Mexico-based Tavemex, has become the second denim producer in the world to install a Monforts Eco Denim Line, and the first to use the technology for finishing denim fabrics of up to 300 g/sq. m. Tavemex completed installation of the Eco Denim Line early this year. The company now reports an 80 per cent reduction in water usage after one month of operation.

For Tavemex, the investment comes at a time of fundamental change for the company. Previously known as Tavex, the company was part of a multinational enterprise that originated in Spain and had denim-manufacturing plants there and in Morocco, Brazil and Argentina, as well as Mexico. Now, Tavemex is an independent Mexican-owned concern, with the US as its prime market.

Tavemex’s capacity is now 2 million mt. per month, and part of current production is gradually being moved from the existing stenters to the new Eco Denim Line. The equipment was delivered from Monforts in Germany via the manufacturer’s distributor in Mexico, Sattex-Mexico.

Talking about using less water, Arturo Ornelas Elizondo, Tavemex’s Industrial Director says the major reason for investing in the Eco Denim Line was to satisfy customers who have been requesting us, more and more, to use less water in dyeing and finishing. The company uses its own well for water, so cost is relatively low, and is saving more than 80 per cent on water usage.

Eco Denim Line is projected to save energy. The new installation includes a Monforts Eco Applicator, which applies the chemicals, replacing a conventional padder. This is said to reduce the drying needs and, therefore, energy consumption, due to the fact that the eco applicator applies less moisture to the fabric. On this Elizondo commented that this will further give the company a opportunity to improve our wastewater plant to the latest European standards.

When it comes to Islamic fashion apparel, Pakistan is one of the top 10 consumer markets. The rise in Pakistan’s fashion retail industry in recent years has been huge, creating space for local as well as global brands which feed the lifestyle needs of the affluent and the rising middle class.

This is especially the case in the women’s apparel category with long shirts, colorful hijabs and the like. Small and medium enterprises have the required potential to streamline operations and offer products to local as well as global markets. However, with Pakistan being a Muslim country, there is scope for modest fashion.

Rabia Z is a global pioneer in the modest fashion category and has chosen Pakistan’s lucrative market as its next destination after dominating markets in the Middle East, Europe and the United States. In Pakistan, the formal launch will be held this summer. The brand plans to establish a proper retail set-up and is interested in starting production in Pakistan and then sourcing all the natural fabrics from Pakistan. It might delve into the franchise model in collaboration with some of the leading textile groups of the country. The brand already has a presence in Pakistan with the company selling its products via e-commerce.

In general, Muslim countries already spend billions of dollars on apparels and global Islamic fashion clothing is among the top three segments after halal food and Islamic finance.

Hong Kong-based Li & Fung, one of the world’s leading consumer goods design, development, sourcing and logistics has entered into agreements for a new supply chain relationship with PVH Corp. The agreements transform the current non-exclusive buying agency agreement between them into a new strategic partnership under which Li & Fung will provide additional value-added services to PVH. The new agreement will lead to cessation of existing non-exclusive buying agency agreement between them. The transaction is expected to close on July 1, 2017.

The new supply chain relationship is expected to be mutually beneficial and focus on applying latest technology and knowhow into the PVH supply chain. And as Daniel Grieder, CEO Tommy Hilfiger Global and PVH Europe said the focus of his company was to create a more effective and efficient supply chain that would enable them to adapt and evolve so that it could stay ahead in the rapidly changing industry. This transformation in the company’s sourcing strategy is an important step to improve speed to market and faster integration of consumer insights into our new collections.

US-based PVH Corp has a diversified portfolio of brands including Calvin Klein, Tommy Hilfiger, Van Heusen, IZOD, ARROW, Speedo, Warner's and Olga and numerous other owned and licensed brands and markets them globally. PVH has 30,000 associates operating across 40 countries and speaking 20 languages. In 2015, the company generated over $8 billion in revenues.

Next posted a 3.8 per cent drop in pre-tax profits for the year to the end of January. Next is anticipating another fall in profits. UK’s biggest clothing retailer has been battling a combination of economic, cyclical and internal factors. Next has raised shop prices by four per cent to offset the higher import costs from a weaker pound.

Total sales at the retailer’s 538 shops have fallen by 0.3 per cent, hit by a 4.6 per cent slump in full-price shop sales. The group’s Directory business, long seen as the engine driving its growth, also suffered a lackluster year with its own-brand sales down by 1.8 per cent. However, this was offset by its growing business selling other brands, which lifted its Label sales by 18.9 per cent and boosted total Directory sales by 4.2 per cent.

Next attributed some of its weakness to a reshuffle of its buying operations, which means it can respond to fashion trends faster, but at the expense of omitting some of its best-selling, heartland products from the range. The retailer also bore an increase in costs. Next expects a further increase in costs this year as it absorbs wage rises, the apprenticeship levy, and energy taxes.