Fibers and Fabrics

For years, many Western textile and apparel makers have been shifting their manufacturing operations to China. Now, some of them are exploring strategies to sell their products into a country that eventually could have the largest middle-class consumer market on the planet. Is your company eyeing China as a near-term retail market? What obstacles to you see to selling into the vast China market?

The preceding article is a "sneak peek" from Fibers & Fabrics, a newsletter from GlobalSpec. To stay up-to-date and informed on industry trends, products, and technologies, subscribe to Fibers & Fabrics today.

Energy costs are said to be the number one concern for U.S. textile executives, so much so that an industry trade group has launched the first conference of its type to address the issue. Energy costs take a big toll on the bottom lines of U.S. manufacturing companies, but is there much corporate energy users can do to bring down costs and still keep production ramped up?

The preceding article is a "sneak peek" from Fibers & Fabrics, a newsletter from GlobalSpec. To stay up-to-date and informed on industry trends, products, and technologies, subscribe to Fibers & Fabrics today.

The organizers of ITMA Asia + CITME took tough measures at last month's textile machinery Expo in Shanghai to crack down on counterfeit machinery and components. Such disregard for patent and intellectual property rights has long been a sore spot for manufacturers. But do these efforts come too late?

The preceding article is a "sneak peek" from Fibers & Fabrics, a newsletter from GlobalSpec. To stay up-to-date and informed on industry trends, products, and technologies, subscribe to Fibers & Fabrics today.

Allen Gant, Jr., president of Glen Raven Inc., one of America's oldest textile firms, says other U.S. industry players, like his own, can't be old school and survive. Keys to Glen Raven's longevity have been to champion innovation and focus on performance products, not low cost and low wages. Are U.S. textile firms up to the challenge, or will the American textile industry continue to shrink?

The preceding article is a "sneak peek" from Fibers & Fabrics, a newsletter from GlobalSpec. To stay up-to-date and informed on industry trends, products, and technologies, subscribe to Fibers & Fabrics today.

The EU's historic Registration, Evaluation, Authorization and Restriction of Chemicals (REACH) regulations begin in earnest this month with the kickoff of the preregistration period. The new regulations will impact industries from aerospace and automotive to paints and textiles. Some say the sweeping legislation has gone too far, that it is too complex, too burdensome and ultimately will drive companies out of the European market.

The preceding article is a "sneak peek" from Textile Manufacturing & Technology, a newsletter from GlobalSpec. To stay up-to-date and informed on industry trends, products, and technologies, subscribe to Textile Manufacturing & Technology today.