Friday, February 8, 2008
For advertising information, contact Jeanna Sheldon at jeanna.sheldon@hosieryassociation.com.
Advertising rates for both HOSIERY NEWS AND INSIDER
and THA’s Website can be found (here).

Pictured left to Right

Bill Nichol
THA Chairman
and Gildan USA
Rich Stober
GoldToeMoretz
Dan St. Louis
HTC
Jerry Cook
Hanes Brands Inc.

Legwear Insights Event a HUGE Success!

Over 120 industry colleagues gathered for this week’s CHA Chapter event which was held in Winston-Salem, NC. A panel of industry experts discussed top of mind issues including transforming trading blocs and supply chains, retail volatility, what ‘green’ really means and more demanding testing regimens. A special thanks to Unifi Inc. for sponsoring the lunch. The next event will be scheduled in the September/October time frame…stay tuned for details.

The WSA Show’s Educational Sessions Feature Unparalleled Insight into all Facets of Footwear: The WSA Show, the world’s largest footwear and accessories marketplace, announces an all-encompassing seminar series designed to suit attendees from all facets of the industry from buying, marketing and merchandising to sourcing, product design and development. With nine individual seminars and four workshops, no other seminar series in the industry presents the assortment of speakers and topics that this powerful global marketplace has to offer. The Footwear & Accessories Business Conference will be held at the Mandalay Bay Convention Center from February 20-23 in Las Vegas.

Legwear Trends Seminar Featured during WSA 2008 - The Hosiery Association’s (THA) president and CEO Sally Kay 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.

THA’s Annual Convention – April 17-19, 2008 at The Homestead, Hot Springs, VA. Outstanding speakers, growing list of exhibitors and unique networking opportunities are filled throughout this comprehensive program. Visit the THA website for more details, www.hosieryassociation.com.

New Legislative/Regulatory Newsletter
In the midst of a highly volatile presidential and congressional campaign season, legislators and federal agencies may act on a wide array of trade, tax, labor, environment, government procurement, labeling, product liability and other issues that could alter the competitive landscape for legwear manufacturers and wholesalers for years to come. The goal of this new weekly publication is to educate the membership and distribute information on all governmental issues that may impact their businesses. Please note the first issue will be sent next week and it will be available on the member only section of the THA web site.

NEW Member Directory: Please note that we are creating a new, online member directory on the website. A database update worksheet has been sent to all primary association contacts for THA member companies. Company logos and profiles will be collected and available for users to contact directly to learn more about your products and services 24 hours a day 7 days a week. If you did not receive your company’s update form, please email vicki.camp@hosieryassociation.com and request a copy of it. The directory is currently scheduled to go on line in February.

NEW Product Sales: Please note that we will soon be allowing our member companies to sell their legwear products through our website! The THA website receives considerable consumer traffic on its site and requests to purchase product; therefore, we are going to make it easier for them and give our members the opportunity to sell legwear products through additional e-tailing venues. Stay tuned for more details.

THA Member-Only Section to THA’s Website: Continue to visit the Member-Only section of the website as we update its contents regularly.

CNCB Story: The Sock War
This week’s story discusses the fact that the U.S. sock-making industry is being threatened, and Honduras may become the new sock capital of the world. Dennis Martin, of NC Sock, and Jonathan Shugart, of W.Y. Shugart & Sons, share their insight.

Click on the link below to view the video
http://www.cnbc.com/id/15840232?video=642441703&play=1
Can’t view it now, be sure to visit the “Legwear in the News” section of the THA web site.

Economic Census Information: In December, more than 4 million American businesses, including 200,000 manufacturers received 2007 Economic Census forms. Responses to the questionnaire are required by law (Title 13, U.S. Code), and are to be returned by February 12, 2008. Every 5 years, the Economic Census develops a comprehensive portrait of American business, from the national to the local level. Timely and accurate data are vital to effective public policy and important to our association. Please refer to the timeline below and visit the following website. <business.census.gov>.

January 2008-Economic Census:Your industry/community is counting on you.
February 2008-Economic Census forms are due February 12.

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.

Textile and Apparel Forum in Miami. The Department of Commerce’s Office of Textiles and Apparel will host the Americas Textiles and Apparel Competitiveness Forum April 7 in Miami Beach, Fla. Forum discussions will be focused on how the textile and apparel industries in North, Central and South America can use preferential programs and free trade agreements to their benefit. The program, which will be held in connection with the Material World textile and apparel sourcing show, is expected to include: speakers from leading manufacturers, industry associations and governmental entities in the region; textile trade policy initiatives and direction; and supply chain and logistics strategies and challenges.There is no charge to attend the forum but registration is required.

FAST Hosiery Machinery Show Planned for 2009
Sources say that there will be a hosiery machinery and equipment show planned for the spring of 2009 in Verona, Italy. Stay tuned as THA will keep you updated as these plans materialize.

ITMA 2011 Date Changed: “ITMA 2011 will now start a day earlier than originally planned, announced show owner, the European Committee of Textile Machinery Manufacturers (CEMATEX). It will be held from September 22 to 29, 2011, at the same place, the new Fira de Barcelona Gran Via venue in Barcelona.”

China Currency Bill Slows as Administration Warns on Punitive Measures
Legislation to address China’s alleged undervaluation of its currency appears to have slowed in both the House and Senate in the first few weeks of 2008. Key lawmakers indicated last month that a China bill would be among their top priorities this year. But Bush administration officials have been critical of punitive legislation recently and members of Congress are reportedly giving more consideration to both the positive and negative effects that such measures may have on U.S. consumers, domestic manufacturers that use Chinese inputs and U.S. companies invested in China.

No Liability Limitation Language to be Allowed on Bond Forms. U.S. Customs and Border Protection has announced that effective Feb. 11 any CBP 301 form or bond rider submitted to the Revenue Division that contains any liability limitation language (whether or not it matches the power of attorney information currently on file with CBP) will be rejected. Last August CBP had said it would reject any CBP 301 form where a printed limit of liability on the form is less than the liability amount of the bond or greater than the specific agent and surety limits recorded with CBP.

WTO Members Approve Ukraine’s Accession
The WTO announced this week that its members have approved Ukraine’s request to join the organization. According to a WTO press release, Ukraine applied for membership in 1993 and its accession negotiations were concluded Jan. 25. The former Soviet state must now ratify the agreement by July 4 and will officially become a WTO member 30 days after ratification.

Costa Rica to Seek More Time to Implement DR-CAFTA
According to press reports, Costa Rican President Oscar Arias recently said that his country will miss a Feb. 29 deadline for implementing DR-CAFTA. Voters approved the agreement in a nationwide referendum last October, but the legislature has so far passed only four of about a dozen bills needed to comply with the agreement. Officials say it could take another two or three months for the rest of the legislation, which includes controversial measures like opening the national telecom and insurance markets, to be approved. Arias said he will therefore have to ask the U.S. and possibly other signatories as well for more time to implement the agreement.

State Department Grants Nearly $40 Million for DR-CAFTA Labor, Environmental Initiatives
The Department of State recently announced that it will commit $39.6 million from fiscal year 2007 funds to help DR-CAFTA countries improve their labor and environmental protection practices. An agency press release reports that the new funding - $20.3 million for labor improvements and $19.3 million for environmental projects - will complement current activities that received $19.84 million in FY 2005 and $39.6 million in FY 2006. State worked with partner governments to identify specific activities so that each country’s priorities are addressed.

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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