Industry News | 4/4/24
SPESA Shares Final Agenda for L.A. Conference — Focuses on the Future of Fashion Manufacturing in the U.S.
Press Release | April 3, 2024
SPESA has released the final agenda for the upcoming Advancements in Manufacturing Technologies Conference, taking place Thursday, April 11, 2024, in Los Angeles, California. While we have worked diligently to put together a well-rounded group of panelists who are experts in their fields, we have also ensured this event will strongly encourage audience participation during the conference and ongoing conversations long after it is over.
Shopify Says Retailers and Consumers Are Accelerating Climate-Conscious Shopping
Fashion United | April 3, 2024
Canadian e-commerce platform Shopify is increasing its efforts to combat climate change, emphasizing the symbiotic relationship between commerce and environmental sustainability. Recent research findings from a Shopify survey involving more than 24,000 shoppers and 9,000 small to medium-sized businesses reveal a growing inclination towards sustainability practices, such as carbon-neutral shipping and waste reduction initiatives, despite tightening budgets. As a corporate investor in long-term carbon removal initiatives, Shopify says it has allocated over $32 million to support 22 innovative, technology-driven ventures through its Sustainability Fund.
The fashion industry’s effect on Greenhouse Gas emissions will be a topic of discussion at the upcoming SPESA Advancements in Manufacturing Technologies Conference in L.A.
American Manufacturing Is Picking Up — But So Are Input Prices
Sourcing Journal | April 3, 2024
The American manufacturing sector saw its first growth spurt in more than a year during the month of March, and the textile sector was at the top of the list of industries that experienced gains. Reporting released by the Institute for Supply Management (ISM) revealed that economic activity in the U.S. manufacturing industry expanded last month after 16 consecutive months of contraction. However, heightened raw materials costs are a lingering cause for concern. The ISM’s Prices Index came in at 55.8% in March, up from 52.5% the previous month.
SPESA MEMBER SPOTLIGHT | Zünd at ISA Expo 2024: No Limits in Versatility and Workflow Automation
WhatTheyThink | April 1, 2024
SPESA member Zund America will be exhibiting at ISA International Sign Expo 2024 in Orlando, Florida, April 10-12. The company will demonstrate how powerful digital cutting technology — combined with intelligent workflow software and a range of optional solutions for automated material handling — can make digital cutting and routing extremely efficient and cost-effective.
Can Türkiye’s Textile Industry Bounce Back?
Vogue Business | April 1, 2024
One year on from an earthquake that devastated regions heavily dependent on textile manufacturing, Türkiye — the world’s fifth largest textile exporter — is showing its resilience. But, as concerns about conditions in the supply chain linger, a large question mark over its future as a sourcing destination remains.
Alibaba To Test Rocket Parcel Delivery Service in Lofty Attempt To Ship Goods Anywhere in the World Within an Hour
South China Morning Post | April 1, 2024
We’re still not entirely sure this wasn’t an April Fools’ joke. The experiment, to be co-conducted by Chinese e-commerce giant Alibaba’s Taobao marketplace and Beijing-based start-up Space Epoch, will take place “in the near future” using a reusable rocket that can land on the sea, according to a post by Space Epoch.
Port of Baltimore Crisis: What Supply Chain Managers Need To Know
Supply Chain Dive | March 29, 2024
Supply Chain Dive asked experts how rerouting by land and sea could work after the Francis Scott Key Bridge collapse.
SPESA MEMBER SPOTLIGHT | PFAFF INDUSTRIAL & KSL at Texprocess 2024 in Frankfurt
Press Release | March 28, 2024
PFAFF INDUSTRIAL & KSL, together with Dürkopp Adler and Sonotronic, will be presenting innovative and high-performance solutions for the areas: "Garment, Industrial, CNC and Welding” at this year’s Texprocess in Frankfurt.
Fair Wear and Cascale Announce Strategic Collaboration
Press Release | March 28, 2024
Cascale, the global nonprofit alliance formerly known as the Sustainable Apparel Coalition, and Fair Wear, an independent nonprofit multi-stakeholder initiative that works to improve conditions for workers in garment factories, have announced a strategic collaboration to promote human and labor rights. Additional industry coverage is available here.
Game-Changing Benefits Of 3D Digital Sampling
Textile World | March 27, 2024
“The inexorable momentum of 3D digital sampling is reshaping the landscape of the textile industry, charting the trajectory toward an inevitable future. As the paradigm shift gains acceleration, enterprises find themselves at a crossroads, where prudent choices not only economize resources and time but also demonstrate a commitment to ecological responsibility in the face of climate imperatives… For the apparel industry, it is critical to move forward.” Garrett Gerson of Variant3D writes about utilizing digital sampling for Textile World.
Hear more from Garrett at the upcoming SPESA Advancements in Manufacturing Technologies Conference in L.A.!
Annual U.S. Textile Investment Roundup
Textile World | March 27, 2024
A review of TextileWorld.com’s “New Plant & Equipment, M&A” news section for 2023 yields insight as to where investors see future opportunities in U.S. textiles. Textile World’s annual investment roundup provides a sense of economic activity in an array of textile sectors.
New Project Explores Creative and Sustainable Benefits of 3D Woven Jeans
Rivet | March 27, 2024
In collaboration with production partner Diamond Denim and U.K. design studio Endrime, Eric Groskamp, an engineering student at the Delft University of Technology in the Netherlands, is exploring ways to reduce waste and increase efficiency by applying 3D weaving to jeans.
U.S. Secondhand Market Projected To Reach $73B by 2028: Report
Fashion Dive | March 27, 2024
A new report from resale platform ThredUp said U.S. consumers spent, on average, nearly half of their 2023 clothing budget on pre-worn items. The global secondhand market grew 18% to $197 billion in 2023, 15 times faster than retail, according to the report.
SPESA MEMBER SPOTLIGHT | Independent Study Validates Shimmy’s Upskilling Method with a 20% Efficiency Gain
Press Release | March 26, 2024
A recent independent study has confirmed the efficacy of Shimmy Technologies’ innovative upskilling methods, showing a significant 20% gain in efficiency within the textile and apparel manufacturing factories who partnered with Shimmy. The study showed Shimmy’s blended learning model — infused with gamification and accessible instructional design — not only upskills workers with technical and machine skills but also catalyzes a lean mindset, kindling continuous improvement and a proactive work ethos.
Sweden, France and Denmark Call for New Global Rules on Exporting Textile Waste to Developing Countries
texfash | March 26, 2024
Sweden. France, and Denmark have issued a call for new global rules for exporting textile waste under the Basel Convention, in the backdrop of EU's exports of used textiles tripling in the last 20 years to countries in Africa and Asia that do not have the capacity to ensure proper waste management.
SPESA MEMBER SPOTLIGHT | Recyclable Materials and Digital Solutions Drive Newness in Trims for Jeanswear
Rivet | March 25, 2024
Rivet reports trim manufacturers are growing their sustainable product ranges, with their Fall/Winter 2024-2025 collections building on existing sustainable materials and technologies while homing in on relevant fashion trends. The article highlights the latest zipper and trim technology from SPESA member YKK.
SPESA MEMBER SPOTLIGHT | YKK Corp. Earns Top Honors In CDP Supplier Engagement Rating For Second Consecutive Year
Press Release | March 25, 2024
Following the trend above, YKK Corp. announced it has received the highest Leaderboard status for the second year running in the FY2023 Supplier Engagement Rating (SER) conducted by the international non-profit organization CDP*. This selection indicates that YKK’s governance, targets, and initiatives to collaborate with suppliers to reduce GHG emissions, all aimed at reducing GHG emissions throughout the YKK supply chain, constitute efforts befitting a global leader.
Vice President Harris Announces New Initiatives To Strengthen the U.S.-Guatemala Relationship and Address the Root Causes of Migration from Guatemala
White House Fact Sheet | March 25, 2024
As part of the new initiatives, the Office of the United States Trade Representative and U.S. Customs and Border Protection will launch a Trade Capacity Building program specifically to advance secure trade in textiles and apparel between the United States and Guatemala.
America Is Down to Its Last 100 Cotton Mills
Bloomberg | March 23, 2024
“Once so key to the plantation economy of the Deep South that politicians sometimes referred to their diplomatic strategy simply as ‘King Cotton,’ the crop’s demand from U.S. manufacturers is on an unrelenting — and accelerating — decline,” says Bloomberg. There were nearly 900 U.S. cotton mills operating around the beginning of the 20th century. That number is today around 100, the National Cotton Council estimates, after eight closed in the last five months of 2023 alone.
SPESA MEMBER SPOTLIGHT | Mimaki Introduces New Flatbed Printer & Cutters
Company Announcements | March 22, 2024
Mimaki USA announced the release of its JFX600-2531 UV-LED large format flatbed printer as well as the CFX Series of production flatbed cutters in three table sizes, with a wide range of tools for a variety of applications.
FESPA Global Print Expo and European Sign Expo to return in Berlin, Germany in May 2025
Press Release | March 22, 2024
FESPA announced that its flagship annual FESPA Global Print Expo and European Sign Expo events will return to Messe Berlin, Germany, May 6-9, 2025, covering screen, digital and textile printing, signage, and visual communications. But you will all be in Atlanta for Texprocess Americas then, right?
Port of Los Angeles Cargo Volumes Leap 60% YoY in February
Supply Chain Dive | March 22, 2024
Cargo volumes at the Port of Los Angeles rose 60% year over year to 781,434 total TEUs in February as shippers look to diversify their shipping strategy. With pending outcome from the International Longshoremen’s Association contract negotiations, the Suez Canal still posing a risk for cargo flow, and Panama Canal drought restrictions affecting ocean shipping, shippers are considering several different gateways to mitigate potential risks — including moving cargo to the West Coast.
SPESA MEMBER SPOTLIGHT | How Lectra Helps Fashion Brands Succeed in Their Quest for Sustainability by Mastering Data
Fibre2Fashion | March 21, 2024
Fibre2Fashion breaks down the key benefits of working with SPESA member Lectra and its associated partners. “Lectra aids fashion brands in sustainability via data mastery. Retviews offers AI-driven market insights to reduce unsold stock, while Kubix Link PLM integrates with Ecobalyse for eco-impact analysis. TextileGenesis ensures material traceability, aiding responsible sourcing.”
Hear more from Lectra at the upcoming SPESA Advancements in Manufacturing Technologies Conference in L.A.!
SPESA MEMBER SPOTLIGHT | Brother Puts Weight Behind Industrial Innovation
Printweek | March 21, 2024
Printweek shares the innovations displayed by Brother at the recent FESPA 2024 show in Amsterdam. Products included a camera system making its European debut: suitable for Brother’s direct-to-garment range, it enables printers to print designs precisely onto embroidery, transforming white or neutral embroidered designs into colorfully embellished pieces.
Shein ‘Plans’ To Market Sought-After Supply Chain Infrastructure
Just Style | March 21, 2024
Citing a letter to investors from executive chairman Donald Tang, The Wall Street Journal reported Shein plans to make its supply-chain infrastructure and technology available to global brands. The online retailer plans to use “supply chain as a service” to collaborate with global brands, leveraging its small-batch manufacturing model for innovation. Additional coverage is available here and here.
SPESA MEMBER SPOTLIGHT | Zünd Establishes Branch in Australia
Company Announcement | March 20, 2024
Zund Australia is a wholly owned subsidiary of the Switzerland based Zünd Systemtechnik AG. The new Zünd branch will be the local contact for existing customers and prospects. At the same time, Zund Australia is also the new competent partner for all areas of application that want to digitize their cutting with cutting technology from Zünd. The partnership with Canon Australia will be continued and the aim is to further strengthen the cooperation.
Fashion for Good Welcomes Ten New Innovators to Its 2024 Innovation Programme
Press Release | March 20, 2024
Building on a renewed five-year strategy, Fashion for Good selects ten new innovators for its 2024 programme to receive tailored support validating their technologies. This cohort represents an increased focus on novel footwear material and recycling technologies, man-made cellulosics, and nylon recycling.
GA: Apparel Manufacturer Komar Receives $25M in New Markets Tax Credit Financing for Distro Center
Trade & Industry Development | March 19, 2024
National New Markets Fund, LLC, and the TD Community Development Corporation have invested $25 million in New Markets Tax Credit allocation into Charles Komar & Sons, Inc. distribution center expansion in Georgia. The cumulative local employment impact of Komar’s new plant is substantial, creating an estimated 300 full-time jobs. Komar is a 50% women-owned apparel manufacturer and distributor that works with more than 100 owned, licensed, and private label brands to produce 110 million garments annually.
Haiti Apparel Sector Workforce Halved Amid Ongoing Crisis
Just Style | March 19, 2024
Since the assassination of former President Jovenel Moïse in July 2021, the instability in Haiti has heightened, with protests over fuel prices and the dominance of armed gangs worsening. It has also grounded operations at textile and apparel factories. However, Association des Industries d’Haiti president Georges Sassine remains optimistic.