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The Karl Mayer Group made a strong impression at ITM 2024, reinforcing its role as a key industry partner amidst challenging times. This year's event saw a significant turnout from Turkish visitors, though attendance from North Africa and Central Asia was lower than usual.
Despite these challenges, the Karl Mayer team reported numerous successes. Notably, 22 per cent of the registered guests were first-time visitors. The high-quality professional exchanges focused on addressing the economic difficulties faced by customers, who are seeking ways to reduce costs and boost production efficiency.
TorosGreenhalgh, Managing Director of Karl Mayer's Turkish subsidiary, emphasized the importance of machine flexibility to address evolving retail requirements. He noted that their advancements in machine technology, digital services, and textile innovations offered valuable insights for customers. Karl Mayer Turkey aims to enhance its support for after-sales service and spare parts, while Erko remains dedicated to machine sales.
Senior Sales Manager Bastian Fritsch noted the positive trend in the market, driven by targeted anti-dumping measures and recent municipal election outcomes. He highlighted the impressive HKS 3-M ON Plus, which garnered attention for its flexibility and advanced feeding control.
The Care Solutions team also reported high interest in their after-sales packages, particularly for gauge conversions. Meanwhile, Stoll's Lutz Vogel expressed optimism about the market recovery, showcasing efficient economy machines and the ADF Flex, which allows for tighter or looser knitting adjustments.
Overall, ITM 2024 served as a vital platform for Karl Mayer's Warp Preparation, Technical Textiles, and KM.ON divisions to showcase energy-efficient innovations and advanced digital solutions.
Lenzing Group has appointed Kit Ping Au-Yeung as the Executive Vice President of Commercial Textiles, succeeding Florian Heubrandner, who will now lead the Filament division. This leadership change is part of Lenzing's strategy to enhance its core textile and filament businesses.
Kit Ping, previously with Coats Group and Amann Group, brings extensive experience in the textile value chain. She will oversee the expansion and development of Lenzing’sTencel and LenzingEcoverofiber offerings, focusing on innovation and sustainable practices. Kit Ping's leadership aims to drive growth and foster partnerships for a more circular textile industry.
Stephan Sielaff, CEO of Lenzing, expressed confidence in Kit Ping's vision and its alignment with Lenzing’s commitment to sustainable fiber production. Kit Ping stated her excitement to contribute to Lenzing’s sustainable future and inspire industry-wide collaboration.
Florian Heubrandner will now focus on expanding Lenzing's filament business, leveraging his expertise to drive innovation and growth. Sielaff acknowledged Florian’s significant contributions to Lenzing’s transformation and anticipated further success under his new role.
These strategic appointments reflect Lenzing's dedication to leadership and innovation in the textile industry.
Eurojersey's Sensitive Fabrics for the autumn/winter 25/26 season present a collection seeking a new balance and stability in a contradictory and challenging world.
Exploring the versatility of fashion, the collection experiments with intriguing combinations and trend expressions.It blends hybrid silhouettes with various styles, contrasting sporty and chic elements. This contrast is evident in looks that merge informal, dynamic aesthetics with sophisticated, refined details. The fusion of oversized garments with fitted and defined accents adds interest and dynamism.
Known for their innovation and functionality, Sensitive Fabrics offer unprecedented freedom of movement, solidifying their status as '24wear' fabrics. Ideal for creating versatile and comfortable outfits, they are perfect for everyday life in the city, travel, or holidays, all while maintaining a refined look. These fabrics, typical of Made in Italy craftsmanship, are breathable, crease-resistant, crushproof, anti-wrinkle, and long-lasting. They adapt to the body with three-dimensional elasticity, are easy to care for, machine washable, quick-drying, and require no ironing.
The autumn/winter 25/26 ready-to-wear collection features four distinct trends: High Adventure, Cocoon Harmony, Corpcore, and Dreamland, each offering unique styles and expressions for the upcoming season.
On June 25, the Indonesian government announced two new protection policies to safeguard the local textile industry from a rise in imports. The measures include the Safeguard Measures Import Duty (BMTP) and the Anti-Dumping Import Duty (BMAD).
Finance Minister MulyaniIndrawati stated that these policies aim to prevent significant losses in the domestic industry caused by an influx of imported textiles that compete directly with local products. The BMTP will act as a state levy to mitigate threats to domestic manufacturers, while the BMAD will serve as an additional import duty.
The decision, endorsed by President JokoWidodo, came after a cabinet meeting at the Presidential Palace in Jakarta. Minister of Trade ZulkifliHasan emphasized the urgency of these regulations, which align with the directives of the Minister of Trade and the Minister of Industry.
Statistics from Indonesia's first quarter of the year indicate a rising trend in textile and accessory imports. January saw an import value of $12.26 million, which increased to $20.87 million in February and further to $23.98 million in March. These figures underscore the necessity of the new protection measures to support local industries.
Bangladesh’s garment exports to the European Union (EU) rose by 2 percent Y-o-Y to reach $21.64 billion in the July’23-May’24 period of the current fiscal year. The country witnessed significant growth in exports to Spain, France, the Netherlands, Poland, and Denmark, which increased by 6.23 percent, 1.02 percent, 16.27 percent, 17.28 percent, and 26.96 percent, respectively.
However, exports to its largest market in the EU, Germany declinedby 10.12 percent Y-o-Y, as per data from the Export Promotion Bureau, compiled by the Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association. Exports to Italy also dwindled by of 6.1 percent over the 11-month period ending in May.
In contrast, garment exports to the US fell by 3.43 percent, amounting to $7.46 billion during the same period. Meanwhile, exports to the UK grew by 12.34 percent Y-o-Y to $5.15 billion, and exports to Canada saw a slight decline of 0.31 percent, totaling $1.3 billion.
Despite these mixed results in traditional markets, garment exports to non-traditional markets increased by 6.47 per cent Y-o-Y, reaching $8.18 billion. Notable growth was recorded in shipments to Japan, Australia, and South Korea, which rose by 1.83 percent, 11.76 percent, and 14.34 percent, respectively. Conversely, exports to India decreased significantly by 23.11 percent.
Puma has appointed Erik Janshen as the brand’s new Vice President for its Direct-to-Consumer business. In this new role, the 46-year-old will oversee Puma's direct sales channels, including its physical stores, official website, and various online marketplaces.
A German executive, Janshen has over a decade of experience in leadership roles within digital sales and DTC operations. In his most recent role, he was engaged as the Senior Vice President VP Digital Sales at Tommy Hilfiger and Calvin Klein under PVH Corp.
To succeedKarthikBalagopalan, who was appointed Managing Director of Puma India last year and had been leading the DTC business on an interim basis, Jansen will focus on enhancing sales quality and offering a seamless shopping experience, both online and offline to consumers.
AmeFruendt, CEO, Puma, affirms, Jansen’s leadership will enable Puma enhance consumers’ shopping experiences through DTC channels, thereby increasing the brand’s recall potential. His innovative approach and passion for consumer-centric strategies will help enrich its DTC business, adds Fruendt.
Imports and exports of textiles and apparel in the US dipped in the first quarter of 2024, reveals Department of Commerce US Department of Commerce statistics. This follows a year of significant decline in clothing imports, which plunged by 22 per cent in 2023 to €77.8 billion. Notably, European luxury goods were the only category to escape this downward trend.
Import slump continues
US data shows the first quarter of 2024 saw a continuation of the import slowdown. Total textile and clothing imports fell by 4.7 per cent to $24.6 billion compared to the same period in 2023. China remained the top supplier to the US, with textile and apparel imports reaching $5.5 billion, a 3.6 per cent increase. Vietnam ($3.7 billion) and India ($2.3 billion) maintained relatively stable positions, though India did experience a slight decline of 4.37 per cent. The most substantial drop came from Bangladesh, with a decrease of 17.3 per cent to $1.8 billion. The European Union experienced a 4.1 per cent decrease in exports to $1.4 billion. Mexico also saw a notable decline of 11.9 per cent to $989 million.
EU and neighboring countries see export slowdown
The slowdown impacted exports as well, with a decrease of 4.46 per cent to $5.7 billion compared to Q1 2023. The European Union witnessed a 4.1 per cent decline in exports to $1.4 billion. Mexico, the US's largest export customer, also saw a 4.9 per cent fall to $1.7 billion. Other notable drops were seen in Indonesia (13.3 per cent), Canada (5.40 per cent), and Honduras (11.6 per cent). Interestingly, China saw a significant rise in imports from the US (14.5 per cent increase to €185 million). The Dominican Republic, Japan, and the UK also experienced modest growth in US exports.
Comparison with previous year
The import slowdown follows a year of a much sharper decline (21 per cent) in 2023, which reached $104.9 billion. US exports in 2023 remained relatively stable at $23.6 billion compared to $24.8 billion in 2022.
Table: Import-export of textiles and apparel (January-March)
|
Country/Region |
US imports (in bn) |
Change (%) |
US exports (in bn) |
Change (%) |
|
China |
5.5 |
+3.6 |
N/A |
N/A |
|
Vietnam |
3.7 |
+1.8 |
N/A |
N/A |
|
India |
2.3 |
-4.37 |
N/A |
N/A |
|
Bangladesh |
1.8 |
-17.3 |
N/A |
N/A |
|
European Union |
1.4 |
-4.1 |
0.643 |
-10.8 |
|
Mexico |
N/A |
N/A |
1.7 |
-4.9 |
|
Canada |
N/A |
N/A |
1.8 |
-5.4 |
The slowdown in US textile and apparel trade in Q1 2024 reflects a broader trend in the global market. Industry experts remain cautious about the future, with factors like inflation and geopolitical tensions potentially impacting trade flows in the coming quarters.
In an effort to counter the rise of discount startups likeTemu and Shein, Amazon.com Inc plans to launch an online storefront for low-priced apparel and home goods. The new mall will appear in the company’s own section of Amazon’s website
The Seattle-based e-commerce company currently ships goods directly to its customers from China. Amazon and other US retail incumbents are grappling with the rapid rise of Temu, a unit of PDD Holdings Inc, and online fashion retailer Shein, which have lured customers with steep discounts and, in Temu’s case, a barrage of advertising on television and social media.
To compete with Shein’s bargain basement prices, Amazon this year, began cutting the fees it charges merchants to sell low-priced clothing.
The South India Spinners Association (SISA) has advised the Cotton Corporation of India (CCI) to sell cotton primarily to cotton textile mills in the MSME sector from July 01.
Currently at a critical juncture, the textile industry in India is grappling with several financial struggles, says SJagadeshChandran, Secretary, SISA. This has led to several textile mills in Tamil Nadu ceasing operations due to financial crisis, high operational costs, and market volatility. Compounding these challenges is a notable decline in yarn and textile exports, as well as increased pressure from imports, he claims.
To mitigate this situation, the CCI needs to sell its stock of 24 lakh bales only to the MSME spinning mills for three months, opines Chandran.
Four months ago, as the cotton prices increased from Rs 58,000 to Rs 63,000 a candy, the industry requested the Ministry of Textiles and the CCI to abstain from selling cotton to traders. The ministry too advised the CCI to stop selling cotton to traders, leading to prices dropping to Rs 57,000 a candy and remaining stable for four months, he adds.
Expanding its digitalisation efforts, Biella Yarn showcased its new flat knitting collectionat PittiFilati from June 25-27, 2024.
Developed in collaboration with Knitwear Lab, the Dutch Design and Development Centre renowned for its knitting expertise, the collection offers a perfect balance for slowing down and reconnecting in our fast-paced world.
Drawing inspiration from the subtle patterns found in nature, such as soft waves in sand and organic markings on stone, the collection presents tone-on-tone color mixtures that emanate a sense of calm, minimalism and harmony.This season, the collection expands to include luxurious fine bouclé yarns and blends that combine the natural softness of wool with the elasticity of PBT.
Inspired by this season’s theme, garments crafted by MRC Knitwear Research Lab, Biella Yarn's partner, feature plush jacquards, varied textures, and uneven surfaces by combining contrasting yarn textures with special stitches.
