Friday, March 30, 2007

This edition of the Hosiery Insider
is sponsored by Fiber & Yarn Products

THA’s 102nd Annual Convention
April 26 – April 29, 2007

Convention Registration Deadline is fast approaching – April 6. Please download your Convention Registration forms from the website: click here (under the Convention Registration icon) and fax them to THA as soon as possible.

THA ANNUAL CONVENTION SPONSORSHIPS: Now available on THA’s website at http://www.hosieryassociation.com/102AC/sponsors.htm is a flyer with a list of sponsorship opportunities. THA would like to thank the following companies for their sponsorships:

EVENTS
Asahi Kasei Spandex America – Sponsor of Chairman’s Reception & Banquet
Arch Chemicals – Sponsor of Bar at Chairman’s Banquet

GOLF TOURNAMENT
R.L. Stowe Mills – Hole-in-One Competition
Groz-Beckert USA – Longest Drive Competition
Frontier Spinning Mills – Closest to the Pin Competition
RadiciSpandex Corporation – Hole Sponsor
Wellman Inc. – Hole Sponsor

If interested in sponsoring an event at THA’s Annual Convention, please contact Vicki Camp at vicki.camp@hosieryassociation.com or call 704-365-0913 Ext 216.

EXHIBITS: Stil have 3 BOOTHS LEFT – If you are a THA Supplier Member, and want to exhibit at THA’s 102nd Annual Convention, please contact Vicki Camp at 704-365-0913 Ext 216 or email her at vicki.camp@hosieryassociation.com and request an Application for Exhibit Space. Booths will be sold on a first-come, first-served basis. Once these 3 booths are filled, no more applications will be accepted. Don’t wait, CALL TODAY!

THA extends a Special Thank You to the following 17 companies who have reserved their booths: Arch Chemicals Inc. (Booth #8), Asahi Kasei Spandex America (Booth #14), Caribex Worldwide (Booth #7), CIT Commercial Services (Booth #17), DeSales Trading Company (Booth #15), Dynamic Quest (Booth #18), Globe Express Services (Booth #13), Groz-Beckert USA Inc. (Booth #20), Jimtex Yarns (Booth #5), Lang Ligon Co. Inc. (Booth #11), Nilit America Corp. (Booth #12), PAM Trading Corp. (Booth #9), PrimaLoft (Booth #19), RadiciSpandex Corp. (Booth #10), Sunrise Technologies (Booth #16), and Unifi Inc. (Booth #6), Wellman Inc. (Booth #3).

Convention Hotel - The Charleston Harbor Resort & Marina is Completely Sold Out Including THA’s Room Block. If you plan on attending this year’s convention in beautiful Mt. Pleasant/Charleston, South Carolina, you will need to book a hotel room elsewhere. The four closest hotels that had been listed in previous issues of Hosiery Insider are now also completely booked. There is a Shriner’s Convention going on in Mt. Pleasant, SC during the same dates as THA’s Convention. It may be wise to contact the Charleston Convention Visitor’s Bureau and see if they can help you locate accommodations. Their telephone number is 800-868-8118.
  Don’t let the convention hotel being sold out keep you from attending. That just means this year’s turnout will be greater than 2006. Don’t delay; please find an alternate hotel and make your hotel reservations now.


March/April Issue of Hosiery News Distributed
The current issue of THA’s official publication was sent electronically. Printed copies will be mailed later this month. If you know of someone who is not receiving the magazine and needs to, please contact the THA offices 704.365.0913 or email, info@hosieryassociation.com.

 


 

In Memoriam-Caley Foreman- Caley Foreman of Grenada died on Tuesday March 27, 2007 at Grenada Lake Medical Center of cancer. Funeral Service will be held on Friday March 30, 2007 at 2:00pm at First United Methodist Church with Rev. Jim Matheny officiating. Burial will follow in Woodlawn Cemetery. Mr. Foreman was born and raised in Leflore County where his father was Sheriff and Tax Collector. Caley graduated from Greenwood High School and from Mississippi State University with a BS in Mechanical Engineering. He worked with Pennaco Hosiery in Grenada for 38 years where he was Vice President of Manufacturing with the responsibility over plants in Batesville, Ms, Concord, NC, Mt. Pleasant, NC, Delano, TN, Chatanooga, TN and Grenada, MS. After retirement he also did some consulting for Sara Lee Hosiery in Montreal and Jockey Apparel in Puerto Rico. He was a registered Professional Engineer in Mississippi. Prior to his career at Pennaco he worked at International Harvestor in Memphis as a Senior Designer. He served in the Navy on two tours plus time in the Navy Reserve. He was in WW2 and in the Korean Conflict where he was assigned to the National Security Agent with top secret clearance with base headquarters in Washington. Some of his accomplishments include President of the Local Lions Club, President of the Local Cancer Society, Ambassador of the Year for the local Chamber of Commerce, Member of the Board of Mississippi Manufactures Association, Boy Scout leader, member of the MSU Band, member of Sigma Chi Fraternity at MSU, appeared on the "What's My Line" program live in New York, has been awarded several patents as a Mechanical Designer, member of the First United Methodist Church where he taught a Sunday School Class for several years.

Jockey International To Shut Down Operations In Jamaica, Georgia
Kenosha, Wis.-based apparel maker Jockey International Inc. has announced plans to close its Sandy Bay, Jamaica, sewing plant, and shut down the cutting and shipping operations at its Millen, Ga., plant by September 2007. The Sandy Bay production, which employs approximately 550 people, will move to other Jockey plants and sourcing partners in Central America. The affected Millen operations, which supply cut fabric to Sandy Bay, employ approximately 60 people. “The Sandy Bay plant has been a good production site for Jockey’s core cotton products since 1998, but due to a shift in consumer demand towards newer, higher-engineered non-cotton products, there is a need to rebalance Jockey’s internal production of core products,” said Edward Emma, president and COO. “Jockey will transfer Sandy Bay production to its Honduras and Costa Rica plants along with increasing production with some sourcing partners in Central America.”

Renfro to Close Mt. Airy Riverside Mfg Plant
Renfro Corp., a Mount Airy, N.C.-based manufacturer and distributor of socks, announced it will shut down production at its Mount Airy Riverside Manufacturing plant as of May 13, 2007. Approximately 102 employees will be impacted by the closing. The company said qualified employees will be able to transfer to positions at other company facilities including its main office and distribution center in Mount Airy. According to a company spokesperson, continued pricing pressures, particularly from foreign sources, require the comany to continue to reduce costs in order to remain competitive in this global market. Renfro’s workforce worldwide numbers more than 5,500 employees. US-based manufacturing operations are located in North and South Carolina, Alabama, and Tennessee. In addition, the company manufactures products in China, India, Mexico, Pakistan and Turkey; and maintains distribution centers in North Carolina, New York, Canada, Mexico and the Netherlands.

Gildan to Complete Offshore Mfg Consolidations
Montreal-based branded basic apparel manufacturer Gildan Activewear Inc. announced plans to close its two remaining textile facilities in Montreal and its Bombay, N.Y.-based cutting facility during the fourth quarter of fiscal 2007, which ends September 30. In addition, the company is closing two Mexico-based sewing facilities that receive fabric from its Canadian operations, effective immediately. These operations, which employ some 465 people in Canada and the United States and 1,365 people in Mexico, will be consolidated into expanded company hubs in Central America and the Caribbean Basin, which upon consolidation will manufacture Gildan’s full range of fleece, sport shirt, T-shirt and underwear products. The company also will move its corporate offices from its knitting plant in Montreal to leased facilities in the Montreal area. Gildan expects the consolidation of manufacturing and ongoing expansion of capacity offshore will contribute annual savings of $45 million in activewear manufacturing and freight costs and duties beginning in fiscal 2008. The company also has expanded its sock manufacturing facility in Honduras, and said it plans to use the efficiencies created by these offshore expansions to help it increase its retail mass-market and wholesale screenprint market presence.

3D Scanning Applications Seminar - [TC]² is offering a custom seminar on 3D body scanning technologies for Apparel Product Development and Sizing Research. In this two day program, April 17-18, 2007, [TC]² will share its learnings and methodologies for conducting sizing surveys using 3D body scanning technology, survey data analysis for apparel applications, and technologies for 3D product development. Included will be one-half day on [TC]²’s automatic shape and measurement extraction software for 3D body scans. The small class size guarantees individualized attention, resolution to questions, and student interaction. Classroom exercises will be conducted using [TC]²’s measurement extraction software. Computers will be provided for each student to maximize learning opportunities. For more details, or to register, email contact@tc2.com.

The US Department of Commerce US Commercial Service is pleased to announce its Signature Trade Event of 2007: Trade Winds Forum: Africa, Europe and India – Profitable Crossroads of Trade – All in One Location on May 15-16 at the Hyatt Regency in Crystal City, VA. The Trade Winds Forum will feature 33 U.S. Senior Commercial Service Officers from U.S. Embassies across Europe, Africa and India. Each of these Commercial Officers is in a unique position to deliver the most up-to-date information on developing opportunities for U.S. business. While at the conference you will have the opportunity to meet privately with the U.S. Senior Commercial Officers to discuss business opportunities for your company. Private appointments are on a first come, first served basis, so register today while space is still available. Visit www.buyusa.gov/southcarolina/tradewinds.html.

American Apparel and Footwear Organization is conducting an Ergonomics Training Seminar May 16, 2007 in Charlotte, NC. THA members offered same price! This is a half-day of comprehensive ergonomic training from industry safety and health experts and trainers. Highlights of the ergonomic training will include: Do we need an ergonomic process? Making a business case for an ergonomic process. Developing and implementing an ergonomic process. Several actual ergonomic case studies. Toolbox for manufacturing, warehouse and office. Training will run from 8:00 am until 12:00 pm. Material will be geared for anyone dealing with health & safety in the industry, such as plant managers, supervisors, safety coordinators, industrial engineers, plant engineers, warehouse managers and corporate safety staff. Note to retailers and apparel brands: This seminar will be especially valuable for internal compliance auditors as well as facility managers responsible for distribution centers. Click Here

Inaugural Americas Competitiveness Forum Announced
US Secretary of Commerce Carlos Gutierrez will host the inaugural Americas Competitiveness Forum (ACF) on June 11–12, 2007, in Atlanta. The ACF will provide a venue for government ministers from the Western Hemisphere to come together with leaders from the private sector, academia, and nongovernmental organizations, to explore cutting edge ideas and best practices in several key areas of competitiveness.

The ACF’s main tracks are:

• sparking and sustaining innovation
• creating solutions in education and workforce development
• designing successful global supply chain strategies
• fostering small business development and growth

For more information, visit the website, http://trade.gov/competitiveness/ACF/index.asp

ASAPSHOW – Why Exhibit at ASAP? ASAP gives the apparel companies the best chance to meet top US retailers and brands who are seeking alternative sourcing options. ASAP’s reputation in the apparel industry boasts the highest number of attendees, and a diverse number of countries. ASAP receives the most endorsements from overseas governments and works directly with them to organize their respective country pavilions that represent the “Best of…” each country and buyers know this. The next show will take place on August 26-29 at the Venetian Grand Ball Room in Las Vegas, NV. For additional information, go to www.asapshow.com or email info@asapshow.com.

COATS PLC DEPLOYS DATACOLOR CONDITIONERS FOR INTERNATIONAL COLOR MANAGEMENT - Global Leader in Sewing Thread to Maintain Consistent Color in Different Environments around the World. Last week Datacolor, a world leader in color technology, announced that Coats plc, the global leader in sewing thread and needlecraft products, will implement the Datacolor CONDITIONER™ to maintain color consistency in its global operations. The CONDITIONER ensures color samples are consistent anywhere in the world by conditioning them at fixed temperature and humidity prior to measurement. … “After extensive testing of different systems, Coats found that the Datacolor CONDITIONER was robust and reliable to support the rapid conditioning of our standard thread samples,” said Andrew Morgan, technology director for Coats plc. “In terms of cost and performance, we found CONDITIONER to be the best machine to meet the demands of our global operations, and are pleased to have Datacolor as a supplier of both conditioners and spectrophotometers in our global locations.” (For the entire press release visit THA’s website at http://www.hosieryassociation.com/Media/pr.htm)

ADVANSTAR TO BE ACQUIRED BY INVESTOR GROUP LED BY VERONIS SUHLER STEVENSON FOR $1.142 BILLION - Advanstar Holdings Corp., the holding company for Advanstar Communications Inc., a leading worldwide media company providing integrated marketing solutions for the Fashion & Licensing, Life Sciences, and Powersports industries, today announced that it has entered into a definitive agreement to be acquired by an investor group led by Veronis Suhler Stevenson (“VSS”), a leading private equity and structured capital fund management company dedicated to investing in the media, communications and information industries. Advanstar is a portfolio company of New York based private equity fund DLJ Merchant Banking Partners III, L.P. (“DLJMB”), an affiliate of Credit Suisse. Under the terms of the agreement, VSS will acquire all of the outstanding stock of Advanstar Holdings Corp. for approximately $1.142 billion in cash. VSS is joined in this investment with co-sponsors in the transaction, including Citigroup Private Equity and New York Life Capital Partners. Advanstar possess a well-diversified portfolio of tradeshows including MAGIC, WWDMAGIC, MAGICKids, Sourcing Zone, Project, Pool and MAGICMarketplace.


 

Stabenow Introduces Japanese Currency Manipulation Act. Sen. Debbie Stabenow, D-Mich., introduced legislation this week to stop the Japanese government from undervaluing the yen. A press release from Stabenow’s office asserted that this policy provides a subsidy to Japanese exporters, resulting in an unfair competitive advantage over U.S. manufacturers. The Japan Currency Manipulation Act (S. 1021) would first attempt to prove that Japan is manipulating the value of the yen and then require the U.S. to work with other countries to put a stop to this practice. Specifically, the bill directs the Treasury Department, in consultation with the Council of Economic Advisors, to work with the government of Japan to come up with a plan to draw down Japan’s high levels of currency reserves. Treasury is also directed to work with other federal agencies, European Union trade partners and the International Monetary Fund to reach a multiparty agreement dealing directly with the destabilizing effects of Japan’s misaligned currency.

North Carolina Lawmakers Seek Improved TAA for Textile Workers. Reps. Mike McIntyre, D-N.C., and Robin Hayes, R-N.C., announced this week that they have introduced legislation aimed at providing additional resources to displaced textile and apparel workers. According to McIntyre’s office, the Trade Adjustment Assistance Reform Act would make the following changes to existing TAA benefits for such workers:

• expand TAA eligibility to include dislocated workers affected by a shift in production in which the workers’ jobs are moved to nations that have no preferential trade agreement with the U.S., including China

• provide automatic eligibility for TAA benefits for textile and apparel workers

• increase the Health Coverage Tax Credit from 65 percent to 80 percent and simplify the HCTC application process

• double TAA funding authorization from $220 million to $440 million

State Dept. Renews Charter of International Economic Policy Advisory Committee - The State Department has renewed the charter of the Advisory Committee on International Economic Policy. The committee provides information and advice on the effective integration of economic interests into overall foreign policy and on the State Department’s role in advancing U.S. commercial interests in a competitive global economy. The committee also appraises the role and limits of international economic institutions and advises on the formulation of U.S. economic policy and positions.

Senators Predict Passage of China Currency Legislation in 110th Congress
Sen. Charles Schumer, D-N.Y. indicated in testimony to the Senate Finance Committee this week that he anticipates legislation dealing with the value of China’s currency will be approved in the current session of Congress. He believes a “tough but fair bill” would pass by a veto-proof margin. Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., who introduced a bill with Schumer in the last Congress to impose a 27.5 percent tariff on all imports from China if that country did not act to revalue the yuan, also predicted passage of a measure to tackle the currency issue. The two senators noted that they are working with Finance Committee Chairman and Ranking Member Max Baucus, D-Mont., and Charles Grassley, R-Iowa, to draft a currency bill that will be WTO-compliant.

DOD Amends Acquisition Regulation to Reflect DR-CAFTA, EU Expansion
The Department of Defense has issued an interim rule amending the Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement to implement DR-CAFTA with respect to the Dominican Republic. DR-CAFTA waives the applicability of the Buy American Act for some foreign supplies and construction materials and specifies procurement procedures designed to ensure fairness. This rule also adds Bulgaria and Romania to the list of countries covered by the WTO Government Procurement Agreement. This rule is effective as of March 27 and comments are due by May 29. The DOD has also adopted as final, effective March 27, a November 2006 interim rule amending the DFARS to implement DR-CAFTA with respect to Guatemala.

Rangel and Levin Unveil Democratic Proposal on New Direction for Trade
This week the Democratic Caucus approved proposal on trade offered by House Ways and Means Committee Chairman Charles Rangel, D-N.Y., and Trade Subcommittee Chairman Sander Levin, D-Mich. The document indicates that Democrats view these components as essential to the passage of bilateral trade agreements as well as any renewal of trade promotion authority. Following are some highlights of the proposal.

• require trade agreement partner countries to adopt and enforce basic international labor standards in their domestic laws and practices

• require trade agreement partner countries to implement and enforce common multilateral environmental agreements

• ensure that trade agreements accord “no greater rights” to foreign investors in the U.S. than to U.S. investors

• take action to address Chinese subsidies and intellectual property rights violations

• defend and reinforce U.S. trade laws

• press for immediate action on the part of the Bush administration to address currency manipulation by China and Japan

• establish a U.S. trade enforcer to prepare WTO cases and a U.S. trade prosecutor to file them

Any renegotiation of the free trade agreements with Peru, Panama and Colombia, as well as the final conclusion of an FTA with Korea, must be completed by March 31 to allow implementing legislation to be considered by Congress under expedited TPA procedures.

Senators Introduce Bill to Allow CV Duties on Non-Market Economy Goods
Sens. Susan Collins, R-Maine, and Evan Bayh, D-Ind., have reintroduced the Stopping Overseas Subsidies Act, which seeks to ensure that U.S. countervailing duty laws apply to imports from non-market economies such as China. According to a press release from Collins’ office, the SOS Act would revise current trade laws to ensure that all countries doing business with the U.S. are operating under the same rules that help to ensure fair competition for U.S. manufacturers.

Japan and Chile Sign Economic Partnership Agreement
Japan and Chile signed an economic partnership agreement this week aimed at increasing the bilateral flow of goods, people, investment and services. According to a statement from Japan’s Foreign Ministry, the agreement also provides for intellectual property protection, competition policy and the improvement of the business environment. The agreement is Japan’s first FTA with a South American country and only its fifth overall, following pacts with Mexico, Singapore, Malaysia and the Philippines. The agreement is expected to come into force this September.

U.S., Malaysia Will Not Conclude FTA by March 31 Deadline
The Office of the U.S. Trade Representative has announced that the U.S. and Malaysia will not conclude free trade agreement negotiations by the March 31 deadline. Nevertheless, the two sides have agreed to continue working toward the conclusion of an FTA, and a Malaysian team will come to the United States in mid-April for consultations.

CITA Announces Quantitative Limitations for Apparel under Haiti Act
The Committee for the Implementation of Textile Agreements has announced the quantitative limitations for qualifying apparel imported from Haiti under the Haitian Hemispheric Opportunity through Partnership for Encouragement Act for the period Dec. 20, 2006 to Dec. 19, 2007. For this initial one-year period, the quantity of imports eligible for preferential treatment is 238,785,275 square meters equivalent. Apparel articles entered in excess of this quantity will be subject to otherwise applicable tariffs.

April 24 Hearing on Vietnam Textile Monitoring System. The ITA will hold a public hearing on its program to monitor imports of textile and apparel products from Vietnam on April 24 in Washington, D.C. The ITA asks that parties interested in attending or testifying at this hearing notify it by April 9.

ITA Seeks Applications for Appointment to U.S.-Brazil CEO Forum
The ITA is seeking applications by April 20 for appointment to the U.S.-Brazil CEO Forum. The two countries recently established this forum to bring leaders of their business communities together to discuss issues of mutual interest, particularly ways to strengthen bilateral economic and commercial ties. The committee will provide recommendations to the two governments that reflect private sector views, needs and concerns regarding ways to enhance and expand two-way trade.

U.S. and Vietnam Sign Shipping Agreement
U.S. maritime shippers, carriers and port operators will have greater access to Vietnam’s expanding market for transportation services under a new agreement signed March 15, according to a press release from the Maritime Administration. Under the terms of the agreement, U.S. companies may acquire a controlling 51 percent share in joint venture enterprises such as partnering arrangements with Vietnamese companies. U.S. companies were previously restricted to minority holdings in such enterprises. The agreement also allows U.S. companies to take a lead role in providing a wide range of maritime services, including cargo agency, cargo documentation, cargo management, ocean freight forwarding, storage and warehouse services, and container station and depot services. Five years after the agreement is implemented, U.S. companies will be permitted to establish their own companies and offer a full range of shipping services without having to include a Vietnamese partner.

USTR Seeks Resubmission of Comments on Duty-Free, Quota-Free Treatment for LDCs - The USTR is requesting the resubmission by April 15 of comments regarding a decision adopted at the WTO ministerial meeting in December 2005 to provide duty-free/quota-free market access for least-developed countries. The USTR notes that due to a technical malfunction in the e-mail address in the original Jan. 18 notice requesting comments, any submissions transmitted prior to March 14 were not received and need to be resubmitted.

Vietnam to Require Export Licenses for Apparel Shipments to U.S.
In an effort to avoid possible U.S. antidumping duty investigations, Vietnam’s ministries of trade and industry have announced that they will impose temporary export licensing requirements to allow them to closely monitor the quantity and price of exports of shirts, trousers, underwear, sweaters and swimwear destined for the U.S. market. According to various reports, the Vietnam Textile and Apparel Association recommended that the government institute an export licensing system to better manage export growth, establish new export markets, protect against transshipment and protect the long-term interests of Vietnamese apparel exports. The announcement came as the Department of Commerce released its first set of monthly statistics on textile and apparel imports from Vietnam. The DOC will review this data every six months to determine if there is sufficient evidence that these goods are being dumped in the U.S. market. If so, the DOC has said it will self-initiate an AD duty investigation of the product or products at issue. The department committed to this process as part of an effort to move legislation granting permanent normal trade relations status to Vietnam in 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.

# # #