5 questions: ITMA's changing role
By Furniture Today Staff -- Furniture Today, April 18, 2005
When the International Textile Market Assn. held its first Showtime 15 years ago, few in the industry could have predicted what has since transpired in the world of upholstery fabric.
Fifteen years ago, the exhibitors at Showtime were American producers and converters of upholstery fabric. Attendees were manufacturers of upholstered furniture. China was not an issue. In January 2005, China had a 35% share of the U.S. import market for textiles, according to the Commerce Department, and whether this is evidence of a deliberate move to corner the world market, or a natural economic shift that will eventually find balance, it's a different world for producers and buyers of upholstery fabric.
The ITMA recently announced a change in its schedule from January and July, to December and June, beginning after Summer Showtime 2005. Some members and marketgoers were delighted, others were not. To help clarify this issue, we posed five questions to two of the debate's most articulate individuals.
1. What is the mission of the International Textile Market Assn. and is it changing?
Roger Berkley, president of Weave Corp. and chairman of the Upholstery Fabrics Committee of the National Textile Assn.: "When Weave Corp. first got involved in ITMA, it was an organization of U.S. mills and converters that already had permanent showroom space in High Point. We came together to promote our participation in Showtime by sponsoring some events and trying to bring some sort of structure to the event. Temporary exhibitors were not allowed to join the organization but were welcome to participate. Today, temporary non-U.S.-based entities control ITMA and the organization has minimal input from the U.S. companies that started it."
Jack Cobb, president of ITMA and American Decorative Fabrics: "The mission of the ITMA has never changed. The bylaws of our association state: 'The purposes for which the corporation is organized are exclusively to promote the common business interest of its members and the improvement of business conditions.' It goes on to state that our object is: 'To organize textile markets for fabric manufacturers twice a year and promote common business interests of fabric manufacturers.'
"While it is not specifically stated in the bylaws, the ITMA has elected to fund numerous industry development and educational initiatives. This activity falls under the authority granted to the board and in my opinion is our most important accomplishment.
"To sum it up, ITMA's mission is to hold two shows and to fund our educational programs. To suggest that we have some greater reaching authority and responsibility is simply not accurate and has never been part of our charter."
2. What does ITMA do to protect domestic producers from design copying from foreign producers?
Berkley: "Nothing. In fact some the prominent 'leaders' of ITMA are regularly defendants in copyright actions."
Cobb: "The ITMA has a code of conduct for Showtime. If we deem any member to be in violation we can expel him from our organization. Membership in the ITMA is by invitation and is not automatically renewed every year. Our authority beyond this is limited. I encourage any member to take legal action if they find their patterns copied, but this is something that they must undertake themselves.
"We do require any new applicant to submit proof that they qualify for membership. Our primary litmus test is whether or not they can prove that they actually have created the designs themselves. We do not accept or encourage 're-sellers.'
"The nature of this question suggests that the ITMA has a responsibility to protect U.S. mills against foreign producers. We neither have the ability nor the responsibility to do this. We do not support any particular country of origin over another. As I said earlier, our mission is to produce two shows and fund our charitable and educational programs."
3. Why were the dates changed for the semiannual Showtime fabric show?
Berkley: "It wasn't necessary to change the dates of Showtime. According to statistics given to me by ITMA, only 56% of the member companies voted. So it turns out that 43% of the total membership approved of the change, not the 70% touted by ITMA, while 57% either voted 'no,' 'other' (2%) or didn't vote at all. The purpose of the change is to interfere with the decades-old practice of visiting U.S. mills in New York and North Carolina to develop special items for the furniture market by major furniture makers at all levels of the marketplace. Some furniture customers will curtail these special visits and some will make them a month earlier, thereby putting more pressure on the U.S. industry."
Cobb: "The dates of the show were changed because this is what our members and customers wanted. We conducted a survey of our members and Showtime buyers and the results were overwhelmingly in favor of moving the dates forward. Showtime had gotten out of step with our customers' buying cycle and it was necessary to make the change. It will be difficult for the exhibitors to advance their schedule, but this is what we all must do. If any mill still wishes to preview their lines, then it is logical that they will advance the preview appointment by one month."
4. What does ITMA say to domestic vendors who now have a conflict between the new Showtime dates and the traditional meetings they hold with customers in their design studios in that time period?
Berkley: "What do they say? I think their actions make it obvious what they say."
Cobb: "It is the ITMA's responsibility to produce two shows a year that meet the needs of our customers. I fail to see how this can conflict with anyone's ability to merchandise their line as they see fit. A preview can be held anytime prior to the show. If the customers' buying pattern has changed, then any member mill's preview schedule should also change."
5. As more foreign companies join ITMA, how does the association ensure that domestic companies continue to have their viewpoint represented?
Berkley: "It's clear from the decision to change the dates of Showtime that ITMA is no longer influenced by the domestic industry."
Cobb: "Our bylaws state that 'Membership is open to fabric mills, converters, leather suppliers and anyone who seeks the furniture industry as its customer.' Nowhere is the ITMA granted the authority or responsibility to ensure that any particular country of origin is favored or singled out for preferential treatment. With that said, our board is made up of a majority of American companies. Personally, I feel that our organization is healthier when it has a strong representation of the major American mills."
