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South India-based Jayalakshmi Enterprises has developed mechanically processed cotton varieties suitable for use in absorbent technical textile products. Globally, the nonwovens sector is looking for new fibers that are sustainable. To fulfill this need and to develop absorbent and other specialized technical textiles products Jayalakshmi has released two different types of processed cotton that can be used in nonwoven manufacturing processes, such as needlepunching and hydroentangling.
Recently, Jayalakshmi diversified to develop cotton-based high-tech products, such as oil sorbents. The company has been in the cotton textiles business for more than five decades.
Velmurugan, Jayalakshmi’s general manager says they are in a phase of diversification. Developing cotton products that can fulfill the needs of the growing nonwovens and technical textiles sector is a natural growth process for everyone. Of the two types of cotton developed by the company, one variety has a soft, silky touch and represents the high-end new product. Till now the company has developed specialized cotton yarns and allied cotton products. Chennai-based Wellgro Tech trading will be marketing the cottons for nonwovens and technical textile industry customers.
According to Nambi Srinivasan, marketing in-charge at Wellgro, they will be looking towards domestic nonwovens wipe manufacturers and international players as its potential customers. Indian companies will have to develop their nonwovens sector right from fibers to fully finished products that can be available at retail outlets. Such endeavors by conventional textile groups such as Jayalakshmi are much needed to advance the technical textiles sector in India.
India has started a probe into Chinese dumping of polyester yarn following complaints from SRF and Reliance. These yarns are used for manufacturing tyre cord fabrics, seat belt webbing, slings, ropes, coated fabrics and conveyor belt fabrics. If it is established that dumping has caused material injury to domestic players, an anti- dumping duty may be imposed. Dumping affects gross margins.
Anti-dumping duties are levied to provide a level playing field to local industry by guarding against cheap, below-cost imports. The investigation will cover the period from April 2016 to March this year. Growing imports and dumping of goods from China have always been an area of concern for Indian companies. Exports to China were only nine billion dollars in 2015-16, but imports totaled 61.7 billion dollars.
Dumping of several other products such as chemicals from China is also being probed. India is one of the most attractive markets for global producers due to its large middle class population. Imposition of anti-dumping duty is permissible under the World Trade Organisation and both India and China are members of the Geneva-based body.
Dumping is an unfair trade practice, because the lower export prices are not a result of efficiency on the part of the exporting producers, but of distorted market conditions illustrated by the segregation of the domestic market. Dumping limits effective competition and creates uncertainty, which hinders a predictable investment climate.
There would not be any need to extend the tenure of the EU retailers’ group Accord on Fire and Building Safety in Bangladesh beyond 2018 as the ongoing remediation work under its supervision would be completed by 2017 feels the Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA). However, BGMEA maintained the retailers’ body could stay in the country post 2018 as a monitoring agency, if allowed by the government.
BGMEA President Siddiqur Rahman, said they have heard the Accord wants to stay for five more years but it has not made any official appeal in this connection. They also hope that the remediation work, the platform is supervising, will be completed by 2017 and no extension will be required.
The President of the apex garment manufacturers’ body in the country further underlined that Accord and the North American buyers’ platform – Alliance for Bangladesh Worker Safety, were yet to officially seek an extension of their respective terms in Bangladesh.
It may be mentioned here that following the Rana Plaza building collapse in April, 2013, EU retailers formed the Accord while North American retailers formed the Alliance to undertake a five-year plan, which set timeframes and accountability for inspections and training and workers empowerment programs. Launched in February 2014 officially, the initiatives undertook structural, electrical and fire safety inspections in garment factories and suggested remedial measures accordingly.
Woolmark is showcasing in the ongoing edition of The Wool Lab at Pitti Filati from June 28 to 30. The Wool Lab autumn/winter 2018-19 presents seven fashion-oriented themes, presenting a collection of the latest commercially available wool fabrics and yarns. In addition, The Wool Lab Sport and The Wool Lab Denim will return this season, with each of the popular books updated to include the latest innovations and technical fabrics.
Each edition of The Wool Lab is created in collaboration with the world’s most innovative and quality-oriented spinners and weavers to present an inspirational sourcing guide available for designers and brands to view.
This edition marks six years since The Wool Lab first launched, with each edition well received by trade and generating more than 60,000 swatch requests. Each season, more and more fashion designers and brands look forward to seeing the latest offering as it provides the opportunity for them to explore an actual sourcing guide for commercially available products.
Woolmark is the global authority on wool. Through its extensive network of relationships spanning the international textile and fashion industries, it highlight Australian wool’s position as the ultimate natural fiber and premier ingredient in luxury apparel. The Woolmark logo is one of the world’s most recognized and respected brands.
Campaign for Wool is a global campaign that was started in 2010 to raise awareness among consumers about the unique, natural and sustainable benefits offered by wool. The campaign currently runs in 14 countries including Canada, Australia, China, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Korea, Netherlands, New Zealand, Shetland Islands, South Africa, the United Kingdom and the USA.
The philosophy is using material like wool creates better products that last longer and are ultimately better for the environment. It educates people about the wonders of wool and the importance of choosing clothes made with natural fibers.
Campaign for Wool receives support from across trade, retail and artisan sectors. It is associated with like-minded companies and designers that understand and promote the importance of using natural and sustainable products. There are few other natural fibers in this world that can claim the same number of properties paired with the durability and low-carbon footprint offered by wool.
The business of fashion has never been more competitive but ultimately the brands and clothes that will last are those who embrace sustainability. The wonderful properties of wool as a material for both interior design and apparel have been almost completely forgotten. This campaign hopes to bring that into the forefront.
Patrik Frisk is taking over as the new president and COO of American sports apparel and footwear brand Under Armour. Frisk has nearly 30 years’ experience in the apparel, footwear and retail industry, directing brands such as The North Face and Timberland. He is former CEO of the global footwear company Aldo. Prior to Aldo, he spent 10 years with VF Corp. He was president of Timberland and before that responsible for The North Face, Vans, JanSport and Reef brands. He previously ran his own retail business in Scandinavia and held senior positions with Peak Performance and W.L. Gore & Associates.
Paul Fipps, chief information officer and executive vice president of global operations, has been named chief technology officer. He will oversee all aspects of engineering to support the brand’s web and mobile applications and its information technology and real estate functions.
Colin Browne will become chief supply chain officer and be responsible for all global operations related to product sourcing and logistics. He joined Under Armour in 2016 as president of global sourcing.
Kevin Eskridge is chief product officer. He oversees category management and product, merchandising, design and innovation. He has been with the company since 2009. Eskridge, former senior vice president of global merchandising, helped establish the company’s business in China.
The global hosiery market is projected to grow at a CAGR of 4.3 per cent over 2017 to 2025. The main reason for surging global market in hosiery is rising concern among consumers about personal appearance and grooming. Further, the shift in retail formats to hypermarkets and supermarkets is allowing consumers to select and compare products according to their preferences which in turn is fueling sales of hosiery products.
Robust growth of e-commerce is also providing easy access to consumers to compare hosiery products online. Hosiery products are also projected to witness a rise in sales volume through e-commerce platforms. Europe represents the largest market worldwide followed by the United States. Asia Pacific is the fastest growing market. China is the largest producer of hosiery in the world with a strong presence in synthetic hosiery products.
Future trends include appropriate compression to increase blood circulation, anti-cellulite hosiery that help impart a sculpted body shape, hosiery with weather-adaptive and supportive features such as silver-based microbial finishes for greater hygiene and comfort. Some of the emerging styles include colored tights, striped tights, python print tights as well as patterned styles of over the knee socks.
Wrangler celebrates 70 years of originality with a global release of seasonal collections, including a collaboration with 70's pop art icon, Peter Max, designed with the vision of the artist himself. With a rich history dating back to 1947, we are marrying heritage and style with a colorful vibrancy and attention to detail that makes Wrangler truly unique.
Max teamed up with Wrangler, in the 1970s, to make an exclusive cosmic fashion statement for that decade. The wonderful Max has renewed his collaboration with Wrangler in celebration of the fashion company’s seven decades in business.
The fashionable and colorful collaboration of the ’70s between Max and Wrangler is being revived with a modern fit for men and women. The international release of the European-designed Wrangler 70th Anniversary Collection was announced by Craig Errington, vice president of marketing, on May 8, 2017, in Greensboro, North Carolina.
In the 1970s, the celebrity artist, recognized for his colorful cosmic visions, first partnered with the popular jean company to create a unique collection. The collection then, as with the newest one, pops with color inspired by Max’s renowned pop-art.v
Wrangler is all about authenticity. The brand officially began in 1947, when celebrity tailor Rodeo Ben designed the first Wrangler Authentic Western Jeans. Max was not the first celebrity to recognize Wrangler for their authenticity. When the very first Wrangler jeans were being marketed to American customers, famed rodeo cowboys took notice.
In 1974 Max recognize the Wrangler fashion line where the brand was accepted by the Pro Rodeo Cowboy Association. Talking about Max Jason Aldean brought Wrangler into the world of country music when he agreed to be the face of the company’s retro line in 2009.The artist’s favored iconic image is featured on shirts in the Wrangler collection, Max and Wrangler collaborative collection, will be sold in Europe and Asia.
Spinexpo trade exhibitions in France, US and China will present A/W 2018 fibers, yarns and knitwear collections. For the past 15 years, it has been a catalyst for the textile and fashion industry that attracts top international buyers.
The upcoming Spinexpo Paris will be a three-day event from July 3 to 5, 2017 at the Cité de la Mode et du Design in Paris. Next in New York it will take place from July 18 to July 20 followed by the Shanghai edition to be held from August 29 to 31. The Paris show will see products from leading top-level international exhibitors including 85 spinning mills, knitwear and machine manufacturers as well as the swatch studios, will be displayed at the show
Spinexpo United States will be held July 18 to 20, 2017. The exhibition will feature 77 leading exhibitors, similar to those in Paris and is a B-to-B trade show attracting key influential brands from the American markets. Exhibitors will be showcasing innovative products with a focus on performance and functionality as well as new spinning and knitting techniques across core and fancy items. A special focus will be on a wider range of products with stock service, shorter lead times and faster delivery times.
Spinexpo Shangahai will be held from August 29 to 31, 2017, showcasing over 200 specially selected companies. This trade show caters to a growing mid-end domestic market and international brands manufacturing in Asia. The show continues to be a driving force in moving suppliers and buyers forward, urging them to bring fresh and new ideas in design, innovation and technical application.
Textile traders across the country will go on a strike, opposing the implementation of GST on textiles. A rally is also likely to be organized on June 30, 2017. As per textile associations lakhs of organised and unorganised traders associated with the textiles will be affected badly with the implementation of GST.
Even Haryana’s textile traders have started a three-day strike from Tuesday by closing down their business for 72 hours. The government, on its part, is ready to remove doubts by holding discussion on GST. Around 35,000 textile shops in Telangana are expected to remain close while nearly 70,000 textile establishments in Surat have been shut since June 24, 2017, declared Telangana State Federation of Textile Associations President Ammanabolu Prakash.
Textile traders also held marches in protest of the Centre’s decision to levy 5 per cent goods and services tax (GST) on textiles and 12 per cent on readymade garments. The price of textiles may rise by 8-10 per cent Further, talking about the exempted category textile traders across the state, Prakash says, textile traders across the state were supporting the nationwide bandh as fabrics at present came under the exempted category. The 5 per cent GST that it would attract can complicate matters for those in the trade, pointing to the compliance hassles as well as the need for more working capital.
According to Telangana State Federation of Textile Associations the GST Council had promised it is not going to tax textiles. Contrary to their promise, they have imposed a 5 per cent tax on the commodity. On apprehensions of the trade Prakash says fulfilling the requirements is not going to be easy for traders as they operate on thin margins and there is lack of familiarity with computers. GST compliance would be challenging and add to their cost and the traders have not registered under GST, he added.
