Trends, technology in Euro spotlight
By Susan M. Andrews, Fabric Editor -- Furniture Today, May 3, 2004
Putting together this May issue of Global Textiles Today — focusing on the concurrent fabric shows Proposte at Villa Erba in Cernobbio, Italy, and Scoperta, just over the border in Chiasso, Switzerland — is always a highlight of the year for me.
The European focus of Proposte means I'll see especially beautiful fabrics that showcase the absolutely latest color and design trends from exhibitors at that show, and the global focus of Scoperta means I'll get an early look at innovative offerings from all over the world from exhibitors at that show. I haven't been disappointed, and visitors to this year's shows won't be disappointed, either.
A highlight of the events here this week is a showcase of digital printing technology at Scoperta and its companion design show Comocreainterni. Along with more than 120 companies from 18 countries exhibiting at those shows, buyers will be able to view a major exhibit of digital printing machines and see for themselves how the speed of such technology creates a key competitive advantage by reducing lead times throughout the supply chain.
A bonus is the chance for buyers attending those shows to see several more lines from top U.S. sources and others at the Grand Hotel di Como in Cernobbio. The Grand Hotel di Como is located near the Proposte entry and the pick-up point for the shuttle that runs between Proposte and Scoperta. The hotel is a short walk from both those points, but buyers have the option of a two-minute shuttle ride to the hotel.
Despite unfavorable economic conditions for the past couple of years, American companies with export interests feel strongly about the importance of having a presence here during the Proposte and Scoperta shows. For most upholstery fabric sources, these markets, along with the Decosit and TIP shows in Brussels, Belgium, in September, have replaced the massive Heimtextil show, held in Frankfurt, Germany, each January.
The textile universe is on the brink of changes that could shake the industry off its foundations when trade restrictions on Chinese products are eliminated at year's end. Adding to the stress is the fact that the industry may already have more capacity than the market can absorb.
Dale Williams, for example, president and general manager of Waverly Lifestyle Group, thinks the industry's most important issue is that "world markets for furnishings fabrics are not growing fast enough to outpace global capacity increases brought on by recent capital investments and new production technology."
We can't know exactly how things will look a year from now — after all, it is an election year, and politics are clearly a variable. But in the midst of this uncertainty, American and European fabric producers alike have taken steps to improve their competitiveness with imports — investing in machinery, engineering and people. These mills are succeeding by adding value and differentiating themselves in the marketplace.
Among the European companies that have added looms, finishing machines or technology are Antecuir, Aznar, Italvelluti, Leutenda, Munzert, Seteria Bianchi and Spandauer Velours. Increasing their production via expanded facilities or improved efficiencies are Beaulieu, Dino Zoli, Imatex and TMG Décor.
E. Schoepf has narrowed its focus to concentrate on its velvet constructions. Ragolle is banking on providing outstanding service.
In addition, many American fabric sources — including Edgar Fabrics, P/Kaufmann, Sunbury Textile Mills, Valdese Weavers and Weave Corp. — are extending their market reach with wider ranges of fire-resistant fabrics and other types of performance covers, such as Crypton and Sunbrella.
On the pages that follow, Furniture/Today's Global Textiles Today section offers a look at some of the best fabric introductions from exhibitors here this week.
I'd love to hear from you about what you liked and selected. E-mail me at sandrews@reedbusiness.com. Ciao!
