Eight U.S. cotton industry representatives traveled to Guangzhou, China; Seoul, Korea; and Osaka, Japan as part of the 2014 COTTON USA Executive Delegation to discuss a variety of market and trade issues with U.S. cotton’s customers. The delegation hosted seminar sessions and participated in factory visits, press interviews and meetings with COTTON USA licensees.
The participating delegates included: Cotton Council International (CCI) Treasurer Anthony Tancredi, Bobby Walton (ACSA), Carlos Garcia (AMCOT), Lee Cromley (American Cotton Producers), Jon Whatley (American Cotton Producers), Marc Lewkowitz (Supima), Kevin Latner (CCI) and Rob Miller (CCI).
Denim was a primary focus of the south China visit of the delegation’s trip. The delegation heard a presentation on the latest denim trends from Vincent Qin, founder and CEO of Denim Innovation Alliance. The group also met with Gordon Wu, CEO of GuangYing Garment Company Ltd., and toured the large company that owns jeans brands including VIGOSS and Earnest Sewn. While in China, the delegation also met with local mills, fabric developers and garment manufacturers including: Prosperity Textile Ltd.; Dongguan Ke Fang Textiles Co., Ltd.; Esquel Group; and Central Textiles (Hong Kong) Limited.
The delegation’s next stop was Korea. The group met with company representatives from Shinsung Tongsang, a Korean retailer and COTTON USA partner that specializes in the export of knitwear. Shinsung Tongsang’s brands include Union Bay, among others. In Korea, the delegation also participated in press interviews to discuss U.S. cotton’s commitment to responsibility and continual improvement.
The delegation concluded its tour in Japan with a factory visit and seminars. The group participated in an interactive question and answer session with cotton buyers from the Japan Spinners’ Association and the Japan Cotton Traders Association, followed by meetings with the president and managing director of COTTON USA licensee Gunze Ltd. and the chairman and CEO of Kaihara.