Top U.S. Textile Manufacturers to Exhibit World-Class Yarn, Fabrics in Europe

February 26, 1999

MEMPHIS - Leading U.S. cotton textile mills will display their new cotton collections to major European clothing manufacturers next week in hopes of gaining a foothold in that market.

The eight mill representatives will be participating in Cotton Council International's (CCI) 2nd annual Sourcing COTTON USA Trade Fairs. Participants in last year's trade fair sold yarn and others established key relationships with potential customers.

"These Sourcing Fairs will enable the U.S. textile industry to show their yarn and fabrics to some of Europe's leading garment makers and knitters before their buyers travel to Paris for Premier Vision, the large fabric fair limited only to European textile mills," said Vaughn Jordan, CCI's international program director. "Several of these U.S. companies sold products at the first Sourcing Fair in London last year and they will be seeking to build on relationships they established with Marks & Spencer and other major British clothing manufacturers."

The eight U.S. mills represented at the trade fair include: AMTEC, Avondale Mills, Dixie Yarns, Burlington Global Denim, Cone Mills, Delta Mills, Galey & Lord and Milliken and Company.

The Sourcing Fairs begin in London March 2-3. More than 75 executives from Marks & Spencer and leading M&S suppliers such as Bairdwear, Courtaulds, and Charnos are expected to attend along with other important British buyer groups such as Burton Menswear, British Home Stores, River Island and Falmer Jeans.

Following the London Fair, the U.S. manufacturers will travel to Germany on March 4 to meet with some 15 of that country's top apparel manufacturers and knitters. This Sourcing COTTON USA Fair in Dusseldorf will draw such leading German buyers as Hugo Boss, Joop Jeans, the Statz Group, the Hucke Group and Stielmann.

"This is the first time for CCI to conduct this type of trade fair in Germany," Jordan said. "We're optimistic that the U.S. participants can generate some business in this important market."

Cotton Council International is the export promotions division of the Memphis-based National Cotton Council.

"Exporting yarn and fabric has become vital to U.S. cotton textile manufacturers' ability to be competitive," said Allen Terhaar, CCI's executive director, Washington, DC.

He said that's why CCI is trying to build on momentum it generated upon implementing a trade-servicing program in 1995. That program's goal is highlighting quality U.S.-made cotton yarns, fabrics and finished goods to buyers around the world.

"We believe this trade-servicing program is diverse and creative and is helping to build demand for these U.S. cotton products," Terhaar said. "In addition to these second Sourcing COTTON USA Trade Fairs, CCI will continue to develop other global marketing opportunities for U.S. textile mills' cotton products in 1999."

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Editors: If you would like to interview the U.S. textile manufacturers after they return from Europe, please contact Vaughn Jordan at (202) 745-7805.

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