WASHINGTON — March 9, 2017 — Imports at the nation’s major retail container ports should see double-digit year-over-year increases for the next two months as a growing economy increases the demand for affordable merchandise, according to the monthly Global Port Tracker report released today by the National Retail Federation and Hackett Associates.

“Consumers are spending more freely and retailers are stocking up for the spring and summer seasons,” NRF Vice President for Supply Chain and Customs Policy Jonathan Gold said. “Merchants are making sure they are prepared to meet growing demand, and imports are essential to providing American families with the products they need at prices they can afford.”

“The threat of a ‘border adjustment’ tax, withdrawal from the Trans-Pacific Partnership and a possible rewrite of the North American Free Trade Agreement might eventually dampen the trading spirit and discourage international trade,” Hackett Associates Founder Ben Hackett said. “In the meantime, the opposite is happening – trade is continuing to grow despite these developments in Washington.”

Ports covered by Global Port Tracker handled an unusually high 1.67 million Twenty-Foot Equivalent Units in January, the latest month for which after-the-fact numbers are available. The large volume came as factories in Asia shipped a surge of products ahead of Lunar New Year shutdowns and was up 6.5 percent from December and 12.5 percent year-over-year. One TEU is one 20-foot-long cargo container or its equivalent.

February was estimated at 1.61 million TEU, up 4.2 percent from last year. March is forecast at 1.46 million TEU, up 10.6 percent from last year; April at 1.59 million TEU, up 10.1 percent; May at 1.67 million TEU, up 2.9 percent; June at 1.66 million TEU, up 5.5 percent, and July at 1.71 million TEU, up 5.2 percent.

The first half of 2017 is expected to total 9.7 million TEU, up 7.4 percent from the first half of 2016. Cargo volume for 2016 totaled 18.8 million TEU, up 3.1 percent from 2015, which had grown 5.4 percent from 2014.

NRF has forecast that job and income growth coupled with low debt will drive 2017 retail sales – excluding automobiles, gasoline and restaurants – to increase between 3.7 and 4.2 percent over 2016. Cargo volume does not correlate directly with sales because only the number of containers is counted, not the value of the cargo inside, but nonetheless provides a barometer of retailers’ expectations.

Global Port Tracker, which is produced for NRF by the consulting firm Hackett Associates, covers the U.S. ports of Los Angeles/Long Beach, Oakland, Seattle and Tacoma on the West Coast; New York/New Jersey, Hampton Roads, Charleston, Savannah, Port Everglades and Miami on the East Coast, and Houston on the Gulf Coast.

Posted March 9, 2017

Source: National Retail Federation

WICHITA, Kan. — March 9, 2017 — INVISTA’s CORDURA® brand and DuPont Tate & Lyle Bio Products announce a collaboration to deliver a new chapter in innovative sustainable textile solutions for performance fabrics. Now, designers of apparel, footwear and gear will have access to leading durable performance fabrics that incorporate sustainable materials.

Both companies, who share a common heritage by tracing their roots to DuPont, a global science company, are marking major milestones. The Cordura brand is celebrating 50 durable years of continuous advancements that have helped shape the world of military, workwear and outdoor products. DuPont Tate & Lyle Bio Products is celebrating a decade of offering high performing ingredients from a sustainable and renewable source based on leveraging the tools of modern biotechnology.

“Working with DuPont Tate & Lyle Bio Products is the beginning of great things to come,” said Cindy McNaull, global Cordura brand and marketing director. “At the core of our brand’s DNA is a dedication to delivering durable next generation fabric technologies. Products made with Cordura fabrics are long-lasting, which means they need to be replaced less often, helping reduce waste. We constantly look at ways to increase the utility and durability of our products and ways we can benefit the environment. Ultimately, our belief is that ‘Sustainability Begins With Products That Last™’, and this forms the perfect backdrop for our collaboration with DuPont Tate & Lyle Bio Products.”

DuPont Tate & Lyle’s Susterra® propanediol durable coatings and waterproof, breathable membranes are manufactured through a proprietary fermentation process using plant-derived glucose. In addition to being renewably sourced, Susterra is manufactured using a sustainable process that produces 50-percent less greenhouse gas emissions and consumes 42-percent less non-renewable energy than equivalent petroleum-based diols. At the manufacturing facility’s full capacity, that is equivalent to taking 40,000 passenger cars off the road and turning off one million 100W incandescent lightbulbs for one full year.

“We are thrilled to be working together with the Cordura brand, combining our unique capabilities and expertise, and building on our track records of delivering innovation to the marketplace,” said Laurie Kronenberg, global marketing director for DuPont Tate & Lyle Bio Products. “Together, we can revolutionize the future use of sustainable textiles by delivering innovative solutions that marry the legendary long-lasting durability of Cordura fabrics with the bio-based performance of Susterra propanediol based membranes and coatings.”

Posted March 9, 2017

Source: INVISTA’s CORDURA®

DODGEVILLE, Wis. — March 8, 2017 — From rainbows and pots of gold to the lure of little leprechauns, millions will embrace the Irish spirit on St. Patrick’s Day. In fact, while the US Census Bureau estimates 33 million Americans claim Irish heritage, almost four times that number –125 million Americans – planned to celebrate the St. Patrick’s Day holiday last year, according to the National Retail Federation.
In time for the Irish holiday or any day, Lands’ End is now offering St. Patrick’s Day embroidery available on an assortment of products ranging from totes to towels perfect for showing a little Irish spirit or sharing with a lucky friend or relative.  The last day to order St. Patrick’s Day icons to receive in time for the holiday is March 13. The embroidered Irish icons and monogramming options available from Lands’ End, starting at $6, include:

• Clever Clovers – A green collage of clovers, the universal symbol of good luck, is a simple way to embellish a gift from Lands’ End with a little Irish inspiration.
• Love of the Irish – Looking to express a love of everything Irish? Look no further than the St. Patrick’s Day “Love” embroidery.
• Green Monograms – A touch of green in a personalized monogram can give a nod to Irish heritage year-round in a favorite shade inspired from the Emerald Isle.

Posted March 8, 2017

Source: Lands’ End, Inc. 

WASHINGTON — March 6, 2017 – TRSA and The Manufacturing Institute announced a partnership to reach the next generation of manufacturing workers and the linen, uniform and facility services industry. TRSA is just the second industry association to join the Institute’s Dream It. Do It. program, which raises awareness of careers in manufacturing.

Through this partnership, TRSA and its members will have access to market-tested materials targeting young people, parents, and teachers. This library includes posters, brochures, social media, videos, and web content. Dream It. Do It. also provides a collection of best practices, how-to guides, and resources for activities proven to influence the perception of manufacturing careers.

The Dream It. Do It. program is an important component of an ambitious effort by TRSA to grow the pipeline of workers in linen, uniform and facility services operations. The organization’s multifaceted workforce initiatives include career awareness, internship and apprenticeship programs, and recruiting veterans into the industry. TRSA also plans to target Manufacturing Day, on and around October 6, 2017, for members to hold tours and connect with schools in their communities. Manufacturing Day is an initiative of The Manufacturing Institute and the National Association of Manufacturers.

“TRSA is developing alliances that improve our ability to recruit, retain and develop the executives, managers and skilled workers necessary to continue the growth of our industry,” said Joseph Ricci, CAE, CEO & President of TRSA. “Our partnership with the Manufacturing Institute offers access to expertise, contacts and resources that these objectives.”

“The skills gap is very real and impacts virtually every sector of manufacturing,” said Brent Weil, senior vice president of The Manufacturing Institute. “I applaud TRSA for its bold leadership in addressing the skill needs head-on. Joining Dream It. Do It. is an important step in turning that vision into action.”

Established in 2005, Dream It. Do It. works to change the perception of the industry and inspire next-generation workers to pursue manufacturing careers. The initiative offers local manufacturers, schools, community-based organizations and other stakeholders the opportunity to partner with a respected national platform to promote manufacturing as a top tier career choice in the United States.

Posted March 8, 2016

Source: TRSA