the latest addition to Shima Seiki's worldwide sales and service network that covers 112 locations in 84 countries around the world. Voltas, a large Indian engineering firm is also a part of the prestigious Tata Group of companies.
The intimate apparel market is touching new heights both in terms of increased sales volume and value. Intimasia (Kochi) scheduled from March 8 to10, 2018 at AdLux, Ernakulum will be a three day event exclusively for the fast growing intimate apparel industry in Kerala. Intimasia is an eclectic mix of exhibitions, fashion shows, awards night, gala dinner etc. The show will feature the complete range of intimate wear brands and products including lingerie, men’s underwear, children’s inner wear, sleepwear, loungewear, swimwear, beachwear, shapewear, socks and stockings.
In its first edition, Intimasia is committed to elevate the intimate wear business by promoting fashion, innovation and ideation. Featuring some of the best brands, the event provides an opportunity to network with over 2000+ retailers, distributors and agents of Kerala. The event provides a medium for industry professionals to penetrate Kerala’s intimate apparel industry.
Currently, India’s domestic intimate wear industry is growing at an annual rate of 15 per cent with an estimated value of $245 billion. According to a World Bank working paper, among the Southern states, Kerala ranks second in the Investment Climate Index followed by Karnataka due to its world-class infrastructure and well-trained human resource pool. Kerala has a per capita income of Rs 1,96,842 supported by 94 per cent literacy. National brands have not been able to penetrate deep into the intimate fashion market of Kerala. As a result, 70 per cent of the market is occupied by local brands which act as fillers to compensate large demand. Intimasia Kerala will serve as a bridge for these brands to infiltrate into Kerala’s intimate apparel market.”
Following a report by the EU that did not specifically mention or condemned the political situation in Cambodia, local garment manufacturers say the country is no longer at risk of losing its preferential treatment status with the EU. Some believe the recent report provides sufficient evidence that the EU will not cancel its Everything-but-arms (EBA) with Cambodia, correspondingly, the Garment Manufacturers Association in Cambodia (GMAC) is urging investors to increase their stakes in the local garment and footwear industry.
The European Commission submitted a report to the European Parliament and the European Council on the generalised scheme of preferences for 2016-2017. The report made no mention of a possible withdrawal from the EBA with Cambodia over the dissolution of the main political opposition party, the Cambodian National Rescue Party (CNRP), in November last year.
The reported said, “The EU is engaging with Cambodia to address human rights issues related to land disputes arising from sugarcane concessions and labour rights issues, in particular freedom of association. The EU needs to see real and sustained improvements, if further steps are to be avoided.” It urged the government to “establish an independent and transparent mechanism in order to deal with claims for compensation.” Kaing Monika, deputy secretary general for GMAC, is happy with the EU report, “Reading the report’s section on Cambodia, we feel very relieved,” he said. “It doesn’t mention the political situation or a possible cancellation of the EBA.” Monika says this was important because the EBA contributes significantly to Cambodia’s competitiveness in the international arena. Based on the report, we continue to call on investors to remain confident in our garment industry,” he said.
Som Aun, President, National Union Alliance Chambers of Cambodia, shared the same view, “The report was very positive for our garment and footwear industry. The EU did not mention anything about a withdrawal from EBA. This should help keep investors’ confident in our industry.” Under the EBA initiative, all Cambodian products – except arms and ammunition – are allowed duty-free and quota-free into the EU market. In 2014, the EU became the largest purchaser of Cambodian garments, surpassing the US. The EU absorbs roughly 50 per cent of all Cambodian garment exports, notes GMAC.
At the Cotton Council International (CCI), booth at Première Vision, Paris from February 13 to 15, 2018 Cotton USA will be featuring new blended technologies in US cotton apparel that could benefit business.
CCI Executive Director Bruce Atherley says, “What’s New In Cotton is our new platform to show Cotton USA’s commitment to innovation. We introduced this platform in apparel at Première Vision in September 2017, and we are excited to bring this back to this spring’s show. The mission of this program is to inspire the textile industry to think about new, innovative ways to use U.S. cotton, so we are thrilled to share new ideas, technologies and opportunities with our partners at Première Vision to help them see the potential that U.S. cotton can add to their business,” he adds.
Applied DNA Sciences has announced the opening of a Central DNA Testing Laboratory in Ahmedabad, that will provide full forensic authentication services. The lab will support Applied DNA’s growing global textile business in the Asia-Pacific region with expansion capability for other supply chains present in the region, such as fertilisers and pharmaceuticals.
To be launched February 15, 2018, the Central Laboratory is strategically located in Gujarat, an economic hub for the development and advancement of cotton, other textiles, fertilisers, petrochemicals and pharmaceuticals. Ila Lansky, a forensic scientist with over 11 years of forensic DNA experience, will direct the Central DNA Testing Laboratory. She currently oversees all aspects of forensic analysis, testing, authentication and reporting for all samples submitted, following the standard operating procedures established by Applied DNA’s New York forensic laboratories.
The Central DNA Testing lab is a high throughput laboratory, providing customers with accurate reports and a short turnaround time. Lansky their methodology, “This is an important opportunity for Applied DNA to bring our proven technologies to the heart of India’s textile industry and share our impeccable standards and operational protocols. The laboratory will have the ability to process thousands of samples, serving our textiles customers in the region.”
James A. Hayward, President and CEO, Applied DNA says, “Opening a lab in Gujarat has both strategic and practical importance for Applied DNA. Our partnership with Himatsingka, has proven remarkably successful, with uptake in the commercial ecosystem and endorsement by big box retailers. Adoption of our technologies by other textile companies is growing. Working closely with such India-based industry majors as Himatsingka and GHCL, we know Applied DNA’s value in enabling source-verified supplied chains and contributing the steady growth and ensured protection of the circular economy. It only makes sense for Applied DNA to have a facility where so many of our current and future partners are based.”
Applied DNA is a provider of molecular technologies that enable supply chain security, anti-counterfeiting and anti-theft technology, product genotyping and DNA mass production for diagnostics and therapeutics. The company aims to “make life real and safe by providing innovative, molecular-based technology solutions and services that can help protect products, brands, entire supply chains, and intellectual property of companies, governments and consumers from theft, counterfeiting, fraud and diversion”. The proprietary DNA-based CertainT platform can be used to identify, tag, test and track products to help assure authenticity, origin, traceability, sustainability and quality of products.
HCA, a 108-year-old company has expertise in all sewing related segments. They provide spare parts for finishing and stitching -- all garmenting related items. “Currently, we have a tie-up with 16 global companies. Things have been running smoothly till GST was introduced. This caused some disruption but now all is back on track. We expect things to improve March onwards,” says Megha Anand Dudhoria, Director (Sales and Marketing).
Dudhoria sees labour issues as the main challenge for the apparel sector, “When it comes to skilled labour. Laws are completely in favour of workers. Their work is not productive and it is a catch 22 situation. Infrastructure is another major issue the Indian garmenting industry is facing. Duty drawback to exporter is another area where the government needs to work on.”
She says HCA is doing a little production in India, basically automation. “The market is changing, people are shifting to server motors, they are looking for more productivity, however on the positive side, they are becoming more quality conscious.” Exhibiting at the recent GTE in Delhi, she says GTE is phenomenal as it has always been, “We are very happy to be here. The platform is really helpful for buyers and sellers. We are looking forward to more productive results post GTE.”
"Pure London has expanded its highly regarded content program with a line-up of over 30 industry experts offering visitors in-depth industry knowledge and smart insight alongside its curated selection of the world’s best manufacturers and brands. Across the three days from February 11 to 13 to be held at London Olympia, Pure London will deliver a series of seminars, keynote addresses, panel discussions, workshops, trend presentations and one-to-one’s covering hot topics including sustainability, the circular economy, creating powerful online content to grow your business, building an effective Instagram community, buying intelligence, tips for pricing, how to work with influencers, and building your brand. "
Pure London has expanded its highly regarded content program with a line-up of over 30 industry experts offering visitors in-depth industry knowledge and smart insight alongside its curated selection of the world’s best manufacturers and brands. Across the three days from February 11 to 13 to be held at London Olympia, Pure London will deliver a series of seminars, keynote addresses, panel discussions, workshops, trend presentations and one-to-one’s covering hot topics including sustainability, the circular economy, creating powerful online content to grow your business, building an effective Instagram community, buying intelligence, tips for pricing, how to work with influencers, and building your brand. Pure London now welcomes over 700 brands from 48 countries and over 10,000 UK and International visitors.
To enhance visitor experience and guide buying choice, both the Main Stage and Future Stage will offer inspirational daily catwalk shows and an exclusive WGSN buyer briefing showcasing the key trends for AW18/19 on February 11. More than 30 inspiring speakers have been secured across the three days, including a keynote address from author and Cosmopolitan Editor-in-Chief Farrar Storr. Others joining her on the programme include Alison Lowe and John Williams from the London College of Fashion, Sam Burgess from Social Mouth, Alice Ratcliffe from Appear Here, Shelly Tweed from The Retail Practice, Dessy Tsolova from Utelier, Karolina Barnes from Estila, Stylist Kalee Hewlett, Helen Goodwin at Made You Look, Andrew Stewart from Rupert Sanderson, and menswear influencers including Mitchell Webb, Ed Lemont, Paul McGregor and Carl Thompson.
Meet the experts
The hugely popular Meet the Experts sessions, which launched in July 2017, will again provide visitors with a unique opportunity to have 20-minute face-to-face discussions with many of the above names. You can book one or more free of charge sessions online with experts covering a host of relevant topics including visual merchandising, PR and marketing, social media and building your brand on Instagram, working with influencers, launching a brand and general business advice. For visitors starting out in the fashion industry, Pure London has introduced its ‘Retailers of the Future’ program. It’s a specially tailored and completely free program to help navigate the professional retail landscape and get ahead from the very beginning. As a part of the program, on February 13, the London College of Fashion would take over the Future Stage offering fashion career advice, a menswear styling session and digital marketing tricks and trends.
The new sourcing and manufacturing section Pure Origin will run its own dedicated content program discussing innovation, sustainability, fabrics of the future, reshoring, and the impact of Brexit on the fashion supply chain. Julie Driscoll, MD, Pure London, commented, “Our growing content program reflects our bold new manifesto for 2018 championing and celebrating fashion at its most ambitious. From our perspective, at Pure London, we are here to lead the market, influence the future and celebrate individuality. We bring passion, ideas, curiosity, face to face networking, and education together with an edit of the best international brands, creating a platform for great business and empowering visitors to bring fashion to life. We are seeing far-reaching changes in the industry from politics to pricing, so a key role of the education program is to look at all of these changes and challenges, create an environment to discuss them, provide insight from experts, and guide brands and retailers to negotiate positively through these uncertain but exciting times.”
A report released by Better Factories Cambodia (BFC), a part of the International Labour Organisation, found compliance in the garment industry with working conditions regulations has improved substantially in the last four year. The report is an assessment of BFCs transparency programme. The report said that the proportion of factories in compliance with all 21 critical factors increased from 30 per cent at the launch of public reporting in 2014 to 46 per cent today, while the number of violations decreased from 281 to 197.
The factors that experienced the most significant improvement were “training of workers on emergency evacuation” (17 per cent increase) and “factories ensuring that exit doors are unlocked during working hours” (13 per cent). Both issues are essential to improve workers’ safety in emergency situations, the report noted.
Ester Germans, BFCs programme manager, said there has been notable improvement in working conditions and an increase in dialogue among stakeholders in the segment. “It is clear that publically reporting critical issues continues to drive positive change in factories. We look forward to discussing with our partners on how we can expand the scope of these successful initiatives,” Germans noted. “BFCs continued collaboration with the Royal Government of Cambodia, the Garment Manufacturers Association in Cambodia (GMAC) and unions is essential to provide better jobs for Cambodian workers as well as to create business value for the sector.” she added.
Som Aun, President of the National Union Alliance Chamber of Cambodia, agreed with the findings and said the number of complaints brought to authorities in the sector sharply declined last year. “The Labor Advisory Council was receiving 25 complaints per month during the last few years, but now, they are only seeing four or five per month. It shows that industrial relations among all stakeholders are improving.” The improvement is seen as a result of an agreement between BFC and GMAC on investigating and addressing violations of standards on child labour. Child labour in factories is a zero-tolerance issue, the report said.
On the flip side, the report highlights occupational safety and health as areas that remain a challenge for the sector. Factories are often not willing to invest in better lighting and ventilation, while procedures and policies around occupational safety and health issues are not sufficiently developed or implemented, the report highlights.
Nilit, a leading global manufacturer and marketer of premium nylon 6.6 apparel fibres, is set to showcase its portfolio of Sensil Nylon 6.6 products for the outdoor market at the ISPO Munich Trade Fair from January 28 to 31. The company is excited to present the ISPO Textrends Top Ten award-winning Sensil Innergy fabric designed and manufactured by Tiba Tricot, and a unique Sensil Innergy smart garment created in collaboration with knitting technology leader Santoni
Pierluigi Berardi, NILIT Global Marketing VP says, “ISPO is one of the most exciting outdoor apparel shows of the year. We are thrilled to present Tiba’s fantastic Sensil Innergy fabric and the other extraordinary Sensil premium Nylon 6.6 products in our performance portfolio. Visitors to ISPO will find the Sensil brand concept to be an intelligent response to escalating consumer demands for quality and value as well as to the rapidly changing retail landscape”.
Sensil was designed to address evolving consumer attitudes on apparel shopping. Tiba’s award-winning Sensil Innergy base layer fabric is ultra-light and incredibly soft and has proven athletic performance benefits of Sensil Innergy premium Nylon 6.6. Nilit claims Sensil Innergy gently reflects energy back to the body to invigorate muscles for improved athletic performance and recovery and reduces the appearance of cellulite. Sensil Innergy fabric also provides increased durability, UV protection and odour-resistance. Base layer garments made with this incredible fabric will answer the market’s call for multi-tasking products that deliver value-added benefits, unparalleled comfort and impeccable design, the company adds.
Also at Nilit’s booth will be the results of an exciting collaboration between Nilit, Santoni, and Italian high-tech yarn producer Tecnofilati. The three companies worked together to create a high-performance smart seamless T-shirt in which Sensil Innergy enhances athletic performance and recovery and the Resistex Silver conductive yarn enables the tracking of heart rate, motion and other performance metrics. Santoni’s exclusive EVO4J seamless technology permits better distribution of yarns throughout the garment for superior connectivity and ensures an ultra-comfortable garment that doesn’t chafe or bind, the company adds.
Nilit is a global producer and marketer of high quality Nylon 6.6 fibres for apparel and other products. The company was founded over 40 years ago in Israel and has grown to be the largest Nylon 6.6 producer in the world with manufacturing and marketing operations in key regions including Europe, North America, Latin America, China, Asia Pacific and Turkey.
The Luxury Institute LLC’s 2018 “State of the Luxury Industry” report reveals what international luxury consumers expect from their shopping experience, with customer service ranking highly and politeness topping the list of priorities for sales staff. Nearly 53 per cent of wealthy consumers surveyed stated that customer service was an important part of a luxury brand, a response that was only second in popularity to superior quality, cited by 67 per cent of respondents as essential in luxury products.
Sales professionals working in the jewellery and watches sector were the most frequently commended, receiving positive reviews from 42 per cent of those surveyed. Professionals working with fashion apparel and designer shoes, however, fared less well with approval ratings of 27 per cent and 18 per cent, respectively.
Although focused on the luxury sector, the report echoes many of the shopping trends being experienced in the wider retail industry, where brands are increasingly focusing on customer experience in an attempt to gain the edge over their competitors.
E-commerce brick-and-mortar complements, some luxury brands have even taken the fight to the courts. US cosmetics group Coty won a case in the EU Court of Justice in December, preventing sales of its luxury goods on online platforms. The State of the Luxury Industry report surveyed affluent consumers from the United States, the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, China, and Mexico for its 2018 edition.
Respondents in the US came from households representing the top 11 per cent of earners, with a minimum annual gross income of $150,000. Other international participants represented the top 10 per cent of earners in their respective countries.
