Industry News | 5/3/23
Texprocess Americas News
SPESA Members Exhibiting at Texprocess Americas
SPESA | May 3, 2023
Texprocess Americas 2023 is right around the corner! After years of upheaval, this is THE year for the sewn products industry to get back on track and back in its groove. As always, Texprocess Americas — May 10-12 in Atlanta, Georgia — remains the epicenter for knowledge sharing and innovation for our industry in the Western Hemisphere. We are excited to share a look at all of the SPESA members who will be exhibiting this year.
Tech Talks at Texprocess Americas 2023
Xochil Herrera Scheer | May 3, 2023
A guest post from Xochil Herrera Scheer who, along with Shoshana Burgett of Colorkarma, curated and will host the Tech Talks series at this year’s Texprocess Americas. Xochil shares insights into the Tech Talks series as well as why Texprocess Americas has become her favorite trade show to attend.
Learn More About Training Takes Time at Texprocess Americas
SPESA | May 3, 2023
As we've shared previously, the 2023 edition of Texprocess Americas will be launching an entirely new, first-of-its-kind show floor training program, powered by Merrow Manufacturing Company and the Industrial Sewing and Innovation Center (ISAIC). The live training will demonstrate machine repair/maintenance utilizing hands-on demonstrations as well as augmented reality tools. We have created an FAQ memo to help interested show attendees learn more about the training.
SPESA MEMBER SPOTLIGHT | Collaborative Textile Microfactory at Texprocess Americas 2023
By Eastman Machine Company
SPESA members Eastman Machine Company and Henderson Sewing Machine Company are teaming up with four other leaders in the apparel industry to bring a collaborative textile microfactory to the Texprocess Americas show floor. The progressive demonstration is a representation of true networked factories showcasing the start-to-finish processing of raw materials to a finished product through printing, cutting, and sewing.
SPESA MEMBER SPOTLIGHT | Aptean Offers Exclusive Demos, Prizes to Visitors at Texprocess Americas 2023
Aptean | May 1, 2023
SPESA member Aptean is exhibiting at Texprocess Americas 2023 and will be providing in-booth demos of its award-winning software. Aptean will be showcasing its Shop Floor Control solution, a revolutionary product that provides manufacturers with a constant view of all activities happening on the shop floor — in real time.
Sonobond To Demonstrate Ultrasonic Sewing Machine at Techtextil North America
Nonwovens Industry | May 1, 2023
Sonobond Ultrasonics announced it will display and demonstrate the capabilities of its SeamMaster Ultrasonic Sewing Machine at Techtextil North America. Sonobond’s ultrasonic assembly equipment produces strong, regulatory-compliant sealed seams in nonwoven and synthetic materials. This enables manufacturers to achieve effective and efficient production outcomes wherever sewn seams are inadequate to satisfy their end-use requirements.
Why Professional Development and Technology Are Becoming Inseparable in Fashion
The Interline | April 12, 2023
For fashion to face new challenges and seize new possibilities, the industry needs the right professionals, with the right digital and traditional skills. Growing those skills is now a top priority. Across knowledge sharing, tech talks, career and training programs, Texprocess Americas will showcase not just why technology and continuous development in fashion have become so tightly integrated, but how fashion professionals can turn that to their advantage.
Taiwan Textile Firms To Showcase Innovations at Techtextil
Ecotexile News | April 17, 2023
Taiwan is one of the leading producers and exporters of technical textiles in the world, with a strong focus on innovation and quality. Taiwanese textile firms have been actively promoting their technical textile products in the North American market, by participating in trade shows, exhibitions, and business meetings. This year, under the guideline of the Bureau of Foreign Trade, the Taiwan Textile Federation has organized a Taiwan Pavilion at the Techtextil North America in Atlanta to display the latest technology in technical textile from Taiwan.
SPESA MEMBER SPOTLIGHT | Owner of Merrow Manufacturing Says First of Its Kind Training To Bring Thousands to Fall River
Fall River Reporter | April 29, 2023
The Fall River Reporter highlights the show floor training program launching at Texprocess Americas 2023, focusing on the next steps: continuing training at the Merrow facility in Massachusetts and around the country after the show.
Industry News
SPESA MEMBER SPOTLIGHT | Global Manufacturer of Firefighter PPE Fire-Dex Looks to the Future with Fashion On Demand by Lectra, Increasing Cutting Capacity by 30%
Press Release | May 2, 2023
SPESA member Lectra, a major global player in the fashion, automotive, and furniture markets, announced that Fire-Dex, the fastest-growing manufacturer of personal protective equipment for first responders in the country, has chosen to adopt Fashion On Demand by Lectra to enhance its manufacturing processes and improve its competitive advantage, in an effort to overcome challenges brought on by the supply chain complexities of the last several months.
SPESA MEMBER SPOTLIGHT | Dürkopp Adler and SG Group Announce Strategic Acquisition of Sonotronic Nagel GMBH
Press Release | May 2, 2023
Dürkopp Adler Group has announced the acquisition of Sonotronic Nagel GmbH, a leading company in automated ultrasonic welding technology. The acquisition of Sonotronic Nagel will expand Dürkopp Adler Group's portfolio in industrial sewing and welding technology by automation solutions in plastic welding technology and strengthen its presence in the global market.
PVH Launches Supplier Finance Program Tied to Sustainability Goals
Supply Chain Dive | May 1, 2023
PVH, owner of Calvin Klein and Tommy Hilfiger, recently teamed up with Standard Chartered Bank to create a new financing program for suppliers tied to the apparel company’s sustainability goals. Under the program, PVH suppliers can finance day-to-day operations through a facility benchmarked to PVH’s metrics on environmental and social goals.
Pitfalls and Potential of ChatGPT in Manufacturing
Manufacturing Dive | May 1, 2023
ChatGPT is grabbing headlines in recent days. The large language model is being discussed as a technology that could solve nearly all business woes. However, users should beware of its security lapses and capacity for error. Manufacturing Dive breaks down the areas of concern for manufacturers.
Upcycling Method Turns Textile Trash to Functional Coatings
Cornell Chronicle | May 1, 2023
In an effort to make textiles more sustainable, a new method allows researchers to break old clothing down chemically and reuse polyester compounds to create fire resistant, anti-bacterial, or wrinkle-free coatings that could then be applied to clothes and fabrics. This article discusses research from the Textiles Nanotechnology Laboratory in Cornell’s College of Human Ecology.
World's Apparel, Sneakers Hub Vietnam Struggles as U.S. Ban on Xinjiang Cotton Bites
Windsor Star/Reuters | April 27, 2023
Among garment exporters, Vietnam has faced the worst hit from the Uyghur Forced Labor Protection Act (UFLPA), a Reuters review of official U.S. data showed. Of the $15 million worth of apparel and footwear shipments held up for UFLPA checks more than 80% were from Vietnam, and only 13% of its cargoes were cleared for entry.
Mexico’s Exports Hit Record in Sign Nearshoring Is Booming
Bloomberg | April 27, 2023
Latin America’s second-largest economy has been profiting from the arrival of investments and factories that seek to ship across the border into the U.S. market. In March, manufacturing exports grew 5.3% compared to the previous year, led by automobile production, which jumped almost 16%.
Avery Dennison Signs Agreement To Acquire Lion Brothers
Press Release | April 26, 2023
Avery Dennison has signed a definitive agreement to acquire Lion Brothers, a leading designer and manufacturer of apparel brand embellishments. The deal is expected to close in the second quarter of 2023, at which time Lion Brothers will become part of the apparel solutions business within the Solutions Group of Avery Dennison, significantly expanding its Embelex portfolio.
SPESA MEMBER SPOTLIGHT | Elevate Textiles Releases 2023 Sustainability Report
Press Release | April 26, 2023
Elevate Textiles, a global provider of advanced, high-quality products and mission critical textile solutions, released its 2023 Sustainability Report, providing updates on current commitments, collaborations, and advancements in relation to achieving its 2025 Sustainability Goals to responsibly source fibers, reduce water consumption, and lower greenhouse gasses. Elevate is the parent company of SPESA member American & Efird.
SPESA MEMBER SPOTLIGHT | Zünd Launches New Flagship Q-Line Cutters
By Printweek | April 26, 2023
SPESA member Zünd has launched its first pallet-to-pallet digital cutting table series, the Q-line. Powered by new linear drive technology, the new machines’ beams can accelerate at up to 2.1g, to reach a maximum speed of 2.8m/s – effectively double both the speed and acceleration of the manufacturer’s other models.
Bankrupt Bed Bath & Beyond Looks To Pay up to $17M to Vendors
Retail Dive | April 26, 2023
Bed Bath & Beyond is seeking court permission to pay up to $17 million to vendors including merchandise suppliers, warehousers, trucking companies, and parcel carriers. The figure is the company’s estimate on what it owes on “critical” lien claims by vendors as of its Sunday Chapter 11 filing.
Los Angeles Makes Accommodations for Worker Demands in Fashion District Rezoning
Fashion Dive | April 26, 2023
A key city council committee agreed to revise plans that would rezone the city’s downtown Fashion District. The committee will add provisions for affordable housing and, hopefully, preserve manufacturing operations in the area.
SPESA MEMBER SPOTLIGHT | Up Close: In Conversation with Shimmy Technologies CEO Sarah Krasley
Sourcing Journal | April 25, 2023
Sourcing Journal checked in with industry executive and SPESA member Sarah Krasley, CEO of Shimmy Technologies, to get her take on topics ranging from personal style to her company’s latest moves. In this Q&A, Sarah discusses the need for more data collection within factories and the importance of investing in advancing workers’ skills.
Shein Eyes Expansion in Brazil with Investment of $150m
Just Style | April 25, 2023
Chinese fast fashion giant Shein plans to establish Brazil as a manufacturing and export hub for the rest of Latin America. It expects that by the end of 2026, about 85% of its sales will be local, from both manufacturers and vendors.
FutureStitch Aims To Redefine the U.S. Manufacturing Mode
Sourcing Journal | April 25, 2023
FutureStitch’s first U.S. factory has been open for business in California for less than a year, but the firm is already gearing up for a large-scale expansion to grow beyond socks.
Nearshoring Shift Brings Production Hurdles Closer to Home
The Wall Street Journal | April 24, 2023
With new factories filling the landscape in North America, some companies are discovering that shifting production from one part of the world to another has brought new sets of costs and logistics hurdles that highlight the complications of executing a nearshoring strategy. The Wall Street Journal interviews companies moving facilities to Mexico or other locations near the U.S.
New Polymers Could Enable Better Wearable Devices
Textile Technology Source | April 24, 2023
MIT researchers have developed a chemistry-based strategy to create organic iono-electronic polymers that “learn” and could improve electronic devices that interface directly with the human body.
Zebra Stripes Inspire Smart, Wearable Electricity Source
Textile Technology Source | April 24, 2023
The zebra’s distinctive appearance has been the source of much scientific debate, from its role in predator confusion, to how it can deter horsefly bites. More recently, it was found that the animals can raise the fur of their black segments to transfer heat away from the skin for temperature regulation. Scientists are taking the zebra debate in this new direction, using the animal as inspiration in creating a device that produces electricity using the contrasting shades as thermal conductors.
70% of Hanesbrands Cotton Grown by U.S. Farmers
Sourcing Journal | April 24, 2023
The owner of Hanes, Bali, Playtex and Champion published its latest environmental impact report showing that 70% of the cotton it sources is grown by U.S. farmers who use environmentally preferred practices. The North Carolina company said sourcing from U.S. cotton farms has helped it reduce its greenhouse gas emissions output by 30%.
Apparel Spending Expectations Optimistic Despite Recession Concerns: Report
Fashion Dive | April 24, 2023
Apparel spending expectations are down 7% this spring compared to this past fall, though the category has seen a 13% increase during that time, according to a biannual report tracking consumer sentiment. pending expectations on all four overall categories tracked in the report — basic needs, experiences, gifts and indulgences — are up for the first time since 2021.
ILWU, PMA Reach Tentative Deal on ‘Certain Key Issues’
Supply Chain Dive | April 20, 2023
The International Longshore and Warehouse Union has reached a tentative deal on “certain key issues” with the Pacific Maritime Association. However, additional issues remain, and negotiations are ongoing. Longshore workers and port terminals have been operating without an active contract since the old working agreement expired last July.
Monforts Tours Flexibility of All-in-One Continuous Dyeing and Finishing System
Rivet | April 18, 2023
Monforts’ footprint is growing in major textile-producing countries. The German textile finishing machine manufacturer said over 900 Monforts Thermex hotflue dyeing systems are now operational in Bangladesh, Brazil, China, India, Mexico, Pakistan, and Türkiye. The all-in-one continuous dyeing and finishing system offers a cost-effective solution for dyeing large and small batches.
Dongguan’s Industrial Woes: China’s Manufacturing Sector Faces Tough Time
The Diplomat | April 14, 2023
Dongguan city in Guangdong province, once heralded as the epitome of China’s industrial prowess as the “world’s factory within the world’s factory,” now presents something of a sobering picture. The closure of Dongguan Gogo Garment, the city’s largest lingerie manufacturer, came as a shock. The company cited dwindling customer orders and failed attempts to break into the domestic market as the reasons behind its downfall.
Bone Fragment Reveals Humans Wore Leather Clothes 39,000 Years Ago
New Scientist | April 12, 2023
A study of an ancient bone from Spain with a strange pattern of notches hints that it was used by early Homo sapiens in Europe as a punch board for making holes in leather.
SPESA MEMBER SPOTLIGHT | A&E Recognized as a Top Company for Diversity in Workplace
Press Release | April 5, 2023
SPESA member American & Efird (A&E) has been recognized by Newsweek as a 5 star America’s Greatest Workplaces 2023 for Diversity.