Performance Apparel Markets - Grado Zero Espace Srl

Performance Apparel Markets, 1st quarter 2006
Profile of Bemis: a leader in bonded seam technology
OUTLOOK
Bemis is proud of its
leading role in the bonded
seamless technology
market
It is particularly optimistic
about the future and
considers growth in the
bonded seam market to be
a long-term trend,
although competition will
increase
But in response to
increasing competition
Bemis is diversifying
It is developing new
fire-retardant and
PTFE-based coatings—
—and extrusion
capabilities for
non-apparel sectors
The biggest opportunities
lie in Asia, but so do the
biggest threats
Bemis is proud of its leading role in the bonded seam market. It is
also proud of the fact that, as a manufacturing company in the
north-east of the USA, it has seen strong growth while other
companies have struggled and moved production to cheaper countries.
The company’s marketing manager, Chris Parlee, says: “our success
[is] with only 210 employees around the globe, that’s proof alone. For
me, it is a great feeling to know that a small company in small-town
USA has shaken up the apparel industry.”
The company is particularly optimistic about the future. It considers
growth in the bonded seam market to be a long-term trend, not a fad,
and sees the prospects for Sewfree as being excellent. However, as the
stitch-free seaming market grows, so will the number and size of
Bemis’s competitors. Many of them, especially in Asia, are firms that
produce thermoplastic polymers for other applications which have
decided to emulate Bemis by turning their attention to the apparel
market.
In response, Bemis is diversifying. It is turning its attention to other
markets and to other products as it did many years ago—when it
switched from the chewing gum market to fabric coatings. Chris
Parlee sums up the company’s approach for the future by saying: “we
seek opportunities across the globe and are not unwilling to change
direction or processes to sustain our growth”.
Bemis is developing a new formulation for fire-retardant coatings, as
well as coatings based on PTFE (polytetrafluoroethylene) which confer
breathable and waterproof capabilities on fabrics.
The company is also investing in the development of extrusion
capabilities for non-apparel sectors which will include a wider range
of coatings or lamination applications in areas such as agriculture and
construction.
Perhaps the biggest opportunity for the company lies in Asia. Bemis
has just taken on 18 new staff in the region as a result of the
explosive growth it is experiencing. But here, too, lies its biggest
threat. Asia is where Bemis is likely to see most of its future
competitors arise.
© Textiles Intelligence Limited 47