How Fashion Can Meet the Changes in Development, Sourcing and Production of Sewn Products
By The Interline x Texprocess Americas
“The fashion industry and its supply chain are experiencing a moment of acute volatility, influenced by macroeconomic factors that continue to change daily.” This excellent piece from The Interline highlights the compelling factors putting our industry in flux, and explains how they will be addressed during the upcoming Texprocess Americas Symposium.
Texprocess Americas will return to the Georgia World Congress Centre in Atlanta May 6-8, 2025. The event will bring together the industry for valuable education, networking, and business growth opportunities. This season will feature expert sessions on how to best use artificial intelligence across operations as well as process and data innovation for sustainability, and will include a live demonstration on achieving efficiency under pressure and actionable strategies for business expansion — with technology and innovation being the driving force behind each successful strategy.
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INDUSTRY NEWS | 3.5.25
Trump's Tariffs on Canada and Mexico Take Effect, with Added Duties on China
The Wall Street Journal | March 4, 2025
President Trump’s 25% tariffs on goods from Mexico and Canada took effect first thing Tuesday, March 4th. Canada quickly responded with plans to impose 25% tariffs on about $100 billion of U.S. imports, with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau saying Trump is acting in "bad faith" and the U.S. president threatening more tariffs. Mexico's president said it would also retaliate, with a range of moves to be announced Sunday.
The U.S. also introduced an extra 10% tariff on Chinese imports overnight, adding to a levy imposed a month ago, and other existing duties. China swiftly announced retaliatory tariffs on U.S. agricultural goods, and other measures against American companies. Beijing also filed a lawsuit with the World Trade Organization.
This Wall Street Journal article provides a good breakdown of the immediate repercussions and responses to the March 4th tariffs.
On the positive side, it only took 24 hours for President Trump’s Administration to start backtracking a bit and announce possible exclusions, such as for the automotive industry. We will likely hear more news about changes to the new tariff policies this afternoon. CNBC has live updates going here.
Here is some additional industry-specific coverage:
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Trump’s Trade War Heats Up as Countries Retaliate Against Tariffs - Manufacturing Dive
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Industry Laments ‘Potentially Crushing Burden’ of Trump’s Tariffs - Sourcing Journal
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Here Are Some Goods in the Crosshairs of Trump’s Tariffs on Mexico, Canada and China - AP News
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Trump's Tariffs Spark ‘Buy Canadian’ Movement - Fashion United
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Supply Chain Knowledge Is First Step To Mitigate Tariff Impact - Sourcing Journal
Advancing the Fashion Industry in Austin | Getting To Know Nina Means & the Lectra-Supported Austin Community College Fashion Incubator
SPESA | February 25, 2025
Ahead of the upcoming 2025 Advancements in Manufacturing Technologies Conference in Austin, we wanted to introduce readers to one of our featured speakers, Nina Means, a woman recognized for shaping Austin’s future. Nina will talk about her work in building the city’s fashion industry through the Austin Community College (ACC) Fashion Incubator — a collaborative initiative between the ACC, the City of Austin, and SPESA member Lectra. She will be joined by SPESA Board member Leonard Marano, President of the Americas at Lectra, to discuss the efforts being made to add fashion — and advancements in fashion technology — to the list of Austin’s burgeoning industries.
EU Commission Pushes Back Sustainability Reporting Deadline
Just Style | March 5, 2025
European fashion and textile sector trade bodies have welcomed the European Commission’s plans to delay sustainability reporting, noting it allows companies sufficient time to understand and implement guidance effectively.
Germany’s Blueprint for EPR in Textiles, Footwear Ahead of EU Compliance
Just Style | March 5, 2025
Three retail trade associations in Germany have put forth a concept paper for a “practical and experience-based” adoption of an extended producer responsibility (EPR) framework for the textile and footwear sectors.
Home Textiles Desperately Needed To Help Wildfire Victims
Home Textiles Today | March 4, 2025
Sharing in case any of our readers want to help out. Bedding, sheets, and blankets are now reported to be top-priority items for aid organizations assisting the thousands of people who lost their homes during the Los Angeles wildfires in January. The non-profit organization Delivering Good is coordinating with apparel and home goods suppliers who have excess inventory to donate.
Sportswear Brands Face New Crossroads as Growth Slows and Consumer Habits Change
Fashion United | March 4, 2025
After several years of strong performance, the global sportswear and sporting goods industry is entering a period of tempered growth, with annual expansion projected to ease from 7% between 2021 and 2024 to 6% through 2029, according to McKinsey’s Sporting Goods 2025 — The New Balancing Act report. This moderation — particularly evident in Asia-Pacific, Western Europe, and Latin America — is compelling brands to shift focus from rapid revenue expansion to a dual agenda balancing topline growth with operational efficiencies.
Trump Delays De Minimis’ End for Canada, Mexico Products
Supply Chain Dive | March 3, 2025
The de minimis exemption will temporarily remain in place for products from Canada and Mexico even as new U.S. tariffs on those countries take effect. The exemption, which allows U.S. imports under $800 to avoid added duties, was slated to end for products from Canada and Mexico as part of the tariff orders, but the plan changed when President Trump amended the Canada and Mexico tariff orders. Both amendments say duty-free de minimis treatment is available until “adequate systems are in place” for efficient tariff revenue processing and collection from imports eligible for the exemption currently. The amendments mirror the U.S.’s handling of de minimis on goods originating from China.
Supply Chains Crave Digitization — But Not the People To Make It Happen
Supply Chain Brain | March 3, 2025
Despite a consensus among executives that automating the supply chain is essential in a time of constrained resources, endless disruptions and unpredictable consumer demand, only 6.5% of current openings for supply chain jobs include the word “automation,” according to the 2024 Supply Chain Jobs report by Cleo.
Despite U.S. Manufacturing Growing Again in February, Trends Look Negative
Furniture Today | March 3, 2025
U.S. manufacturing output expanded for the second month in a row in February but at a slower rate than it did in January. These two months of expansion follow 26 months of declines. The Institute for Supply Management, which polls manufacturers, issued a monthly index of 50.3, down 0.6 points from January. Any number above 50 indicates an expansion. Of the 18 manufacturing industries recognized by the ISM, 10 reported growth, three reported no change from January, and five reported declines. Furniture saw the biggest decline.
Vidalia Mills Faces Public Auction as $32.5 Million Debt Looms
SJ Denim | February 28, 2025
The property of Vidalia Mills, the vertical denim mill that opened in Vidalia, Louisiana, in 2018, is scheduled to go up for auction by the Concordia Parish sheriff’s office on April 9th, according to the Concordia Sentinel. Local news coverage is available here.
U.S. Fashion Industry Pushes for Extension of Haiti Trade Programme
Fashion United | February 28, 2025
U.S. Representatives have introduced bipartisan legislation calling for the 10-year extension of the country’s trade programs with Haiti, a bill that leading fashion industry figures are adamantly supporting. The HOPE/HELP trade programs, which are set to expire in September 2025, intend to help bolster the U.S. nearshore supply chains, while further improving stability in the Caribbean.
A Start-Up Grows Up
Textile Insight | February 26, 2025
“The scalability of next gen materials is an industry issue. Modern Meadow is tweaking its recipe for success.” This is an interesting article showcasing how a company can pivot its direction while keeping its core goals.
Hohenstein and DuPont Develop Reliable Assessment of Body Armor Wearability
Press Release | February 25, 2025
Testing laboratory Hohenstein and DuPont have collaborated to develop three innovative and reliable test methods for soft ballistic inserts. Maximizing the comfort and mobility of body armor, such as bulletproof vests, is key to performance and endurance for law enforcement and military personnel. The new methods address the disconnect in existing tests with real body movements and positions.
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MAS Holdings Invests USD 140 Million for Innovative Apparel Park in Odisha
The Textile Magazine | February 25, 2025
Apparel tech company MAS Holdings is expanding its presence in India with a bold new venture — a state-of-the-art apparel park located at Bhuinpur in the Khurda district of Odisha. Set to commence operations in 2026, this initiative marks a significant milestone in MAS’s 25-year history in the Indian market. The project aims to tap into one of the world’s fastest-growing apparel hubs, while boosting local employment and strengthening the regional supply chain.
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UNIFI®, Makers of REPREVE®, Reinforces Environmental Commitments with 2024 Sustainability Snapshot, Including Further Growth in Textile-to-Textile Recycling
Press Release | February 25, 2025
UNIFI, Inc., the makers of REPREVE® and one of the world’s leading innovators in recycled and synthetic yarns, released its 2024 Sustainability Snapshot highlighting significant progress in textile-to-textile recycling. The company has reportedly recycled the equivalent of 950 million T-shirts in textile and yarn waste and is on track to reach 1.5 billion by 2030.
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Needle Drop! The World’s First Sewing Machine Orchestra Takes Munich
The Guardian | February 22, 2025
This Guardian article profiles a Brazilian-born artist’s combination of community sewing and entertainment. “A symphony of Singers (not that kind) will lead an experimental performance that stitches together feminism and fashion — and offers the audience free repairs.”
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Sunbrella Is Back to Full Operations Just 100 Days After Hurricane Helene Devastated the N.C. Facility
Home Textiles Today | February 21, 2025
Hurricane Helene whipped through the North Carolina mountains in late September 2024, causing catastrophic outcomes for many, including one of Sunbrella’s five U.S. manufacturing plants located in Burnsville, NC. After the storm, the plant was submerged in up to 30 inches of water, but the company’s first priority and plan of action was to ensure that all 219 Burnsville team members were safe and had access to critical supplies.
Eventually, more than 3 million gallons of water were pumped out and recycled out of the facility, and thousands of pounds of muck were shoveled out of the Burnsville plant. Through day-by-day improvement that included removing drywall, restoring power, and getting water flowing, the plant was back up and running in limited capacity in just 33 days.
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A Texas-Sized Collaboration Brings Together Denim Giant Wrangler® and Whataburger®
Textile World | February 20, 2025
Iconic denim brand Wrangler® and beloved Texas-based Whataburger are serving up a sizzling new apparel collaboration just in time for the Texas rodeo season. We are sharing simply because we have Texas on our minds as we get closer to the 2025 SPESA Advancements in Manufacturing Technologies Conference in Austin. We can already taste the honey butter chicken biscuits.
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NCC Survey Suggests U.S. Producers To Plant 14.5 Fewer Cotton Acres This Year
Press Release | February 20, 2025
U.S. cotton producers intend to plant 9.6 million cotton acres this spring, down 14.5% from 2024, according to the National Cotton Council’s 44th Annual Early Season Planting Intentions Survey.
Click here for NCC’s overview of the economic pressures and other key factors that will shape the U.S. and global cotton industry’s 2025 economic outlooks.
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Reju Announces Partnership with Cibutex
Specialty Fabrics Review | February 20, 2025
Reju™ and Cibutex announced they have partnered to establish a circular textile ecosystem among Cibutex member companies. The partnership will deliver a feedstock supply of secondary raw materials derived from post-consumer textile waste to Reju for the recycling and production of regenerated Reju Polyester™, which will have a 50% lower carbon footprint than virgin polyester. Materials from Cibutex member companies will be processed at Reju’s Regeneration Hub Zero in Frankfurt, Germany.
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Italian Textile Machines: Decline in Orders in the IV Quarter of 2024
Techno Fashion World | February 20, 2025
In the fourth quarter of 2024, the index of orders for Italian textile machines, compiled by the Association of Italian Textile Machinery Manufacturers, showed a 19% decline compared to the same period in 2023. This result is due to a slight increase in order intake from the domestic market, contrasted by a decline in foreign markets. Orders in Italy grew by 6%, while abroad a 22% drop was recorded. Overall, in 2024, the index recorded a 16% decrease compared to the 2023 average.
