Friday, October 12, 2007


THE HOSIERY ASSOCIATION PROGRAMS / EVENTS

THA Board of Directors Meeting/Strategic Planning Session will be held Wednesday, October 17 from 2:00 – 5:00 p.m. at the Grandover Resort in Greensboro, NC in conjunction with THA’s Golf Tournament (see below).

*REMINDER that NEXT WEEK is THA’s 3rd Annual Golf Tournament - If you have registered to participate, we will see on Thursday, October 18 at the Grandover Resort Golf Course in Greensboro, NC. Registration begins at 9:30 a.m., Lunch at 11:00 a.m. and Shotgun Start at 11:30 a.m. Arrive early to have time to network and make plans to stay after the tournament for the Awards Dinner.

THA would like to thank all of the following companies who so graciously are supporting this event: GROZ-BECKERT USA (Event Sponsor), ASAHI KASEI SPANDEX AMERICA (Awards Dinner & Beverage Station), WELLMAN INC (Two Hole Sponsor), FRONTIER SPINNING MILLS (Longest Drive Skill Hole), RADICISPANDEX CORPORATION (Closest to the Pin Skill Hole), and FIBER & YARN PRODUCTS INC, KEN SMITH YARN CO., NEW CENTURY YARNS, and PRIMALOFT (Hole Sponsors). THANK YOU AGAIN

WRAP Certification Training Program- Product recall, sweatshops, waning consumer confidence…these are just are few of the phrases that are gracing our media outlets on a daily basis. All manufacturers are accountable for their global production practices to consumers, retailers, governments, and others. Several organizations are dedicated to setting manufacturing standards, particularly regarding human rights. WRAP is unique among apparently similar organizations because it combines all of the following important attributes: market-driven, commands high standards, independent from the industry, factory-based, eliminates duplication, and yields results. 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)

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.

SAVE THE DATE….Location has been confirmed for THA’s 103rd Annual Convention –Next year’s Annual Convention will be held at The Homestead in Hot Springs, Virginia April 17-20, 2008. Please mark your calendars. Keep an eye out for additional information, which will be sent out soon.

****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.”

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.

THA MEMBER SERVICES ---------

2007-2008 THA Membership Dues & Member-Only Access to THA’s Website: With the 2007-2008 THA membership year upon us, and in order to ensure that THA is continually adding value to its membership services, the Member-Only section of the website has updated its log-in information. Those companies that have already submitted their dues should have been notified of the new log-in information. If your company has not yet paid its dues, you will no longer have access to the information contained on this section of the website. From this point on, respective companies will be issued the updated log-in information upon receipt of their dues. Renewal notices for the 2007-2008 THA Membership Year were mailed in June. If you haven’t paid your dues by now, this may be you last Hosiery Insider. Letters of resignation due to nonpayment of dues will be issued next week to those respective companies….hope you’re not one of them!

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 Statistical 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 request your copy today! For further details please contact THA at 704.365.0913 or email at info@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)

 

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.

Mountain High Hosiery, one of today’s largest hosiery manufacturers, announced today that the company is changing its name to Mountain High Knitwear. The change reflects the company’s strategy to expand and grow its licensed and proprietary businesses, including entering the accessory market and adding knitwear items. The company’s New York showroom is also undergoing extensive renovation to incorporate its roster of brands, including Sean John, Tommy Hilfiger and Royal Bermuda. The new showroom will be unveiled in January. Most recently the company has signed PONY and SEAN JOHN, and will make several announcements in the coming weeks.

Nilit® Strengthens Presence and Position in Chinese Market
Nilit®, a global manufacturer and leader in the production of nylon 6.6, will soon announce the opening of its new Nilit Nylon Technologies facility in Suzhou, China which will begin production in March, 2008. As part of its long term commitment to the region, Nilit has selected the Intertextile Shanghai Apparel Fabrics Show as the showcase for its most recent fiber innovations. The show will be held at the Shanghai New International Expo Centre from October 29th through November 1st 2007. Nilit will be housed in Hall E4, Stand D36. For complete press release, go to THA web site, www.hosieryassociation.com.

No nonsense Launches New Products, National Ad Campaign
For the first time in more than ten years, No nonsense is launching a national print advertising campaign featuring consecutive full page ads in fall issues of high profile publications like O, The Oprah Magazine, Glamour and InStyle. The campaign will feature several new products from No nonsense, including sports bras, panties, body shapers and fashion hosiery.

Expansion of Trade in the North Carolina Textile and Apparel Industry International Market Solutions (IMS), in conjunction with the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC) would like to invite you to a one-half day conference to hear about these new and exciting areas for our industry and to discuss the benefits to North Carolina companies of getting more involved in international trade activities.You will hear from senior executives from N.C. Companies, State Government Officials, academia and others who have taken the international trade plunge and have not only survived, but are doing very well by having taken this route. You will hear from representatives from Hong Kong who want to increase their involvement with our North Carolina companies, not only in textiles, but in other sectors. The industry is changing rapidly, but it is still here and we would all like to see it remain here and grow.The conference will be held Wednesday afternoon, October 24th, 2007 at the Sheraton Four Seasons Hotel on Highway I 40 next to the Four Seasons Mall in Greensboro, NC. The program will begin at noon with a lunch, followed by the program. There is no charge for the event and we hope to have a good representation from across the state.

There will be limited seating, so we are asking all who plan to attend to indicate their intent by October 15. We need to know this to order the proper amount of food for lunch.

Please call Jim Leonard at (336) 454-3583 or e-mail Jim at Cece454@aol.com or call Jorman Fields at (336) 668-7060 or e-mail Jorman at TNCFields@aol.com to confirm your plans to attend. You may also call if you have questions about the event.

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.


 

Developing Country Stance on Manufactured Goods Threatens Doha Round Talks
U.S. and European trade officials warned this week that a counterproposal from a group of developing countries in the Doha Round negotiations on industrial and consumer products threatens prospects for completing the WTO talks by the end of this year. The submission from the so-called “NAMA-11” group calls for lower tariff cuts on the part of developing countries than those outlined in a draft text circulated in July by the head of the negotiating group on non-agricultural market access. Members of the group include Brazil, Argentina, India and South Africa.

Census Reports Significant Decline in August Trade Deficit. The Department of Commerce’s Census Bureau and Bureau of Economic Analysis announced week that the monthly U.S. trade deficit declined by $1.4 billion from July to August. Exports increased $0.6 billion to $138.3 billion and imports dropped $0.8 billion to $196.7 billion, resulting in an overall goods and services deficit of $57.6 billion. This includes a goods deficit that decreased $1.2 billion to $66.6 billion and a services surplus that increased $0.2 billion to $9 billion. The August goods and services trade deficit was down $10 billion from a year earlier. During that time exports went up $15.7 billion, or 12.8 percent, and imports climbed $5.7 billion, or three percent.

Egypt, Israel Amend QIZ Program to Lower Content Requirement
Press reports indicate that Egypt and Israel signed an agreement this week that reduces the amount of Israeli content that must be included in products made in Egypt that qualify for duty-free treatment in the U.S. The two sides amended their joint protocol on the Qualified Industrial Zone program to lower this figure from 11.7 percent to 10.5 percent. This action reportedly does not require U.S. approval, and Egyptian trade minister Rachid Mohammed Rachid said further reductions are anticipated in the future. The countries also agreed to ask the U.S. to designate eight new QIZs in southern Egypt.

House-Passed Bill Would Phase in Penalty Increase for Product Safety Violations
The House of Representatives approved by voice vote this week a bill (H.R. 2474) sponsored by Rep. Bobby Rush, D-Ill., that would amend the statutory provisions governing penalties for various product safety violations.

EU, China to Monitor Textile and Apparel Shipments After Quotas Expire
The European Union announced this week that it has agreed with China’s Ministry of Foreign Trade on a joint system to monitor EU imports of Chinese textiles and apparel once the bloc’s quotas on such shipments expire Dec. 31. The agreement, which will remain in place during 2008, covers the eight most sensitive of the ten product categories currently under restriction: t-shirts, pullovers, men’s trousers, blouses, dresses, bras, bed linen and flax yarn.

Costa Rica Approves DR-CAFTA Amid Warnings from U.S. Officials
Costa Rica’s first-ever nationwide referendum Oct. 7 resulted in a narrow approval of the country’s participation in DR-CAFTA. Nearly 52 percent of voters supported the agreement while more than 48 percent opposed it. Press reports indicate that with turnout at 60 percent, well above the required minimum, the affirmative vote means DR-CAFTA will automatically be ratified by Costa Rican lawmakers. However, they must also approve more than a dozen laws to implement the agreement before it can take effect.

Bush Administration Preparing for Major Push on Colombia FTA
According to press reports and informed sources, the Bush administration is gearing up for a major push this fall to promote congressional approval of the U.S.-Colombia free trade agreement. With Costa Rica having finally approved DR-CAFTA and the U.S.-Peru FTA apparently on its way to passing both the House and Senate, the White House is reportedly now focused on pushing through one of the most geopolitically important FTAs it has concluded in recent years.

Senate Finance Committee Approves Peru FTA
The Senate Finance Committee approved by voice vote Oct. 4 legislation to implement the free trade agreement between the U.S. and Peru. It is expected that the full Senate will not vote on the measure until the House acts on its version, since revenue bills (including those that deal with import tariffs) must by law originate in the House. The House Ways and Means Committee has not yet scheduled its vote on the FTA, and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said recently the bill would not come to the House floor until members vote on legislation to overhaul the Trade Adjustment Assistance program.

Hayes Introduces The Children’s Clothing Protection Act
Congressman Robin Hayes (NC-08) recently introduced legislation to that would increase U.S. safety regulations for imported children’s (ages 8 and under) clothing (legwear included). The Children’s Clothing Protection Act seeks to combat dangerous children’s clothing imports by directing the Consumer Product Safety Commission to investigate the potential safety dangers in imported children’s clothing and to put in place any necessary consumer product safety rules regarding such clothing. Should any imported children’s clothing product fail to comply with the new consumer product safety rule, it can be refused admission at Customs and barred from entering the U.S. marketplace.

Labor Dept. Proposes Guidelines on Developing List of Child/Forced Labor-Made Goods- The Department of Labor’s Bureau of International Labor Affairs is seeking comments by Oct. 31 on proposed procedural guidelines pertaining to the development and maintenance of a list of goods from foreign countries that are produced by child labor or forced labor in violation of international standards. These guidelines provide information on the submission of information, review and reporting process that will be used by ILAB’s Office of Child Labor, Forced Labor and Human Trafficking in maintaining and revising this list, which is required under the Trafficking Victims Protection Reauthorization Act of 2005.

 

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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