Q1 Global Fabric Output High 2004 Machinery Shipments Mixed

First-quarter (Q1) 2005 global fabric output continued at its record level, and yarn production was
virtually unchanged; while global fabric and yarn inventories were lower for the period, according
to the Switzerland-based International Textile Manufacturers Federation’s (ITMF’s) latest State of
Trade Report. 

South American fabric output rose 7 percent, while Asian production fell 1.2 percent.
European output was up 0.2 percent. Year-on-year global output grew 23.2 percent, led by Asia’s
53.6-percent growth. South American production fell 8 percent on an annual basis.

Global yarn production rose just 0.3 percent for the quarter and 1 percent year-on-year.
South America registered a Q1 production increase of 1.4 percent, and a 2-percent year-on-year
drop, while Asian output was down 0.5 percent for the quarter and rose 3.5 percent on an annual
basis.

Fabric inventories were down 1.3 percent for the quarter and up 4.6 percent over Q1 2004
stocks.

Yarn stocks were 0.7-percent lower for the quarter; but grew 13.8 percent year-on-year, with
increases in North America and Asia at 30.2 percent and 15 percent, respectively.

ITMF’s report on 2004 textile machinery shipments showed increases in weaving, flat knitting
and short-staple spindles; and decreases in texturing, circular knitting, long-staple spindles and
open-end (OE) rotors.

Of 8.2 million short-staple spindles shipped, 4.5 million went to China and 1.4 million to
Pakistan. Asia accounted for 92 percent of all shipments, compared with 88 percent in 2003.

Long-staple spindle shipments dropped 19 percent to 196,000 including 97,000 to China – an
18-percent increase; and 41,000 to Iran – a 64-percent jump; while shipments to Turkey were down 73
percent to 17,000.

OE rotor shipments, at 278,000 positions, were 20-percent lower than in 2003. China’s
41-percent share represented a 55-percent reduction over 2003. Turkey’s share grew by 19 percent.
India’s grew by 775 percent.

Single heater draw texturing and double heater spindle shipments were down 9 percent and 38
percent, respectively.

Shuttleless loom shipments increased 5 percent over 2003 to 65,500, with China taking 74
percent of shipments.

Large circular knitting machine shipments fell 6.8 percent to 9,400, and electronic flat
knitting machine shipments rose 21 percent to 11,300.



September 2005

SHARE