COTTON USA Sourcing Program Hosts Successful Sourcing Fair in Panama

2008 (Summer)
Twenty-six manufacturers from eight countries throughout the Western Hemisphere met with 15 brands/retailers and nine U.S. mills participating in the COTTON USA Sourcing Program in Playa Bonita, Panama. The focal point of the two-day event was the private Sourcing Fair, which included over 500 one-on-one meetings to provide retailers with sourcing options in the Western Hemisphere in addition to their current Asia-based manufacturers. Each of the brands/retailers reported finding several potential vendors in the Western Hemisphere to help balance their international sourcing efforts. The Western Hemisphere represents 95 percent of the exports of U.S. manufactured cotton products, and the Sourcing Fair could lead to increased sales of U.S. yarn and fabrics to fill these new orders.

COTTON USA Sourcing Program Featured at Apparel Sourcing Show

The COTTON USA Sourcing Program showcased seven U.S. textile mills at the Apparel Sourcing Show in Guatemala City to promote U.S. cotton. In a private event organized by the Sourcing Program to strengthen relationships between U.S. mills and Korean textile and garment makers with business in Central America a presentation was given on the second anniversary of the Central American Free Trade Agreement (CAFTA) and its sourcing opportunities. Korean fabric makers also participated in a seminar on dyeing and finishing. Cotton Incorporated staff gave a keynote speech on cottons sustainability. U.S. companies featured in the COTTON USA Pavilion included: Buhler Quality Yarns Corp; Clovertex LCC; Frontier Spinning Mills; Hamrick Mills; Hanesbrands, Inc.; Parkdale; and Tuscarora Yarns, Inc.

CCI Promotes U.S. Cotton During Peru Moda Trade Show

The COTTON USA Sourcing Program promoted U.S. cotton yarns and fabrics in the full package pavilion at Peru Moda in Lima. The show enabled Peruvian and U.S. companies to take advantage of new business opportunities available under the Peruvian Free Trade Agreement. In addition to participation at the trade show, the COTTON USA Sourcing Program hosted a conference for managers in the textile industry on implementing the Peruvian Free Trade Agreement with the U.S. The Sourcing Program brought four U.S. mills, including Buhler Quality Yarns Corp., Clovertex, Frontier Spinning and Parkdale, to visit 30 Peruvian companies while in Lima.

Sourcing Program Hosts U.S. Mill Tour

COTTON USA Sourcing Program Featured at Apparel Sourcing Show

2007 (Summer)
Nine U.S. textile mills were showcased as part of the COTTON USA Sourcing Program during the event in Guatemala City. Five sample orders were placed during the show, and the mills anticipate future orders of 250,000 pounds of U.S. cotton products as a result of the show. U.S. mills reported meeting 137 visitors at the COTTON USA stand and establishing relationships with 17 new customers. Cotton Incorporated staff strengthened U.S. cotton’s presence at the event, which attracted 5,000 visitors and featured 230 stands. The event also included a private function, organized by the COTTON USA Sourcing Program, during which the U.S. and Korean Ambassadors to Guatemala addressed the U.S. mills and Korean textile and garment makers in an effort to strengthen relationships between the two countries. In post-event surveys the U.S. mills noted that the event with the Koreans was particularly important since Korean companies have approximately 60 percent of the textile and apparel business in Guatemala.