Friday, February 10, 2006
CHA Supplier Luncheon will be held at the Hosiery Technology Center in Hickory, NC NEXT Wednesday, February 15. The luncheon topic and speakers will be the same as the January luncheon: “Going Global: Lessons Learned in International Business.” Join them for a complimentary lunch and an informative panel discussion, which will cover some key aspects of taking your business international. The panelists include: Dana Hicks, International Business Development Consultant; Marion Jones, Vice President of Sun Trust Bank; and Ron Reighter, Vice President of CV International. Registration will begin at 11:15 a.m., Lunch at 11:30 a.m., Panel Discussion at 12:00 p.m. with a Question & Answer Session at 12:45 p.m. (all times Eastern). If you are interested in attending this luncheon, please email Mike Austell at mike.austell@hosieryassociation.com. The deadline for registering is TODAY Friday, February 10. A special thanks goes to Regal Manufacturing for sponsoring this month's luncheon.
AL Chapter Luncheon: On NEXT Thursday, February 16, Jim Schollaert from Made in USA Strategies will be speaking at the luncheon and discussing past victories and future challenges of domestic manufacturing. Join them at the Western Sizzlin' in Fort Payne, AL for this informative presentation and complimentary lunch beginning at 11:00 a.m. (Central time). For more information, email Jody Goggans at jgoggans@prewettmills.com. A special thank you goes to McMichael Mills for sponsoring this month's AL Chapter luncheon.
Hosiery 101 & 102 Courses: The first Hosiery 101 & 102 classes of 2006 will be held at the Hosiery Technology Center on Wednesday, March 8 and Thursday, March 9. For more information on these courses, contact the HTC at www.legsource.com. Classes cost $60 each and the deadline for registering is one week prior to the class dates.
THA's Marketing Symposium - March 13–14, 2006 at the Charlotte Marriott Executive Park in Charlotte, NC: Speed To Market: Allowing Innovation to Drive Your Future Guest speakers include Robin Lewis, a strategic analyst and consultant, specializing in identifying opportunities and developing growth strategies in marketing, brand positioning and distribution primarily on the branded apparel and retail industries. He also writes and publishes the monthly Robin Reports. Bill  D'Arienzo, who maintains extensive industry-wide contacts with manufacturers, retailers and opinion leaders. He has been featured and quoted in apparel industry trade publications and national newspapers and magazines, such as LA Times, U.S. News & World Report and The New York Times, providing analysis of retail dynamics, consumer trends and branding strategies. Bill is also a frequent keynote speaker at industry organizations and educational institutions. Molly Barker, founder of Girls on the Run International, a global program that instills healthy physical and mental principles for girls in grades 3 – 8. Molly was recognized as Charlotte 2004 Woman of the Year and is featured in the current issue of O and Hosiery News magazines. “Betwixt and Between” panel presentation features a panel of consumers (ages 8-18) who will candidly discuss their opinions about apparel, brands, fashion and pop culture. The hotel room rate is $109. Cutoff date to make hotel room reservations is February 20, 2006 . Phone number to make reservations is 800-359-7961 or 704-527-9650. Registration information has been e-mailed and posted on THA's website www.hosieryassociation.com. For additional event details, contact Sally Kay at 704-365-0913, ext. 212 or email her at sally.kay@hosieryassociation.com .
FIBER & YARN PRODUCTS and CIT COMMERCIAL SERVICES have signed on as the first sponsors of the 2006 Marketing Symposium. To be held in Charlotte March 13-14, this event should provide some excellent opportunities for gaining insight into some new techniques to successfully enhance your products market appeal. THA is grateful for both of these industry leaders' support. For more information on the sponsorship opportunities for this event, please contact Mike Austell at 704-365-0913 or email mike.austell@hosieryassociation.com .
THA's 101st Annual Convention – April 27-30 – The Mulberry Inn, Savannah, GA: Now posted on THA's website ( www.hosieryassociation.com ) are the Schedule at a Glance, Program Agenda, Speaker Biographies and a link for making Hotel reservations online. Hotel reservations can also be made by calling The Mulberry Inn directly at 877-468-1200 and specifying the “THA room block.” Room rates are $169/night (single or double). The DEADLINE for making room reservations is Monday, March 27 . So make your hotel reservations now to ensure that you get THA's special convention rate. Registration information for the convention will soon be available on THA's website and sent out via an email blast in the near future. Finalizing details before publishing registration info. Stay tuned.
CIT COMMERCIAL SERVICES has taken a leadership role as the first sponsor of THA's 101st Annual Meeting & Convention April 27-30 in Savannah. R. L. Stowe has also joined in this annual gathering of industry leaders by sponsoring a hole at the annual convention golf tournament. THA wishes to extend its gratitude for CIT Commercial Services' and R. L. Stowe's support. For more information on the sponsorship opportunities for this event, please contact Mike Austell at 704-365-0913 or email mike.austell@hosieryassociation.com .
NC State University's 2006 Continuing Education Schedule:
The next courses scheduled through the end of March are: “Advanced Experimental Design” - February 28-March 3; “Nonwovens Manufacturing Process Fundamentals” - March 20-24; and “Design for Six Sigma” – March 28-31. Most of the courses are held on NCSU's Centennial Campus. To view the entire 2006 schedule or if you are interested in registering for one of these courses, visit www.ContinuingEducation.NCSU.edu .
Zara – Fast Fashion Workshop Announced: Cary, NC and London, UK – [TC] 2 and the Industry Forum announce a Zara – Fast Fashion Workshop to be held Monday, March 6 at [TC] 2 ‘s facility in Cary, NC . Acknowledged as the best practitioner in the fast fashion arena with the shortest lead times, Zara is enjoying a 20% net sales growth per year and an above industry average for return visits per customer per year. At 2005 year's end, Zara planned to have over 820 stores in 60 countries. The Zara Fast Fashion Workshop hours are 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at [TC] 2, 211 Gregson Drive, Cary, NC, 15 miles from the RDU Airport. Workshop registration fee is $200 and lunch will be provided. Register now with Maria Muniz at 919-653-3507 or email contact@tc2.com .
2006 Seattle Trend Show – Show dates for 2006 have been released for the Seattle Trend Shows. This show is a regional tradeshow for the Pacific Northwest, featuring women's, children's and men's apparel and accessories. For 65 years this show has served independent retailers from Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Montana, Alaska and British Columbia. The shows will be held at the Qwest Field Event Center in Seattle, Washington. Dates are as follows: March 31-April 3, June 10-12, August 5-7 and October (TBD). For more information about this show, contact Patricia Hodges, Executive Director, Pacific Northwest Apparel Association: T–206-767-9200, F–206-767-0707, E–pnaa@earthlink.net, W–www.seattletrendshow.com
BKMEA inks MoU with PHMA to Work on Boosting Investment: Pakistan Hosiery Manufacturers Association (PHMA) and Bangladesh Knitwear Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BKMEA) have agreed to work on boosting investment and commerce between the two countries. A memorandum of understanding to this effect was signed between the two associations in Dhaka on Monday. A 15-member high-profile delegation of Pakistan Textile Processing Mill Association, including the representatives of PHMA, was visiting Dhaka to explore investment and business possibilities here.
The deal covers a wide range of issues, including exploring the possible fields for investment, rendering assistance in investment and transferring of technologies and holding meetings and seminars. During the talks, the two associations concentrated mostly on the field of investment. The Pakistani delegation members showed interest on the possibility of investment here. BKMEA President Fazlul Haque apprised the delegation members of the prospects of investment in knitting and related sectors while the Pakistani representatives enquired about payback period, cost of land and its availability, and other expenditures.
 The newest issue of the Journal of Textile and Apparel, Technology and Management (JTATM ), is available ( http://www.tx.ncsu.edu/jtatm ). This issue's theme is "Global Retailing," with a special focus on global retailing, including products, services, technology and business innovation --- areas of keen interest to our readership, given today's global competitive marketplace and the important role of retailers in the textile complex! The goal of JTATM is to present the latest in theoretical and empirical research in the field of textiles and apparel, technology and management to an global audience comprised of academicians, industry executives, and consultants.
Steven Madden, Ltd. Acquires a Market Leading Accessories Business, Daniel M. Friedman & Associates: Steven Madden, Ltd., a leading designer, wholesaler and marketer of fashion footwear for women, men and children, today announced it has completed the acquisition of privately held Daniel M. Friedman & Associates, a designer, manufacturer, and distributor of handbags, belts and related accessories. The acquisition was completed for $18 million in cash and includes certain earn out provisions that are based on financial performance through 2010. The transaction is expected to be immediately accretive, contributing approximately $0.15 - $0.18 in earnings per diluted share within the first full year of ownership excluding amortization of intangibles associated with the acquisition, the amount of which is still being determined.
This strategic acquisition will enable the Company to further augment and complement its core footwear category and continue to expand its reach into the branded lifestyle concept. Moreover, the Company believes the acquisition will provide additional design and management talent and will further bolster Steven Madden, Ltd.'s already strong operating team. "Not only is the accessories category highly complementary to our footwear business, but this acquisition ties in perfectly with our strategy of developing Steven Madden, Ltd. into a global lifestyle brand," commented Jamieson Karson, Chairman/CEO of Steven Madden, Ltd. "This transaction affords us more control over our accessories business as Steve will be intimately involved in the creative process as we develop our handbags and other categories to their fullest potential. Direct ownership of this strong and proven business represents a very effective use of our cash that we expect will provide significant return to our shareholders."
Students focus on Target: Business students at the University of Northern Colorado could soon see their ideas up in lights, advertising a national retailer, and leave the semester a little bit richer. Fifty students enrolled in the advertising and promotion course at UNC's Monfort College of Business this semester will spend the next two months working on an advertising and promotion campaign for Target and vie for cash awards from the retail giant. Target Corporation has committed $5,000 in support of the course, and officials will judge their campaigns in mid-April. The top two teams will split more than $4,500 in scholarship money, with the remainder going to course development.
"We have been impressed with the quality and leadership potential of the students graduating from the Monfort College of Business and see these scholarships as an investment in their future and ours," said Eric Knott, regional human resource representative for Target. "We hope the scholarships further strengthen our relationship with the students and the college." The student-produced advertising and promotion campaigns will focus on Target's name-brand clothing lines.
Designers are Bringing Back '80s-Style Leggings: The next big fashion trend is destined to have legs. Designers are betting women will make room in their closets for 1980s-style leggings, stretch pants and opaque pantyhose. As New York Fashion Week gets under way today, these skin-tight styles will be the focus of many designers' fall collections, including Narciso Rodriguez, Nanette Lepore, Donna Karan, Tracy Reese and Wolfgang Joop.
The leggy look is part of a "mushroom" silhouette that designers are pushing for next fall -- fuller on top and slim on the bottom. On top, designers will be showing "dolman-sleeve" sweaters that are wide on the upper arm but narrow at the wrist, tunic dresses, knee-length peacoats and long jackets. The embellished and colorful "bohemian look for the past season is so over," says Ms. Lepore. "It's time for a cleaner touch." How widely the new look will catch on remains to be seen. Boomers may shudder at the memory of '80s-style leggings so tight they looked sprayed on, paired with oversized sweaters or sloppy T-shirts. But designers say they are going for a sophisticated look this time around. Back then, leggings were made of cotton, spandex and nylon and were prone to pilling and losing their stretch, especially in the knees. Now, leggings, stretch pants and jeans use improved fabric technology that retains their stretch. Having perfected figure-molding "shapewear" undergarments, manufacturers are offering innovative blends, such as microfiber, cashmere, rayon and nylon, which give leggings and stretch pants a structured and polished look that they didn't have previously. (Even leg warmers -- for the street, not the gym -- are making a comeback, thanks to additional Lycra sewn into the top and bottom to prevent them from falling down.) [Excerpts from Teri Agins' article in the Wall Street Journal]
 Is Buff the new black? Like white, buff is almost a non-color. It can be compared to shell, face powders and certain shades of hosiery. In the 1980s upscale department stores painted their walls in similar shades because market research showed it flattered many consumers' skin tones and comforted their psyches. These days it ranks over the top with the fashion pundits who have dubbed the hue "buff" or "nude."
It appeared in spring collections from the likes of Calvin Klein, Christian Dior, J. Mendel, Shelly Steffee and other European designers. Kate Betts at Time magazine says it "is the new black." On its Web site, Style.com, Vogue magazine lists buff among the top 10 stylish things you should have this spring. And it will likely emerge in sweeping chiffon gowns on the red-carpet as the awards season goes forward.
Leatrice Eiseman, a Pantone color consultant and author, sees a reason for its strength. Like white, she says, it clears the color palette, causing pause as the fashion industry shifts out of brights into another direction. "It has an inherent warmth. It's a quieting color," fitting well into the soothing palette. It can also be flattering for certain skin tones. And it can be especially sensuous when worn in head-to-toe monochromatic pieces or lingerie because it seems almost invisible.
 CBP Has Seized $10 Million in Mis-described Textile Products Since October: US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) announced last week that over the past four months it has seized more than $10 million in textile and apparel goods that were mis-described in an effort to circumvent trade laws and regulations. The agency has also identified a scheme to circumvent the China safeguards by mis-describing cotton merchandise as ramie. A CBP press release stated that in November and December 2005, over 2,000 additional examinations were conducted to identify smuggling and mis-description of merchandise. In addition to the seizures made, CBP import specialists identified significant intellectual property rights (IPR) violations. During fiscal year (FY) 2005 as whole, textile and wearing apparel reviews conducted by the Office of Regulatory Audit recommended recoveries of over $4,974,000. Violations have been found in textile imports under the Caribbean Basin Trade Preference Agreement (CBTPA) and the Singapore Free Trade Agreement (FTA).
USTR Announces Justin McCarthy as Congressional Affairs Chief: The Office of the US Trade Representative (USTR) announced last week that Justin J. McCarthy has been named Assistant USTR for Congressional Affairs, where he will be responsible for overseeing congressional consultations and outreach. Since September 2005, McCarthy has served as Assistant USTR for Intergovernmental Affairs and Public Liaison. In that role, he has headed up domestic outreach efforts to state and local governments, the business and agricultural communities, and labor, environmental, and consumer groups. Prior to his work at USTR, McCarthy served as Director of Government Relations for Pfizer, where he was responsible for international trade, intellectual property, and tax issues. In addition to his corporate responsibilities, he served as Co-Chair of the Business Coalition for US-Central America Trade, which was charged with ensuring congressional approval of DR-CAFTA. McCarthy also served on the staff of Representative Thomas W. Ewing (R-IL), where he handled trade and tax issues from 1995 to 1998.
Brazil, Argentina Sign Protocol Limiting Trade: Argentina and Brazil have agreed to a “competitive adjustment mechanism” that would allow either country to impose quotas on goods from the other that are found to be causing harm to a domestic industry. The agreement will last for a period of three years, with the potential for a one-year extension. Critics of the protocol, which was signed on February 1, charge that the move weakens the Mercosur trade bloc.
Indian President Proposes Pan-Asian FTA: Indian President Abdul Kalam on February 7 proposed the creation of a Pan-Asian Free Trade Area covering all major Asian economies, including India, South Korea, China, Japan, the member countries of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), and possibly Australia and New Zealand . Kalam said he anticipated that the agreement “could be the third pole of the world economy” after the European Union (EU) and NAFTA and “will open up new growth avenues for all our own economies.” Kalam was in South Korea for the launch of negotiations on a South Korea-India Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement when he made the announcement. He is India's first head of state visit to that country since diplomatic ties were established in 1973.
Kuwait, US Prepare for TIFA Talks: The Kuwaiti News Agency reports that a delegation from Kuwait was in Washington, DC, on February 6 to discuss the upcoming second round of talks under the US-Kuwait Trade and Investment Framework Agreement (TIFA), which was signed in February 2004. The two sides will discuss reforms Kuwait has undertaken on issues such as intellectual property rights (IPR), labor, and telecommunications.
President Bush has said that the creation of a Middle East Free Trade Area by 2013 is a priority in his trade agenda. The TIFA with Kuwait is considered an initial step toward a full-fledged FTA with that county. The US already has FTAs in place with Israel, Jordan, and Morocco; has concluded FTA negotiations with Bahrain and Oman; and is close to finalizing an agreement with the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
Brazil to Monitor US Steps on Cotton Program: In a recent press statement, the Brazilian Ministry of External Relations said that last week's vote by the US Congress to eliminate the Step 2 cotton subsidy program as of August 1 “constitutes a positive step towards resolving this dispute,” and that once this measure is effective the WTO's rulings “will be met with regard to that program.” This statement appears to indicate that Brazil does not intend to resume WTO proceedings on retaliatory sanctions, at least for now. However, the ministry also said that the congressional action “does not fulfill all of the obligations of the United States arising from the” WTO's decision in this dispute. As a result, Brazil “will continue to monitor US compliance with the other measures the DSB [dispute settlement body] found to be incompatible with WTO rules.”
Canada's New Trade Minister: On February 7, new Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper announced his decision to appoint David Emerson as trade minister. Emerson was minister of industry under the last Prime Minister, Paul Martin. Harper also appointed Chuck Strahl as agriculture minister and Peter Gordon McKay as foreign affairs minister. In addition, Harper announced that he has reintegrated the Departments of Foreign Affairs and International Trade “to ensure a coherent approach to foreign affairs and international commerce and to better coordinate the provision of services to Canadians both at home and abroad.”
Colombian President to Intervene in FTA Talks: According to Colombian newspaper El Heraldo, President Alvaro Uribe plans to travel to Washington next week to try to finalize negotiations on a free trade agreement (FTA) with the US. Uribe hopes that by personally taking part in the talks, the two sides can reach agreement on the outstanding sensitive issues, such as agriculture and intellectual property rights (IPR). At a press conference in Bogotá on February 8, Uribe said the FTA with the US is a priority for Colombia and that a good agreement is essential to eliminate poverty, create jobs, and encourage investment in the country.
SACU Prospects Dim: In remarks to reporters following a speech to the Corporate Council on Africa, US Trade Representative (USTR) Rob Portman said that FTA talks with the Southern African Customs Union (SACU) are still possible, but that the five SACU nations – South Africa, Botswana, Swaziland, Namibia, and Lesotho – must be willing to accept an agreement that includes eventual full access in all sectors. SACU talks were slated to resume this week, but have been delayed for months over significant differences on how ambitious the FTA should be. Portman also said that a number of the SACU countries don't yet see the advantage to negotiating an FTA with the US when most of their exports already receive duty-free treatment under the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA).
North Korea Industrial Zone to be Excluded from Korea FTA: According to the Associated Press, a US official, in remarks at the US Embassy in South Korea, hinted that products from an industrial zone in North Korea will be excluded from a US-Korea FTA. To date, 15 South Korean companies have opened facilities in the Kaesong industrial complex on the North Korean border, and the value of trade in the complex more than quadrupled to $176 million in 2004. The article quoted the official as saying that while “it should be clear that the U.S. supports South Korean efforts to engage the North commercially,” the Kaesong complex “should not distract from the primary goal of this negotiation, which is concluding a good FTA that is beneficial to both economies.”
USTR Announces Hearing, Seeks Comments on FTA with Korea : The USTR will hold a public hearing on March 14 regarding the proposed US-Korea FTA. The purpose of the hearing is to clarify the negotiating objectives for the proposed agreement and to provide advice on how specific goods, services, and other matters should be treated under the agreement. Anyone who would like to testify at this hearing must notify USTR by March 3. In addition, written comments on these issues are due by March 24.
Investigation of Effect of FTA with Peru: The International Trade Commission (ITC) has announced that, following a January 13 USTR request, it has instituted investigation TA-2104-20 regarding the probable economic effect of an FTA between the US and Peru. The schedule for this investigation is as follows. a public hearing will be held in Washington, DC, on March 15; requests to appear at this hearing are due by February 27; post-hearing briefs and written comments are due by March 29.
China Entries to be Adjusted for Misclassification: The Committee for the Implementation of Textile Agreements (CITA) has announced that as the result of an investigation into the evasion of China safeguard quotas, US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has seized shipments of apparel from China that have been deliberately mis-described and misclassified as made of ramie fabric, but which are actually made of cotton and/or manmade fiber. Further investigation has found that misclassified shipments have already gained entry into the US. CBP plans to adjust individual entries that were entered incorrectly in 2005 to reflect the correct classification of apparel that should have entered and been charged against the 2005 safeguard limits in categories 338/339, 347/348, and 647/648. Any adjusted charges will be applied to scheduled staged entries of overshipments, beginning on March 1. This action may impact the amount of additional shipments that will be released during this and subsequent staged entries.
Import Limits Adjusted for Vietnam: CITA has issued a directive, effective February 7, adjusting the import limits for certain cotton and manmade fiber textiles and textile products produced or manufactured in Vietnam and exported during the period January 1 through December 31, 2006. The current limits for categories 338/339, 340/640, 638/639, and 647/648 are being reduced for carryforward that was applied to the 2005 limits.
USTR Requests Report on Korea FTA: On February 6, the ITC received a letter from the Office of the US Trade Representative (USTR) requesting that the ITC institute an investigation of the US-Korea FTA. The ITC's report will include advice on the probable economic effect of providing duty-free treatment for imports of products of Korea on industries in the US producing like or directly competitive products and on consumers.
New Bill Calls for Congressional Trade Enforcer: House Ways and Means Committee Ranking Member Charles Rangel (D-NY) and others introduced legislation this week that would create the new post of “Congressional Trade Enforcer.” A press release from Rangel's office said the bill (HR 4733) is part of an effort to “introduce a new direction for U.S. trade policy.” The measure also seeks more aggressive enforcement of US rights under bilateral and multilateral trade agreements. Among other things, this bill would: give the CTE the authority to investigate foreign trade practices that are barriers to US exports and issue indictments in cases where such practices violate any of the Uruguay Round agreements or any bilateral or regional trade agreement to which the US is a party; encourage the Office of the US Trade Representative (USTR) to, within 30 days of receiving such an indictment, commence dispute resolution proceedings in the appropriate forum against the subject country (exceptions could be made “in extraordinary cases” for national security reasons); require the USTR to commence such proceedings if it does not initially choose to do so but Congress passes a joint resolution ordering such proceedings; establish, within the Office of the CTE, an Office of Market Access that would provide technical and legal assistance and advice to eligible small businesses to enable them to prepare and file Section 301 petitions; and re-establish the Super 301 process, under which (a) the CTE would report to Congress on priority foreign country practices whose elimination is likely to have the most significant potential to increase US exports and (b) the USTR would be encouraged to promptly initiate consultations with the affected countries to address those practices (and would be required to initiate a Section 301 investigation if any such consultations fail).
Ways and Means Committee to Hold Trade Agenda Hearing. The House Ways and Means Committee will hold a hearing on February 15 to discuss President Bush's 2006 trade agenda with USTR Rob Portman. The hearing is expected to examine current trade issues such as: (1) the prospects for trade expansion in agriculture, industrial goods, and services through multilateral negotiations in the WTO; (2) the recently concluded free trade agreements (FTA) with Oman and Peru; (3) other FTAs that are currently being negotiated or have been notified by the President; (4) management of bilateral trade disputes and concerns; (5) ongoing negotiations with several countries seeking to accede to the WTO; (6) compliance with WTO dispute settlement decisions; and (7) other trade issues. Any person or organization wishing to submit written comments for the record of this hearing must do so by the close of business on March 1.
President Signs Bill Repealing Byrd Amendment, Cotton Subsidy Program. On February 8, President Bush signed into law a bill that repeals both the Byrd Amendment and the Step 2 agricultural subsidy program in order to comply with WTO rulings. The Byrd Amendment provision will allow the distribution of antidumping (AD) and countervailing (CV) duty revenues on entries made until October 1, 2007. The Step 2 program will be eliminated effective August 1, 2006.
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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