SAVE THE DATE!
SPESA to Host 2026 Advancements in Manufacturing Technologies Conference April 14, 2026 in Columbus, OH
We're excited to share that SPESA will host its 2026 Advancements in Manufacturing Technologies Conference on Tuesday, April 14, 2026 at the The LOOM, a newly-opened fashion incubator and cultural hub that's been brought to life by a collaboration between the Columbus College of Art & Design (CCAD) and the Columbus Fashion Alliance (CFA).
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Registration will open soon. SPESA members are encouraged to reach out to Maggie McDonald (maggie@spesa.org) about speaking/sponsor opportunities.
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Learn more about SPESA’s 2025 Advancements Conference here. Learn more about The LOOM here.​
INDUSTRY NEWS | 11.5.25
U.S. Textile Industry Urges Stronger USMCA Rules to Preserve and Expand Vital Textile and Apparel Co-Production Chain and to Confront Unfair Trade Practices
Press Release | November 4, 2025​
“We welcome the Trump administration’s efforts to combat the highly aggressive predatory trade practices facing our industry to offset decades-long inequities and to establish a more balanced trade environment for U.S. textile and apparel manufacturers,” NCTO stated. “We ask the administration not to lose sight of the valuable trade partnerships we have with countries in the Western Hemisphere, on which the U.S. textile industry depends. We also hope the administration will…address issues of consequence to our industry, including harmful exceptions to yarn forward and increased customs cooperation among the USMCA parties to confront unfair trade practices.”​​
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Kontoor Brands Reports Strong Q3, Raises Full Year Outlook
Just Style | November 4, 2025
Kontoor Brands announced a 27% increase in revenue for Q3 and expects its full year 2025 outlook to be at the high end of its prior guidance.
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Apparel Sector Urges U.S. to Phase in New Tariffs, Boost Predictability
Just Style | November 3, 2025
The American Apparel & Footwear Association (AAFA) has urged the Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR) to increase predictability in tariff policy and address any unfair trade practices tariffs that harm the U.S. apparel and footwear sector. AAFA trade and transportation specialist Audrey Clark, who submitted the comment on behalf of the association, calls for a non-stacking model that is similar to Japan and the EU. “We believe these reforms, paired with the administration’s strong enforcement posture, will help ensure a more resilient, fair, and forward-looking trade environment for the US apparel and footwear industry,” Clark stated.
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Gildan Earnings Beat Expectations as Company Prepares to Close HanesBrands Deal
Sourcing Journal | November 3, 2025
Gildan Activewear’s Q3 earnings beat investors’ expectations on earnings per share. The company reported 2.2% year-on-year growth in Q3 sales, up to $911 million. That increase was in part thanks to the company’s activewear business, which saw a 5.4% year-on-year increase due to “favorable product mix and higher net prices.”
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China’s Manufacturing Sector Contracts to Lowest Point in 6 Months
Sourcing Journal | October 31, 2025
Amid protracted trade tensions with its largest export market, China’s manufacturing activity has slowed for the seventh consecutive month. According to newly released data by the country’s National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), the manufacturing purchasing managers index (PMI) contracted in October, falling to 49 from 49.8 in September — the lowest in six months.
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AATCC, SEAMS Set Course for Industry Collaboration at Joint Conference in Savannah
eTextileCommunications | October 31, 2025
SAVANNAH, Ga. – The AATCC / SEAMS Fabricating the Future Annual Conference proved to be far more than a routine industry event – it was a defining milestone for collaboration across the U.S. textile landscape. “In bringing our members together under one roof, we’re not just talking about the future – we’re shaping it,” said Will Duncan of SEAMS. “This conference represents what’s possible when we align around common goals.” Kudos to AATCC and SEAMS, two association members of the Alphabet Soup Collective, for a fantastic industry event!
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Trump Says U.S., Canada Will Not Restart Trade Talks
Reuters | October 31, 2025
Trump last week called off negotiations over the advertisement aired by the Canadian province of Ontario, adding he was increasing tariffs on Canada by an additional 10%. The ad by the Ontario government featured Ronald Reagan saying that tariffs on foreign goods lead to trade wars and job losses. Reagan was known for his support of free markets and free trade.
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Bipartisan Senate Majority Votes to Reject Trump’s Global Tariffs
Sourcing Journal | October 30, 2025
After taking a stand this week against tariffs on Brazil and Canada, the Senate has rallied a bipartisan majority to strike down President Donald Trump’s duties on more than 100 countries. Last week, the upper chamber voted 51-47 to nullify the president’s “reciprocal” tariffs on trading partners across the globe, which he levied using the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA).
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Trump Shaves China Tariffs in Deal with Xi on Fentanyl, Rare Earths
Reuters | October 30, 2025
Trump's face-to-face talks with Xi in the South Korean city of Busan, their first since 2019, marked the finale of a whirlwind Asia trip on which he also touted trade breakthroughs with South Korea, Japan and Southeast Asian nations. The deal, according to Beijing, also included a U.S. pledge to delay for a year a new measure — strongly opposed by China — to bar thousands of Chinese firms from receiving U.S. technology if they are part-owned by a sanctioned company. You can read the official White House announcement here. In other news: The White House Says U.S. to Pause Port Fees on China Ships Next Week.
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Greensboro’s Denim Tradition Lives On Through Proximity Manufacturing Company
SJ Denim | October 29, 2025
Since 2021, Proximity Manufacturing Company has produced limited runs of selvedge denim made on a pair of White Oak’s historic looms inside what was once the plant’s archive room. Proximity is the for-profit textile manufacturing subsidiary of the White Oak Legacy Foundation (WOLF), a non-profit organization with the mission to preserve the city’s history and heritage of denim and jean manufacturing. Established in 2020, two years after White Oak shut down, the foundation serves as a steward of history and an educational resource for denim professionals.
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ITMF and IAF Conclude Successful Joint Convention 2025 in Yogyakarta, Indonesia
Press Release | October 29, 2025
The International Textile Manufacturers Federation (ITMF) and the International Apparel Federation (IAF) have successfully concluded their second joint convention, held this year in Yogyakarta, Indonesia. In close collaboration with event host, Indonesian Textile Association (API), the event brought together more than 400 delegates from around the world and from across the entire textile and apparel value chain. SPESA President, Michael McDonald, who sits on the Board of Directors for IAF had the privilege to attend the event.
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Levi’s Updates Strategy to Cut Freshwater Use Across Supply Chain, Reduce Climate Impact
Supply Chain Dive | October 27, 2025
The denim giant said it aims to cut its freshwater use by 15% across its garment manufacturing supply chain and processing facilities by 2030, compared to a 2022 baseline. These processes include cutting, sewing, laundry — activities the company said have the “largest impacts to water and nature” — and fabric dyeing and weaving.
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Blue Point Capital Expands National Safety Apparel Again with New Acquisition
Apparel Resources | October 24, 2025
Private equity firm Blue Point Capital Partners has acquired Gemtor Inc., a maker of fall protection and rescue equipment in Matawan, New Jersey, as the latest tuck-in company for National Safety Apparel (NSA), a longtime Cleveland manufacturer of personal protective equipment (PPE).
