Economic Issues Impact Spin Expo

SHANGHAI — Chinese brands dominated, while buyers took advantage of reduced-price Italian yarn at the 25th edition of the Spin Expo yarn fair. The three-day show, which ended March 11, hosted 150 exhibitors from nine countries, about 20 percent fewer than last year. According to organizers, a stricter entry policy had been introduced to ensure brand and product quality across the show. Two-thirds of companies this year came from mainland China and 13 percent from Italy. This represented a dramatic shift in demographics since the show launched 12 years ago. According to show organizer Karine Van Tassel, at the inaugural fair in 2003, 10 percent of exhibitors were Chinese, 20 percent were Japanese and 70 percent were Italian. “Now the tables have turned,” said Van Tassel. “The Japanese brands have either closed or scaled back. Those who worked with cashmere have downgraded to acrylic and sell by the kilo.” This year’s show guide listed only three Japanese companies. “China is achieving its goal to be the world leader in textiles because they own every component of the supply chain, from the raw materials to the transport and logistics,” added the founder. This year’s spring 2016 showcase focused on activewear using innovative machinery. Beijing-based Dutch designer Eva

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