Posted January 18, 2017

 

I’m often asked, “What are you hearing out there?” And my answer is always somewhat non-committal because I typically hear a wide range of things from you fine folks – from “we’re going gangbusters” to “same old, same old” to “business could be better.”

 

Well, this week’s lead stories will underscore those varying sentiments. For eTC’s Review & Forecast special, I sent questionnaires to selected industry leaders to try to get a pulse of the wellbeing of the textile and apparel industry and its supply chain. As you can read in these stories, feedback runs the gamut.

 

Putting the special together was a time-consuming but informative effort. As we kick off 2017 and stand on the cusp of a Trump Administration, you’ll probably find these leaders’ responses interesting, too. The articles are intended to provide an anecdotal snapshot of business conditions among a cross section of the textile/apparel industry and its supply chain based on 2016 performance and expectations for 2017 and beyond.

 

And I’d like to use this week’s blog for leftover comments shared by these industry thought-leaders:

 

C.G. “Leib” Oehmig IV

President and COO

Glen Raven, Inc.

“I could not be more proud of our industry and the men and women who invest so much of themselves to ‘make amazing.’ The future of our industry is bright.”

 

Bill Moody

Owner

Vanguard Pai Lung

“We are seeing the economics factor every day. The U.S. is the most powerful consumer force in the world. The large brands are trying to bring more and more manufacturing back to the region and the U.S. because of the cost to service the US consumer. World labor costs have been rising rapidly as textiles move from country to country. The many costs of ordering merchandise 12 to 16 months before needed in the store has caught up to the brands and retailers in many ways.”

 

Derick Close

CEO

Springs Creative

“We are optimistic for 2017 and beyond. While the days of multi-million-yard orders may be gone, we can provide solutions to retail and technical partners that helps to make them stronger. They can reduce their inventory risk by utilizing our print-on-demand facility based in Rock Hill, S.C. We provide many services, including technical support, fabrication, creative and design and both global and domestic sourcing. Springs Creative is vertically integrated to truly be a one-stop shop.”

 

Cyril Guerin

President

Picanol of America

“The U.S. textile industry has changed tremendously over the last 16 years. We have lost many mills in the USA in the process but those who have survived have reinvented themselves to be able to compete more aggressively. We feel that they will need to heavily invest in new equipment in order to prepare the next 15-20 years. In the weaving sector, we are already seeing major companies who have taken this route to modernize their equipment and they are moving forward. These mills are in tune with the industry’s motto: ‘American Textiles: We Make Amazing.’ Picanol of America, Inc., located in Greenville, S.C., since 1971 has also modernized by acquiring a new building back in 2012 from where we are able to service and train our customers. We have also hired new technicians, most of them are military veterans, in order to position our team as the most desirable supplier to work with. Combined with our newest product portfolio, both in air jet and in rapier, Picanol is living to its promise: Let’s Grow Together.”

 

Roland Zimmer

President

Zimmer America

“I expect a further stabilization of the job numbers in the textile industry and maybe even a small increase for 2017, something we haven’t seen for a decade or more.”

 

Mike Kingsmore

President

Palmetto Finishing LLC

and

President

Southern Textile Association

“My optimism is from an administration that is going to try to level the playing field for our industry. We have seen thousands of jobs and some fine companies that have not survived; but, on the other hand, there are a lot of survivors and they have made it through some of the toughest of times. We still have leaders in our industry who are second to none. Also, our growth in membership of such organizations as the Southern Textile Association proves that we are an excited and motivated group about our future.”

 

Frank Henderson

President

Henderson Sewing Machine Co.

“I am very optimistic that American textile and sewn products manufacturers can compete globally, with anyone ... if they have a level playing field."

 

Nancy Richardson

CEO

San Antonio Shoemakers (SAS)

“If companies begin to bring back some of their manufacturing to the U.S., I believe that will help everyone since it will strengthen and expand the infrastructure of suppliers for U.S. manufacturing.”

 

Kevin Ahlstrom

President & owner

McCoy Machinery Co., Inc.

“We’re committed to growth and continued development so that we can compete and keep up with the machinery needs of our old, and new, customers across the board. Better trade deals should have a significant impact on everyone’s bottom line, which means 2017-18 should be a good year for all of us. It will take time to get the proposed changes made and in place, but we’re hopeful and excited about the proposed changes and how they will impact our industry.”

 

Steve Adams

President

Seydel-Woolley, Inc.

“There has never been more uncertainty in our government than we currently are seeing, but we are optimistic about 2017.”

 

Peter Brust

Executive vice president

American Dornier

“The last few years have shown the American textile industry not only to stabilize but to expand. We are very excited and optimistic for this positive trend to continue in 2017.”

 

Robert Reimann

CEO

Jakob Müller AG, Frick

“The Jakob Müller Company is looking toward a better-than-average growth in the U.S. and the related NAFTA and CAFTA regions. Our local subsidiaries are still reporting the return of business opportunities, thus revitalizing projects and developments in the U.S. and neighboring countries for the narrow textile/apparel industry. To date, we are positive that the Jakob Müller Company will benefit from changes in North America and we are looking forward to have a good 2017.”

 

Anonymous yarn spinner

“I am positive about our industry. For the most part, it is modern and in the hands of strong companies that have weathered the storm. Retailers seeking new ways to compete with online sales – Zara, H&M, etc. – could provide some relief. However, all of industry jobs will never come back. I have been, am and will be forever be a ‘glass-half-full guy” for this industry. We will be successful as change continues in our markets and products.”

 

Anonymous yarn producer

“Reshoring is happening due to brands wanting to regionalize manufacturing. All the brands want to do this to reduce their carbon footprint as well as to serve the market on a just-in-time basis. Investments are happening in U.S. by several multi-national as well as Asian companies to manufacture in the U.S. This has been happening for the last couple years and the effect will be seen in the next two to three years. It is an ongoing process.”

 

Anonymous yarn spinner

“We do believe companies will continue to look to make more products in the U.S. It won’t take a huge repatriation process to have the U.S. industry to be at full capacity.”

 

Anonymous capital equipment supplier

“There are more large U.S. capital projects in the budgetary stage than we have seen in a decade.”

 

Martin Gopman

President

Universal Sewing Machine

“My biggest concern is that the political turmoil bought on by Trump’s election will continue and increase in 2017, and will create a state of uncertainty and anxiety in the business community, thus stalling new investment and expansion in the textile/apparel industry.”