| The United States (US) textile industry exists in an intensely competitive global environment. Various trade agreements have given US customers access to cheaper textile goods from overseas competitors. This has led to a decrease in business and the closure of many US textile companies. Recently, there has been a renewed enthusiasm for US manufacturing. Politicians speaking on the importance of manufacturing may raise awareness, but the only way the US textile industry will grow is if actual business opportunities exist. This research used two exploratory vehicles to determine short- and long-term opportunities for US textile manufacturing: interviews with members of the industry and secondary data analysis. The interviews were used to determine strategies, concerns, and insights from those actively participating in the global textile marketplace. The secondary data analysis was used to identify trends in the manufacturing costs of various countries and the impact of 'what-if' scenarios to the overall textile manufacturing cost structure of these countries. The scope of this study included spinning, weaving, and knitting. The interview portion featured representatives from each of these processes, from a variety of company sizes, and from various sections of the USA. The interviews led to insights about successful strategies, inherent advantages, inherent disadvantages, helpful government policies, harmful government policies, the level of optimism in the industry, the impact of foreign competition, and the identity of key technology and management factors. The secondary analysis performed for this research led to findings regarding trends in worldwide textile production, the relative modernization of textile machinery in the USA, trends in worldwide textile production costs, and the impact that sudden increases in raw material or energy costs might have. This research concluded that short-term opportunities exist for adaptable US textile companies that are willing to serve niches, provide a fast speed-to-market, and constantly adjust to changes in the marketplace. Long-term opportunities are being created by rising costs in the countries of foreign competitors. US customers will begin using more domestic textile products if the cost is similar to those from countries such as China. This will create a larger market and lead to an increase in successful US textile companies. |
