TAL Group - apparel and textile industry company news 
HONG KONG: Prime Source Forum returns for sourcing debate
14 March 2013
Senior executives from across the apparel industry and its supply chain will be heading to Hong Kong later this month for the annual Prime Source Forum.
Outlook 2013: Other issues to watch
4 February 2013
Generally, 2013 is seen as being another challenging year for the apparel industry – although there is cautious optimism for an improved business environment. Issues such as compliance, sustainability and product safety are likely to come to the fore, and keep a close eye on trade talks to expand duty-free opportunities such as the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP).
Outlook 2013: Apparel industry opportunities
4 February 2013
Opportunities the apparel industry should focus on this year include developing strategic relationships to improve flexibility across the supply chain; a focus on adding value through design, innovation and branding to protect margins; and the use of technology to integrate the multichannel experience.
Outlook 2013: Lessons that should have been learnt
4 February 2013
What should apparel firms have learnt from the upheaval of the past couple of years - and what should they be doing now if they want to remain competitive into the future? They need to remain nimble enough to respond to changing buying patterns, develop strong partnerships across the supply chain, and focus on a sourcing portfolio that balances costs and risks.
Outlook 2013: Apparel industry challenges
4 February 2013
Uncertainty is perhaps the biggest challenge facing the apparel industry in 2013. The economic situation in Europe and the US, a combination of rising production costs and flat prices, the pressure to improve working conditions, a lack of new production centres and low volume growth in fashion all add up to a worrying year.
SLDF 2012: SAC eco-index to help reduce supplier audits
16 November 2012
Suppliers may need to undergo only one audit a year on their sustainability and environmental credentials if an eco-index initiative by the Sustainable Apparel Coalition (SAC) takes off.
IAF Convention 2012: Getting smarter across the supply chain
27 September 2012
Instead of focusing on product costs as a way of offsetting the pressures faced in both retail and sourcing markets, the apparel supply chain should look instead at optimising processes, boosting collaboration and generally getting smarter, industry executives believe.
IAF Convention 2012: Is fast fashion sustainable?
26 September 2012
The rise of the fast fashion retail model that keeps consumer interest by feeding through fresh merchandise more frequently is out of kilter with the industry's increasing focus on sustainability issues, according to speakers at this year's IAF World Apparel Convention.
Speaking with style: Harry van Dalfsen, president, IAF
6 September 2012
The theme of change resonates loudly with Harry van Dalfsen, who took on the role of president of the International Apparel Federation (IAF) two years ago at the height of the global economic crisis. Not surprisingly, ‘Fashion business in a changing environment’ is also the focus of the upcoming IAF World Apparel Convention, which takes place later this month.
US: Sustainable Apparel Coalition unveils new eco-index
27 July 2012
Clothing and footwear firms including Nike, Marks & Spencer, Levi Strauss and Walmart are among those backing a new tool designed to measure sustainability and environmental impact across the industry supply chain.
UK: Middlesex University opens TAL fashion studios
13 February 2012
Middlesex University has named its fashion studios after Hong Kong based clothing supplier TAL Apparel in recognition of the long-standing support the company has given the university.
Hong Kong's changing role in the apparel industry
10 February 2012
China's rise over the past two decades as the leading location for apparel sourcing has had a knock-on effect on Hong Kong's role in the global garment industry, shifting it from a manufacturer to a servicing and sourcing centre. It will take on even more diverse roles in the future, according to industry executives speaking at recent conferences in Hong Kong. Vicky Sung reports.
just-style management briefing: Other issues to watch in the year ahead
2 February 2012
Generally, 2012 is seen as being another challenging business year for the apparel industry. Uncertainties include the performance of the global economy, the European debt crisis, US consumer sentiment, and producer price inflation. Being able to react quickly to sourcing challenges, get more efficient in production, and reduce cycle times will help firms react to these volatile markets.
just-style management briefing: Lessons learnt from the past for the future
2 February 2012
What should apparel firms have learnt from the upheaval of the past couple of years - and what should they be doing now if they want to remain competitive into the future? Buyers and manufacturers need to build a deeper, long-term relationship our respondents said, as well as focusing on a sourcing portfolio that balances costs and risks.
just-style management briefing: Opportunities for the apparel industry in 2012
2 February 2012
Opportunities the apparel industry can look forward to this year include speed to market, which favours sourcing in the western hemisphere; growth in the number and spending power of middle-lass consumers in emerging markets like China and India; and the use of technology and the internet to make sourcing a truly global activity.
just-style management briefing: Apparel industry challenges in 2012
2 February 2012
Uncertainty is perhaps the biggest challenge facing the apparel industry in 2012. The economic situation in Europe and the US, swings in commodity prices, labour shortages and rising costs, especially in China, all add up to a worrying year.
UK: Bodymetrics 3D body scanner launches in New Look
24 October 2011
Fast fashion retailer New Look has installed what is described as the "world's first full 3D body scanner" at its new store at the Westfield Stratford shopping centre in London.
just-style management briefing: The Sustainable Apparel Coalition's collective efforts
5 August 2011
Over the past decade and more, industry associations and individual companies have launched numerous initiatives with the aim of addressing and reducing the environmental and social impacts of clothing manufacture. However, this year the clothing industry's collective effort witnessed what many hope will be a game-changing development with the formation of a new multi-stakeholder partnership.
Top stories on just-style this week...
29 July 2011
Here is a roundup of the top five most-read articles on just-style this week. Click on each headline for the full story.
Speaking with style: Dr Harry Lee, CEO of TAL Apparel
26 July 2011
TAL Apparel, one of the world's leading garment suppliers, has turned the threat of inflation across the supply chain into an opportunity to do things differently. Here CEO Dr Harry Lee tells just-style how the Hong Kong based firm's long-time focus on efficiency, sustainable development, and added value is helping to combat rising costs and set it apart from the competition.
New consultancy to help navigate Americas sourcing
6 June 2011
As US and European apparel firms scramble to move some of their Asian production to Central and South America in a bid to offset rising production prices, help is needed to link them to the growing number of factories courting business from these brands.
CHINA: Apparel fabric fair adds sustainability event
23 May 2011
This autumn's Intertextile Shanghai Apparel Fabrics trade fair is set to be nearly one-third larger in size than last year, and will host the debut Planet Textiles conference on sustainability.
PSF 2011: China continues to be key to apparel sourcing
4 April 2011
China will continue to be key to the sourcing strategies of apparel retailers and brands, according to industry executives speaking at the Prime Source Forum in Hong Kong over the past few days.
Prime Source Forum 2011: Quote/unquote - day 1
1 April 2011
Apparel industry issues tackled on the first day of the Prime Source Forum in Hong Kong included the challenges facing the apparel supply chain, including inflation, China's shift from major supplier to buyer, and labour issues. Here is a roundup of comments from some of the speakers at the event.
US: Walmart, M&S, Levi's back apparel eco-index scheme
1 March 2011
Leading apparel and footwear brands, retailers and manufacturers including Nike, Gap Inc, H&M, Levi Strauss, Marks & Spencer and Walmart are driving a new initiative to improve sustainability across the entire apparel and footwear sector.
US: TAL Group improves productivity with Lawson tool
5 February 2010
Leading garment manufacturer TAL Group has rolled out a latest version of the Lawson enterprise software system.
HONG KONG: Prime Source launches ThinkTank platform
26 October 2009
The organisers of the annual Prime Source Forum in Hong Kong have expanded the event’s round-table discussion format with the launch of a new online platform where international apparel executives can discuss key industry issues throughout the year.
HONG KONG: Prime Source Forum prepares for timely debate
11 March 2009
Senior executives involved in sourcing, manufacturing and servicing the global apparel industry are heading to Hong Kong at the end of the month for the fourth edition of Prime Source Forum.
Chinese apparel industry repositioning for growth?
4 February 2009
A massive shake-out is taking place in the Chinese apparel industry, as firms struggle to remain competitive against a backdrop of rising labour costs, the strengthening of the yuan, worker shortages and tighter pollution controls. However, as Jozef De Coster reports, some companies are re-positioning to get their businesses back on track.
HONG KONG: New group promotes sustainable fashion business
25 April 2008
A group of leading Hong Kong textile and apparel companies this week launched the ‘Sustainable Fashion Business Consortium’ (SFBC) to help the industry minimise its impact on the environment.
