Podcast
Questions and Answers
What is the primary function of integrated mills in textile production?
What is the primary function of integrated mills in textile production?
- To alter yarn properties through texturing
- To perform all manufacturing to create a finished fabric (correct)
- To convert unfinished fabric into finished fabric
- To solely produce yarn
Which type of textile processing is primarily concerned with altering filament yarns?
Which type of textile processing is primarily concerned with altering filament yarns?
- Tufting
- Weaving
- Throwsting (correct)
- Knitting
What distinguishes natural fibers from manufactured fibers?
What distinguishes natural fibers from manufactured fibers?
- Manufactured fibers originate from plants or animals.
- Natural fibers are derived from natural sources while manufactured fibers are synthetically created. (correct)
- Manufactured fibers are typically harder to dye.
- Natural fibers are always less expensive.
In the textile production process, what happens as imports enter the chart?
In the textile production process, what happens as imports enter the chart?
What does it mean for a textile mill to be vertically integrated?
What does it mean for a textile mill to be vertically integrated?
Which of the following is not a form of fiber mentioned?
Which of the following is not a form of fiber mentioned?
Which of the following U.S. textile mills is located in South Carolina?
Which of the following U.S. textile mills is located in South Carolina?
What type of yarn is primarily produced by those who create novelty effects?
What type of yarn is primarily produced by those who create novelty effects?
What role do jobbers play in the textile industry?
What role do jobbers play in the textile industry?
What role do converters play in fabric processing?
What role do converters play in fabric processing?
What is a secondary source of fabric in the textile industry?
What is a secondary source of fabric in the textile industry?
Which segment primarily deals with cotton production?
Which segment primarily deals with cotton production?
What is the primary function of converters in the textile industry?
What is the primary function of converters in the textile industry?
How do large retail stores relate to textile mills in the supply chain?
How do large retail stores relate to textile mills in the supply chain?
Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of a textile mill?
Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of a textile mill?
What distinguishes an import mill from U.S. textile mills?
What distinguishes an import mill from U.S. textile mills?
What significant factor contributed to the South losing the Civil War?
What significant factor contributed to the South losing the Civil War?
Which of the following describes an important role textiles played in ancient societies?
Which of the following describes an important role textiles played in ancient societies?
In which industry did the United States experience early mechanization?
In which industry did the United States experience early mechanization?
What was one consequence of international trade agreements after World War II?
What was one consequence of international trade agreements after World War II?
How did textiles facilitate the unification of the United States in the late 1700s?
How did textiles facilitate the unification of the United States in the late 1700s?
What is a characteristic of the textile industry mentioned?
What is a characteristic of the textile industry mentioned?
Which ancient civilization is noted for weaving silk fabrics over 3,500 years ago?
Which ancient civilization is noted for weaving silk fabrics over 3,500 years ago?
Which statement best reflects the current state of textile production?
Which statement best reflects the current state of textile production?
What is indicated by the phrase 'first quality, country of origin' in a sales confirmation?
What is indicated by the phrase 'first quality, country of origin' in a sales confirmation?
Why is fabric quality important for buyers in the textile import industry?
Why is fabric quality important for buyers in the textile import industry?
What typically characterizes the production of imported textile products?
What typically characterizes the production of imported textile products?
What does a chop mark on fabric signify?
What does a chop mark on fabric signify?
What is a common misconception about clothing labels that state 'Made in the USA'?
What is a common misconception about clothing labels that state 'Made in the USA'?
Which statement about the apparel manufacturing industry is true?
Which statement about the apparel manufacturing industry is true?
What is the primary reason for textile imports in the United States?
What is the primary reason for textile imports in the United States?
What should fabric buyers be familiar with when purchasing textiles?
What should fabric buyers be familiar with when purchasing textiles?
What is a primary competitive edge for countries exporting textiles to the United States?
What is a primary competitive edge for countries exporting textiles to the United States?
What is typically required from sellers before shipments of fabric are released for production?
What is typically required from sellers before shipments of fabric are released for production?
Why might the cost advantage of textile imports remain substantial despite logistical challenges?
Why might the cost advantage of textile imports remain substantial despite logistical challenges?
For which fabric types is buyer approval necessary before proceeding with production?
For which fabric types is buyer approval necessary before proceeding with production?
What does a sample of several yards typically fail to provide?
What does a sample of several yards typically fail to provide?
What might be a drawback for manufacturers when importing textiles?
What might be a drawback for manufacturers when importing textiles?
What size of fabric is typically required for the customer to approve before releasing a main lot?
What size of fabric is typically required for the customer to approve before releasing a main lot?
Which of the following challenges is NOT mentioned regarding importing textiles?
Which of the following challenges is NOT mentioned regarding importing textiles?
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Study Notes
History of Textiles
- Textiles are one of the oldest products used by humans, used for:
- Fishing nets
- Wrapping rulers in ancient Egypt
- Producing beautiful silk fabrics in China over 3,500 years ago
- Textiles played a significant role in the growth of the United States:
- The textile industry was the first to be successfully mechanized in the country
- Cotton trade between the South and New England helped unite the states
- The textile industry was essential to the pre-Civil War economy
- After World War II, international trade agreements encouraged textile imports from developing countries to stimulate their industrial development
The Textile Industry
- Large textile mills are vertically integrated:
- They produce their own yarn and perform finishing processes
- They do not make their own fibers
- Some mills manufacture and distribute apparel
- Mills sell their finished fabrics to various customers:
- Converters
- Apparel and interior furnishings manufacturers
- Jobbers
- Retail stores
- The textile import industry plays a major role in the U.S. market:
- Less than half of the apparel worn by Americans is made in the United States, the rest is imported
- Imports come from countries like China, South Korea, India, Mexico, Costa Rica, Colombia, Vietnam, Indonesia, and more
Reasons for Textile Imports
- Textile imports are driven by:
- Labor-intensive production in low-wage, developing countries
- Competitive advantages offered by these countries:
- Low labor costs
- Low selling prices
- Despite costs associated with transportation, communication, lead time, and quality control, the cost advantage of imports remains significant
- Some imports are based not only on price but also on quality:
- Woolens from England or Scotland
- Silk fabric from Japan
- Certain finished apparel from France
Fabric Quality and Sourcing
- Fabric quality varies from mill to mill and country to country
- Importers may include phrases in sales confirmation indicating fabric quality, like:
- "First quality, country of origin"
- Government agencies in some countries stamp fabric with a "chop mark" indicating inspection and approval
- Fabric buyers should familiarize themselves with the quality standards of the mill and/or country when purchasing
- Most imported fabrics and sewn products are purchased by specification and require laboratory testing and customer approval before shipping
- Sample yards are not sufficient for evaluating overall fabric quality, buyers typically require a minimum of 60 yards and 600 yards for approval before ordering main production lots
Fabric Sourcing and Buyers
- Mills and converters are considered primary sources of fabric
- Secondary sources are companies that buy and sell fabric but do not manufacture it, including:
- Jobbers
- Retail stores
- Buyers keep careful notes and fabric samples for new and potential purchases.
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