Latest manufacturing news and analysis articles 
Here you can find the latest updates on garment and footwear manufacturers, ranging from production information to company news, strikes and disruptions
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.
SRI LANKA: Hirdaramani factory in carbon neutral "first"
10 February 2012
A Sri Lankan firm's eco-friendly garment factory has been awarded CarbonNeutral certification - making it the first apparel plant in Asia to achieve this accolade and helping shore up the country's reputation as a leader in ethical and sustainable manufacturing.
Emerging markets drive investment in nonwovens
10 February 2012
Rapid growth in demand in emerging markets is driving investment in nonwovens, according to a new report - with several nonwovens roll goods producers expanding to target markets in Asia, Australasia, the Middle East, North Africa, South America and Southern Africa.
Top stories on just-style this week...
10 February 2012
The most-read stories on just-style this week included news that Nike has lent its support to a new waterless fabric dyeing process, the recommendation that international brands and retailers address the low wages of Cambodian garment workers, and reports that despite facing a tough year, China's textile and clothing industry is set for further growth.
CANADA: Trimera to speed domestic design and production
10 February 2012
Apparel maker Trimera Group is opening two domestic development and production facilities next month to provide customers with on-site design centres as well as seamless knitting capabilities to help cut the time it takes to commercialise, test and launch products.
GERMANY: Hybrid yarn developed for sport and leisure wear
10 February 2012
Researchers in Germany have developed an innovative new yarn for sport and leisure wear which is based on regenerated cellulose fibres and said to combine the benefits of synthetic and woollen fibres.
UK: Woolmark relaunches Cool Wool campaign
10 February 2012
The Woolmark Company is hoping to boost uptake of lightweight Merino suiting fabrics this summer with the reintroduction of its 'Cool Wool' campaign.
US: Zero discharge initiative "should include suppliers"
9 February 2012
Plans by six apparel and footwear brands and retailers to eliminate the discharge of hazardous chemicals from their supply chains by 2020 have been widely praised by a group of stakeholders - but are aiming for a challenging deadline and should have been expanded to include suppliers, they say.
Viewpoint: Cambodia's garment sector faces continued challenges
9 February 2012
With much of the success of Cambodia's garment industry based on its well-publicised commitment to basic labour standards, it's perhaps not surprising that the sector finds itself under a spotlight when it comes to wider worker welfare issues. Indeed, several events that have taken place in recent weeks highlight some of the challenges faced by the local industry.
INDIA: Rising interest rates a "mounting crisis" for exporters
9 February 2012
The chairman of the group that represents Indian apparel exporters has warned of a "mounting crisis" as rising interest rates and a slowdown in demand from customers in the US and EU weigh on businesses.
SOUTH KOREA: Hyosung develops new dyeable elastane
9 February 2012
South Korean yarn producer Hyosung has developed a new dyeable version of its Creora elastane fibre, which it is launching next week in partnership with European Stretch Fabrics.
CAMBODIA: Tribunal urges "immediate steps" on garment pay
8 February 2012
A two-day hearing in which over 200 Cambodian garment workers gathered to give evidence on pay and conditions at factories has recommended that international brands and retailers take "immediate steps" to address the issue of poverty wages for factory workers.
US: Nike backs waterless fabric dyeing process
8 February 2012
Sporting goods giant Nike Inc has teamed up with a Dutch textile machinery company that has developed a way to dye fabrics without using water - and says it hopes to boost the technology's uptake throughout the apparel industry.
US: Cotton costs halve Levi Strauss Q4 profit
8 February 2012
Jeans giant Levi Strauss & Co has seen its fourth quarter profit nearly cut in half as rising cotton costs outpaced higher ticket prices.
EU: Industry group backs anti-counterfeiting pact
8 February 2012
The body representing the European textile and apparel industry is urging the European Parliament and EU member states to adopt legislation designed to combat global copyright infringement - despite mounting public opposition to the treaty.
PAKISTAN: Inks pact with Indonesia to boost trade
8 February 2012
Pakistan and Indonesia have signed a Preferential Trade Agreement (PTA) that should boost trade and investment flows between the two countries and could ultimately lead to the creation of a Free Trade Area.
NETHERLANDS: IAF appointments strengthen its structure
8 February 2012
The International Apparel Federation (IAF) has made three new appointments aimed at giving the global group "more strength and expertise to improve the value added to our members."
US: LF USA eyes expansion at new Greensboro office
7 February 2012
LF USA, a subsidiary of Hong Kong based consumer goods sourcing giant Li & Fung Limited, has opened new offices in Greensboro, North Carolina and hinted that expansion is likely.
Comment: Perception is part of the Chinese apparel puzzle
7 February 2012
2011 is shaping up to be the worst year for China in a decade. Full year figures have not yet been released, but in the 10 months ending 31 October 2011, China's US market share measured both in units and by value was down over 4% compared with the same period in 2010. The question, asks David Birnbaum, is why?
UPDATE: SOUTH AFRICA: Seardel to cut up to 1,500 jobs
7 February 2012
South Africa's largest apparel and textile maker, Seardel Investment Corporation Limited, may cut as many as 1,500 jobs at its operations in Western Cape and KwaZulu-Natal as part of efforts to narrow losses at its clothing unit.
INDIA: Indorama begins first domestic spandex production
6 February 2012
Indorama Industries Limited [IIL], a unit of Singapore-based Indorama Corporation, has started India's first spandex production plant, in a move that will provide domestic producers with a local supply of the stretch fibre.
just-style's research roundup
6 February 2012
This week's highlights from just-style's research store include trends in world textile and clothing trade, prospects for the textile and clothing industry in Brazil, and an analysis of the apparel industry in Bangladesh.
China's textile and clothing set for further growth
6 February 2012
Despite a number of challenges, China's textile and clothing industry is set for further growth while its competitors suffer declines as a result of cutbacks by retail buyers, according to new research.
US: Weeplay Kids recalls 128,000 infant bodysuits
6 February 2012
Children's wear company Weeplay Kids is recalling around 128,000 infant bodysuits because of the risk of snaps becoming detached from the fabric of the garment, posing a choking hazard to young children.
CAMBODIA: Tribunal to probe garment pay and conditions
3 February 2012
Groups representing Cambodian garment workers are holding a "people's tribunal" next week to investigate pay and conditions at factories making clothes for brands including Adidas, Puma, H&M and Gap.
HONDURAS: Stretchline sets up Central America production
3 February 2012
Stretchline Holdings, the specialist supplier of narrow fabrics and knitted elastics used in lingerie and activewear, has opened its latest joint venture in Honduras to help speed supply times to retailers and brands in the US and Canada.
WORLD: Economic slowdown could weigh on cotton prices
3 February 2012
The International Cotton Advisory Board (ICAC) has cut global demand estimates for the fibre, signalling that slower global economic growth and ample supplies could place downward pressure on prices.
Top stories on just-style this week...
3 February 2012
Among the most-read stories on just-style this week was a report on China's 12th five-year plan for the domestic textile industry, a temporary tariff waiver on products imported into the EU from Pakistan - and our annual management briefing on apparel industry issues to watch in the year ahead.
US: LaCrosse Footwear FY profit cut after poor Q4
3 February 2012
LaCrosse Footwear blamed falling sales to the military for double-digit revenue declines in the fourth quarter of 2011, which led to full-year net profit being more than halved.
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.
