Posted June 1, 2017

After about 10 weeks on and off the long and winding textile road, I have a few days to catch up, catch my breath and cast a wayward glance back at all the exciting things I’ve covered in our industry. From the NCTO meeting in Washington, D.C. to Shima Seiki’s 3D Knitting Workshop in Brooklyn, to the AAPN’s Annual Conference in Miami – and several stops in between – I’ve pretty much blanketed the U.S. East Coast since March.

So let me offer a retrospective. I’d call it a post-mortem, but that seems too macabre – especially given the life, energy and spirit I’ve witnessed over these last few weeks.

But here are five themes or perhaps talking points that have emerged from my travels:

1. “Disruption” is a buzzword in our industry (and others) these days. As the world continues to change at breakneck speed, the textile and apparel industry and its suppliers are working diligently to change with it – or else be left behind, as it has on other occasions. Mass customization, Millennials’ increasing buying power and shopping habits, the desire for made in America, etc. are all creating the need for speed, shorter supply chains and differentiation. We are striving to be on the forefront of advanced manufacturing. And we, as an industry, want to be the change in this Age of Disruption.
    

2. The retail bubble is real. The fact that 10,000 stores (many in the apparel and home goods segment) may close this year is related to disruption, of course, and it is Amazon’s ambition to conquer the world. (Think Walmart in the 1990s.) But, again, the textiles and apparel sector is tirelessly seeking ways to be involved in this revolution, as evidenced by the discussions, collaborative efforts and innovations that I report on a weekly basis.
    

3. Positivity pervades. Despite these transformative times, the sense of optimism I’ve seen lately is at one of the highest levels I’ve seen in years. The grim countenance so many of you wore before and during the Great Recession has been replaced with enthusiastic hopefulness that has resulted from the industry’s mini-renaissance. We all know these are exciting times.
    

4. Perception is bound to be changing. Slowly, or at least anecdotally, I think we’re making strides in raising awareness and improving our image as an industry with the general populace and elected officials. Our good stories are getting picked up by local and national media, including most recently this piece on Boston-based Minister of Supply, which creates custom blazers in 90 minutes on Shima Seiki knitting machines. The story was published in The Washington Post and picked up by many news outlets. And I know how active many of you are in spreading the good word on social media. I see you on especially on Facebook, LinkedIn and Twitter, reaching audiences you probably would not have infiltrated just a few years ago with #WeMakeAmazing. Keep up the bombardment – you never know whose mind you might change, especially as we seek to make textile and apparel manufacturing “cool.” The importance of telling our stories through social media and other means was mentioned in more than one presentation during my recent tour of duty.
    

5. President Trump is on everyone’s minds and lips. Many a conference speaker and many an after-hours conversation included the president’s name as it relates to business. Love him or hate him, Trump is having an impact on the economic forecast. Plenty of uncertainty remains, especially given the opposition and resistance movement, but we do know now that the U.S. is out of the Trans-Pacific Partnership – for the time being, at least. That, in itself, has raised confidence among many U.S. textile and apparel producers. And, as we all know, certain big trade deals have been our biggest impediment to progress and even survivability in past years. And with NAFTA being potentially renegotiated and not repealed, those who have found ways to make this hemisphere work to your betterment must be encouraged.

I’m sure such matters will continue to get good play on the textile circuit in the coming weeks and months. Those of you who have been on the sidelines, I strongly urge you to get out there among your peers and hear these trends, discuss these issues and figure out ways to work together. We’ll all be the better for it.

[Post-mortem to this blog: Sometimes, you don’t know if you’re coming or going. Such was the case during my recent business trip to South Florida, when I forgot to pack my dress pants – and for two days had to wear the only pair of blue jeans I brought. But don’t judge – they are textiles, and I know several denim makers and their suppliers who would have liked my brand of “disruption.”]