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An official delegation from South Korea and the Gujarat Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI) signed a MoU for co-operation between industries in Gujarat and the East Asian country, with a key focus on the automobile, defence and textiles sectors. The South Korean delegation was led by the country's Consul General in Mumbai, Kim Soungeun.
The key objective of the MoU is to help Gujarat-based small and medium enterprises (SMEs) explore opportunities through joint ventures with South Korean firms, mainly in areas of automobile, defence and textiles, said GCCI president Shailesh Patwari. "We import lubricants and auto parts for industry. Now that Gujarat is becoming an auto hub, JVs with Korean companies will help our SMEs. Our intention is also to support our SMEs in manufacture of defence equipment with the help of Korean companies," Patwari noted.
Korean companies are offering technical help to the textile industry in Gujarat to reduce costs and help them compete with Bangladesh and China and improve the ready-made apparel trade, he added.
Bangladesh has the potential to spiral up its annual garment export to $5 billion to China, says analysts. The country’s RMG sector is pampered with duty-free export facilities to China. Siddiqur Rahman, President, BGMEA says they are trying to grab a huge share of China’s local market. China has a population of 1.35 billion, including an increasing middle-class income people, who can be the best buyers of Bangladeshi products. Siddiqur also said his association has not yet drawn up strategies but has made a plan to enhance annual garment export to China to touch $5 billion over the next three to five years. Currently, the country’s RMG export to China is small. In fiscal 2016-17, the country notched $391.59 million from apparel export to China, which is 14.77 per cent year-on-year rise, as per data from the Export Promotion Bureau.
The export to China in FY 2015-16 was $341.22 million and $304.94 million in the previous fiscal. Mirza Azizul Islam, Finance Adviser of the former caretaker government, says China is the best destination but Bangladesh should also take steps to expand its market to the US and Europe. Bangladesh is now getting duty-free privilege in Chinese market and a sound G2G policy. Now, the exporters should focus on the market demand and boost the supply.
As per a recent study conducted by Switzerland-based International Textile Manufacturers Federation (ITMF), by end 2020, China would produce $750 billion worth of garments against $300 billion produced now, half for exports and the remaining for domestic consumption.
Currently, China is exporting 20 per cent of the garments it produces after meeting 80 per cent of the local demand. Statistics reveal that the remaining 20 per cent will be valued at around $200 billion by the end of 2020, as the country will have more than half a billion middle-class consumers. Seeing the huge potential market, the BGMEA has decided to enter the Chinese local market.
To promote apparel clusters and enhance exports, the Ludhiana-based apparel industry will seek the Centre’s assistance in setting up a Common Facility Centre (CFC). The facility will house state-of-the-art machinery such as a design studio, quality control facility etc, which member units cannot afford to acquire individually. The proposed CFC would be promoted through a special purpose vehicle.
SS Bedi, Cluster Development Manager, Ludhiana Apparel Cluster says, Ludhiana is one of the prominent hubs for the apparel sector in the country. The city has over 12,000 units manufacturing knitwear, winter wear and shirts but these clusters do not have any CFC to address the issues confronting the apparel industry. The industry is beset with issues such as obsolete technology and quality. To give a boost to this sector we will propose to the Ministry of MSME to grant a CFC. Under the Micro and Small Enterprises Cluster Development Programme, the Ministry can support the entrepreneurs with a grant from 70 to 90 per cent of the cost for setting up the CFC.
The CFC will be managed by a special purpose vehicle (SPV). About 25 members have been identified for the SPV. After the formation of SPV, detailed diagnostic study report (DSR) will be submitted to the Ministry for the financial assistance to be sanctioned under the cluster development programme.
Most of the manufacturing processes of member units would be completed at the cluster. The cluster would take care of manufacturing using latest machines, designing and product testing. Under the scheme, member units would be given an opportunity to exit their unit if they learn the processes and manage to set up the required machinery.
Ludhiana-based garment manufacturers are already facing a stiff competition from imported garments, especially from Bangladesh where production cost is lower. In such a scenario, the setting up of the CFC will assist them in acquiring cost-effective products and new designs of superior quality.
Building upon the successful launch of footwear and apparel made from recycled ocean plastic, Adidas Outdoor has launched an expanded Parley for the Oceans apparel line with performance outerwear for men and women. The brand will also introduce next generation design and innovation with variations on traditional baffles for increased warmth and protection and pair unlikely textiles and styles for that hybrid looks. The line will be on display at Outdoor Retailer Snow Show 2018, from January25 to 28, in Denver, USA.
Greg Thomsen, MD Adidas Outdoor says expansion to performance outerwear with Parley for the Oceans is a natural progression. They have seen global success with apparel launched last spring not only because of the sustainability story but also, the fashion forward design, incredible hand feel, and quick drying, water wicking capabilities. This initiative has been embraced by consumers and retailers alike that are paying more attention to the supply chain. The Parley styles blend well with the rest of the collection, as the lines between fashion and function continue to blur. Consumers want apparel that not only functions, but looks great.
Parley jackets and parkas feature recycled polyester fibre made from reclaimed ocean plastic and Climaproof, Adidas’ proprietary waterproof breathable technology providing protection and comfort in wind, rain, or snow. Styles include men and women’s Parley 3-layer jacket and Swift Parley 2-layer; and the women’s only style, the Clima Parley Parka.
Adidas entered a partnership with Parley for the Oceans in 2015, an environmental organisation and collaboration network that raises awareness for the beauty and fragility of the oceans, and implements comprehensive strategies to end ocean plastic pollution.
Nearly 44 more readymade garment factories which manufacture products for North American retailers and buyers have completed full safety remediation in December in 2017. The Alliance for Bangladesh Worker Safety (AFBWS), said in a statement. Including the 44 new RMG factories, the total number of remediated factories affiliated with the AFBWS, a platform of North American buyers and retailers, reached 301.
Jim Moriarty, the Alliance Executive Director exults, “Each of these factories deserves our commendation for working hard to achieve the Alliance’s strict safety standards. Their progress sets the tone for 2018 and furthers our mission of ushering in a culture of safety in Bangladesh garment industry,” he added. Across all Alliance factories, 87 per cent of all required factory remediation has been completed, the Alliance statement noted.
The total number of suspended factories stands at 164, however, no factories were suspended for failing to make adequate remediation progress in December, this only goes to show that a combined effort by Alliance factories to take appropriate measures to provide safer working conditions for their employees.
The Alliance has so far inspected over 700 RMG factories and currently the number of active factories under the platform is 658. After the Rana Plaza building collapse in April 24, 2013, that killed more than 1,100 people, mostly garments workers, North American retailers including Walmart and Gap formed the Alliance undertaking a five-year plan, which set timeframes and accountability for inspections and training and workers empowerment programmes. EU retailers formed the Accord on Fire and Building Safety to improve safety in around 1500 factories in Bangladesh.
"The 26th edition of Garment Technology Expo (GTE) ’18 will be held from January 19-22, 2018 in New Delhi’s NSIC Exhibition Complex. In the sidelines of GTE, on January 20, FashionatingWorld/DFU Publications and GTE 2018 are organizing a global summit ‘Apparel 4.0: Shaping the future with Smart Factories’. Apparel 4.0 is the buzzword in apparel manufacturing and apparel technology industry today. It is an interpretation and application of Industry Revolution 4.0 in apparel technology and apparel manufacturing sectors across supply chain."
The 26th edition of Garment Technology Expo (GTE) ’18 will be held from January 19-22, 2018 in New Delhi’s NSIC Exhibition Complex. In the sidelines of GTE, on January 20, FashionatingWorld/DFU Publications and GTE 2018 are organizing a global summit ‘Apparel 4.0: Shaping the future with Smart Factories’.
Apparel 4.0 is the buzzword in apparel manufacturing and apparel technology industry today. It is an interpretation and application of Industry Revolution 4.0 in apparel technology and apparel manufacturing sectors across supply chain. The primary focus of Industry 4.0 is on increasing productivity, flexibility and efficiency in order to create smart factories.
The summit aims to educate how Apparel 4.0 is shaping and transforming the global fashion and apparel business and the opportunities it offers for Indian industry. It will bring together apparel manufacturers, apparel technology solution providers and stakeholders who will discuss the major challenges apparel businesses are facing in today's digital marketplace, and identify practical steps companies can take to digitalise their value chain.
Insightful sessions at summit
The sessions will deliberate on the topic, ‘What exactly is Apparel 4.0, and the concept of Smart Factories? Are these factories already operational?’ How is digitalisation of apparel manufacturing processes, from design/creation to production, Apparel 4.0 is creating a new organisation of factory ecosystem. The summit shall also address opportunities and challenges of implementation for India; is India ready for such a transformation?
Global industry experts at Apparel 4.0
The conference has an impressive line of experts speakers led by theme presentation by Dr Mike Fralix, President and CEO [TC]2, USA. Dr Fralix, a PhD in technology management, is an globally acclaimed speaker on technology and automation. He also serves on the Board of Directors of the AAFA (American Apparel and Footwear Association) and active in several industry organizations including the IAF, where he serves as a member of the Board and Chairman of the Technical Committee.
Dr Prabir Jana, NIFT, while introducing the subject, will give the keynote presentation. Dr Jana, Head of Research at NIFT, is a visionary in technology development and management in apparel manufacturing. CEO & chairman Dürkopp Adler, Dietrich Eickhoff, would highlight opportunities Apparel 4.0 brings in the global scenario, as a technology providerl; Samath Fernando, CIO, Hirdaramani Group of Companies, Sri Lanka will share his expertise as users’ perspective. Hirdaramani, a pioneer in the Sri Lankan apparel industry, has already implemented Industry 4.0 and the company is a one-stop shop for global brands with 38 manufacturing facilities across Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Vietnam & Ethiopia.
Representing Indian perspective in terms of opportunities and challenges, Dr Rajesh Bheda, RBC will conduct a panel discussion with industry stalwarts H K L Magu, Chairman AEPC, Dr Darlie Koshy, ATDC, J D Giri, Shahi Exports, R C Kesar, OGTC, Sudhir Sekhri, GEA, Gunish Jain, Royal Datamatic and Vinod Aiyer, Fortuna Colours.
Zhang Min, Chairman, ShangGong Group would be the Guest of Honor at Apparel 4.0. The conference is supported by all leading textile trade bodies like AEPC, OGTC, CMAI, IKF,GEA, NAEC and GEAR
The Organisers
GTE 2018
The annual Garment Technology Expo’s is the flagship event of GTE New Delhi held in spring. This is Indian subcontinent’s largest show for apparel technology; the 2017 New Delhi edition attracted 350 participants, from over 800 companies and brands from 18 countries. This hugely popular show was attended by over 21,700 trade visitors.
FashionatingWorld/DFU Publications
FashionatingWorld is a global web platform for news and insights on Fashion, Apparel and Textiles, reaching out to more than 4,00,000 industry professionals across the world every day. FashionatingWorld is promoted and steered by DFU Publications, India’s pioneer publication company for over 28 years.
Ijaz A Khokhar, Chief Coordinator of Pakistan Readymade Garments Manufacturers and Exporters Association (PRGMEA), is happy with the decision of the government to withdraw sales tax and custom duty on cotton import to meet the shortfall of the natural fibre in the country and to help the textile industry. He assessed the apparel sector at the apex of textile value chain starting from cotton and synthetic fibre. It is the least energy and capital intensive industry that plays a pivotal role in earning foreign exchange and provides extensive employment in the entire textile chain while exporting over $5 billion in textile products.
Ijaz said the apparel industry is an important engine for growth of the economy and noted that the steep increase in cotton yarn prices by 20 per cent had hit the export-oriented value added textile sector very hard. The skyrocketing prices of cotton yarn would have serious effects on value added exports and this increase of yarn prices will ruin the Government’s efforts to achieve export target, he added. Ijaz further stated to bridge the gap of trade deficit the government should provide a level playing field to the entire textile chain as the apparel industry is already suffering from lower productivity. The provision of competitively priced quality cotton yarn to value-added textile industry is the basic foundation on which export competitiveness is built and apparel segment faced tough competition from regional players.
For these reasons, PRGMEA appealed to the government to abolish all duties the import of cotton yarn and further, it should be imported freely from anywhere to encourage value addition, reduce cost of doing business and bridging the gap between production and consumption. The Economic Coordination Committee (ECC) of the cabinet should also give approval of duty relaxation on cotton yarn import in line with the benefits being provided to the spinners, he concluded.
As per the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics the country's export of readymade garments surpassed the $1 billion mark in the first five months of the current fiscal year, up by 15 per cent, official figures say. Increase in export of readymade garments now grows by $130.535 million to $1.018 billion in July-November 2017 from $888.456 million in July-November 2016.
The volume the export of readymade garments surged by 11.45 per cent or 1.542 million dozens to 15.008 million dozens in July-November 2017 from 13.466 million dozens. In November 2017, readymade garments export surged by 14.28 per cent or $26.918 million to $215.465 million from $188.547 million in November 2016.
Export quantity of readymade garments also mounted by 9 per cent or 256,000 dozens to 3.153 million dozens in November 2017 from 2.897 million dozens in November 2016.
Jeanologia has contributed to a saving around 8 million cubic meters of water in 2017 with their technology. This is the equivalent quantity of water needed for human consumption in one year in Miami city. Saving has been possible thanks to the laser, ozone and eflow technology in use in the 60 countries Jeanologia is present in. Not only water but these technologies also allow reduction in energy and chemical use, at the same time as increasing industrial productivity.
Enrique Silla, CEO at Jeanologia, says they constantly work with the objective of achieving a completely sustainable industry with leading brands and providers to guarantee zero pollution, eliminate harmful emissions and residues, as well as dramatically reducing water, chemical and energy consumption in the production process.
As per World Economic Forum demand for water will increase 40 per cent in 2030. EIM -Environmental Impact Measuring software has been developed the only software on the market capable of analyzing the environmental impact within the sector of garment finishing. Every day water as a resource is becoming scarcer, and the optimization of its consumption is fundamental.
That is why the company has set out as its challenge for the coming years to save 85 per cent on water and chemical use with the first ever Laundry 5 Zero. It is a pioneering wash system that combines laser, ozone, eflow and H2Zero technology, guaranteeing “zero” waste and “zero” pollution.
The global hosiery market has grown at a robust pace over the past few years and rising awareness of consumers for quality, durability, fashion style and personal grooming is main reason to observe rapid growth during the forecast period. Over the past few years, it has been noticed that not the women hosiery segment is rising but the demand for such products are showcasing a robust growth from the men’s segment due to increasing trends in apparel and fashion. The hosiery is anticipated to observe a rapid growth in terms of both volume and value during the forecast period.
Apart from this, propagation of modern retail formats such as supermarkets, discount stores, and pharmacy stores is resulting in increasing product visibility. This enables easier accessibility to clothing products such as hosiery to consumers. The increasing sales from online commerce sector is fuelling the growth of global hosiery market as it saves the time of buyers and offer various discounts on the products. Thus, the online store is expected to be the fastest growing segment which is anticipated to expand the growth of global hosiery market over the forecast period.
Robust economic growth along with rising personal disposable income in Asian countries such as India and China is expected to create more demand for comfortable and stylish hosiery which is expected to boost the growth of Asia-pacific region during the forecast period.
