Understanding that today’s consumer wants something that’s more unique is easy.  Meeting that demand is a bit more challenging.  That’s where UPW offers an ideal solution for knitters. The company’s extensive collection of stock yarns can be mixed and matched by designers to create proprietary yarns, without the hurdle of high minimum orders.  Orders from UPW’s stock service can be as little as 1 kg per color. “Over the years, we have ...

A leading jeans manufacturer goes smaller to be better. Apparel manufacturing is entering a new era where quality, not quantity, is the new “gold standard” for orders.  Until recently, manufacturers vied for bigger orders, with the focus on volume – at any cost.  That’s starting to change.Quantity still counts, but quality (manufacturing premium products) determines who will survive in today’s tough manufacturing environment.  The factories that ...

How advanced equipment is producing better garments and better profits.The heroes behind many successful garment producers are machinery manufacturers. The continual investment in developing newer and better technology by companies like Tajima Embroidery Machines  Ltd. is enabling the apparel industry to raise its efficiency, as well as offer buyers innovative new products.R & D is in Tajima’s DNA. The Japanese machinery manufacturer introduced its first embroidery machine in 1964...

This state-of-the-art manufacturer is ready to compete with the world's best factories.Ranju Mahtani is proof of that adage that it’s not where you start it’s where you finish. In 1984 Epic, then owned by one of his relatives, sent him to Bangladesh as an intern. At that time the company had just started sourcing out of the subcontinent and was looking to establish themselves as agents out of Bangladesh. Mr. Mahtani was tasked with setting up the office and getting the business s...

Mandarin brought Japanese dyeing and finishing techniques to the Hong Kong textile industry, helping to elevate even basic fabrics.

Often times the quality in a bag is beneath the surface.“Quality is the most important thing. As I always say to my team: A customer could always come back, even if we lose them because of price, production schedule, or other reasons. The only reason they won’t come back to you is if your quality is poor,” said Cyan Tsoi, founder of Karale Industries Limited.This dedication to quality and reputation that Karale developed among its customers has helped the company to weather man...

“Under the current economic situation, fashion is less of a driver for garment sales. Consumers want to buy something of better quality that can last a bit longer,” said Ricky Yee (余斯伟), director at Eastco Industries Ltd.Today’s consumers want good quality clothing that lasts longer, but that doesn’t mean that visual appeal is no longer important. Instead, “if you want to persuade the customer to buy something, it has to be something special. People don’t w...

Smart companies follow the market, but exceptional companies lead the market. When buyers look for rayon and viscose yarns, Hong Kong-based Winning Textile Ltd. is one of the first spinners that comes to mind.  Over the past 20 years, the company has established a reputation as the go to place for innovative rayon and viscose yarns backed by outstanding customer service.“We buy the best raw materials from the best suppliers in China,” said Samson Lam, director.   &ldqu...

In a market where consumers are raising their expectations of garment quality and fit, interlining is starting to regain the respect it deserves as one of the backbones of creating smarter looking apparel.  Today, with new technology, interlining is able to offer both the style and comfort that consumers want.Freudenberg & Vilene International Ltd. is combining a legacy of over 81 years in the interlining industry with an ongoing investment in R&D.  -Today, Freudenberg is a lea...

Cashmere has traditionally been seen as a delicate luxury fiber that requires attention and care.  Cashmere yarn specialist, Lora & Festa, has successfully taken cashmere into the sports and active wear market by adding hi-tech performance properties. The 131 year-old cashmere yarn spinner saw an opportunity in the growing active wear market that wanted the functionality of sportswear but the luxury and design of fashion apparel.The company invested extensively in R&D to develo...