Karl Mayer has launched its first Smart Machine function that revolutionizes the way of guide bar control. Pattern changes are possible in a matter of seconds trough online handling.

SwapKnit, Karl Mayer offers their costumers a new, fast and flexible way to purchase lappings for the HKS 3-M ON online in order to then be able to change them at the machine directly in a few seconds only. © Karl Mayer

The new patterning concept manages completely without pattern discs, but still enables the high operating speeds typical of mechanical guide bar drives. The basis for this is the networking of the machine via the k.ey device with the KM.ON cloud.

SwapKnit can be used for the production of new or tried-and-tested articles with pattern repeats of up to 36 stitch courses. The required lapping data is acquired with just a few clicks in Karl Mayer's Webshop Spare Parts and loaded directly from the KM.ON cloud. This enables pattern changes in a matter of seconds. Lengthy ordering processes, costs for transport and warehousing, and time-consuming manual interventions on the machine, as is usual when using pattern discs, are eliminated and replaced by extremely convenient, efficient online handling.

North Carolina-based denim group Kontoor Brands Inc expects 2022 revenue to grow in single-digit over 2021 to approximately $2.7 billion.As per Fashion Network, Kontoor Brands also expects revenues in the first quarter of 2022 to be in the range of $650 to $660 million or flat to up low-single digits compared to last year. Meanwhile, GAAP EPS is expected to be in the range of $1.15 to $1.25.

Revenues in the second quarter are expected to increase 30 per cent to $640 million compared to last year, while GAAP EPS is expected to be in the range of $1.25 to $1.35.

Kontoor Brands’ international business represents approximately 25 percent of its total revenue. The company’s revenue in Europe is concentrated in developed markets such as France, Germany, Italy, Poland, Scandinavia, Spain and the United Kingdom. To support ongoing humanitarian efforts, the company plans to make a charitable donation through a global philanthropic organization. Its employees in Europe have also donated clothing samples for ongoing relief efforts in Ukraine.

Apparel imports by the United States touched pre-pandemic levels in January’22 after almost three years of struggle due to global disruptions in fashion supply chain. US’ apparel imports reached $7.54 billion, similar to January 2019 values, in January’22, show latest OTEXA stats. Imports grew 36.77 per cent over 2021 and 11.68 per cent over 2020 respectively. China remained the largest exporter of garments to the US growing 47.11 per cent to $1.91 billion over January ’21.

However, compared to January ’19, China’s apparel exports value shrunk 24.20 per cent in January’22. Export value of Vietnam marginally crossed pre-pandemic export values as it clocked in $1.28 billion in January ’22 as against $1.26 billion in January ’19.

Bangladesh’s apparel exports to the US reached $755.16 million in January ’22 from $519.30 million in n January ’21, $622.24 million in January ’20 and $531,70 million in January ’19.Apparel exports from India increased 53.40 per cent on Y-o-Y to $441.40 million in January ’22.

Following Russia’s attack on Ukraine, US footwear majors Skechers and Crocs have temporarily halted shipments to the eastern European nation. Clog maker Crocs plans to halt direct-to-consumer business, including e-commerce and retail operations, in Russia. The US company has also paused imports into the country though it continues to pay corporate and retail staff within Russia. Crocs has also decided to make a donation to UNICEF to support those directly impacted by the war, says Andrew Rees, CEO.

Skechers too has temporarily suspended shipments to Russia. The sneaker manufacturer has also made $250,000 in donations to humanitarian aid to organizations on the ground in Ukraine and Poland, as well as matching employee donations up to an additional $250,000 to support the Ukrainian people.

The boycott of Russia by Skechers and Crocs follows a similar move by other big brands including L’Oreal, Louis Vuitton who have temporarily ceased business operations in the nation

Market leader in sustainable, on-demand digital fashion and textile production technologies, Kornit Digital has collaborated with UK-based manufacturing enterprise Fashion-Enter to open a first-of-its-kind Fashtech Innovation Centre in London.Located at Fashion-Enter’s state-of-the art training and manufacturing site, the innovation center aims to bring on-demand fashion and textile mass customization back to the UK. It is fully supported by Kornit Digital’s revolutionary, direct-to-fabric and direct-to-garment digital production solutions.

The innovation centre aims to reduce overproduction and water usage. Around 30 per cent of textile production across the world is excess production, says Kornit Digital’s Impact and Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) report while 95 per cent of water waste is created by companies globally.Besides highlighting production capabilities to minimize carbon footprint, the Fashtech Innovation Centre helps brands and fulfillers mitigate logistical complexities, time-to-market and supply chain risks by bringing production nearer to the end consumer.

The Centre includes both Kornit Presto direct-to-fabric and Kornit Atlas MAX direct-to-garment systems, as well as numerous graphic design and workflow tools and systems to enable cut-and-sew operations for a comprehensive ‘pixel to parcel to doorstep’ cycle.

Leading industrial sewing and printing technology company, Brother will not participate in the upcoming Texprocess Europe 2022 exhibition in Frankfurt, Germany amid rising COVID concerns. Reports suggest the company will prioritize the health of customers, traders, employees and the general public despite it being a strong advocate of physical trade fairs and face-to-face meetings for business strategy.“

However, despite skipping the event –scheduled from June 21-24 in Frankfurt, Germany -- Brother will offer customers the alternative of contacting it via This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. and knowing about its latest innovations.

Brother Industries is a Japanese multinational electronics and electrical equipment company headquartered in Nagoya, Japan. Its products include printers, multifunction printers, desktop computers, consumer and industrial sewing machines, large machine tools, label printers, typewriters, fax machines, and other computer-related electronics. Brother distributes its products both under its own name and under OEM agreements with other companies.

Canadian buyers recorded a 13.88 per cent growth in apparel imports during January ’22, reports Apparel Resources. Imports of both knitted and woven, garments surged to $746.89 million during the month, compared to $655.86 million in the corresponding period of 2021.However, the value of imports declined 5.88 per cent compared to December ’21 when Canada imported apparels worth $793.61 million.

Canada’s imports from China declined 4.11 per cent to $ 212.97 million in January ’22 over January’21 while it declined by 9.94 per cent over December ’21.Imports from India grew 58.34 per cent Y-o-Y and 34.62 per cent M-o-M to $280.95 million during January ’22.Imports from Bangladesh grew 36 per cent to $1.17 billionY-o-Y while it declined by 5.06 per cent over December ’21.

Vietnam’s shipments tumbled over 1.90 per cent over December ’21 while they grew by 25 per cent over January ’21 to $1.05 billion.

China seems to be bearing the brunt of the ongoing Ukraine –Russia war as its share of textile and apparel exports to both countries dwindled to 2.5 per cent to total $8.2 billion in 2021.

A few downstream weavers in China received suspension notices from Eastern European customers before the conflict broke out. Orders to these weavers are not expected to improve soon, as per a CCF Group report.

Exports to Russia surge six times in 20 years

An important export market for China's textiles and apparel, Russia also enables China to diversify to other countries. Bilateral trade between the two countries has always focused on the textiles and apparel sector. From 2000-2020, China's textile and apparel exports to Russia increased from $1.11 billion to $7.65 billion. Its exports to Russia increased by almost six times over the past 20 years,

In 2021, China exported 2.2 of its total textiles and apparels to Russia. Apparels dominated China’s exports to Russia from 2017 to 2021. Its’ apparel exports to Russia doubled as compared to textiles in 2021. One of China’s top five export markets till 2019, Russia’s position has declined in the past two years.

Ukraine’s share in China’s exports declines

From 2019-2021, China’s textile and apparel exports to Ukraine increased from $680 million to $760 million. They accounted for about 35-40 per cent of Ukraine's imports. Ukraine accounted for 0.23 per cent of China’s total textile and apparel exports in 2021 despite China being the largest source of textile and apparel imports for Ukraine.

With a total annual export value of $400 million, Ukraine mainly exports textiles and apparels to Germany, Denmark and Italy. The country is the fabric distribution center of Central and Eastern Europe with the Odessa market being the largest and most concentrated fabric market. Around 55 per cent-70 per cent of Ukraine textile and apparel products are sold in the domestic market and the remaining 30 per cent-45 per cent are exported

Shipments to Russia suspended indefinitely

The war has made textile and apparel shipments to both Russia and Ukraine difficult. Shipping companies Maersk, Mediterranean Shipping, Dafei, Hebrot, etc have suspended shipments to Ukrainian ports from February 24. They also plan to stop accepting new bookings in and out of Ukraine until further notice. Exports to Russia have also been affected with shipments to the Sea of Azov suspended until further notice.

Ahmad Heri Firdaus, Researcher, Indef's Center for Industry, Trade and Investment says, to maintain competitiveness, the Indonesian government needs to provide incentives to pursue the competitive advantage of Bangladeshi textiles.

The government needs hold limited meetings and introduce policies to enable the industry compete on a level playing field, adds Heri.

A number of factors in the production cost structure such as industrial gas, electricity, worker wages, and ease of logistics must be taken into account both in negotiating agreements and in formulating incentives.

Heri believes the textile industry will remain one of the prima donnas among other manufacturing sectors. Instead of experiencing a sunset, the textile industry can continue to grow if it is supported by policies that support performance and recovery.

Meanwhile, Indonesia is considered to be unable to compete with Bangladesh. From industrial gas prices, for example, Bangladesh applies a price of $3.22 per MMBTU for textile players. In addition, the electricity tariff is also flat at $ 0.105/kWh. Bangladesh is also the second largest exporter of apparel in the world with a value as of 2020 of $36.13 billion.

The upcoming event will be held from April 27-28, 2022 at the Messe München exhibition centre in Munich, Germany.

The winter edition of Performance Days will be held at the MOC Center from 3-4 November 2022, as a once-only venue. With the latest scheduling, the hybrid event facilitates the industry’s wish to exchange information concerning innovations, highlights and trends for the Winter 2024/2025 season at an earlier stage. The MOC is well established in the textile sector and, in addition to having good infrastructure, it also provides good accessibility to the centre of Munich.

The usual concept of the fair will be maintained on site, guaranteeing that all participants can look. In order to respond effectively to the needs of the new sourcing schedule, the Performance Days winter edition will be put forward to October, and the summer edition to April.