Industry News | 6/12/23
Industry News
SPESA MEMBER SPOTLIGHT | 135 Years of Trust in the Apparel Industry
Eastman Machine Company | June 12, 2023
Although the cutting room is a part of the manufacturing process end users don’t often consider, industrial solutions shape the world’s apparel, windmills, and automobiles through accurate cuts. SPESA member Eastman Machine Company is a prominent manufacturer of both manual and automated cutting equipment and the oldest manufacturing company in Buffalo, NY. Over the last century, Eastman has cultivated advanced technology with an extensive industrial portfolio of cutting and material handling equipment. Learn (and watch) more about Eastman’s history, industry contributions, and recent innovations.
ICYMI: Tom Glaser To Join as Keynote Speaker at 38th World Fashion Convention this October in Philadelphia
Press Release | May 31, 2023
SPESA and The International Apparel Federation (IAF) are excited to announce that industry veteran Tom Glaser will join as a keynote speaker at the upcoming 38th World Fashion Convention being held in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, October 22-25, 2023. Mr. Glaser brings to the table decades of industry insight and expertise. The majority of his career was spent at VF Corporation, one of the world’s largest apparel, footwear, and accessories companies.
What To Know About the West Coast Ports’ Slowdown
The Washington Post | June 8, 2023
The Washington Post explains the conflict that has been brewing for months between dockworkers and their operators at shipping ports in Los Angeles, Long Beach, Oakland, and Seattle — crucial points of entry for Asian imports. In the latest news, the Pacific Maritime Association, which represents terminal operators, announced coordinated and disruptive work actions led by the International Longshore and Warehouse Union have shut down cargo operations at the Port of Seattle.
The Shape of U.S. Apparel Sourcing in 2023
Just Style | June 6, 2023
In an exclusive interview with Just Style, SPESA Chairman Ed Gribbin offers his take on U.S. apparel sourcing both today and in the future, as well as what to be aware of in terms of sourcing in China, Vietnam, India, and Central America.
Exhibitors Offer Mostly Solid Reports of Techtextil North America/Texprocess Americas
eTextileCommunications | June 2, 2023
This extensive show coverage from eTextileCommunications provides updates from many Texprocess Americas and Techtextil North America exhibitors, including SPESA members Brother International Corp. and Henderson Sewing Machine Company. A photo album from the event, courtesy of Devin Steele, is available here.
From Bottles to Blouses: Inside Unifi’s Repreve Operation
Sourcing Journal | June 2, 2023
Unifi’s three North Carolina facilities focus on converting plastic bottles into Repreve yarns. Those yarns are then incorporated into products by such brands as Nike, H&M, VF, Under Armour, and Levi’s, among many others.
Turkish Industry Reacts to Erdogan Hat Trick
Sourcing Journal | June 2, 2023
President Recip Tayyib Erdogan’s recent victory in Türkiye has given him another five years of tenure in the position he has held since 2014. Manufacturing and export businesses are expected to be negatively impacted as erratic policies and concerns about politically motivated measures weigh on the country. Cem Altan, Vice Chair of the Turkish Clothing Manufacturers Association weighs in.
EU Circular Textiles Strategy Puts Europe Fashion Sector at Risk
Just Style | June 1, 2023
The European Parliament adopted recommendations for the EU Strategy for Sustainable and Circular Textiles June 1st, however the European Apparel and Textile Confederation (Euratex) argues it could push Europe out of the fashion market. Read more about the draft law here.
Colocated Shows Highlight Advancements and Trends in Textile Design and Manufacturing
California Apparel News | June 1, 2023
Textile World focuses on the new features of Texprocess Americas and Techtextil North America 2023, as well as topics such as advancements and industry trends in textile design and manufacturing, supply-chain optimization, and workforce development. The article features quotes from SPESA members Justin Hershoran, Aptean, and Jennifer Guarino, ISAIC.
What’s Next for U.S. Apparel Manufacturing?
Just Style | June 1, 2023
Just Style spoke to the exhibitors at Texprocess Americas 2023 and Techtextil North America 2023 who revealed the research and development ideas that could become a reality within the U.S. apparel manufacturing sector in future. The article includes insights from SPESA member companies Henderson Sewing Machine Company, Sewn Products Equipment Company, Merrow Sewing Machine Company, Juki America, CGS, and Aptean.
Firms Are Bringing Production Back Home Because of the Ukraine Aar, China’s Slowdown — and TikTok
CNBC | June 1, 2023
Moving some production closer to home is vital for sectors such as apparel, according to industry veteran Bill McRaith, who said the current supply chain model “should be destroyed.”
Redesigning Apparel Manufacturing in Asia: A Pattern for Resilience
McKinsey & Company | May 31, 2023
McKinsey & Company examines the challenges apparel manufacturers in Asia face in this time of uncertainty, and offers five key shifts — three in the short term and two in the medium to long term — that they can adopt to become resilient and stay relevant and competitive in the future.
A Slew of Countries Are Asking Fashion Companies To Pay for Recycling Programs as Clothing Waste Becomes Overwhelming
Fortune | May 30, 2023
Under rules that have been separately proposed in California, New York, Sweden, the Netherlands, and Italy — and are also under discussion in the UK and EU — fashion companies would be required to fund textile recycling programs. These “extended producer responsibility” (EPR) schemes, modeled after programs for other hard-to-recycle goods such as batteries, mattresses, and medical sharps, would require brands to pay fees based on their product output, or to set up their own recycling programs.
Ocean Shipping Returns to Pre-Pandemic Status
Logistics Management | May 30, 2023
Following a year of record revenue for carriers, shipping analysts see the pendulum swinging in the other direction, as rates are decreasing, volumes are falling, and new capacity is coming online.
SPESA MEMBER SPOTLIGHT | Brand and Retail Participation in Manufacturing Innovation
CGS Blog Post | May 25, 2023
The new realities around buyer-seller relationships were explored in a recent "Seats at the Table – Brand and Retail Participation in Manufacturing Innovation" symposium at the Texprocess Americas event in Atlanta. Panelists in the session included industry veterans Brett Mathes, Carhartt Director of Supply Chain Services, and Paul Magel, CGS President of Application Solutions and Technology Outsourcing. Jennifer Guarino, ISAIC (Industrial Sewing and Innovation Center) President and CEO, served as moderator. CGS continues the conversation in this recent blog post.
SPESA MEMBER SPOTLIGHT | Elevate Textiles Announces Comprehensive Recapitalization and New Ownership
Press Release | May 23, 2023
Elevate Textiles, Inc., a global provider of advanced, high-quality fabric and thread products and mission critical textile solutions, announced it has finalized terms of a recapitalization transaction that will infuse $100 million of new capital into the business, and eliminate $394 million of existing debt from the balance sheet. Elevate will be owned by a consortium of leading global investment firms, who will soon appoint a new Board of Directors. Elevate is the parent company of SPESA member American & Efird.
SPESA MEMBER SPOTLIGHT | CGS’ Latest Annual Supply-Chain Report Reveals Surprises, Solutions
California Apparel News | May 18, 2023
California Apparel News spoke with Daniella Ambrogi, SPESA Board member and global marketing director at CGS, to discuss the key findings in the company’s 2023 Supply Chain Technology Trends Report as the industry grapples with challenges — and opportunities — from all sides.
SPESA MEMBER SPOTLIGHT | ‘It’s Not Just the Visualization of a Garment, but the Data Behind It’
Sourcing Journal | May 17, 2023
One of the reasons it takes so long to design fashion garments is that the process requires three necessary skill sets — designer, tech designer, and patternmaker — and the people filling those roles are often spread out among a global workforce, leading to endless back-and-forth and delays. Clothing Tech’s patented Garment Digital Twin uses proprietary technology to fuse the tech pack with the pattern and help designers “work smarter” to bring their designs to life and put data in the cloud for future projects. This is part 1 of Clothing Tech’s 4-part video series, focusing on how 3D Design can help propel the $1.5 trillion retail industry.
Chaffey Fashion Program Upgrades Computer Lab with 25 TUKAcad Stations
Press Release | May 7, 2023
The Fashion Design program at Chaffey College upgraded their state-of-the-art CAD computer lab with 25 TUKAcad stations from SPESA member Tukatech. These include modules for pattern making, grading, and marker making. The program has also incorporated online training courses from the Tuka Academy of Pattern Engineering (TAPE) as a way for students to accelerate through the foundational aspects of digital pattern making.