International Textile Manufacturers Federation (ITMF): Decrease In Global Short-Staple And Rotor Capacities

ZURICH — April 8, 2021 — The International Textile Manufacturers Federation (ITMF) has published its report on International Textile Industry Statistics (ITIS) on productive capacity and raw materials consumption in the short-staple organized (spinning mill-) sector in virtually all textile-producing countries in the world.

The 2019 data shows a decrease in short-staple spindles and open-end rotors capacities around the world. The number of installed short-staple spindles went down from 230 million in 2018 to 223 million in 2019. The number of installed open-end rotors decreased from 8.2 million in 2018 to 7.4 million in 2019. These changes are mainly driven by scraping of outdated machinery in China. The trends observed in other regions are stable. The number of installed air-jet spindles is increasing worldwide, mainly in Asian countries and Turkey.

The substitution between shuttle and shuttle-less looms continues but the growth in shuttle-less looms capacities has slowed down. The number of installed shuttle-less looms increased by 1 percent in 2019 and reached 1.7 million units.  Total raw material consumption in the short-staple organized sector has stagnated in 2019. Consumption of cellulosic short-staple fiber increased by 9 percent to 5.4 million tons and consumption of synthetic short-staple fibers decreased by -4 percent to 14.2 million tons. The consumption of cotton has stabilized at 26 mill tons.

Posted April 8, 2021

Source: International Textile Manufacturers Federation (ITMF)

Embroidery and Garment-Printing Equipment From Full-Service Contract Decorator Gate NY Featured In Online Auction

HOLBROOK, N.Y.  — April 8, 2021 — Tiger Group is now accepting bids for the April 15 online auction of assets from Holbrook, N.Y.-based embroidery and garment-printing company Gate NY, which had been a major drop-ship location for garment distributors from across the Northeast.

Highlights of the auction include screen-printing machines, flash cures, dryers, folders and accessories by brands such as MHM, M&R, Dane, Hix, Interchange, OYO and NEDCO; direct-to-garment equipment by Brother; and embroidery machines and accessories by well-known manufacturers such as Barudan and Hashima.

“Embroidery and garment-printing companies are gearing up for a rebirth of live events this spring and summer as the national vaccination campaign progresses,” noted John Coelho, a senior director with Tiger Commercial & Industrial. “But brand-new equipment is taking months to ship due to disruptions in the supply chain. As a result, this online auction is particularly relevant to the needs of growth-oriented companies in this sector.”

In addition to equipment such as heat-transfer presses from Stahls and Brother and a Roland printer/cutter, Tiger is auctioning warehouse and office assets from Gate NY’s 32,000-square-foot facility in Holbrook. These include heat sealers, conveyors, forklifts, air compressors, pallet jacks, dollies and carts, as well as computers and office, reception and breakroom furniture.

Established in 1996, full-service contract decoration company Gate NY recently discontinued its operations following the death of its founder. Gate NY decorated more than 1.5 million garments a year for major distributors like S&S Activewear, SanMar and Alpha Broder. It was an authorized decorator for North Face, Under Armour and Puma, and had worked on projects involving brands such as Ferrari, Ford, Pepsi, Red Bull, BBC America, Energizer, Benjamin Moore Paints and CAT, to name a few.

“This is high-quality and, in many cases, late-model equipment that could give a competitive edge to embroidery and garment-printing companies as they position themselves for the future,” Coelho said.

Online bidding at SoldTiger.com will close on Thursday, April 15, at 10:30 A.M. (ET). All bidders are required to register prior to the sale at SoldTiger.com.

Posted April 7, 2021

Source: Tiger Group

Piper Sandler Completes 41st Semi-Annual Generation Z Survey of 7,000 U.S. Teens

MINNEAPOLIS — April 7, 2021 — Piper Sandler Companies, an investment bank, has completed its 41st semi-annual Taking Stock With Teens® survey in partnership with DECA. This survey highlights discretionary spending trends and brand preferences from 7,000 teens across 47 U.S. states with an average age of 16.1 years. Generation Z, which contributes approximately $830 billion to U.S. retail sales annually*, represents an influential consumer group where wallet size and allocation provide a proxy for category interest.

This year’s Spring 2021 survey was impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. The survey was conducted from February 19 to March 24; 58 percent of teens have returned to school in either a hybrid format or in person this Spring while 42 percent remained fully virtual. We received the highest amount of responses from the South at 48 percent of the mix and 10 percent of the responses from the Northeast — similar to Spring and Fall 2020.

For the survey infographic and more information, visit pipersandler.com/teens

“Our Spring survey gave rise to a number of themes emerging for GenZ as we think about the path to reopening. We are seeing a female-led spending recovery with upticks in spending on clothing, handbags and skincare in particular. Within apparel, athletic is still the dominant trend with Nike & lululemon taking new highs and Under Armour seeing improved mindshare. Simultaneously, we are seeing a revival of the 1990s fashion trend flannel shirts, baggy pants, mom jeans & eclectic hair trends all in vogue.

“GenZ is a conscious generation as teens this Spring cite Racial Equality & the Environment as their top-two social issues. We have also seen “thrifting” emerge as a strong trend as thinking secondhand is becoming second nature to teens. In fact, 47 percent of teens have purchased and 55 percent have sold secondhand.

“In the wake of COVID-19 and given these consumers are digitally-native, we are not surprised to see online adoption at its highest ever this Spring. Snapchat & TikTok are the top-two social media platforms. While Amazon remains the No. 1 website, we are seeing a rise in female-centric platforms like SHEIN, Revolve and Princess Polly,” said Erinn Murphy, Piper Sandler senior research analyst.

Spring 2021 Key Findings

Spending & Shopping Behavior

  • Areas of wallet share contraction included: Concerts/Events & Car (remains below multi-year average);
  • Areas of wallet share expansion included: Clothing & Accessories (especially for females);
  • Amazon remains teens’ No. 1 preferred online shopping mind-share at 56 percent;
  • Skincare spending for females ranks ahead of makeup spending;
  • TikTok influencers have significantly reshaped skincare brand preferences; 86 percent of females use online influencers as a source of discovery for beauty brands and trends;
  • Video games hold approximately 16 percent of teen wallet share; 53 percent of gamers plan to purchase the new console system in the next 2 years; and
  • Teens allocate 8 percent of their shopping to secondhand; 47 percent of teens have purchased and 55 percent have sold secondhand — thrift/consignment stores ranked No. 10 as favorite brand/retailer, compared to No. 23 in the Spring 2020 survey.

Brand Preferences

  • Chick-fil-A remains No. 1 restaurant for 7 consecutive surveys; Starbucks maintains No. 2 and Chipotle remains No. 3;
  • 49 percent of teens either consume or are willing to try plant-based meat with Impossible Foods as the No. 1 choice, followed closely by Beyond;
  • For more than 10 years, Nike remains No. 1 apparel brand; Nike also holds No. 1 spot for footwear brand and preferred athletic apparel & footwear brand;
  • PacSun moves up from No. 5 apparel brand to No. 3; adidas falls to No. 5 — lowest level since Fall 2017;
  • 96 percent of females claim to shop online versus 88 percent last year, while 92 percent of males claim to shop online versus 91 percent last year;
  • Lays is most preferred snack brand among teens at 11 percent, followed closely by Campbell’s Goldfish (9 percent);
  • Ulta maintains No. 1 preferred beauty destination against Sephora for fifth survey in a row (46 percent share vs. 39 percent LY); 80 percent of female teens willing to spend more for “clean” or natural beauty;
  • Tarte remains top-ranked cosmetic brand for 7 consecutive surveys; e.l.f. registers all-time high in survey at No. 2 preferred makeup brand;
  • CeraVe holds No. 1 spot as top skincare brand for the second survey in a row; The Ordinary remains in the No. 4 spot similar to Fall and up from No. 14 last Spring;
  • Teens spend 32 percent of their daily video consumption on Netflix, down slightly from 34 percent in Fall 2020, followed by YouTube (No. 2) and Hulu (No. 3);
  • Half of the list of favorite social media personalities is dominated by YouTube and TikTok content creators;
  • 88 percent of teens own an iPhone and 90 percent expect an iPhone to be their next phone, both record survey highs.

The Piper Sandler Taking Stock With Teens® survey is a semi-annual research project that gathers input from 7,000 teens with an average age of 16.1 years. Discretionary spending patterns, fashion trends, technology, and brand and media preferences are assessed through surveying a geographically diverse subset of high schools across the U.S. Since the project began in 2001, Piper Sandler has surveyed more than 201,800 teens and collected over 49.7 million data points on teen spending.

* Source: Fung Global Retail & Technology

Posted April 7, 2021

Source: Piper Sandler Companies

Alliance Laundry Systems Announces Its Third Acquisition of 2021

RIPON, Wis. — April 7, 2021 — Alliance Laundry Systems is acquiring the distribution assets of Chicago-based D&M Equipment Co. D&M is a distributor of laundromat equipment based in the Midwest.

This is Alliance’s third acquisition of 2021 and the first acquisition of a distributor of multiple manufacturers’ products. The deal is expected to close later this month.

“Our strategy has been clear from the start: we will pursue partnerships with exceptional companies,” said Rick Pyle, president and chief commercial officer of Alliance Laundry Systems. “For decades, D&M has shown market leadership and we are excited to welcome them to Alliance.”

Founded in 1965 by respected laundromat leader, Don Tomasian, D&M Equipment Co. has delivered exemplary service and support to customers in and around the Chicago area. The company has further distinguished itself with expert in-house installers and a well-stocked parts department.

D&M will represent the Speed Queen® brand. A week ago, Alliance announced its acquisition of Chicago-based UniMac® distributor, Washburn Machinery Inc. These recent additions to the Alliance family illustrate the company’s commitment to expanding service and distribution offerings to customers in the greater Chicago area.

Joe Frankian, president of D&M Equipment, will join Alliance in a leadership role. He will continue to oversee the business and build on the company’s record performance of the last few years as part of Alliance Laundry Systems. D&M will carry on its family tradition with Joe’s son, Connor, also staying on to serve customers.

“This is an exciting new chapter in our company’s history,” Frankian said. “With the power of a global leader behind us, I’m confident customers will see next-level service.”

Posted April 7, 2021

Source: Alliance Laundry Systems LLC

Champion® Athleticwear Launches Two New Collections In Support Of The Brand’s Overall Sustainability Efforts

WINSTON SALEM, N.C. — April 7, 2021 — Just in time for Earth Day, Champion Athleticwear, makers of authentic athletic apparel since 1919, is driving its commitment to sustainability forward by introducing two new environmentally conscious collections — Natural State Reverse Weave and Rally Pro Earth footwear.

The new lines are being introduced as part of the Champion MADE promise to create athleticwear that feels good, looks good and, most importantly, does good. As part of this commitment, the brand is working to increase the use of responsibly made fabrics and create new products that continue to reduce the brand’s energy use and water consumption during the manufacturing process.

“We are dedicated to helping protect the planet by creating best-in-class sustainable products,” said David Robertson, director, Champion Global Brand Marketing. “The launch of Natural State and Rally Pro Earth are only the beginning of what we have in-the-works to protect the place we all call home.”

Robertson notes that the brand has a strong foundation on which to build its sustainability program.

“All Champion products can be washed in cold water, which reduces energy and water usage, and our Powerblend sweats are made with a portion of recycled polyester fibers,” he said. “And I’m very proud of the fact that by 2025, as part of the HanesBrands family, Champion will use 100-percent recycled polyester and 100-percent sustainable cotton in all of its apparel, achieve zero waste across operations and reduce the absolute weight of packaging materials used for products by 25 percent.”

The Natural State product line contains recycled polyester fibers, celebrating the brand’s iconic Reverse Weave fabrics in their natural, raw state. The collection uses minimally processed and unbleached fabrics, along with all-natural dyes derived from flowers, roots and plants. The Natural State collection, which is characterized by natural, muted tones, raw edges and logos that include recycled fibers, allows the brand’s fans to be environmentally conscious from head to toe in the line’s tees, hoodies, crew-neck sweatshirts, joggers and shorts.

With the launch of the Rally Pro Earth, Champion’s iconic Rally Pro sneaker gets a refresh using more earth-friendly materials. This is Champion’s first sneaker assembled with 25 to 45-percent upcycled and 50 to 65-percent recycled materials, with percentages varying by shoe color. The Rally Pro Earth sneaker, which is being launched with the brand’s licensee, BBC International, also contains an upcycled EVA rubber outsole and rubber logo sole for traction and is packaged in recycled boxes.

Apparel in the Natural State collection ranges from $35 to $75 and will be available to shop in-store and online at Champion and Urban Outfitters on April 19. The Rally Pro Earth will retail for $104.22 (a nod to Earth Day) and be available to shop in select Champion stores and on Champion.com on April 22.

Posted April 7, 2021

Source: Champion Athleticwear

New Composite Bridge In Tennessee Showcases Sustainable Solution For Aging Infrastructure

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — April 7, 2021 — On the surface, it looks like any of the thousands of small, narrow two-lane bridges across America.

But a new, high-tech bridge in north central Tennessee is equipped with a fiber-reinforced polymer (FRP) composite material bridge deck embedded with fiber optic sensors. It replaced a damaged, decades-old concrete crossing which, like thousands of rural, low-volume bridges across the state and nation, was rated structurally deficient and outdated.

According to the American Society of Civil Engineers, about 8 percent of the more than 617,000 bridges in the U.S. are structurally deficient and need repair. FRP composites offer a low-cost, low-maintenance option and the new structure in rural Tennessee and is intended to demonstrate the benefits of composite materials for rural bridge work.

“This composite bridge has already made a positive impact on Morgan County,” said Morgan County Highway Superintendent Joe Miller, who added county officials were looking for a low-maintenance bridge that could be installed fast and at a lower cost than traditional methods. “We have numerous bridges within the county and hundreds across the state that are in need of repair and could benefit from this technology.”

For Morgan County, the lightweight, easy-to-install bridge comes at no cost, courtesy of the composites industry. Working together under the umbrella of the Institute for Advanced Composites Manufacturing Innovation, or IACMI—The Composites Institute®, almost a dozen private companies led by Tennessee-based Composite Applications Group (CAG) partnered with industry organizations and university researchers to make the composite bridge a reality.

Developed by Structural Composites Inc. (SCI), the 16-feet-long and 25-feet-wide bridge deck is engineered for high-strength and is 90 percent lighter than concrete. It has two 8-by-25-foot corrosion resistant FRP deck panels that were fabricated off-site in a controlled environment.

Because the completed bridge sections were so lightweight, they could be transported to the bridge site and installed in one day using a forklift, reducing installation time and energy costs by requiring less construction equipment for on-site preparation.

IACMI Technology Manager John Unser, who is also vice president of program and project management for CAG, said composites have been used for bridge deck applications for more than 20 years and have exceeded all performance and safety standards set by the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO). But when it comes to composite bridge decking, he said, many transportation departments across the country, especially those from smaller jurisdictions, are not familiar with the technology.

IACMI and its industry partners are developing a comprehensive case study based on the Morgan County bridge project, including comparing total costs of a typical concrete bridge and one using an FRP bridge deck. Unser said the results will be shared with federal, state and local officials, transportation departments and the civil engineering community so FRP composites will be more a “known” to them.

University of Tennessee, Knoxville (UTK) researchers and engineering students from the Fibers and Composites Manufacturing Facility are part of the bridge partnership. They embedded smart fiber optic sensors developed by Luna Innovations into the bridge surface during production. These high-density sensors are being used to monitor the composite deck system over time to give critical performance and safety data, thus providing a sustainable solution for aging infrastructures such as bridges. In addition, wireless technology developed at UT is being utilized for monitoring the response of the bridge system and traffic counts remotely via cloud computing.

“Lack of durability data is one of the major barriers of the adoption of novel and advance materials including carbon, basalt, or glass fiber reinforced polymeric composites in civil infrastructure,” said Dayakar Penumadu, the Fred N. Peebles Professor in the Tickle College of Engineering at UT and Characterization Fellow for Materials and Processing for IACMI.

Penumadu added, “this is a major obstacle for integrating new materials and structures quickly and thus require successful demonstration as being done through this IACMI project. Bridge decks are the most damage prone elements, and we are integrating smart sensors distributed throughout the composite bridge deck that will provide us valuable performance data with time for years to come.”

To learn more about the Morgan County bridge project and how FRP bridges offer a sustainable solution to the nation’s crumbling infrastructure, visit www.compositebridge.org.

Collaborative Partnership

Led by IACMI, CAG, and the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, a collaboration of private companies contributed expertise and materials such as adhesives, epoxies, coatings and resins, preforms and reinforcements to the Morgan County bridge project. These include SCI, McKinney Excavating Inc., Luna Innovations, Steffen Structural Engineering, Neel-Schaffer Inc., Interplastic Corporation, Engineered Bonding Solutions LLC, West System, Superior Fiberglass, METYX Composites and Compsys Inc.

Posted April 7, 2021

Source: IACMI – The Composites Institute

Continuous Composites Demonstrates CF3D® Technology For Lockheed Martin And The Air Force Research Laboratory’s Wing Structure Design For Manufacturing (WiSDM) Project

COEUR D’ALENE, Idaho — April 7, 2021 — Continuous Composites successfully completed the Air Force Research Laboratory’s two-year Wing Structure Design for Manufacturing (WiSDM) contract through Lockheed Martin to manufacture a Low Cost Attritable Aircraft (LCAA) wing. The project focused on a new structural design paradigm, when coupled with commensurate materials and manufacturing, to substantially reduce costs and lead times for attritable airframe structures. Continuous Composites’ patented Continuous Fiber 3D Printing (CF3D®) technology successfully printed the structural carbon fiber spars of the wing assembly. Structural performance was demonstrated when the completed wing box was statically tested and achieved 160 percent design limit load (DLL) before the compression skin buckled. The spars did not fail.

The program included a range of technologies focusing on innovative materials and manufacturing processes, including CF3D to print the spars, long fiber injection molding for ribs, additively manufactured tooling, automated fiber placement for skins, autodrill and robotic assembly. More specifically, Continuous Composites printed two 8-foot-long, 4-pound, carbon fiber tapered C-channel spars. This novel approach to composites manufacturing features in situ impregnation, consolidation, and curing, resulting in significant cost and lead time reduction. The fully automated process features cutting and refeeding, enabling ply drops and variable part thickness within the structure.

The final wing assembly was delivered to the United States Air Force to undergo static load testing. The fully assembled wing was loaded to 160 percent of Design Limit Load. No measured or visual damage to the CF3D printed spars was detected. The printed carbon fiber spars achieved a 60-percent fiber volume fraction with approximately 1 to 2 percent voids.

“The successful work with Continuous Composites and AFRL’s focus on CF3D for this project not only advances new 3D printing technology but also offers the potential for aerospace-grade composite printing in high-performance industries,” says John Scarcello, senior manager, Lockheed Martin Skunk Works®. “We recognize this process is paving the way for broader applications within both defense and commercial applications, and Lockheed Martin plans to be part of that future of advanced manufacturing.”

Ray Fisher, Air Force Research Laboratory Program manager commented: “CF3D presents an innovative manufacturing technology that shows great promise to be both low cost and agile to the production rate and responsiveness requirements to realize attritable airframe structures. The success of this LCAA project shows great opportunity for additive manufacturing with customized CF3D material solutions that can orient structural fibers optimally. It is especially attractive to avoid expensive tooling in manufacturing aerospace structural parts. I look forward to additional opportunities to incorporate CF3D in increasingly complex structures that are further optimized for attritable enabling production.”

“This project is one application where CF3D showcases the significant cost reduction and design freedom while exceeding the stringent mechanical properties required for aerospace,” concluded Tyler Alvarado, CEO, Continuous Composites. “Our team is very appreciative to Lockheed Martin, the U.S. Air Force, and other partners for including CF3D in this LCAA project. We are taking the next steps to select our long-term DoD prime partner while engaging the Air Force as evidenced by the upcoming announcements of our key involvement with AFRL PiCARD program in parallel to a five-year CRADA.”

Posted April 7, 2021

Source: Continuous Composites

Koch Separation Solutions Launches Enhanced Technology To More Effectively Treat Various Industrial Waste Streams

WILMINGTON, Mass. — April 7, 2021 — Koch Separation Solutions (KSS) today announced the expansion of its tubular membrane product line with the launch of INDU-COR™ HD (High Density) — an enhanced technology designed to treat various industrial waste streams more effectively. INDU-COR HD provides a higher packing density of up to 300 percent, which makes crossflow filtration more economical while taking up less space. This new product configuration increases operational efficiencies and sustainability while reducing customers’ cost of waste treatment. INDU-COR HD’s 8mm PVDF tubule configuration is a complimentary offering to KSS’s existing FEG PLUS, ULTRA-COR and INDU-COR product lines.

“As a leader in industrial wastewater treatment solutions, we understand that every customer has a unique set of challenges and that there is no one-size-fits-all solution for their operations,” said Taylour Johnson, product manager of KSS. “Building on KSS’ more than 60 years of experience and leadership in membrane solutions, our INDU-COR HD technology will provide our customers with an enhanced membrane equipment option that is reliable, efficient, and cost-effective.”

The new INDU-COR HD will be available in a variety of sizes — 4-, 6-, 8- and 10-inch diameters — with standard grooved coupling connections, and will have housing material options of FRP, CPVC, and stainless steel. The technology can be applied to new or retrofit applications such as streams high in emulsified oils, grease, heavy metals, suspended solids, and integrations with MBR (Membrane Bioreactor) throughout a variety of industries including metal working, food and beverage, oil and gas, and pulp and paper.

INDU-COR HD membrane products build upon KSS’ deep expertise in membrane filtration technology. Since 1970 KSS and its historic business units have pioneered commercially viable tubular ultrafiltration technology, beginning with the introduction of the clog-resistant FEG 1” PVDF membrane. Since its introduction, the FEG membrane product has undergone only slight enhancements and the FEG PLUS product continues to be one of the most reliable technologies used over numerous industries. KSS later introduced the 0.5” multi-tubule configuration with the ULTRA-COR and larger INDU-COR products.

Posted April 7, 2021

Source: Koch Separation Solutions (KSS)

NCTO Member Parkdale Mills Hosts Senator Tim Kaine Highlighting The Importance Of The U.S. Textile Industry To Lifesaving PPE & The Economy

WASHINGTON — April 7, 2021 — National Council of Textiles Organization (NCTO) member Parkdale Mills hosted Senator Tim Kaine (D-Va.) at the company’s Magnolia Manufacturing plant in Hillsville, Va., today to showcase the critical role the company and the industry has played in producing lifesaving personal protective equipment (PPE) to aid frontline health-care workers and the country during the pandemic.

Parkdale’s facility in Hillsville is a key yarn spinning hub contributing to a major face mask initiative bringing together several U.S. companies and more than 5,000 workers as part of the Biden administration’s pledge to provide 25 million reusable face masks to communities hit hard by the pandemic.

“Parkdale Mills thanks Senator Kaine for his leadership on policies that help bolster our company and the entire textile industry. We are proud to be part of an initiative that is bringing together American companies to produce 100-percent American-made masks for community health centers, soup kitchens and food banks across the country,” said Davis Warlick of Parkdale Mills. “With the support of our government and leaders like Senator Kaine, our industry is demonstrating its ability and capacity to make critical items here for the long term.”

Kim Glas, president and CEO of NCTO said: “We want to sincerely thank Senator Kaine for his leadership in supporting American manufacturers, which have played a vital role in our economy as well as the nationwide effort to produce critical PPE and medical textiles for a nation in crisis. We are grateful to the senator and the Biden administration for prioritizing domestic manufacturers and the U.S. workforce. The U.S. textile industry is a vital contributor to the U.S economy and policies that Senator Kaine supports help bolster the onshoring of PPE and critical items, which in turn spurs employment and investment in the American manufacturing base.”

Posted April 7, 2021

Source: National Council of Textiles Organization (NCTO)

The National Retail Federation (NRF): Retail Import Surge Expected Through Summer

WASHINGTON — April 7, 2021 — The unprecedented surge of imports at retail container ports that began last summer is expected to continue at least through the end of this summer as retailers work to meet increased consumer demand, according to the monthly Global Port Tracker report released today by the National Retail Federation and Hackett Associates.

“We’ve never seen imports at this high a level for such an extended period of time,” NRF Vice President for Supply Chain and Customs Policy Jonathan Gold said. “Records have been broken multiple times and near-record numbers are happening almost every month. Between federal stimulus checks and money saved by staying home for the better part of a year, consumers have money in their pockets and they’re spending it with retailers as fast as retailers can stock their shelves.”

Imports hit their lowest point in four years last March — 1.37 million Twenty-Foot Equivalent Units — as the economic effects of the coronavirus pandemic began to take hold. But cargo rebounded and hit a then-record 2.1 million TEU in August as the economy reopened, eventually peaking at 2.21 million TEU in October. Under the current forecast, volume is expected to remain at or above the 2 million TEU mark for 11 out of 13 months by this August. Before 2020, monthly imports had reached 2 million TEU only once, in October 2018.

The surge resulted in months of backups at ports, which have faced labor shortages because of COVID-19 infections and equipment shortages because of the volume. The global supply chain continues to be strained by multiple disruptions, including the recent blockage of the Suez Canal. But Hackett Associates Founder Ben Hackett said ports are beginning to catch up.

“Congestion at U.S. ports is abating as container carriers and terminals adjust to the new normal,” Hackett said. “We saw the busiest February on record as the ports worked to clear the backlog, and the number of ships at anchor in San Pedro Bay waiting to dock at Los Angeles and Long Beach is dropping.”

Only 17 ships were reported waiting off LA/Long Beach — the nation’s busiest port complex — in recent days, compared with about 30 ships a month ago, Hackett said.

U.S. ports covered by Global Port Tracker handled 1.87 million TEU in February, the latest month for which final numbers are available. That was down 9.1 percent from January but up 23.7 percent year-over-year and the busiest February since NRF began tracking imports in 2002. A TEU is one 20-foot container or its equivalent.

March was projected at 2.07 million TEU, up 50.7 percent year-over-year, but Hackett cautioned that last year’s swings caused by the pandemic have “played havoc” with percentage comparisons. During March 2020, many Asian factories that should have reopened after February’s Lunar New Year holiday were still closed, and U.S. businesses were starting to close to avoid spreading the virus.

April is forecast at 1.99 million TEU, up 23.4 percent year-over-year; May at 2 million TEU, up 30.6 percent; June at 2.01 million TEU, up 24.9 percent; July at 2.04 million TEU, up 6.5 percent, and August at 2.08 million TEU, down 1.2 percent. The August number would be the first year-over-year decline since last July.

The first half of 2021 is forecast at 11.99 million TEU, up 26.9 percent from the same period in 2020, which experienced a major decline in imports due to COVID-19. Imports saw a total of 22 million TEU in 2020, up 1.9 percent from 2019’s 21.6 million TEU and beating the previous record of 21.8 million TEU recorded in 2018.

Global Port Tracker, which is produced for NRF by Hackett Associates, provides historical data and forecasts for the U.S. ports of Los Angeles/Long Beach, Oakland, Seattle and Tacoma on the West Coast; New York/New Jersey, Port of Virginia, Charleston, Savannah, Port Everglades, Miami and Jacksonville on the East Coast, and Houston on the Gulf Coast. The report is free to NRF retail members, and subscription information is available at NRF.com/PortTracker

Posted April 7, 2021

Source: The National Retail Federation (NRF)

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