SAVE THE DATE!
SPESA to Host 2026 Advancements in Manufacturing Technologies Conference April 14, 2026 in Columbus, OH
We're excited to share that SPESA will host its 2026 Advancements in Manufacturing Technologies Conference on Tuesday, April 14, 2026 at the The LOOM, a newly-opened fashion incubator and cultural hub that's been brought to life by a collaboration between the Columbus College of Art & Design (CCAD) and the Columbus Fashion Alliance (CFA).
Registration will open soon. SPESA members are encouraged to reach out to Maggie McDonald (maggie@spesa.org) about speaking/sponsor opportunities.
Learn more about SPESA’s 2025 Advancements Conference here. Learn more about The LOOM here.
MEMBER SPOTLIGHTS
INDUSTRY NEWS | 11.19.25
Imports of Textiles and Apparel Restricted Under New Forced Labor Order
Trade Report (Sandler, Travis & Rosenberg, P.A.) | November 19, 2025
U.S. Customs and Border Protection has announced a new withhold release order that, effective Nov. 18, requires the detention at all U.S. ports of entry of textiles, apparel, and garments manufactured in Mauritius by Firemount Group Ltd.
CBP states that this WRO is based on its identification of the following forced labor indicators during its investigation of this company: abuse of vulnerability, debt bondage, deception, and intimidation and threats. CBP said it gathered evidence from interview questionnaires, audio interview recordings and transcripts, open-source non-government organization reports, news media, and academic research.
According to CBP, importers of detained shipments may seek to destroy or export those shipments or demonstrate that the goods were not produced with forced labor.
Trump’s Global Tariffs Curtailed Trade, Data Shows
The New York Times | November 19, 2025
According to newly released data from the Commerce Department, President Trump’s sweeping tariffs took a toll on trade in August, as imports dropped 5.1 percent, to $340.4 billion. U.S. exports were essentially flat, rising 0.1 percent to $280.8 billion. Because of the sharp fall in imports, the U.S. trade deficit in goods and services for the month also dropped sharply, shrinking nearly 24 percent, to $59.6 billion, compared with July.
U.S. imports and exports had risen in July, as companies that depend on international trade had tried to complete their shipments before those tariffs went into effect.
The data, which had been delayed by more than a month because of the government shutdown, gives the first look at trade patterns after Mr. Trump introduced what is effectively a new trading system for the United States.
Gryning Launches AI-powered Circular Platform to Cut Fashion Waste
Just Style | November 19, 2025
Swedish fashion technology firm Gryning has introduced an AI-powered circular fashion platform to address overproduction and inefficiencies within the fashion supply chain.
The AI circular platform connects product development, dyeing, manufacturing, and post-purchase processes within a single responsive system. Gryning says it is intended to replace traditional resource-intensive methods.
Functional Fabric Fair Sees Strong Growth, Sustainability Focus
Fibre2Fashion | November 19, 2025
The Functional Fabric Fair Fall 2025, which took place in Portland, OR last week, saw significant growth, with attendance increasing by 4 percent and an expanded show floor up 10 percent in number of exhibitors compared with the previous fall edition. Over 350 suppliers, new showcases like T2T recycling, Cotton Forum, Innovation Hub and Trend Forum stood out. Fellow Alphabet Soup Collective association member, Americas Apparel Producers Network, featured a first-of-its-kind Western Hemisphere sourcing booth, highlighting the organization’s commitment to advancing nearshore manufacturing and building stronger industry connections across the Americas.
New Creative Hub Hopes to Help Establish Columbus as a Fashion Capital
NBC Columbus Affiliate | November 18, 2025
Big news just in time for SPESA’s upcoming Advancements in Manufacturing Technologies Conference! As announced in a previous Save the Date, the Columbus Fashion Alliance will soon enjoy its new headquarters in the heart of the Columbus College of Art & Design’s campus. Dubbed The LOOM, the four-story Fashion Innovation Center will be the center of Columbus’ fashion industry. At 43,000 square feet, it will be home to industry-grade equipment and expert knowledge to inspire and nourish Columbus’ fashion industry.
“In Columbus, fashion is our business,” Yohannan (Yogi) Terrell, founder and director of Columbus Fashion Alliance, said. “We are one of the top cities in the nation equipped to grow fashion-based businesses, with production houses, distribution centers and retail headquarters all within reach.”
PVH Corp. Announces CFO Transition
Press Release | November 18, 2025
PVH Corp. announced that Zac Coughlin, Chief Financial Officer, will be departing the company to pursue an opportunity outside of the retail and apparel industry. Coughlin will remain with PVH through the end of the calendar year and will take part in the company’s upcoming third quarter earnings call.
The company has initiated a global search for its next CFO, and during the transition Melissa Stone will serve as Interim CFO. Stone, who has been with PVH for more than two decades, is currently Executive Vice President, Global Financial Planning & Analysis.
California Awards $100M in Tax Credits to 9 Companies
Manufacturing Dive | November 18, 2025
California Gov. Gavin Newsom announced earlier this week that the Office of Business and Economic Development awarded $99.9 million in tax credits to nine companies that plan to establish or expand manufacturing operations in the state. One of the nine companies include Color Image Apparel — owner of well-known brands such as Bella + Canvas and Alo Yoga — which will receive a $2.8 million tax credit.
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1st Phase of Bilateral Trade Agreement with U.S. 'Nearing Closure': Top Indian official
Fibre2Fashion | November 18, 2025
The first phase of the proposed U.S.-India bilateral trade agreement (BTA), focused on addressing reciprocal tariffs, is now 'near closure', Indian commerce secretary Rajesh Agrawal said while releasing the October trade data. The BTA seeks to more than double bilateral trade, from $191 billion to $500 billion by 2030.
India’s textile and apparel exports continued a downward trend in October this year. It was the second month after the 50 percent tariff was imposed in two tranches during August.
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Tariffs, AI, Wellbeing, Resale to Shakeup Fashion Landscape in 2026
Just Style | November 17, 2025
The newly-released State of Fashion 2026 report by McKinsey & Company predicts the global fashion industry will once again post low single-digit growth in 2026. Heightened macroeconomic volatility is expected to continue to weigh on sentiment and drive value-conscious consumer behavior. Not surprising though, major fashion players are looking to capitalize on the benefits of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in supporting greater supply chain visibility and predicting business challenges.
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EU Moves To End €150 Customs Duty Exemption For Low-Value Imports
Forbes | November 17, 2025
The European Union will not switch to the new model overnight. Instead, the transition will follow two phases. In 2026, the bloc will introduce a temporary framework to start collecting duties on low-value imports. Officials still need to work out the specifics, but the intention is to create a simple way to calculate duties and ensure basic compliance while broader systems are built.
The full shift will begin in 2028, when the EU launches its new Customs Data Hub, a digital platform that will verify import data in real time. Once the Data Hub begins operations in 2028, the €150 threshold will be removed entirely from EU law.
More from Reuters: EU Ministers Agree Faster Crackdown on China Parcels That Could Hit Shein, Temu
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GREEN FLAG IN INDY: AT Expo Exhibitors Accelerate Growth, Partnerships, New Technologies
eTextileCommunications | November 17, 2025
Leave it to industry icon Devin Steele to offer a comprehensive recap and detailed exhibitor review — including profiles of SPESA members American & Efird and Henderson Sewing Machine Company — from the recent Advanced Textiles Expo. From Steele: “Across the show floor, companies highlighted emerging technologies, steady interest in U.S. manufacturing, and a deeper commitment to solving labor, performance and supply-chain challenges.” This is only half of his coverage. You can check out Part 1 of his reporting here.
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How ICE Raids and Industry Pressures Are Shaking Los Angeles’ Garment Sector
Sourcing Journal | November 17, 2025
At Sourcing Journal’s LA Sustainability Summit in Los Angeles last week, the Garment Worker Center’s Marissa Nuncio was joined by Lindsay Medoff, the founder and CEO of Suay Sew Shop and Jasmin Malik Chua, climate and labor editor at Sourcing Journal, in a discussion about the state of the city’s manufacturing sector.
Though LA County is often overshadowed by major production hubs such as Bangladesh, Vietnam and Cambodia, Nuncio said the region employs more than 30,000 apparel workers in Los Angeles County alone, with roughly 20,000 working in the city’s Fashion District. Fashion is the county’s second-largest creative sector and its second-largest manufacturing industry. It is also a deeply skilled workforce. A recent survey of Garment Worker Center members shows that they have an average of 21 years of industry experience, and nearly 70 percent identify as experts in their craft.
SPESA was honored to have The Garment Worker Center participate in its 2024 Advancements in Manufacturing Technologies Conference in Los Angeles. You can read more about that here.
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Epic Group Drives Carbon-Free Apparel Manufacturing with Heat Pumps in India
Just Style | November 17, 2025
Sustainable fashion company Epic Group has advanced carbon-free manufacturing with the installation of high-temperature industrial heat pumps at its apparel manufacturing facility in Bhubaneswar, India. These devices are said to be one of the most efficient methods of electric heating, often supplying two or more units of heat per unit of electricity consumed.
The Trump Administration is Lowering its Mega Tariffs on Switzerland
CNN | November 14, 2025
The tariff rate the U.S. charges on Swiss imports will fall to 15% from 39%, which had been among the highest levies the United States charges for any country’s goods.
As part of the agreement, Swiss companies committed to investing “at least $200 billion into the United States, with at least $67 billion worth of investment occurring in 2026,” according to a White House fact sheet published last week. In a separate statement, the Swiss government said the total investments would be completed by 2028. It also said it agreed to lower tariffs on “a range of American products.”
EU Backs Plan for Watered Down Corporate Sustainability Reporting Rules
Just Style | November 14, 2025
The European Parliament voted last week to significantly scale back the European Union’s corporate sustainability laws. Under the changes both the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive and Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive would be simplified, with the threshold for compliance raised, according to a release.
Under the suggested changes, only companies employing more than 1,750 people and recording annual net turnover greater than €450m would need to complete social and environmental reporting as mandated by the EU.
The changes will now go to the EU member states for ratification and any additional changes.
Trump Administration Announces Trade Frameworks with Argentina, Guatemala, El Salvador and Ecuador
CBS News | November 13, 2025
The Trump Administration has reached frameworks for reciprocal trade agreements with Argentina, Guatemala, El Salvador and Ecuador, the White House announced last week.
The U.S. has reached trade deals of some nature with the European Union, Japan, Vietnam, Thailand, South Korea and the United Kingdom, among other countries.
More from Reuters: Highlights of US framework trade deals with Argentina, Ecuador, El Salvador and Guatemala
More from Sourcing Journal: NCTO, AAFA Laud Washington for Trade Agreements With Guatemala, El Salvador
Circulose Partners with Marks & Spencer to Accelerate Circular Fashion
Press Release | November 13, 2025
“Partnering with Circulose allows us to put the concept of circular design into action and will be an example of how the industry can move from small-scale pilots to incorporating next-generation materials at a greater scale,” said Katharine Beacham, Head of Materials and Sustainability “By integrating circular materials into our sourcing strategy, we will be reducing reliance on virgin fibres, cutting waste, and helping to build a fashion industry that’s fit for the future.”
Deloitte Releases 2026 Manufacturing Industry Outlook
Deloitte Report | November 13, 2025
While not directly related to soft goods manufacturing, we wanted to share that Deloitte has recently released its 2026 Manufacturing Industry Outlook. Some highlights in the report:
Rhone Appoints Matthew Wallace As New Chief Operating Officer
Press Release | November 12, 2025
"We're thrilled to welcome Matthew to Rhone," said Nate Checketts, CEO & Co-Founder of Rhone. "His extensive operational experience and people-first leadership approach align deeply with our mission to inspire progress in all its forms. Matthew's expertise will help position Rhone for long-term, meaningful growth as we continue to build a global community around performance and purpose."
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Australian Company, Thread The Word, Launches U.S. Operation In Manufacturing Solutions Center Incubator
Press Release | November 12, 2025
Thread the Word, an Australian company which specializes in manufacturing customized gift blankets, has opened a U.S.-based manufacturing operation at the Manufacturing Solutions Center (MSC) incubator located in Conover, North Carolina.
Peter Thomas and his wife Annie founded Thread the Word in Australia in 2021. Thomas recognized the value of having a U.S. operation to better meet the needs of his customers as Thread the Word’s sales grew: “The MSC provides an unmatched support system for scaling our production and expanding our product line. We can now ship orders to our customers in the States within three days to better serve the U.S. market.”
MSC Director Jeff Neuville: “Our mission is to expand and support our domestic manufacturing base, so it’s very satisfying to help a manufacturer begin operations here in the US.”
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Texworld NYC, Apparel Sourcing NYC and Printsource Will Bridge Innovation, Education and Design for Winter 2026
Sourcing Journal | November 11, 2025
Running January 20-22, 2026 at the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center in New York, the co-located shows will once again bring together leading global suppliers and fashion innovation.
What we’re most excited to see is the hands-on Tech Pack Workshop: Your Fashion Design Blueprint provided by Xochil Herrera Scheer, president and founder of The Chicago Pattern Maker and co-host of the Bobbin Around podcast with SPESA’s Michael McDonald.
Workshop participants will learn to interpret key elements — like the bill of materials, stitch and seam details, and colorways — while mastering best practices for communicating with factories and suppliers. Attendees will also begin creating their own spec sheets under expert guidance. Seating is limited and available for purchase through online registration.
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MIT and Adobe Introduce ‘Refashion’: Sustainable Garment Design
Textile Today | November 9, 2025
In a groundbreaking collaboration, researchers from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology’s (MIT) Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence Laboratory (CSAIL) and Adobe have unveiled ‘Refashion’, an innovative software system designed to revolutionize how garments are conceived, constructed, and consumed.
The innovation arrives as fashion brands increasingly face regulatory pressure for transparency and environmental accountability, particularly in Europe and North America. Software tools like Refashion may provide a technological solution for Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) compliance and waste reduction mandates.
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Singapore Edition of ITMA ASIA + CITME Makes Successful Presentation
Press Release | November 7, 2025
Combined with CITME, the four-day ITMA ASIA + CITME exhibition at the Singapore Expo concluded with participants praising the international mix of visitors and strong turn-out of buyers from the region. From the supply side, the exhibition was well represented by companies from key textile technology manufacturing regions, thus offering buyers a balanced selection of solutions.
The Singapore exhibition attracted more than 26,000 visitors from 109 countries and regions.
UPCOMING EVENTS
