TEXTILES.ORG
By Jeff Rasmussen
In July 2009, IFAI conducted a fabric graphics climate survey of U.S. and Canadian fabric graphics suppliers and end product manufacturers. Survey results show a more competitive environment in 2009 caused by reduced expenditures and budgets in the corporate market, a continued slow economy and slow market growth, and an increased presence of low-cost products from Asia.
Suppliers
Trend: Increase in green fabric and technology
Impact: Increase in production and sales of recycled fabrics change in marketing strategies and product offerings, growth in 2010
Trend: Increase in use of fabric for indoor advertising
Impact: Increase in sales
Trend:Increase in printed canopies
Impact: Increase in sales
Trend: More low-cost printed fabrics from Asia
Impact: Decline in sales and profit margins; decline in production of U.S. printed textiles
Trend: Migration to lower-priced fabric products
Impact: Lower margins
Trend: Quality issues due to usage of low cost fabrics
Impact: Customer complaints about poor quality increasing
Trend: Decrease in PVC-laminated products
Impact: More polyester products
Trend: Introduction of new inks
Impact: Potentially reduces print costs; helps grow the digital market
End product manufacturers
Trend: Decline in money available for advertising
Impact: Decline in revenue from ad programs
Trend: Poor economy
Impact: Decrease in customers/sales revenues
Trend: Wider width product
Impact: Increased sales opportunities
Trend: Increase in use of green and recycled fabrics
Impact: Increased sales opportunities
Trend: Increase in demand for shorter production cycles
Impact: Increase in growth of digital print textile market
Trend: Increase in demand for greater design variety
Impact: Greater sales opportunities; helps digital print market
Trend: Corporations downsizing; reducing budgets
Impact: Decreased sales to corporate market; less profit