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Staubli machinery is known for exceptional reliability, unsurpassed production speeds, and very long service life. The Swiss company, founded in 1892, offers automatic drawing-in machines, the latest generation dobbies, electronic jacquard machines, carpet weaving systems, technical weaving systems, and knitting solutions.
Stäubli is valued by industrial customers worldwide for its high-quality products and cutting-edge technologies. It has become a leading supplier to the global weaving industry. This expansion strategy has been constantly augmented by intensive R&D activities, and the results can be seen in a comprehensive range of high-performance products integrating state-of-the-art technologies.
The group’s textile activities have grown in line with its corporate targets. In 1969, Stäubli acquired German company Trumpelt, which specialised in heavy dobbies. As a shedding solution specialist in frame weaving, the company then decided to expand its range to include jacquard weaving. This led to the acquisition of Verdol, mechanical jacquard machines maker. To expand its product range to cover the complete weaving process, Zellweger (weaving preparation solutions) and Schönherr (carpet weaving systems) were purchased in 1994 and 1998 respectively. Finally, Deimo was acquired, a long-time industry partner providing drive and control systems for a wide range of applications.
Gap has joined Canopy, which works to protect the world’s endangered and high carbon value forests, species and climate. Over 100 global brands and designers have pledged to end the use of ancient and endangered forests in their rayon and viscose supply chain under Canopy.
There has been a strong surge in US brands taking action to stop their rayon fabrics from contributing to deforestation or forest degradation. Global forests are the second largest storehouses of greenhouse gases and 25 per cent of the global population depends on forests for their survival and livelihood.
Among the brands that have joined Canopy are The North Face, Timberland and Vans. Canopy collaborates with more than 700 companies to develop innovative solutions, make their supply chains more sustainable and help protect the world’s remaining ancient and endangered forests. Canopy’s partners include H&M, Sprint, Penguin/Random House, Zara, TC Transcontinental, The Guardian and Scholastic.
Manmade cellulosic fibers are commonly referred to as either viscose, or as rayon, and encompass rayon, viscose, modal and other trademarked fabrics such as Tencel or Lyocell. Gap is aiming for a dramatic increase in sustainable fibers and textile innovation for its fashion brands including Gap, Banana Republic, Old Navy and Athleta. The company plans to source 100 per cent of its cotton from sustainable sources by 2021.
Exporters of garments and made-ups like bed sheets and towels will continue to get rebate on certain state levies for three more months like pre GST regime. Garment and made-ups exporters can claim Remission of State Levies (RoSL) at the rates prior to the introduction of GST till September 30. The scheme aims at making exports competitive in the international market as exporters of made-ups get incentives of 3.9 per cent of the value of exported goods.
The government in June had slashed rates under the RoSL scheme on export of garments and textile made-up articles to 0.39 per cent to be effective from July 1st causing a furor in the two sectors. However, this announcement will allow exporters the old incentive till September 30. The special scheme for remission of state levies for three years was part of the Rs 6 000 crores package that the government had approved in June last year for employment generation and promotion of exports in the textile and apparel sector.
While there would be input tax credits under GST, there are many costs that are being taken care of under the various duty drawback schemes. There are many hidden costs as well. Unless they are addressed under GST, India would lose out to neighboring countries, particularly while exporting to the European Union.
Intertextile Shanghai Home Textiles will be held from August 23 to 26, 2017. Exhibitors from Belgium, India, Morocco, Pakistan, Taiwan and Turkey will participate with products like sun protection, wall coverings, carpets and rugs, bedding and toweling on display.
The show also helps buyers access finest suppliers of upstream designs and printing techniques. More than 20 worldwide textile design studios will be located at Intertextile Design Boutique, while the latest digital printing technology will be presented at the Digital Printing Zone by top brands like Digitex.
The estimated 10 million couples getting married every year in China contribute to the strong demand for home textile products. The ascending living standards resulting from increased urbanization together with the flourishing hospitality industry are also driving forces for the market.
Apart from the domestic market, the Chinese home textile industry is also actively opening up new markets around the world, particularly in the Asean region where exports continue to increase.
The home textile industry in China is modernizing with innovations, abd technological and artistic elements. Revenue and exports are expected to grow at 5.5 and 3.2 per cent annually respectively, while automation will be further promoted to enhance productivity.
Bangladesh’s apparel exports has grown only 0.2 per cent in fiscal year 2017. Total exports between July 2016 and June 2017 were 5.85 per cent lower than the target. Garment exports, which comprise knitwear and woven items, earned 7.34 per cent below the target.
The knitwear sector posted a three per cent rise while earnings from woven garment exports dropped 2.35 per cent. Among other sectors, earnings from frozen shrimp exports dropped 0.56 per cent. Leather exports fell 16.3 per cent but leather goods registered a 19.63 per cent growth. Shoe exports also saw a 8.5 per cent rise. Export earnings rose for jute and jute products by 4.66 per cent and medicine by 8.6 per cent. But agricultural product earnings dropped 7.2 per cent.
Bangladesh’s overall exports have grown a meager 1.69 per cent this year upto June, with its slowest pace in 15 years. The apparel sector accounts for almost 80 per cent of the country’s exports. Bangladesh’s imports between July 2016 and May 2017 were 11 per cent higher than in the same period of fiscal 2015-16. On the other hand, exports rose 3.8 per cent year-on-year in the July-May period.
Meanwhile, foreign direct investment has increased in Bangladesh, particularly in energy, telecom and the stock market.
In the second quarter, Adidas’ currency neutral revenues were up 19 per cent. In euro terms, sales were up 20 per cent in the second quarter. All distribution channels recorded double digit growth during the quarter, with particularly strong support from ecommerce, where revenues grew 66 per cent.
On a currency-neutral basis, the combined sales of the adidas and Reebok brands grew at double-digit rates in all regions except Russia/CIS. Growth was especially strong in the company’s key regions, Greater China and North America as well as in Western Europe, where sales increased 19 per cent. Sales in Russia/CIS declined 11 per cent, reflecting the ongoing challenging consumer sentiment as well as additional store closures during the quarter.
The company’s gross margin increased 0.7 percentage points to 50.1 per cent. This development was mainly due to the positive effects from a better pricing, product and channel mix. While royalty and commission income declined two per cent, other operating income decreased significantly.
Operating profit increased 18 per cent during the second quarter, resulting in an operating margin decline of 0.2 percentage points to 10 per cent. Other operating expenses increased 13 per cent. As a percentage of sales, however, other operating expenses decreased 2.5 percentage points to 41.1 per cent.
Indonesia and Pakistan are looking to forge closer ties especially in the field of textile and value-added products. Indonesia is interested in special economic zones being developed in Pakistan. Capacity building, cultural restoration and revitalisation of historical and tourist places are identified as potential areas for partnership.
Bilateral trade between Indonesia and Pakistan is currently close to $2.2 billion, tilting heavily in Indonesia’s favor due to significant exports to Pakistan of palm oil and coal. Pakistan has extended a 15 per cent margin of preference over the standard tariff rate to Indonesian palm oil products. This helps in decreasing prices of vegetable ghee and cooking oil in the country and having a positive impact on the overall economy of the country.
The Indonesia-Pakistan Preferential Trade Agreement was signed in 2012. Under the PTA, Indonesia grants market access at preferential rates to Pakistan’s export products including fresh fruits, cotton yarn, cotton fabrics, readymade garments, fans, sports goods, leather goods and other industrial products. Similarly, Pakistan provides market access at preferential tariff rates to Indonesian exports.
Clariant and Huntsman have decided to merge. The merged company will be named HuntsmanClariant. Clariant and Huntsman have agreed on a joint strategic direction for near- and long-term value creation based on continued focus on higher growth and higher margin businesses, expansion of existing strong downstream presence, reaping benefits of complementary product portfolios and breadth of reach to deliver an additional organic sales revenue growth of around two per cent a year at around 20 per cent ebitda margin and delivering synergies in excess of 400 million dollars.
The merger brings together two strong specialty chemicals businesses with similar ebitda margins at 17.2 per cent (including synergies). It will reap complementary benefits between performance products, care chemicals and natural resources, which represent around 35 per cent of HuntsmanClariant’s combined sales and hold a comprehensive surfactant portfolio in high-end niche markets globally. This is expected to have meaningful opportunities for growth including cross-selling potential and new product applications.
There is a clear joint understanding of the combined company’s future core segments and the direct majority of investments will be directed to growth areas and growth regions.
HuntsmanClariant’s position as a leading specialty chemicals company will further benefit from complementary R&D and technological expertise as well as shared knowledge in sustainability and cross-fertilization in innovation and technology capabilities.
India has a great chance to capture the market for manmade fibers that’s been vacated by China. Synthetic textiles made from manmade fibers account for 70 per cent of the world textile supply and the rest is cotton. Given the scale of exports from China, even a one per cent shift means a ten per cent increase in India’s exports of manmade fibers and synthetic textiles.
Cotton still commands more than 50 per cent of India’s textile production. However, the synthetic textile segment is gradually growing. The world is shifting towards manmade fibers and there is a need for innovations in fabrics, integrate the value chain and invest in skill development to boost textile exports from the country. Hastening of negotiations with regard to free trade agreements with EU and Canada and labor law reforms and logistics improvements are essential for the growth of the textile sector.
India is already reeling under a huge competitive disadvantage in the international textile market when it comes to manmade fiber based textile products. Competitors like China, Vietnam and Bangladesh are ahead in global exports of manmade fiber textiles. Under-investment in the sector is the biggest challenge in India. It has resulted in a weaker value chain driving foreign buyers to other countries. Speed, innovation and digitization hold the key to India's success.
Sportswear maker Under Armour cut its full-year sales forecast amid fierce competition in the athletic apparel market, and launched a restructuring plan that involves closing stores and cutting about 2 per cent of its workforce. Under Armour is also the maker of Stephen Curry basketball shoes and Bandit running shoes. The company, which wooed investors with its quick-paced growth until a few quarters ago, has been ceding market share to No. 1 sportswear maker Nike Inc and Germany's Adidas AG.
Jane Hali, CEO of retail investment research firm Jane Hali & Associates feels Under Armour's apparel lack in fashion. While brands like Nike, Adidas and Puma are thriving from retro revivals and casual looks, UA has struggled to develop an appealing shoe. As compared to its previous forecast of 11 to 12 per cent Under Armour is now expected full-year revenue growth of 9 percent to 11 per cent.
The company will cut 277 jobs across its operations, half of which will be at the company's headquarters in Baltimore, says Under Armour spokeswoman Diane Pelkey. It is expected a pre-tax charges of up to $130 million in fiscal 2017, related to store closures, lease terminations and severance costs. Under Armour closed 33 factory outlets and 23 Under Armour branded stores in one year. The company reported a net loss of $12.3 million, or 3 cents per Class A and B share, in the second quarter ended June 30, compared with a loss of $52.7 million, or 12 cents per share, a year earlier. Under Armour posted a net loss of 3 cents on its class C shares which represent its common stock.
