FW
With its special collection based on Tencel lyocell fiber, LE Textile GmbH is offering a soft, supple handle, the typical look of a natural-fiber product, and outstanding comfort. These soft fabrics also offer advantages for the environment. LE Textile has focused on the environmental aspects in its use of materials and production processes.
A pioneer in the production of warp knits labeled as ‘sustainable,’ LE Textile is known for its old name of Elastic Textile Europe. The company, which is based in Neukirchen produces stretch fabrics and lace for lingerie, swimwear and sportswear. Products produced by LE Textile are also used in the medical sector and industry, e.g. in the automotive sector. This warp knitting specialist has many years of experience and a history of dynamic development – strengths that it has brought to its association with the Lauma Fabrics Group. Since 2013, the company has belonged to this Latvian-based manufacturer, and is now known as LE Textile. Meanwhile, the Lauma Fabrics Group said that it fully supports the ecological ethos of its German subsidiary.
The TPP agreement is Canada’s first free trade agreement that contains a chapter specifically dedicated to textiles and apparel. According to Global Affairs Canada, the TPP’s textile and apparel rules of origin will provide Canadian producers more flexibility in sourcing options, opening up Canada’s access to trade with the other member states.
For Canadian textile retailers and producers, the TPP reduces and eliminates tariffs associated with trading textiles and apparel between member states. Taking advantage of the TPP’s preferential tariff treatment by trading with other member states could result in significant cost savings for retailers and producers in Canada. The specific rates of preferential tariff treatment, including the base rates of duty applicable to each item and the timeline for tariff elimination, can be found in each member state’s Tariff Elimination Schedule. Generally, for an end product to qualify for preferential tariff treatment, it must originate within the TPP region in accordance with the Agreement’s rules of origin.
The TPP offers the Canadian textile industry expanded and preferential access to many strategic global markets. To the extent that Canadian textile and apparel retailers and producers are able to organize their operations in such a way as to work within the TPP’s new textile and apparel rules of origin, they will have the opportunity to take advantage of significant reductions in the rates of duty with which they contend when importing products into Canada.
Central America's largest event dedicated to wide format printing and textile decoration FESPA Mexico 2016 will open from August 18-20, 2016 at Centro Banamex, Mexico DF. The event will encourage visitors to seek new horizons through exploration and discovery of latest trends and innovations.
With floor space completely sold out, visitors can unearth a plethora of products and solutions across wide format digital and screen printing, garment décor and signage, as well as enjoy a thoroughly packed seminar programme and exciting competitions including Wrap Masters Mexico.
Exhibitors at the event include international exhibitors such as Multicam, Caldera, ESKO, Gildan, MTEX, Ricoh and STS Inks. Regional distributors such as Celupal, a Mimaki partner, Sain Soplai and Zund distributor, Delta E Cero, will also showcase their latest technology. For visitors involved in the decision-making process, it is a crucial opportunity to learn about the advanced machinery available for their business.
FESPA's recognition as a landmark regional event is reflected by support from leading companies such as Roland and MTEX Solutions as Event Sponsors, MS Printing Solutions as a Solutions Partner and global brands HEXIS and MUTOH supporting the onsite Wrap Masters Mexico competition.
The textile and clothing industry in Indonesia fulfils a vital role in the country's economy, it being the largest source of manufacturing employment in the country. In 2015, it was the second largest source of exports. The industry is involved in almost every sector of the textile supply chain including yarn production, weaving, knitting, dyeing, printing and finishing and clothing manufacture and there is a large man-made fibre industry. In recent years, the domestic market has been expanding significantly as prosperity has risen and wealth has spread, and it is set for further growth. However, these developments have made the domestic market an attractive target for foreign suppliers. Imports are rising and the domestic market has been well supplied by cheap imports from China. Also, illegal imports appear to be a significant and growing problem. Looking ahead, there are ambitious plans for further expansion of the textile and clothing industry in Indonesia.
The government is encouraging foreign investments and has set targets to increase the industry's share of global textile and clothing trade by 2020. A recent study looks at the development of textile and clothing industry in Indonesia, its size and structure, textile and clothing production, and production technology and machinery. The report also features: a geographical, political and economic profile-detailed analysis of the country's imports and exports; a review of government policies, investment incentives and foreign investments; an analysis of the industry's strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats (SWOT); and insight into Indonesia's infrastructure and human resources and how these affect the textile and clothing industry.
After reforms in foreign direct investment (FDI) regime, the government is likely to take up a more measures to boost the labour-intensive textile industry. The Cabinet is also likely to take up the National Textiles Policy-2016. In the works since last year, the policy aims to achieve $300-billion exports by 2024-25. India exported $36.25 billion worth of textile and related goods in the last financial year, a drop of 2.4 per cent from 2014-15. Competing nations Bangladesh and China have been blamed for aggressively edging out Indian exporters from traditional markets like Europe. The high price of domestic cotton, coupled with heavy duties on import of cheaper Chinese varieties, also hampered production of cotton goods, said an expert. Cotton-based readymade goods, among the highest foreign exchange earners, fell two per cent; cotton fabrics fell more than four per cent. The new policy also aims to create 35 million jobs by 2024-25. "The policy rests hugely on job creation as we have set a target of doubling the total number of people currently employed in the sector," a ministry source said on conditions of anonymity.
The Cabinet might also soon take up a review of the India-Korea Free Trade Agreement. The government is currently reviewing the trade agreement with South Korea and is expected to update it soon. India's CEPA with South Korea was implemented in January 2010 to liberalise trade norms. Bilateral trade, estimated at $16.58 billion in 2015-16, is heavily in favour of South Korea. India's exports to South Korea fell nearly 23 per cent in 2015-16 to $3.54 billion. Indian companies have sought a review of trade agreements with other nations that they claim have benefitted the country's trading partners more.
"The Union Cabinet, has approved incentives to boost job creation, manufacturing and exports in the labour-intensive textile sector. The move comes in the backdrop of the package of reforms announced by the government for generation of one crore jobs in the textile and apparel industry over the next three years. It includes a slew of measures that are labour friendly and would promote employment generation, economies of scale and boost exports."
The Union Cabinet, has approved incentives to boost job creation, manufacturing and exports in the labour-intensive textile sector. The move comes in the backdrop of the package of reforms announced by the government for generation of one crore jobs in the textile and apparel industry over the next three years. It includes a slew of measures that are labour friendly and would promote employment generation, economies of scale and boost exports. The steps will lead to a cumulative increase of $30 billion in exports and investment of Rs 74,000 crores over the next three years.
What’s more the majority of new jobs are likely to be for women since the garment industry employs nearly 70 per cent women in their workforce. Thus, the package would help in social transformation through women empowerment.
The salient features of the package are:
EPF scheme reforms: Under this the government will bear the entire 12 per cent employers’ contribution to EPF scheme for new employees of garment industry for first three years who are earning less than Rs 15,000 per month. At present, 8.33 per cent of employer’s contribution is being provided by government under Pradhan Mantri Rozgar Protsahan Yojana (PMRPY). The ministry of textiles will provide additional 3.67 per cent of the employer’s contribution amounting to Rs. 1,170 crores over next three years.
Overtime hours for workers not to exceed 8 hours per week in line with ILO norms. This will lead to increased earnings for the workers.
Introduction of fixed term employment: With seasonal nature of the industry, fixed term employment shall be introduced for the garment sector. A fixed term workman will be considered at par with permanent workman in terms of working hours, wages, allowanced and other statutory dues.
The package also breaks new ground in moving from input to outcome based incentives by increasing subsidy under amended-TUFS from 15 per cent to 25 per cent for the garment sector as a boost to employment generation. A unique feature of the scheme will be to disburse the subsidy only after the expected jobs are created.
In a first of its kind move, a new scheme will be introduced to refund the state levies which were not refunded earlier. This is expected to cost the exchequer Rs 5,500 crores but will boost competitiveness of Indian exports. Drawback at All Industries Rate to be given for domestic duty paid inputs even when fabrics are imported under Advance Authorization Scheme.
The provision of 240 days under Section 80JJAA of Income Tax Act would be relaxed to 150 days for garment industry.
"In his letter, Jain describes the last two years as the worst ever period for spinning industry despite cotton prices being reasonably low due to a demand supply imbalance created out of new spinning mills coming up in some States (viable due to incentives rather than fundamentals) and slow demand locally due to two successive poor monsoons and overall subdued sentiments in the globe."
The spinning industry in India is going through a tough patch and many players are feeling the heat due to various reasons. To share his mind, to get the industry out of the crisis and to initiate a starting point for discussion, Sanjay K Jain, Managing Director of T T Ltd and Deputy Chairman NITRA has written an open letter to industry colleagues.
In his letter, Jain describes the last two years as the worst ever period for spinning industry despite cotton prices being reasonably low due to a demand supply imbalance created out of new spinning mills coming up in some States (viable due to incentives rather than fundamentals) and slow demand locally due to two successive poor monsoons and overall subdued sentiments in the globe. Exports have failed to cheer the industry up due to the disadvantage created by FTAs.
Cotton yarn has suffered further as the government felt yarn needs no incentives. “It’s true that yarn needs no more any investment incentives but it surely needs incentives to export. Requests went unheeded by the government from various associations because they didn’t go into the details of demand – supply minutely or tried to understand the plight of spinning industry (though its classified as a stress industry by the Banking sector),” he writes.
He explains further that in his business life, he has not seen a worse situation than this, where such a big disparity is there between spot cotton prices and yarn prices. The more disturbing fact is that no yarn buyer is hassled or is rushing to buy yarn - they know cotton prices have moved 30 per cent and yarn just 15 per cent - still no anxiety!
What led to this situation….
Unplanned and illogical incentives being given for building spinning capacities (so much that it's practically irresistible for one to not invest (central government has finally understood, but state governments still haven’t). “Lack of any authentic crop and stock data in India, despite being the second largest producer and consumer of cotton. Wrong and misleading cotton estimates from leading agencies /associations, gave a false notion that the country had enough cotton, indeed it’s difficult to estimate, but if so then better not to give estimates. Crop size in 2015-16 season is turning out to be substantially lower than estimated, catching spinners on the wrong foot,” says Jain in the letter.
He rues the government turning a blind eye to the spinning industry without understanding the facts and delay in TUF payments and being companies penalised for system errors by banks in filing TUF claims. Retrospective amendments made to deny benefits under Incremental Export Incentives – industry had to go to court for justice. “Export incentives given to all segments of the industry except yarn under MEIS and subvention - does the end user industry in India have the capacity to consume Indian yarn? India leads in exports not because we are the best, but because spinners have no choice but to undercut and sell yarn in exports to offload the 30 per cent excess spinning capacity,” says Jain.
Moreover, the rupee has weakened much less than most other currencies, even Yuan has depreciated more over the last one year. And domestic consumption has remained muted due to two consecutive poor monsoons, fabric imports, and overall low sentiment in the economy.
What spinners need to do? Jain says, there are no easy answers or perfect solutions. And it would depend on the situation of a mill but yes those with cotton should capitalise on this opportunity to make handsome profits and strengthen their balance sheets. However, the reality is that most mills are not well covered and the median of mills coverage would be from 15 days to 45 days. Adjusting for yarn sold, the cotton available will be for maximum 15 days.
However he does have some suggestion for mills to reduce the impact of crisis.
• If yarn is available or selling at cash loss position - isn’t it better to stock yarn instead of cotton? Sounds absurd, but do give it a thought. Cotton can be stocked to push up prices, why can’t yarn be stocked! Why can’t the industry use their cotton limits for yarn?• If all mills decide to keep 15 days yarn stock - it would have a double impact - yarn prices would move up and mills would stock less cotton leading to less pressure on cotton demand.
• Spinners need to push their respective associations to knock at the Government door loudly and show them the truth. The industry need to demand for similar benefits as the rest of the Textile Chain - don’t support further investments but save those who are there.
• State governments need to be approached by the Textile Ministry to create a balanced policy - Governments are telling farmers to reduce cotton production, but are incentivising mills to come up. A serious look has to be taken at the overall Balance sheet of the country.
• There are various rumours floating in market that we shall not have cotton in August/September to run the mills - due to lack of information, no one can be sure of exact situation.
And Jain gives his own calculated balance sheet (October 2015- September 2016) in lakh bales.
He says the situation is surely tight, but not so bad that mills have to close down due to cotton prices. Today, cotton going up due to sentiments, as buying demand isn’t more than 50000 to 60000 bales per day while stock in hand is not less than 40 lakh bales – it’s just a matter of perception as to who feels when they should offload. The day 10 per cent of the stockists decide it’s time to sell, the industry shall see a correction.
A cautious cotton purchase and using the limits for stocking yarn till it reaches a reasonable level, could be the answer to save the industry. Unfortunately the cotton trade keeps floating news but spinner stay muted and just looking in despair and complaining amongst themselves without taking any concrete action, he concludes by urging the spinners to join together and see what best can be done to get out of the situation.
Worldwide shipments of wearable devices are expected to grow by 29 per cent in 2016 over 2015. Unlike the smart phone, which consolidated multiple technologies into one device, the wearables market is a collection of disparate devices. Watches and bands will be popular, but additional form factors like clothing and eyewear are delivering new capabilities and experiences.
Traditional fashion and fitness brands are quickly partnering up with tech companies to deliver smarter clothing. Companies like Lenovo and Samsung are beginning to dabble in this space, revealing prototypes of shoes or belts. The category stands to capture 7.3 per cent of the market by 2020 as consumers and athletes integrate fashion-tech into their daily lives.
Two other factors driving the wearables market forward are cellular connectivity and applications. Cellular connectivity essentially frees the wearable from being tethered to a smart phone. Cellular connectivity on a wearable can transmit and receive data, including time, location, and other data about a user and his or her surroundings.
Applications increase the value and utility of a wearable, and users want to see more than just their health and fitness results. News, weather, sports, social media applications will all have a place on a wearable. And, when combined with cellular connectivity, users will not have to take out their smart phones to get the latest information. All they will need to do is glance at their wearable.
Apparel Sourcing and Texworld will be held in the US, July 12 to 14, 2016. Together they will host over 700 international exhibitors.
Apparel Sourcing is the only event on the East Coast to focus on finished apparel, contract manufacturing and private label development. It will connect attendees with suppliers specialising in ready-to-wear for men, women, children and accessories. It is an opportunity for visitors to source complimentary products and manufacturing services from over 220 exhibitors representing nine countries including USA, China, Bangladesh, Kenya, Taiwan, and more.
The Fashion on Display Trend Café will provide attendees with a preview of the best of exhibitors’ manufacturing capabilities and finished apparel products.
Texworld USA is the premier North American fabric sourcing show. It has the most diverse product group offering to date and a dedicated focus on sustainable and eco-friendly products. This edition will feature over 500 international exhibitors representing 15 countries, including USA, United Kingdom, China, Indonesia, Lebanon, Japan, Canada, Colombia, India and more. Alongside the returning Turkey and Taiwan pavilions, a brand new Korea pavilion will make its debut. Attendees can source fabrics, trims and accessories for every type of product line – women’s, men’s, and children’s wear – across a total of 16 product groups, including the brand new faux fur category and an expanded functional fabrics category.
To be held from July 7 to 9, the 2016 edition of Intertextile Pavilion, Shenzhen is entering its final stages of preparation. Approximately 700 exhibitors from China, Hong Kong, India, Japan, Korea, Taiwan and the UK will cover a wide range of sourcing optionsat the Shenzhen Convention & Exhibition Center. Wendy Wen, Senior General Manager, Messe Frankfurt (HK) says, “As the South China apparel market is increasing in importance within the country, more overseas suppliers are eager to expand their business in this region, and we are pleased to see that many of them are utilising Intertextile Pavilion Shenzhen to do so.
Amongst the many overseas exhibitors are two debut UK design studios. Fairbairn & Wolf Studio will showcase its newest Van Gogh inspired oil painted floral, Chinese calligraphic inspired, conversational landscape and constellation print collections, as well as special collections of creative screen prints and fabric developments which are tailored to the Chinese market. The second design studio, Liberty Art’s print designs are created in collaboration with famous artists, writers, craftsman, architects and illustrators. A series of collections including Contemporary Classic, Asia and 2017 Spring Summer will be presented in the fair.
Both studios are enthusiastic about joining the fair for the first time. As Rachel Huang, Regional Sales Manager of Liberty Art avers, “Shenzhen is the world’s garment making powerhouse as it contains a number of garment manufacturers and accounts for 15 per cent of China’s total textile exports. Plus, Shenzhen, being adjacent to Hong Kong, is also a hub for trade, export and clothing design. Therefore, Intertextile Pavilion, Shenzhen can be a good platform for us to explore more opportunities.”
