Prima MU closed on a positive note with exhibitors, clients and organisers showcasing satisfaction over the networking opportunity. The first, important step towards the diversification and globalization of Milano Unica, following the development of the Shanghai edition, created a meeting point which brought 900 selected garment firms and a total of 1.580 operators to the hall hosting textile/accessories pre-collections, including 66 Italian exhibitors.

The early edition was organised to provide a preview of new fabrics and accessories proposals to top-end clients, who were able to discuss the creation of personalized collections with producers. “I can proudly say that the experiment has been successful,” said Silvio Albini, President of Milano Unica, adding, “The positive response from operators, not only Italian, now demands in-depth consideration on how to bring continuity to this event, not only on behalf of the Presidential Committee of Milano Unica, but, most of all, on behalf of all entrepreneurs in the sector.” 

“Collaboration with Lineapelle has already proved positive for both tradeshow appointments – adds Massimo Mosiello, General Manager of Milano Unica. Mosiello further said that the edition will continue in New York on July 20, and then in Milan in September. “In addition, Filo, the yarn fair, will join us in Shanghai in October, with the support of Sistema Moda Italia,” he said.

The firms present were mainly Italian, with 63 percent European, 21percent Asian and 6 percent from the United States. Top-end clients representing brands such as Vuitton, Calvin Klein, Marina Rinaldi, Giorgio Armani, Gucci, Hugo Boss, Max Mara, The Kooples, Paul Smith, Thomas Pink, Turnbull & Asser, Etro, Marni, Versace, Alexander McQueen, visited the event.

The promising atmosphere was offset by data which, despite the positive trade balance, was not very favorable during the first quarter (export increased only for worsted and carded woolens) but confirmed the outlook of Centro Studi SMI, which, in collaboration with the University of Castellanza, foresees a growth in annual turnover at the initial phases of the production chain.

The next edition will be in New York on July 20 to 22, during New York Textile Week. Milano Unica XXI will follow from September 8-10 with its innovations on trends and the On Stage event, in collaboration with Woolmark and the MonteNapoleone Association, sponsored by the City of Milan. 2015 will close with Milano Unica World in Shanghai which will take place at the National Exhibition and Convention Center from October 13to15.

www.fieramilano.it

The Philippines cotton industry is facing huge competition on home turf as the United States cotton sector officials were scouting the country for local manufacturers to carry their products. As Cotton Council International ASEAN representative, Kraipob Pangsapa points out, demand for cotton grew in the Philippines, but the use of US cotton had shrunk. Pangsapa says they have to increase sales by five per cent this year and growth will fast forward if more deals are sealed with Phinilippine manufacturers.

According to the Cotton Council International, of the average 40,000 metric tons of lint consumed by the country per year, valued at $66.57 million, at least 97 per cent of cotton is being imported, mainly from the US. The local industry, inspite of favourable soil and climate, is facing a major setback due to numerous socio-economic and technical factors, such as the cotton bollworm issue.

Pangsapa says to address and aid rising demand of cotton in the country, Cotton US plans to partner with two big local brands to introduce their products to buyers. The Cotton Council International has 19 licensees divided into six categories: women’s wear, men’s wear, men’s innerwear, children’s wear, home textiles, and personal care.

Cotton USA brand was introduced to garment manufacturers and consumers in 1994 and on June 26, the CCI’s, marketing and promotions arm of the United States cotton industry, formally re-launched its 26-year-old flagship brand Cotton USA in the Philippines. And as Cotton Council International President Dahlen Hancock says their brand has been highly successful. The new generation of consumers needs to hear why cotton is such a wonderful product and why U.S. cotton is the premier cotton for textile and garment manufacturers and consumers. Usage of raw US cotton has reduced in Philippines but in the consumer and retail side, Philippines is stronger than Thailand.

South Africa faces factory closures resulting in thousands jobs losses. According to Etinne Vlok, the director of South African Clothing and Textile Workers Union’s South African Labour Research Institute (Salri), the South African clothing industry’s tough times are due to the lack of support from the local clothing retailers. This has also resulted in factory closures and thousands losing their jobs.

The latest employment statistics from Stats SA reveals there have been job loses in due to closer of factories. The data, based on Quarterly Employment Survey (QES) for the March 2015 quarter showed that there was a year-to-year rise of 1.5 per cent in the number of people employed across the CTFL industry from March 2014 to March 2015. Besides, there was a 1.5 per cent rise in number of employees from December 2014 to March 2015. The sector saw a rise in total number of employees, from 87,386 to 88,657 year-to-year and from 87,319 to 88,657 quarter-to-quarter.

However, the clothing sector’s overall national numbers dropped from 210,000 to around 100,000 between the years 2002 and 2010, mentioned Vlok. Vlok added, as Stats SA only records national figures and not provincial ones, he estimated the numbers in this sector of the Western Cape dropped by a similar total over the same period—from about 80,000 to about 30,000 currently. It was caused by a flood of cheap imports, both legal and illegal, mainly from China.
This means products manufactured locally are able to compete better with imported ones. In 2000, the situation was the reverse, it was cheaper to import, which contributed to the jobs bloodbath in clothing sector. It is against this backdrop that one looked at the numbers from the Stats SA survey, which showed a small increase. Vlok further said the industry was stabilising and numbers in the survey too further confirm this.

Indorama Synthetic's first quarter revenues fell 5.41 per cent compared to the same period last year. But for the second half of the year, revenue will be driven by additional production capacity of mill spun yarn. The budgeted capital expenditure this year will be used to increase production capacity at the mill spun yarn capacities in Indonesia and Uzbekistan. Meanwhile, total production has reached 60 million meters a year, and polyester production capacity is 277 thousand tons a year.

The company exports to 80 countries around the world such as North America, South America, and Europe. In 2014 exports were equivalent to 67 per cent of total revenue. In the first quarter of this year, exports reached 67.89 per cent of total revenue. Indorama has three factories. For now, the focus is on spun yarn. Increased production capacity is expected. The company is looking to increase revenues in 2015, amounting to $850 million, up from last year’s $726.02 million.

The company was incorporated in 1986. Indorama Synthetics is one of Indonesia’s largest exporters. A continuous process of reinvestment and productivity enhancement programs has made Indorama Synthetics one of the most competitive producers of polyester worldwide.

The spun yarn division accounts for over 20 per cent of the company’s revenue. With a capacity of over 2,50,000 spindles and over 50 per cent of its output being exported, the company is one of the largest exporters of spun yarn in Indonesia.
www.indoramaindia.com/