Index ASAP Global Sourcing Show El Foro U.S. Synthetic Fiber Innovations [TC]² Activity Member Profile - Datacolor Important Dates A Look Ahead

ASAP Global Sourcing Show

The ASAP Show features hundreds of the top apparel manufacturers from all over the world and offers educational seminars on a wide range of timely topics covering global sourcing, quality assurance, social compliance, logistical/shipping issues, and up-to-date safeguard and customs topics.  Hear sourcing executives from Nike, Sean John, Sara Lee, adidas-Salomon, Perry Ellis, Jones Apparel Group, and more!

For more information, visit info@asap.show.com

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El Foro

El Foro, the Central American Forum for Textiles & Apparel, features presentations on pertinent trade issues, country focus reports, and viewpoints from major retailers and brand manufacturers.  El Foro will also provide key perspectives on worldwide technology, textiles, and regional sourcing.

To register online, view the agenda, or obtain more details, visit http://www.ahm-honduras.com/eventos2005/index_en.htm.

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U.S. Synthetic Fiber Innovations
By Dr. Kim Anderson, [TC]²

In today's volatile global market, every sector of the textile industry is scrambling to stay afloat. With the mass exodus of fabric and apparel manufacturers, U.S. fiber producers appear to have gotten the worst of it. Those who have weathered the storm have buoyed themselves by offering innovative products. U.S. synthetic fiber manufacturers are honing in on new and improved fibers with enhanced performance and aesthetic properties.

U.S. synthetic fiber manufacturers are utilizing innovation and perspicacity to develop exciting new products. Meadowbrooks Inventions, Inc. has been the ‘leading manufacturer and supplier of… glitter? Hardly the seminal beginning you might associate with a traditional fiber manufacturer. After seventy years of supplying ‘brilliantly colored particles of precision cut plastic films and metallic foils' to a broad spectrum of industries - including cosmetic suppliers and boat manufacturers - Meadowbrooks has bravely and successfully ventured into the textile sector. Roberta Ruschmann, Vice President of Meadowbrooks Inventions, said she “had always liked textiles” and after achieving longer lengths for Christmas trees, they decided to engineer fibers appropriate for a wide variety of textile applications.

Since the early 90's, Meadowbrooks Inventions has been producing the incredibly beautiful line of Angelina® fibers. Depending on the starting material and the manufacturing process the fibers can produce a number of extraordinary effects - including luminescent, iridescent, holographic and much more. Offered in a wide range of colors, deniers and staple lengths, these aesthetically beautiful and high-performing fibers are being used in everything from apparel to automobile upholstery.

Examples of Angelina® fibers Courtesy Meadowbrooks Inventions, Inc.

Read the entire article at techexchange.com.

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[TC]² Activity

Analysis of an Entrepreneurial Endeavor with an Artistic bent: InkDropBoutique

Several years ago [TC]² began an exploration into digital printing on fabric to see what the capabilities and limitations were using inkdrop printing technology. Out of this investigation came some engineered print prototypes and some uniquely artistic products. The question then was “could this become a profitable business?” To answer this question, [TC]² started the InkdropBoutique (IDB).

The analysis of any manufacturing endeavor should encompass recovering the direct and indirect expenses for producing the product, a return on capital investment, and the generation of profit. Without a profitable margin between the cost of goods sold and the selling price there can be no return of capital or investment return. Therefore the first install of analyzing inkjet printing will be to determine the relationship between cost of goods sold and the selling price. Selling price can be determined by cost plus some predetermined markup or by what the market will bear. Many start-up businesses begin with an idea and a market based pricing structure determined by investigating competitors' prices or surveying potential customers.

The business may start with many products which utilize the core skills of the company or proprietor. This multi-product entry into the market place, on initial startup, can help to verify any market research done on product acceptability. The contribution to profit will then be used against the total overhead and capital expenditure to give at least a gross comparison of profitability.

The most difficult task for the typical artistic entrepreneur is to set the stage for future analysis by organizing the data and order shipping process to capture the appropriate data without duplicated effort. Systematic recording of purchases and shipments is an absolute requirement. A cost plus method would determine a cost of goods sold through a Bill of Materials and a labor analysis to determine the direct costs for individual products. Overhead must be added to that in order to achieve a selling price. In the case of the IDB digital printing project, a general cost for the printed yardage was determined and then the prices of particular products were determined by adding labor and trim. Product mix can therefore greatly change the profitability of the endeavor. This simple analysis will look at the function as a whole and future article will take a more in-depth look.

Many companies operate profitably with this total product view during prosperous times but are forced into individual product analysis when times are tough. Many dollars of profit have unknowingly covered the ills of a non-performing product.

However, cash flow is the initial filter by which companies are judged and once deemed feasible as a business the product line can be fine-tuned.

In the case of IDB there are three basic areas of output: fabric only sold by the yard, products that involve printed fabric and some labor, and those products that need trim items purchased from the open market such as pillow forms, zippers, fringe, purse handles, and other embellishments. The first-pass analysis of total product output will aid in the determination to continue the project. Once a profitable situation is deemed probable, details will be captured to help determine individual products offerings and their appropriate selling prices.

Labor for the operation as a whole is captured in three categories. The primary category is that of production and any time spent actually printing or processing fabric and or finished product is recorded there. The second category is that of maintenance and encompasses the time required for both preventive and down-time repair to the computers, printers, sewing machines or wet processing equipment. The final category is support and will capture time spent in the ordering supplies, loading software, and taking processing orders. In a larger business establishment these categories would roughly correspond to production workers, maintenance or support staff, and clerical/office staff.

The data for the first half of 2005, shown below, was tracked as two distinct periods. For the first period in 2005 the income for IDB exceeded the expenditure for Materials and Labor for the products sold. The second period had negative results. Therefore a first-pass comparison between the two will be made with investigative steps detailed later.

The bottom line: This second installment in the series will look at overall product sales and contribution to profit. Numbers below are given as a % of total sales.

When compared to the 14% of combined direct materials and labor cost for Carry-Out Pizza and the 40 to 45% cost for some apparel products, these numbers are quite significant. There was a significant difference in product mix between the two periods in this six months and is an initial investigative area. The overall results are as follows:

Considering the results of the two periods, within the six months, a quick glance would suggest that a better strategy would be to increase the number of Graphic Services, increase the straight yardage, and decrease the number of scarves produced. Detailed analysis is required into resource consumption for each product type.

Stay tuned for results of the investigation in a future [TC]² Technology Communicator. The next installment will have a description of equipment and floor space required for a textile digital printing operation as well as some further results of the investigation into the above information.

Article contributed by Richard Atwell, [TC]²

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Member Profile - Datacolor  

Because Color Matters

With more than 30 years of experience, Datacolor helps companies in the textile industry find the right color management solution. Founded in 1970 and headquartered in Lawrenceville, NJ, USA, Datacolor is a global leader in color management and continues to produce innovative products and solutions. Initially developing solutions for industrial color problems, Datacolor has expanded its product offering to include color communications and digital imaging solutions.

Today, Datacolor SPECTRUM™ provides an integrated suite of software products, measuring systems, and supporting services that enable centralized control of the entire color management process worldwide. Colorvision, a unit of Datacolor, provides affordable, simple-to-use color matching tools for creative professionals, digital photographers, and consumers. Products range from monitor calibration tools, ICC profile editing, to printer calibration tools.

A division of the Swiss based Eichhof Holding AG, located in Lucern, Switzerland, Datacolor has a strong global presence encompassing an international strategic network of sales and support offices. Operational facilities are located globally as well. Partnerships are also part of Datacolor's success. “Datacolor has been a leader in color technology solutions for the apparel and textile industries for nearly forty years. One of the ways we stay on the cutting-edge of industry trends and evolving needs is through involvement in key partnerships with companies such as [TC]², recognized for its commitment to technology development and supply chain improvement,” states Chris Hipps, Datacolor's Director of Sales, Textile Color Solutions, North America.

Electronically controlling and communicating color between retailers, manufacturing, and suppliers offers great rewards. Complete computerized systems for color measuring, matching, quality control and communication have become greatly valued Datacolor services. From design through production and marketing – Datacolor has an industry specific application ready.

Understanding color management and communication is fundamental anywhere color is important. Datacolor helps to reduce the complexity of color science by offering seminars and information about color phenomena.

Datacolor understands that color matters and that the importance of creating, communicating, measuring and producing quality color is most effective when designed as an all encompassing solution. Meeting the needs and specific demands of the textile industry is one of Datacolor's main initiatives. Through reduced time-to-market and design and development costs, achieving a successful color approach is reality.

For more information please visit www.datacolor.com

Employment Opportunity
Industrial Engineers

Hart Schaffner & Marx has immediate openings for two experienced Industrial Engineers. One position is based in suburban Chicago and the other is located in Cape Girardeau, in Southeast Missouri.

In addition to improving and maintaining procedures of new processes and equipment, this position also maintains and evaluates incentive rates. Qualified candidates should have a Bachelor's degree in Industrial Engineering and 2 to 3 years of experience, preferably in apparel manufacturing. Travel is required 40% of the time.

Hart Schaffner & Marx offers an excellent benefit package and a salary commensurate with experience. Please submit your resume with salary history to: Susan Klawitter, Hart Schaffner & Marx, 23rd Fl., 101 N. Wacker Dr., Chicago, IL 60606

Phone: (312) 357-5692 Fax: (312) 357-5128

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Important Dates

August

September

For detailed information about industry events, visit www.techexchange.com

Thanks to the techexchange site sponsors Apparel Magazine, Gerber Technology, Intentia, Lectra and Methods Workshop.

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A Look Ahead

The ASAP Global Sourcing Show
El Foro
Material World

View previous editions of this newsletter

[TC]²
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