Textile Mill Executives Seeking to Build Momentum for U.S. COTTON in Latin America

January 29, 1999

MEMPHIS -- Nine of the largest U.S. cotton textile mills will be seeking a stronger presence in Latin America next week at one of the largest yarn and fabric trade show in that region.

The U.S. mill executives will participate in Cotton Council International's (CCI) COTTON USA Pavilion at the Colombiatex trade show in Medellin, Colombia Feb. 2-4. Represented will be: Ameritex Yarns, Burlington, NC; AMTEC, Gastonia, NC; Avondale Mills Yarn Division, Sylacauga, AL; Avondale Mills Fabric Division, Graniteville, SC; Burlington Global Denim, Greensboro, NC; Cone Mills, Greensboro, NC; Galey & Lord, New York, NY; Harriet & Henderson, Henderson, NC; Mayo Yarns, Madison, NC; and Swift Denim, Columbus, GA.

Prior to the show, CCI will brief the U.S. mill representatives on the economic and trade situation in Colombia and the Andean region. CCI also will conduct various public relations activities to increase visibility for the U.S. mills with the goal of increasing traffic and expanding their contacts with important South American buyers at the COTTON USA pavilion. Cotton Incorporated also will present fabric trends and developments in the COTTON USA pavilion to interested Latin American buyers.

The 11th annual Colombiatex event is expected to draw more than 11,000 visitors, primarily knitters and garment makers, to see the latest yarns and fabrics.

Colombia is the largest market in South America for U.S. fabrics and more denim is shipped there than any other U.S. fabric.

"This is a tremendous opportunity to showcase the quality of U.S. manufactured cotton products and increase exports in this market," said CCI President Bruce Groefsema, a California cooperative official. "CCI continues to believe Latin America is a growing market and one that holds even greater potential for U.S. cotton and cotton products."

He said Colombiatex, and its sister show Textilimoda that is held in Bogota in July, are two of the most important international trade shows in Latin America.

Vaughn Jordan, CCI's international program director, Washington, DC, said the Colombiatex show will be held despite the earthquake devastation that occurred in Armenia. She explained that this area is distant from Medellin and Bogota and has had no effect on those cities.

CCI is the export promotions arm of the Memphis-based National Cotton Council of America.

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