Textiles and Clothing in Colombia: Profiles of Eight Companies

23 pages, published in Issue 135, May-June 2008   Report price: Euro 395.00; US$ 520.00

Colombia?s textile and clothing sector accounted for 11.6% of the country?s manufacturing gross domestic product (GDP) and for 1.7% of its total GDP in 2007.

The range of manufacturing activities in the sector spans the entire supply chain, including cotton growing, man-made fibre production, textile processing and the manufacture of finished apparel. The sector comprises almost 500 textile mills and 10,000 apparel producers and provides over 600,000 direct and indirect jobs.

Examples of Colombia?s largest textile and clothing companies include jeans producers CI El Globo and CI Jeans, fabric producer Fabricato Tejicóndor, and vertically integrated knitwear manufacturers Crystal, Manufacturas Eliot, Modinco and Protela. All of these firms are heavily involved in exports and have established important partnerships with international brands, including Abercrombie &Fitch, Calvin Klein, Dockers, Gap, Levi Strauss, Polo Ralph Lauren and Tommy Hilfiger.

Almost all of Colombia?s textile and clothing exports are sold to customers in the USA and nearby Latin American countries. Very few firms have made the foray into markets further afield, such as those in the EU.

Notwithstanding this, Colombia?s exports of textiles and clothing rose by a noticeable 47% in 2007 to reach a value of US$2.05 bn. At this level, they accounted for 5.4% of Colombia?s total exports during the year.

Important characteristics of Colombia?s industry include: a low dependency by producers on imported yarns and fabrics, which is helped by the presence of a number of vertically integrated companies with large-scale modern manufacturing equipment; a large supply of inexpensive labour, albeit relatively unskilled; and a rapidly growing domestic market, supported by strong growth in the domestic economy.

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• Statistics: fibre consumption in South America, 1st quarter 2008, (1st quarter 2008)
• World textile and apparel trade and production trends, March-April 2008, (March-April 2008)
• Denim fabric: global trade and leading players, May-June 2007, (May-June 2007)
• Editorial: US-Central American-Dominican Republic Free Trade Agreement (CAFTA-DR): Another Step Towards American Integration, (May-June 2005)

Six times a year, Textile Outlook International provides up to 200 pages of expert comment and analysis. A subscription provides an overview of the global fibre, textile and apparel industries. It is essential reading for senior executives in the fibre, textile and apparel industries ? and for anyone who is not involved in the industry, but needs to quickly gain an understanding of the key issues.
Reports in Textile Outlook International include:
	country profiles ? providing a comprehensive guide to the textile and clothing industries in a range of countries and regions. The reports include an economic and political profile together with a comprehensive overview of the main issues, plus an outlook for the future.
	company profiles ? giving you the opportunity to learn from strategies employed by others. Companies profiled recently include retailers, manufacturers, innovators and sourcing companies involved in textiles and apparel as well as smaller companies which illustrate the opportunities for firms which are interested in selected sourcing locations.
	trends in world textile and apparel trade and production ? taking into account current issues facing the industry ? such as global fibre prices; competition from China and other low cost countries; the elimination of quotas and imposition of selective new ones; relocation of production operations; the impact of economic factors affecting trade; international trade agreements; trade promotion agreements (TPAs); and much more.
	trends in EU and US imports of textiles and clothing ? providing comprehensive statistical data and analysis of the top ten supplying countries to the EU and US markets. These reports are updated each year and contain value and volume data as well as average prices and analyses of trends for up to 15 product categories.
	innovations, technological developments, business development opportunities, individual sector analysis and political implications which affect players in the global fibre, textile and apparel industries. Some of the topics which have been covered in recent reports include: new innovations in the textile and clothing industry, such as environmentally friendly textiles, plant based fibres, and developments in textile colorants; innovations in textile machinery; and overviews of the European swimwear, hosiery and lingerie markets.
So whether you are involved in fibres, textiles or clothing ? in manufacturing, spinning, weaving, knitting, sewing, import/export, retailing ? or if you are in education or consultancy or investment or finance, a subscription to Textile Outlook International will tell you what you need to know about the key trends in the industry.
Textile Outlook International is available on subscription ? either in printed format only, or in printed and electronic format. If you choose the printed only option, you will receive 6 printed publications a year, containing a total of 30 reports plus editorials written by Robin Anson, our editorial director and in-house industry expert.
Electronic supplement If you choose the printed and electronic option, you will receive an extra service. You will still receive each issue in printed format, delivered to you by traditional post. In addition, you will be able to download PDF files containing the same information ? but the PDF files will be available immediately on publication, so you don?t have to wait for the printing and mailing. You also have all the benefits of electronic files: instant access even when you are away from the office; convenient storage in your PC or laptop; portability; electronic search facility; and copy/paste facility.