Technical textile markets: clothing at work: providing a better image, 3rd quarter 2006

19 pages, published in Issue 66, 3rd quarter 2006   Report price: Euro 395.00; US$ 520.00

The market for clothing at work is huge. It covers basic workwear, technical wear and protective wear?which is required by law in some cases?and the more image focused careerwear. As many as half of all working Americans wear clothing provided by their employers at work, although penetration rates are not yet as high in Europe or elsewhere. In recent years there has been a blurring of the differences which once existed between the various categories of clothing at work. Such blurring stems partly from innovations in technical fabrics and partly from the influences of fashion and image. Technical fabrics are now used in a wide range of garments and are not limited to the protective categories. Similarly, the focus on image and fashion in careerwear has infiltrated the basic workwear market.

In terms of suppliers, the market is highly fragmented. It is served by many specialist national companies and there are few regional or global players. To some extent, this has suited the nature of the business in the past because local suppliers tend to be especially responsive to the needs of local buyers. Some of the larger suppliers are garment rental and laundry companies which provide garments and cleaning services. The largest buyers, however, are companies which do not manufacture garments themselves. Other large customers include public authorities.

Within the mature markets of Western Europe and the USA, growth sectors include protective wear?which is being driven predominantly by legislation?and careerwear, which is being fuelled by a desire to present a good corporate image. In contrast, the workwear market is stagnant or in decline, in line with the demise of heavy industry in these regions. The biggest opportunities for clothing at work, however, lie in the developing world. Most of the future growth in this market will come from the take up of workwear, and eventually careerwear, in Asia.

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• Smart Fabrics and Intelligent Textiles in the UK: Seven Companies at the Forefront of Innovation, (1st quarter 2007)
• Performance apparel markets: flame resistant fibres and fabrics, 4th quarter 2006, (4th quarter 2006)
• Lion Apparel: a leading supplier of protective apparel for firefighters, (4th quarter 2006)
• Fast track: tracking the market for personal protective equipment, (2nd Quarter 2006)
• Profile of Kwintet: a leading supplier of workwear, (2nd Quarter 2006)
• Technical textile markets: anti-static technology in performance apparel, 4th quarter 2005, (4th quarter 2005)
• Technical textile markets: developments in military clothing, 3rd quarter 2005, (3rd quarter 2005)
• West European Market for Textiles in Personal Protective Equipment, (1st quarter 2005)
• Profile of Klopman International: European Leader in Polyester/Cotton Workwear, (January-February 2005)
• Performance apparel markets: stain protective apparel: consumers splash out on easy-care clothing, 4th quarter 2004, (4th quarter 2004)
• UV protective fibres and fabrics: function and fashion for a health-conscious age, (2nd Quarter 2004)

Four times a year, Technical Textile Markets provides an overview of the global man-made fibre, nonwoven and technical textile industries. It provides market data and analysis of new and established markets for technical textiles, and is essential reading for senior executives in (or supplying) the man-made fibre, nonwoven and technical textile sectors ? as well as for those who are not involved in the industry on a day-to-day basis, but who need an authoritative source which helps them to quickly gain an understanding of the key issues facing the companies which are actively involved in this fast-growing sector.
Reports in Technical Textile Markets include:
	company and country profiles ? giving you the opportunity to learn from strategies employed by others, in terms of production, sourcing, import/export, infrastructure and development, and plans for the future.
	profiles of the world's top 40 producers of nonwovens ? updated each year with details of developments from each of the leading producers, including acquisitions, investments and divestments, and analyses of trends which the "rising stars" are using to their advantage.
	statistical reports ? including consumption data, by fibre and end-use applications. Regular updates are published for fibre consumption in Japan, the rest of Asia, the USA, and Western Europe.
	market sector information ? analyses of important commercial end-user applications, and profiles of both established and emerging markets which take into account such innovations and developments as nanotechnology and intelligent textiles.
	regular updates on innovations in fibres, technical textiles, apparel and machinery ? including developments in the following categories: fibres and yarns; technical textile fabrics for industrial applications; machinery; technical textiles for apparel; composites; other technical textile products; and technical textile treatments and finishes.
	reports on new technological developments and other topical issues ? with clear, authoritative comments on their economic and commercial significance. The reports bring to your attention the key issues which you can use to develop your business, and provides contact details of useful organisations.
So whether you are involved in man-made fibres, nonwovens or technical textiles ? in manufacturing, converting, import/export, or end use ? or if you are in education or consultancy or investment or finance ? a subscription to Technical Textile Markets will tell you what you need to know about the key trends in the industry.
Technical Textile Markets 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 4 printed publications a year. Each issue contains five research-based reports (see above) and an editorial.
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. You will also receive a monthly update of business news, called "Technical Textiles Business Update" delivered to you by email, free of charge.
Technical textiles are used in a wide range of end-use applications and markets, including agricultural; automotive; building/ construction/ engineering; medical and hygiene; packaging; protective clothing; sports and sportswear; and transport. A subscription to Technical Textile Markets will support your decision making, and provide the information you need to expand into new markets.