Posted March 23, 2016

 

At their invitation, I attended Shima Seiki USA’s inaugural 3D Knitting Seminar & Workshop in downtown Los Angeles earlier this month. I didn’t know exactly what to expect, but I must say I was blown away by the event, particularly the level of interest by and diversity of attendees and presenters. The networking opportunities were immense, and the hospitality shown by the hosts was extraordinary.

 

The key takeaway for me was the company’s deep interest in helping accelerate the reshoring movement in the U.S., and holding an event of this nature is testament to that. Shima Seiki USA President Senna Nakaya and Vice President Matt Llewellyn both emphasized that point during presentations and interviews during the week.

 

Shima Seiki’s WHOLEGARMENT knitting machines can certainly help facilitate American-made textile and apparel making, given their capabilities, as explained in this week’s lead story. Machine demonstrations showed how they could help U.S. companies increase productivity and competitiveness, with end uses not only in apparel, but also in the safety and protection, industrial, healthcare, home furnishings, automotive and aerospace markets.

 

Shima Seiki USA, based in New Jersey since 1985, is the U.S. subsidiary of the well-known, Japan-based machinery supplier. The U.S. branch counts around 100 customers who use its machines, from large retailers and brands to yarn production companies to universities to mom-and-pop operations. And all were represented at the workshop/seminar, and others, as well – totaling more than 100.

 

In a presentation, Llewellyn gave an insightful look at the textile and apparel industry’s transformation into new technology and the opportunities that lie ahead. The textile industry, he posited, seems to lag other industries utilizing the technologies offered today. Other than brief spikes in the 1980s and 1990s with the advancement of machinery, the growth in the industry hasn’t kept pace with others.

 

“Companies invested heavily in technology and machinery but not in true integration,” he said. “They integrated the tools but didn’t change their methods of production and workers’ advancement. Oftentimes, this made matters worse. The technology that was meant to liberate and advance employees to new duties or positions has trapped them and burdened them with more duties.”

 

For textile/apparel manufacturing, he continued, with all the advancements in technology, the basic concept of the factory is the same as it was in 1970s – with very segmented and poor department communications. As such, the industry needs to change its way of thinking by using all technological tools available, including: analyzing data, automation, simulation, integration and the Internet of Things.