NEW YORK — Asian textile manufacturers showing their wares at two trade shows here said they are feeling the pressure from China’s growing production prowess and are responding by focusing on innovation and product development.
The PanTextiles show, held July 13-14 at the Penn Plaza Pavilion, showcased 33 Taiwanese manufacturers of fancy yarns, sweaters and trimmings.
Winnie Lin, a sales representative with Loyal Light, a novelty yarn manufacturer in business for 20 years, said the impact from the removal of quotas on China on Jan. 1 was felt immediately.
“For this year, in particular, people are holding back and waiting to see how the quota situation shakes out,” Lin said. “Orders are being placed later and later.”
Lin was referring to safeguard quotas placed on Chinese exports by the U.S., which impose fresh limits on goods that had been unrestrained since quotas were lifted by World Trade Organization countries. The European Union has also struck a deal with China that will limit exports, although at higher levels than the U.S. The EU and China agreed to annual growth limits of 8 to 12.5 percent on a variety of goods, while the U.S. has put 7.5 percent growth limits on several apparel and textile categories.
On the fashion front, Lin said rainbow effects and cotton blends will be a strong trend in upcoming seasons.
Everest Textile Co. is addressing China by pouring funds into research and development, sales rep Benson Lai said.
“Every month we have 300 different developments to stay ahead of China,” Lai said. “Our R&D has 50 people in it.”
The company touted the technological advancements of its products, including stretch, stain resistance and resistance to bacteria.
“In our market, people always want to see something new,” Lai said.
Hason and Pearl Huang, a brother-and-sister team from fancy yarn manufacturer Good Shine Co., said U.S. buyers are looking to Asian mills for consistency and better cost.
“A lot of U.S. buyers have turned from European manufacturing” because of the strength of the euro, said Pearl, adding that many companies are buying from Taiwanese mills and shipping the yarn to China for manufacturing to ensure consistent quality.
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At Innovation Asia, held July 12-14 on the same block as European Preview, 24 vendors showed their latest fabric developments in women’s, men’s and intimate apparel. Exhibitors came from China, Hong Kong, Japan, South Korea and Taiwan.
“This has been the best show for us, and we’ve been doing it for four years,” said Robert Harrington, U.S. sales manager for the Taiwan-based Be-Mode Textile Co., which specializes in Tencel blended with various fibers such as linen, rayon and cotton. Harrington said denim in jacquards with Lycra spandex booked well at the show.
Geun Bae Kim, president of the South Korea-based G. Vision International Co., said he received several orders from clients, including Banana Republic, Club Monaco and Express stores.
“We are always doing research with a highly creative outlook,” Kim said. “We are always looking for new ways of making novelty yarns and new fabric combinations.”
Kim said that for this season, his company has focused on new treatments like crinkle and tie-dyeing.