Retailers and other importers of textiles and apparel are mounting an effort to eliminate language
in a major appropriations bill working its way through Congress that would direct the Department of
Commerce (DOC) to monitor all apparel imports from China and Vietnam. If approved by the Senate and
enacted into law, the new program would direct the DOC to “undertake apparel import monitoring,
focusing on prices of imports from China and Vietnam and whether their state-run industries are
illegally pricing products and dumping in the US market.” The measure, part of an omnibus
appropriations bill providing funding for government agencies through the remainder of fiscal year
2009, already has passed the House.

In a letter to the leadership of both the House and Senate, a coalition of US importers of
textiles and apparel has expressed its “strong concern” over the measure, calling it “an
unwarranted program that would be inconsistent with US law and international obligations and
harmful to the already fragile economy.” During the past two years, the DOC monitored imports from
Vietnam, and there was no evidence of dumping. However, importers say the existence of the
monitoring has a chilling effort on overseas sourcing.

Last October, the House Ways and Means Committee instructed the US International Trade
Commission to begin monitoring imports of apparel from China in 34 product categories that had been
under “safeguard restraints.” Quotas were removed from those products as of Dec. 31, 2008, and the
committee is concerned that there might be a surge of imports in those categories that are
considered to be particularly sensitive. The importers say it is inappropriate for Congress to
“revisit this issue and  require a different and duplicative process.”

The coalition’s letter said that “at a time when consumer prices are increasing and
businesses are struggling to make ends meet and keep their workers employed, we urge Congress not
to erect programs that create more uncertainty in the marketplace and spend valuable taxpayer
resources on unnecessary and redundant programs.”

Laura E. Jones, executive director of the US Association of Importers of Textiles and
Apparel, said US textile producers concerned that imports may be dumped or subsidized can use
existing trade remedy laws. She charged that monitoring is simply designed to put pressure on the
Obama administration to initiate an investigation “based on politics rather than facts.”



March 3, 2009

Everybody is tired of all the bad news around the world, presumably provoked by the global finance
industry. The textile industry is affected too – at least, most of the sectors are. However, one
sector is still earning some money and bringing work to the textile machinery industry. It’s the
nonwovens and technical textiles sector.

How Are You?

At the moment, it’s not easy to visit the people in the industry. The question “How are you?”
sounds sometimes like mockery. In most of the cases, the answer is the same: “Business is going
down. The money is there, but nobody’s investing at the moment. Everybody is waiting for good
news.”

We Are Okay

On a recent trip to France and Belgium, it was rather different. When

Textile World
visited France-based nonwovens machinery producer NSC nonwoven, the answer to “How are
you?” was, “We are okay; we have delivery times up to seven months.”

TW
was positively stunned and wanted to know the reasons for this good news in more or less bad
times.

But Why?

NSC nonwoven Sales & Marketing Director Jean-Philippe Dumon said a difficult economic
time also means time for opportunity. In a very lively discussion, he pointed out some reasons for
this success. He said his customers have identified new market opportunities in the ever-so-growing
nonwovens business. And in difficult times, innovative equipment is important more than ever. He
also mentioned one of the Rupp Reports from last year, ”
Can
You Afford To Buy Copies?” (August 19, 2008). The answer to this question, he mentioned, is
clear: No, everybody must have first-class equipment to be successful today.



With Cost And Material Savings

As mentioned before, and published in various

TW
articles over the last year, energy and cost savings are the key words – also for Dumon’s
customers. He reckoned that cost savings are of major concern to all nonwovens producers, this
includes for raw material, energy, maintenance and time. And, he mentioned, “We address this
concern by generating fiber savings with our equipment.”

But not only is fiber saving important, Dumon said. “We also supply control equipment to
ensure a consistent quality production with energy-saving solutions. And, last but not least, the
design of low-maintenance equipment allows more production time and, eventually, a better yield on
the production line.”

Matching Machinery

In the computer business, compatibility is the key word. This also is valid for the
production of nonwovens. Dumon again: “We have a global overview of the nonwoven processes. Most of
our sales are to supply complete lines since such an approach minimizes bottlenecks in production.”

Yes,

TW
argued, but not everybody can spend the money for a complete new line today. No problem, the
answer came promptly. “We are concerned about improving our customer end product performances –
that’s why we also provide solutions to improve the performance of existing lines. This issue will
be the subject of news in a few weeks time. Wait and see.”

Wait and see? All the digging deeper to get more news was useless. However, in most cases, I
would ask more questions to get the news out. But this time was different.

TW
was pleased to hear some good news. So let’s hope for the next message. If you or your
company have some good news, let

TW
know. Send a note to
jrupp@textileworld.com.

TW
would be happy to share it.

March 3, 2009