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SPGPrints and Stovec Industries printing machihe evoked keen interest at the recent India ITME 2016 in Mumbai. SPGPrints and Stovec displayed several inkjet and rotary screen printing machines at ITME 2016. Many printers showed keen interest in SPGPrints’ Javelin ® digital inkjet textile printer. Sales were recorded for both the 1850mm-width version of the machine for the apparel market and the new 3200mm-width version for interior decor applications. The new 3200mm-width Javelin will have its global debut at Heimtextil 2017.
India ITME 2016 marked the first showing of the Javelin printer in India. The machine was operated throughout the show giving visitors a real-time experience of its quality, flexibility, productivity and ease of use on even the most challenging substrates such as millimetre paper. Using Archer® technology, Javelin fires a variable ink drop a distance of 4mm, enabling a wide range of textiles to be printed with sharp detail, smooth gradations, solid blotches and precise registration.
SPGPrints also saw strong demand for its rotary screen technology, with several sales of the company’s printing lines and digital prepress systems. Sales were recorded of the RD-6 rotary screen printing line, which combines high productivity, rapid design changeovers, straightforward operation and quality consistency with minimal manual input.
World's biggest clothing retailer, Inditex has reported a 9 per cent rise in its nine-month profit. It also reported that its sales growth jumped in recent weeks despite warmer than usual autumn weather in many European countries.
As its fashion peers struggle to adapt to changing consumer tastes with Abercrombie & Fitch and Gap posting dismal Q4 sales last month, Inditex's fast-fashion business and online prowess have kept it ahead. The owner of Zara is known for speedily reacting to changing trends and weather by keeping its manufacturing bases close to its distribution centre in the northern Spanish region of Galicia. Items are designed, made and shipped to stores often in less than a month, which boosts its profitability.
Items such velvet dresses, military blazers and mini-skirts helped push sales up 14.5 per cent in local currencies in the nine months to October 31. Net profit was up 9 per cent at €2.2 billion ($2.3 billion) while earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation (EBITDA) were up 8.4 per cent at €3.6 billion, both results in line with anaysts' forecasts, according to a poll.
To help exporting units tide over the impact of demonetisation, the Apparel Export Promotion Council has urged the government for increased withdrawal limits and relaxation in rules for payment of statutory dues like PF, ESI and service tax for some time. The Council has shared recommendations with the government to facilitate transition towards digital payments and less cash usage, the exporter’s body.
In its request, the Council has suggested exporting units be allowed a higher threshold of cash withdrawal for making payments to artisans, loaders, purchases for developing new samples and for payment towards small freight amount. It also requested that adequate cash should be made available at banks in key clusters. It also asked for opening bank accounts of workers in RMG export sector on the unique identity basis. The account should be maintained in Employees Provident Fund Organisation in lieu of initiating a fresh KYC (Know Your Customer) requirement by the bank, it said.
Shorn wool production in Australia for the 2015-16 season is expected to decline 6.2 per cent over the previous season. But almost all major sheep producing areas across Australia are reported to be experiencing good to excellent season conditions and an abundance of feed after a very wet spring. This is expected to result in even better average wool cuts per head in 2016-17 than anticipated.
The mean fiber diameter for Australia in 2016-17 to November was 20.7 microns, the same as in 2015-16. There was an increase in the volumes of wool for all micron ranges between 18.6 microns and 23.5 microns.
Some regions, notably in Victoria, in the tablelands of New South Wales and in Tasmania, have experienced a rather tough winter after seeing very dry conditions up until May. So fleece weights are only now starting to improve. The full benefit of the improved seasons is expected to be seen during autumn shearing.
Shorn wool production is expected to increase in New South Wales, Western Australia, South Australia and Queensland. The increase in Queensland is particularly welcome after three consecutive years of decline and in part reflects sheep returning to the state after the breaking of the long drought. Production in Victoria is expected to be steady, with an improvement in the second half of the season while production in Tasmania is predicted to be slightly lower.
Egypt’s garments and textiles industry suffered badly since when the Central bank began pegging the pound against the dollar, post the uprising in 2011. The problem became more acute as currency controls tightened over the past couple of years with exports of garments plummeting 14.7 per cent in the year to end of June and cotton textiles by 7.2 per cent.
With last month’s sharp devaluation of Egypt’s currency, there could be boost in demand for garment and textile products at home and abroad. From 2003 to 2011, textile exports shot up on an average 17 per cent annually and garment exports by 19 per cent, only to begin slackening thereafter. Textile exports surged from $120.1 million in 2002-03 to $782.6m in 2012-13 before falling back to $682m in 2015-16. Similarly, garment exports rose from $218.3m in 2002-03 to $810.3m in 2014-15 before taking a plunge to $690.8m last year.
Mohamed Kassem, Chairman, Readymade Garments Export Council of Egypt says already there has been an increase in orders since Egyptian pound was floated on November 3 but it will take time before exports surge. The devaluation, which has made imported products more expensive, should increase local demand for garments and textiles as well.
They will see two waves of production growth in textile and garment: first, with the use of idle capacity and later with new investment. The fact the pound’s price has fallen more than half means Egypt is back on the radar of foreign textile buyers. But because many components and materials are imported, the price of Egyptian textiles will not fall by half.
A report by World Bank published in November, around 81 per cent of the apparel factories in Bangladesh have no Research and Development (R&D) cell while research is the key to development of economy in present era. That goes to show that only 19 per cent of Bangladeshi apparel factories have a R&D cell each. On the other hand, investment in this sector is equivalent to Africa's countries. India is in the top among South Asian countries with R&D cell. Nearly 56 per cent of Indian factories have R&D cell.
According to the report, as the amount of investment in research is less, progress is less in successful management, efficiency of the workers and the financing. The report suggested Bangladeshi apparel factories use technology and improve workers efficiency through research. The World Bank report also suggested increasing investment for R&D cell of apparel sector. The experts also see the need for more research to develop country's apparel sector and meet the RMG export target $50 billion by 2021. They said to adjust with global change Bangladesh entrepreneurs have to go for new trend and research.
Executive director of Policy Research Institute (PRI) Ahsan Mansur observed research institutes don't play direct role in any sector for expansion of sector-wise trade except the agriculture. Research on quality of goods and creating innovation in design is essential in trade related sectors. VP of Bangladesh Garments Manufacturers & Exports Association (BGMEA) Mahmud Hasan Babu says two types of R&D are necessary for the RMG sector. One, is research to bring quality development and diversity and other is the development of efficiency. There is R&D in about 50-60 factories in developing quality and creating efficiency in our country. Besides, research is being carried out in appointing efficient persons including industrial engineers.
In a move that is expected to generate annual net profits of $119 million and 24,000 new jobs, the government of Bangladesh has decided to modernise 24 public sector jute mills with Chinese funding. For several years, state-owned jute mills have been loss-making units and in the last fiscal year their losses amounted to Tk 588 crore.
The production capacity of these mills is 275,500 tons but the actual annual production is 108,656 tons. This yields Tk 1,041 crore in revenue. About 82,000 people are employed in the mills and the government has to give subsidy every year to keep the mills running.
Subsequently, the government has decided to take up a project worth Tk 2,800 crores for balancing, modernising, rehabilitating and expanding the mills. China will put in about Tk 2,240 crore in this investment. China Textile Engineering Corporation has already conducted a feasibility study on jute mills. Due to a lag in technology, low efficiency, obsolete equipment, single product focus, lack of competitiveness and confused management, Bangladesh is losing its position in the global jute industry, said the Chinese company's feasibility study.
"The 5th edition of Bangladesh Denim Expo was attended by over 5,000 visitors, with 53 exhibitors participating in the event cementing the expo’s reputation as a truly international denim event!. Bangladesh Denim Expo never stops inspiring the global industry, even beyond the mere expo dates. Specifically formulated to act as a hub for key denim industry players to network and share their passion for denim, it is now launching a ew educational concept dedicated to the people working in the field of blue."
The 5th edition of Bangladesh Denim Expo was attended by over 5,000 visitors, with 53 exhibitors participating in the event cementing the expo’s reputation as a truly international denim event!
Bangladesh Denim Expo never stops inspiring the global industry, even beyond the mere expo dates. Specifically formulated to act as a hub for key denim industry players to network and share their passion for denim, it is now launching a ew educational concept dedicated to the people working in the field of blue. Bangladesh Denim Academy, a platform aiming to reduce the gap between local factories, mills, garment manufacturers and their clients by helping them to understand each others’ needs. Everything will be pursued through the organization of a series of master classes to provide insights on how the major brands, designers, mills think and work today.
The first of these one-of-a-kind appointments was the Trend Seminar held on December 8, 2016. World renowned denim expert Amy Leverton spoke at the seminar which was chaired by Md Mostafiz Uddin, CEO and Founder of Bangladesh Denim Expo. Denim trends for upcoming A/W 17-18 were analyzed and training was provided to local industry professionals on how to develop denim products following the trends. The seminar also covered the topics such as color patterns and style, evolutions in finishing, innovation, etc.
During the 5th edition of Bangladesh Denim Expo, three side events were arranged that reflected the natural theme of the expo:
Natural indigo dye
Live demonstrations of the ancient craft of hand-dyeing textiles were presented in collaboration with living blue and their team of artisans, proving that traditional dyeing techniques are alive and well in the 21st century.
Handloom woven denim
In homage to weaving techniques of yesteryear, a demonstration of selvedge denim being woven on a handloom by skilled craftsmen was shown.
Hand scraping
Visitors could see skilled operatives at work showing the techniques involved in creating hand finished scraping processes that give a natural appearance to denim products.
Trend zone
Bangladesh denim expo displayed a trend area, offering a snapshot of product, finishes and trims and accessories that reflected the natural theme of the 5th edition. Visitors were able to gain valuable insight into the vast variety of products being displayed at the expo and appreciate both upcoming trends and the potential capabilities available within Bangladesh.
The next edition of Bangladesh Denim Expo is scheduled for May 17 & 18, 2017 in Dhaka. Pathbreaking denim trends are the biggest lure for visitors and participants alike.
Apparel Sourcing USA and Texworld USA will take place from January 23 to 25, 2017. Over 100 exhibitors representing eight countries including USA, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Peru, Myanmar, India, Hong Kong and Taiwan will exhibit at Apparel Sourcing USA. Texworld USA will feature over 220 international exhibitors representing 11 countries, including USA, Hong Kong, Pakistan, Turkey, Japan, Canada, Colombia and India. China will represent a comprehensive showing of established mills from different regions, all specializing in affordable and in-demand textiles, trims and accessories.
While Apparel Sourcing USA will give visitors an opportunity to explore finished apparel as well as manufacturing and private label services across 12 end-use groups, including women’s wear, men’s wear, active wear, knits, wovens, denim, children’s wear and intimates, Texworld USA will give visitors the opportunity to source fabrics, trims and accessories across a total of 16 product groups for women, men and children, including the recently introduced faux fur category and an expanded denim category.
The highlight of Texworld USA will be the return of the Turkey, Taiwan, and Korean pavilions. Exhibitors from Turkey and Taiwan will showcase high-end cotton, knits, functional fabrics and lace. The Korea pavilion will have a focus on high-quality knits. Additionally, the Lenzing Innovation pavilion will also return with 17 exhibitors focused on incorporating sustainable fibers into a wide range of product categories.
The rupee’s recent plunge against the US dollar has put Tirupur garment exporters in anguish. They had booked many orders around the 66.50 levels in the last few months. According to the President of the Tirupur Exporters’ Association (TEA), they would benefit only if the rupee’s depreciation were sustained. The Association represents the $3-billion industry in Tirupur.
On November 9, the rupee closed at 66.50. In the last three months, the rupee’s range against the dollar was a narrow 66.50/67. Thus export orders would have been booked and the resultant dollar inflows would have been covered in the forward foreign exchange market on a base rate of around 66.70 to the dollar.
But, when the base rate itself moved by Rs 2 to the dollar with the rupee falling to the 68.50 levels by end November, exporters were understandably upset at the loss of the opportunity to realise an additional Rs 2 per US dollar. A move of Rs 2 on a base of Rs 66.50 is nearly 3 per cent. The rupee has since clawed back some of its losses. Nevertheless the problem of missed opportunities would keep recurring for exporters.
