Hong Kong based Epic Group, a leading garment manufacturer for global brands, is ranked in four categories in our 2022 rankings. READ MORE

The company announced in July 2022 a new strategic partnership with CleanKore, a denim innovation and patent licensing company. This partnership aims at scaling the CleanKore patented yarn dyeing technology that provides numerous economic and sustainability benefits for both the denim mill and garment manufacturer. READ MORE

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The Excellence Awards celebrate the greatest achievements and innovations in the industry. The programme provides a platform to recognize the people and companies that are driving change.

Our programme is designed to highlight excellence within the sector by looking at a range of corporate activities including deals, business projects and company initiatives, both internal and in the community.

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If you want to learn more about the Awards and the range of marketing materials and options available to promote your achievement then please get in touch with us or download the Media Pack:

Contact: Tina Ross – tina.ross@globaldata.com

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What is Business Expansion?

Business Expansion is one of our largest categories and looks at the core functions of business operations within the sector.

This consists of any projects that have expanded the company’s footprint in the sector, including: contract wins; launching in new territories; launching new product lines; the acquisition and expansion of facilities and real estate; acquisition of new machinery or other assets; improved logistics; partnerships; and significant staff increases.

Themes

The fashion industry has recently seen greater demands from customers for a more circular, sustainable and transparent business model. This can be seen in the area of brand launches where there is now a clear focus on sustainably produced materials and traceable fabrics, with a focus on product circularity and re-use.

The fashion industry has also been quick on its feet when it comes to technology, including the integration of new software into the lifecycle management of products (PLM software).

Another clear theme is the production of new fibres and fabrics, which has also been born from the industry’s sustainability drive in production.

The industry has also seen an increased drive for new marketplaces and retail practices in spite of widespread disruptions. These include innovations such as in-app markets and online platforms, the evolution of resale practices and the optimisation of existing sales platforms.

Like the rest of the economy the fashion industry has had to deal with the impact of wide-spread supply chain disruption. This has led to an effort to make supply chains more transparent, environmentally friendly, efficient, mapped out and traceable, to help both consumers and suppliers know every aspect of the products the industry provides.

Categories

Apparel: Facilities

COMMENDED
Alpine GroupCrystal InternationalRenewcell
Avery Dennison CorporationEpic GroupSaitex Internationa
Bureau Veritas Consumer Products ServicesFashion-Enter Ltd/ FashionCapitalThredUp
Creative ApparelFrasers Group

The companies in this category have been hard at work expanding production facilities and investing in new ones, improving the manufacturing process and expanding their influence in the industry.


Apparel: Garment Manufacturing

COMMENDED
GildanSartex GroupWorkman Group
Hela Apparel HoldingsSustainable Apparel CoalitionYesim Tekstil
Mango

The companies in this category have expanded their manufacturing capabilities and found new ways to be efficient in their production processes.


Apparel: On-demand Production

COMMENDED
AsosCustom Wrkshop
ChargeursKornit Digital

The companies in this category have invested in on-demand production, one of the new environmentally friendly approaches to apparel production.


Brand Launch: Apparel

COMMENDED
7 For All MankindChampionJCPenneyReebok
AdidasCone DenimJeanologiaSpinnova
AllbirdsControl UnionKlarnaThe Children’s Place
AmazonCotton IncLoop CashmereTruworths
Apparel Impact InstituteCrystal InternationalMarks and SpencerVaude
Avery Dennison CorporationGina TricotMAS HoldingsWalmart
Bjorn BorgGood Earth CottonPrada GroupWe aRe SpinDye
Boohoo GroupH&M GroupPrimarkWrangler
BrowzwearImpetus GroupPuma GroupZara
Canada GooseIskoQuiz Clothing

Launching a brand can be a tough task that involves cooperation between all parts of the production chain. The companies in this category have been working to ensure their new brands are tailored to customers who are environmentally conscious, want more cooperation between producers and have a need for fashionable and affordable apparel.


Brand Launch: Footwear

COMMENDED
AdidasJD Sports FashionNike
AllbirdsKeenPuma Group
Authentic Brands GroupKeenSkechers
Deckers BrandsLectraYY Nation
Foot LockerLululemon

Footwear brand launches have provided some interesting cases during the research period, with companies in this category proving that innovation is key to a successful launch.


Fibres & Fabrics: Cellulose

COMMENDED
Eastman Exports Global ClothingHugo BossMoRe Research Örnsköldsvik AB
HeiQIskoPolybion
Hologenix

Cellulose is a material that is appealing to the industry thanks to its sustainable properties. The companies in this category have been quick to incorporate the material into new product lines and make a push for innovation.


Fibres & Fabrics: Circular Fabrics

COMMENDED
AquafilRenewcell
Birla CelluloseSpinnova
Itochu

During the research period the industry has been hard at work producing newly developed fabrics, integral to the circular production model. The companies in this category are working to utilise innovations and develop these new materials into industry staples.


Fibres & Fabrics: Cotton

COMMENDED
5 Loc CottonElevate TextilesInternational Islamic Trade Finance CorporationSoorty
BayerEurofinsKontoor BrandsSuperdry
BestsellerGallant InternationalOrganic Cotton AcceleratorUnited Nations Industrial Development Organization
Better CottonIndian Agricultural Research InstituteRalph LaurenVentile
Cone DenimInditexRecoverVF Corporation
Cotton made in AfricaInternational Cotton Advisory Committee

The companies in this category are working hard to improve cotton production, invest in innovation and expand the reach of production programmes.


Fibres & Fabrics: Cotton Traceability

COMMENDED
Applied DNA SciencesCone DenimIsotech
AwareEpic GroupSerai
BestsellerFerreVentile

Tracing different fabrics is part of the industry push for greater transparency. The companies in this category have been signing deals to improve traceability and introduce innovative methods of tracing.


Fibres & Fabrics: Eco-friendly Products

COMMENDED
Aalto UniversityFibral Material AllianceOrigin MaterialsSolvay
Better CottonGenomaticaPrimaLoftTeijin Limited
Birla CelluloseH&M GroupRubi LaboratoriesTexon
CACTO – Cactus LeatherLenzing GroupSanMarThe Movement
CoatsLululemonSans USATidal Vision
Crocs

The companies in this category have utilised newly developed eco-friendly products and have been searching for ways to include them in new collections, boost production and further improve their functionality.


Fibres & Fabrics: Hemp

COMMENDED
Artistic Garment Industries DenimKontoor Brands
Cone DenimPanda Biotech
Delta Agriculture

Hemp is steadily becoming one of the go-to materials for sustainable production and during the research period the companies in this category have shown a clear desire to innovate and create new sustainable products.


Fibres & Fabrics: Leather Traceability

COMMENDED
GucciTapestry
SpoorWorld Wildlife Fund

There is an increasing need for transparency in the leather industry and companies in this category have taken strides to ensure their products are fully traceable.


Fibres & Fabrics: Mushroom Fabrics

COMMENDED
BestsellerMycoWorksPVH CorpVivobarefoot
EcovativePangaiaStella McCartneyVTT

It is clear that mushroom fabrics are becoming more prevalent and companies in this category are keen on making the most of it – incorporating it into new collections, designs and ramping up production to satisfy the already existing market.


Fibres & Fabrics: Production

COMMENDED
ColoreelKelheim FibresPolylana
Fiber IndustriesLenzing GroupRenewcell
Hayleys FabricLycra CoSateri
IskoNilitSpinnova
John Lewis & PartnersOrganic Cotton AcceleratorTeijin Limited

The companies in this category have shown a drive to expand production to new locations, optimise the process and increase production of new and innovative fabrics.


Fibres & Fabrics: Sustainable Textiles

COMMENDED
AllbirdsNanolloseTeijin Limited
Canada GooseNatural Fiber WeldingThe Microfibre Consortium
Circular SystemsNishat ApparelVF Corporation
H&M GroupRenewcell

Sustainable production is one of the hot topics that came up during the research period. The companies in this category are investing in new and exciting production methods that optimise the process and eliminate unsustainable procedures and processes.


Fibres & Fabrics: Textile Traceability

COMMENDED
Artistic Fabric MillsHaelixaOritain
Calik DenimICI PakistanPanda Biotech
Canada GooseKeringTapestry
Ecolife by Belda LlorensKings of IndigoTeijin Limited
FibreTraceLenzing GroupU.S. Cotton Trust Protocol
FinisterreOrganic Cotton Accelerator

Transparency has become a vital part of the fashion industry and the companies in this category have been doing their best to provide traceability solutions for textiles across the industry.


Product Lifestyle Monitoring (PLM) Integration

COMMENDED
Bioworld MerchandisingDeSLMendix
Busana Apparel GroupKotonTechStyle Fashion Group

Product Lifecycle Monitoring (PLM) software has become a key part of industry expansion and an integral part of the production process. The companies in this category have been integrating this software into their production lines, optimising their production and ensuring the monitoring of their product’s lifecycle.


Retail: Counterfeit Prevention

COMMENDED
Applied DNA SciencesDe Montfort University LeicesterSecurity Matters (SMX)
CovectraElevate TextilesTruTag Technologies

Counterfeit products have always been a scourge on the fashion industry and the companies in this category have been hard at work to enact measures to reduce or eliminate fake products, from digital tags to blockchain and holographic solutions.


Retail: Expansion

COMMENDED
Apac Sale Group PteDynamic YieldLost Stock
AsdaGantMarks and Spencer
Blue YonderGap IncMySize
ClarksLeafThe Very Group

The companies in this category have invested in their retail footprint through new stores and locations.


Retail: In-app

COMMENDED
Gap IncMarks and SpencerMySize

Marketplace options within the fashion industry are expanding and the companies in this category have been leading the push into in-app retail, making deals with social media apps to get a head start in this emerging market.


Retail: Online

COMMENDED
3DLookMacy’sReiss
Boohoo GroupMangoVF Corporation
Hudson’s Bay CompanyMarks and SpencerZalando
Lord + TaylorNext

Online retail has been a growing marketplace for garments and the companies in this category have been at the forefront of this expansion.


Retail: Rental Services

COMMENDED
LK BennettRalph Lauren
Marks and SpencerW. L. Gore & Associates

Rental services in the garment industry have expanded along with the industry’s need to become more circular and reduce its waste. The companies in this category have adapted to new sales models and new markets for renting apparel.


Retail: Resale Market

COMMENDED
AdidasFast RetailingMarks and SpencerThe Renewal Workshop
AllbirdsH&M GroupMercariThredup
AsketHugo BossNew LookURBN
BurberryLG ElectronicsOuterknownVestiaire Collective
Circle EconomyLululemonPacific Sunwear of CaliforniaYoox Net-a-Porter Group
DotteMadewellPrettyLittleThingZalando

The emergence of the practice of resale has seen the fashion industry expand its influence into this new marketplace. The companies in this category have been launching platforms and optimising resale models to take advantage.


Trade: Shipping

COMMENDED
A.P. Moller – MaerskBestsellerLindex

During the research period there has been an increased push into green shipping solutions in order to make the process of transporting goods more eco-friendly. The companies in this category have invested in projects such as biofuel production deals and carbon-neutral commitments.


Trade: Supply Chain

COMMENDED
Apparel Impact InstituteGap IncSupertex
Association for Supply Chain ManagementMS ModeSustainable Apparel Coalition
Better BuyingNRF FoundationTapestry
EvrythngSellpyUK Fashion & Textile Association
Fashinza

The recent supply chain disruptions have given the fashion industry the opportunity to optimise and the companies in this category are on the front line when it comes to expanding existing chains, optimising their processes and improving transparency.


Trade: Supply Chain Traceability

COMMENDED
Bhartiya InternationalFibreTraceQIMA
Canopy PlanetHaelixaRetraced
Ciel TextileHiggSerai
DacorKontoor BrandsTrusTrace
Fashion EnterpriseOpen Apparel RegistryVF Corporation

The companies in this category have been hard at work to make their supply chains more transparent using mapping solutions to trace the materials that go through the supply chain.


Trade: Systems Optimisation

COMMENDED
Elevate TextilesInternational Apparel Federation
FlexportMango
Ganni

The companies in this category have been working to optimise the systems used in garment and clothing trading.