Friday, November 9, 2007
THE HOSIERY ASSOCIATION PROGRAMS / EVENTS
 TODAY IS REGISTRATION DEADLINE! WRAP Certification Training Program- All manufacturers are accountable for their global production practices to consumers, retailers, governments, and others. The Hosiery Association (THA) is working with Worldwide Responsible Accredited Production ® WRAP to offer educational session November 15 at the Hosiery Technology Center in Hickory, NC. The objective of the Apparel Certification Program is to independently monitor and certify compliance with standards, ensuring that a given factory produces sewn goods under lawful, humane, and ethical conditions. WRAP monitors the factory for compliance with detailed practices and procedures implied by adherence to these standards. There is no fee for THA members. The cost is $100 per person for non members. For further information, contact Sally Kay at (704)365-0913, ext. or email sally.kay@hosieryassociation.com. (Click here for registration form)
 THA’s Seamless Consortium is working with Santoni to launch the Outdoor Retailer Show’s first Seamless Apparel Village January 23-26, 2008 at the Salt Palace Convention Center in Salt Lake City, Utah. The village will feature an all encompassing working display of seamless knitting machinery, seamless yarns and fibers, seamless apparel producers and a seamless apparel fashion show along with educational sessions. Stay tuned for more details as we unveil additional information on this exciting new event!
 Legwear Trends Seminar Added to WSA 2008- The Hosiery Association (THA) will conduct the first seminar on women’s and children’s legwear trends (Fall/Winter ‘08/’09) during the World Shoes Accessories Show (WSA) on February 22, 2008 at the Mandalay Bay Hotel in Las Vegas, NV.
 THA’s 103RD ANNUAL CONVENTION will be held at The Homestead in Hot Springs, Virginia April 17-20, 2008. Please mark your calendars. Program information is being put together at this time. A Hotel Reservation Request Form will be posted to THA’s website by the end of this month. Stay tuned to Hosiery Insider, Hosiery News and check out THA’s website often for additional information regarding this upcoming annual event.
THA MEMBER SERVICES ---------
 NEW Legislative/Regulatory Relations Committee
The goal of the newly formed committee co-chaired by Kevin Toomey of Kayser-Roth/Golden Lady spa and Bill Sheely of Gold Toe/Moretz is to educate the membership and distribute information on all legislative and regulatory issues that impact the legwear business. Environmental and labor laws, product liability, taxation, trade and labeling are just a few of the topics that this group will focus on. Please contact THA at 704/365-013 or email hosierytha@aol.com if you are interested in getting involved with this initiative.
NEW Member Directory: Please note that we are creating a new, online member directory on the website. Companies should be on the look out for an information form to complete soon. Company logos and profiles will be collected and available for users to contact directly to learn more about your products and services 24 hours a day 7 days a week.
 NEW Product Sales: Please note that we will soon be allowing our member companies to sell their legwear products through our website! The THA website receives considerable consumer traffic on its site and requests to purchase product; therefore, we are going to make it easier for them and give our members the opportunity to sell legwear products through additional e-tailing venues. Stay tuned for more details.
THA Member-Only Section to THA’s Website: Continue to visit the Member-Only section of the website as we update its contents regularly.
New Service to THA Members – Products Law Advisory Service: The American Apparel & Footwear Association (AAFA) and THA announce a new service for their respective memberships – a service focused on advising members about California’s Proposition 65 and other relevant product law issues. Visit THA’s Member Section of the website at http://www.hosieryassociation.com/Members/home.asp and log in. Additionally, members can receive news bulletins from Farella Braun concerning restricted substances updates. Please see information below on August 23 free webinar for all THA members on this subject.
 ***New Consumer Insights Service to THA Members - Get Inside the Minds of Consumers
As the legwear business continues to transform it is important to maintain a pulse on the wants and needs of the evolving consumer. How many times a year do they shop for your products? Do they prefer a specific brand? What influences them to buy and why? The Hosiery Association (THA) is pleased to offer this exclusive new member only service that we believe is an invaluable resource to companies and their business partners. THA commissioned NPD for this special study (inclusive of socks, pantyhose/stockings, tights/footless tights, leggings and toe covers) and is based on the responses of 60,000 consumers. The summary and supporting data is available for THA members only. Join the other member companies who have already received this information…act now and download your copy today! This information is available in the “Statistics” section on the Member-Only part of THA’s website www.hosieryassociation.com.
 ***New Member Service—Discount on Microsoft Dynamics™ AX Software License —THA Member, Sunrise Technologies, is an experienced supply chain consulting organization and a Microsoft Gold Certified Partner specializing in the Microsoft Dynamics AX ERP solution for textile, apparel and footwear. Microsoft Dynamics AX includes integrated functionality across finance, supply chain management, e-commerce, customer relationship management, and human resource management. Sunrise will lead your organization through design, development, and implementation of the entire solution. For more information, (click here)
 “Legwear in the News”
“Show off those legs” article featured in yesterday’s Houston Chronicle. Click here for full story.
Or visit THA’s web site, www.hosieryassociation.com.
****Product Donation Opportunities***
Throughout the 102+ year history of this organization, we have a strong sense of helping others during times of need (Operation Desert Storm, Feed The Children, 9/11, Hurricane Katrina, The Troops in Iraq…just to name a few). Please read through the following and carefully consider how you can help one and/or each of these entities. “Remember, a gift is that only if it is received.”
 The Church on the Street of Charlotte is requesting help from the hosiery industry. On Sunday, November 18 their plan is to give one pair of socks to the homeless who they serve 175 breakfasts to every Sunday. (In an ideal world, 2 pair of socks per homeless would be great, one wool and one cotton, but they are thankful for whatever generosity comes their way.) They are looking for wool socks now with winter fast approaching. If any company reading this makes wool socks and would like to donate to this cause, please contact Curtis Johnson at 704-541-1955. They would need these socks to arrive by November 15 in order to meet their distribution date of November 18.
Charlotte Rescue Mission is requesting donations of dress socks and casual socks to help their 500+ yearly residents. That’s 1000 bare feet that are depending on the generosity of others. If your company would like to lend a hand to help their feet, please contact Andria Tindall at 704-334-4635 ext 214 or email her at andriat@charlotterescuemission.org and indicate that you are THA member. Donors who provide generously will be credited in the Charlotte Rescue Mission’s newsletter, which is seen by over 35,000 people. For more information, please visit their web site, www.charlotterescuemission.org.
Dignity U Wear Needs Hosiery and Underwear!
The mission of Dignity U Wear Foundation, Inc. is to positively impact the lives of children and their families in need by providing brand new clothing. The program was founded in April of 2000 by philanthropist and Holocaust survivor, Henri Landwirth. He founded Dignity U Wear to create real change in the lives of children and adults in need. Change one can see and change that restores broken spirits and restores hope and self-esteem. That is why only brand new clothes are distributed. To accomplish this change, Dignity U Wear creates primary partnerships with key manufacturers and retailers who provide new clothing. These items are collected and warehoused. It then becomes their responsibility to give the brand new clothing to schools and non-profit agencies serving those in need. These centers provide their list of needs and Dignity U Wear provides the clothing. To date, Dignity U Wear is the only non-profit agency to solicit, to warehouse and to distribute brand new clothing nationally, at no cost to the recipients. For more information contact Karin Bunnell at 704-912-3296 or email kbunnell@dignity.org.
The mission of Dress for Success is to promote the economic independence of disadvantaged women by providing professional attire, a network of support and the career development tools to help women thrive in work and in life. THA is currently working with the North Carolina affiliate to provide hosiery donations (pantyhose, tights, trouser socks, knee-highs) so that these women are able to accessorize themselves completely for the interview process. Companies interested in sending donations should contact Kerry O’Connor at charlotte@dressforsuccess.org and indicate that you are a THA member. Please visit their website at www.dressforsuccess.org.
 Second Harvest Food Bank is seeking sock donations for the homeless. Many of you may remember that they are the organization that paid the freight for the millions of socks that THA members donated for Hurricane Katrina victims. Please advise Executive Director, Kay Carter, if you will be able to donate. Her contact information is 704-375-9639, Ext. 16- E-mail: kcarter@secondharvest.org. Shipments should be sent to Second Harvest Food Bank of Metrolina 500-B Spratt Street Charlotte, NC 28206.
 Wellman Increases PSF Price: Wellman, Inc., USA, is to increase is selling prices of polyester staple fibre (PSF). With effect from December 1, 2007, shipments, it will increase the price of all Fortrel PSF products by 3 cents/lb. Steve Ates, vice president sales and marketing, made the announcement noting, “This price increase is necessary due to the rising cost of Ethylene Glycol, a primary raw material used in the manufacture of polyester staple fiber, and continued pressure from rising oil prices and energy costs.”
DAK Americas Announces Polyester Staple Fiber Price Increase: Due to a global increase in the raw material cost of ethylene glycol, a key ingredient in the production of polyester products, DAK Americas will increase prices for all polyester staple fiber products. Effective December 1, 2007, DAK Americas will increase polyester staple fiber prices by $0.03 per pound.
October Jobs Report: The Department Labor reported on Nov. 5 that total non-farm employment in the United States rose by 166,000 in October to 138.4 million, the most in five months
Perry Ellis International to Assume the Management of the Gotcha Brand in Europe: Perry Ellis International, Inc. and Quiksilver Europe, a division of Quiksilver Inc., announced this week their mutual agreement regarding a change in licensing rights for the GOTCHA ® brand in Europe. As of November 1st 2007, Perry Ellis International, will handle the development of Gotcha ® brand in Europe through its European operations (“Perry Ellis Europe”) located in Witham, Essex, UK.
Fiber & Yarn Products, Inc., of Hickory, NC, is pleased to announce that Lee Gordon has become associated with them in a marketing, product development, and sales capacity. Mr. Gordon brings to Fiber & Yarn Products many years of experience in the extrusion of man-made fibers with Allied/Honeywell and in various product development and quality control functions as well as marketing and technical sales positions with Macfield and Unifi.
Economic Census Information: In December, more than 4 million American businesses, including 200,000 manufacturers, will receive 2007 Economic Census forms. Responses to the questionnaire are required by law (Title 13, U.S. Code), and are to be returned by February 12, 2008. Every 5 years, the Economic Census develops a comprehensive portrait of American business, from the national to the local level. Timely and accurate data are vital to effective public policy and important to our association. Please refer to the timeline below and visit the following website. <business.census.gov>.
December 2007: Economic Census forms are coming to businesses in mid-December.
January 2008: Economic Census: Your industry / community is counting on you.
February 2008: Economic Census forms are due February 12.
The NC World Trade Association – Piedmont Triad Chapter Present A Global Trade Forum: Taking Advantage of Global Trade Opportunities – Tuesday, November 13 from 12:00-6:00 pm at the Greensboro Country Club (wwwlgreensborocc.org). This event includes presentations by leading trade attorneys and business executives. Trade issues that will be presented include:
• Using FTAs to boost your bottom line
• Trade preferences
• Protecting your brand
• International trade and supply chains
• Strategic partnering in China
• Wholesale banking
• Online payment and marketplace trends
• International contract law
• International Dispute Resolution
Special guest speaker, International Trade Attorney and best-selling author Tom Travis will discuss the Six Tenets of Global Trade every international businessman needs to know to succeed in the global marketplace. If you are interested in attending this information event, registration information can be found at http://www.ncwta-triad.org/events.php.
 China International Hosiery Purchasing Exposition 2008 & China Hosiery Forum 2008 - Event will be held March 3-5, 2008 at the Shanghai Everbright Convention & Exhibition Center in Shanghai, China. For additional information, contact Kim Yang at k.yang@gehuaexpo.com or visit their website at www.chpe.com.cn.
 House Passes Implementing Legislation for Peru FTA
The House of Representatives passed to implement the U.S.-Peru free trade agreement. Supporters of the Peru FTA have pointed out that whereas the U.S. already offers duty-free treatment to virtually all imports from Peru, the FTA will provide similar access to the Peruvian market for U.S. goods. For example, 80 percent of U.S. exports of consumer and industrial products to Peru will become duty-free immediately once the FTA takes effect, with tariffs on the rest to be phased out over 10 years. For agricultural exports, more than 67 percent will become duty-free immediately and many more will follow within five years. U.S. service providers will gain substantial market access as well.
$1.5 Million Worth of Illegal Chinese-Made Socks Seized in Norfolk. U.S. Customs and Border Protection announced that it has seized more than 2,900 cartons of illegally smuggled socks with false country of origin markings at the Norfolk, Va., port of entry. These socks, which had a domestic value of more than $1.5 million, were discovered in six overseas shipping containers that arrived between May and November. According to CBP, the socks were manufactured in China and had been commingled with socks made in Ghana. Many of the Chinese socks were declared to CBP not only as products of Ghana, in an apparent attempt to circumvent U.S. quotas on textile and apparel articles from China, but also as eligible for duty-free treatment under the African Growth and Opportunity Act. CBP attributed the seizures to the AGOA enforcement provisions, including the requirement that beneficiary countries have an effective visa system, and close cooperation with Ghana customs authorities.
Labor Dept. Seeks Input on Child Labor Report
The Department of Labor’s Bureau of International Labor Affairs has request public input by Dec. 7 for use in its preparation of an annual report on certain trade beneficiary countries’ implementation of international commitments to eliminate the worst forms of child labor. This will be the seventh such report and will cover beneficiary countries under the Generalized System of Preferences, the Caribbean Basin Trade Partnership Act and the Africa Growth and Opportunity Act. It also will include the countries covered under the Andean Trade Preference Act, as amended and expanded by the Andean Trade Promotion and Drug Eradication Act.
AMT Patch/Extenders Bill Heads for the House Floor. The Temporary Tax Relief Act of 2007 (H.R. 3996) approved by the House Ways and Means Committee is slated for House floor action before the end of the week. The $80 billion package includes a “temporary” patch to prevent the Alternative Minimum Tax (AMT) from hitting more than 20 million additional taxpayers this year. The bill also includes a one-year extension of the R&D credit as well as temporary extensions of a number of other tax incentives. Senate action on similar legislation is not expected until after the Thanksgiving recess.
Administration Officials Continue to Press Congress on Colombia FTA
Bush administration officials continued to press Congress this week on approval of the U.S.-Colombia free trade agreement, which is clearly the White House’s top trade priority at the moment. After leading yet another in an ongoing series of congressional delegations to Colombia, U.S. Trade Representative Susan Schwab called for congressional action on the Colombia FTA “as soon as possible.” Schwab also noted that there is “every reason to believe” lawmakers will extend the trade preferences for Colombia and Peru under the Andean Trade Preference Act that are currently slated to expire Feb. 29, 2008.
DOC Notices: President’s Export Council Meeting; Foreign Regulatory Changes
President’s Export Council to Meet. The President’s Export Council will hold an open meeting Dec. 4 in Washington, D.C., to discuss topics related to export expansion. The meeting will include discussion of trade priorities and initiatives, PEC subcommittee activity and proposed letters of recommendation to the president.
House Set to Move Quickly on Product Safety Bill Similar to Senate Measure
The House Energy and Commerce Committee will held a hearing on a consumer product safety bill introduced by committee leaders earlier this month. The bill, sponsored by Committee Chairman John Dingell, D-Mich., and Ranking Member Joe Barton, R-Texas, along with Commerce, Trade and Consumer Protection Subcommittee Chairman Bobby Rush, D-Ill, and Ranking Member Cliff Stearns, R-Fla., is largely similar to S. 2045, which was approved Oct. 30 by the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation. According to a committee summary, highlights of the House bill include the following: Any product intended for or marketed to children under 12 years of age that contains more than trace amounts of lead would be banned. “Trace amounts” would initially be defined as not more than 600 parts per million, but that standard would be tightened to 100 ppm within four years; Independent third-party testing and certification would be required for all products, domestic or imported, intended for children six years of age or younger. Third-party testing for lead would also be required for products intended for children 12 and under; manufacturers of children’s products would be required to place distinguishing marks on both the product and its packaging, to the extent feasible, to identify the specific products at issue.
U.S., EU Submit Proposal to Clarify WTO Labeling Rules: The U.S. and the European Union have submitted as part of the Doha Round negotiations on non-agricultural market access a proposal that would clarify WTO rules on the labeling of textiles, apparel, footwear and travel goods. The two economies intend the draft understanding to be a legally binding interpretation of the WTO Agreement on Technical Barriers to Trade. Under the proposal, a WTO member country requirement that any of the following information be included on a label for the subject goods would be presumed to be not more trade-restrictive than necessary under WTO rules and thus could not be challenged in the WTO’s dispute settlement system. Textile and apparel goods – fiber content, country of origin and care instructions (provided the latter are based on relevant international standards) Footwear – predominant materials of core parts (upper, lining and sock, and outer sole) and country of originOn the other hand, a WTO member country technical regulation that does any of the following would be presumed to be more trade-restrictive than necessary. Prohibits the information included on a label from being in more than one language. Requires a label to be pre-approved, registered or certified. Prohibits a label from including information that is not required by the member country, such as brand names. Specifies requirements that a label be of one or more materials.
CITA Seeks Comments on NAFTA Short Supply Request
The Committee for the Implementation of Textile Agreements is seeking comments by Dec. 3 on a NAFTA short supply request received Oct. 29. The petitioner alleges that certain acrylic staple fibers, not carded or combed or otherwise processed for spinning, classified under HTSUS 5503.30, cannot be supplied by the domestic industry in commercial quantities in a timely manner. The petitioner is therefore requesting that CITA consider whether the NAFTA rule of origin for knit pile fabrics classified under HTSUS 6001.10 should be modified to allow the use of non-North American acrylic staple fiber.
House Approves Bill to Extend, Expand Trade Assistance Program
The House of Representatives recently approved legislation (H.R. 3920) to reform the Trade Adjustment Assistance program. This bill includes the following provisions: TAA coverage would be expanded to service sector workers who lose their jobs because of (a) increased imports of like or directly competitive services, (b) production relocation or (c) contract production relocation; TAA eligibility would be provided in all instances of manufacturing offshoring, without the need to prove increased imports. The requirement that downstream secondary worker dislocation be related to trade with Canada or Mexico would be eliminated; Entire industries could be certified for TAA benefits; Workers in a domestic industry covered by an antidumping, countervailing or safeguard injury determination would be automatically eligible for TAA if they filed a petition for certification; TAA would be reauthorized through Sept. 30, 2012.
The contents printed in this document are informational in nature. They are gathered from various industry sources and do not necessarily reflect the views and/or actions of THA.
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