As you can imagine, the primary raw material that we use in our business is fabric. We buy velours to make custom stage curtains. We buy sharkstooth scrim to make theatrical scrims. We buy printable fabric to make custom band backdrops. All of these fabrics originate at the textile mill.
In general, those mills are located in the US or, in the case of certain specialty fabrics, in Europe (primarily the UK and Germany). However, I have been hearing more and more about US textile mills opening new manufacturing locations in Mexico (especially since the adoption of NAFTA), with the primary workforce of these locations made up of local workers (though supervised by U.S. managers). What does this mean for the future of the textile industry in the US? I found an interesting article offering an alternative – Texas.
I have never been one of those people who is adamant on buying American goods, but I do worry about the future of the US textile industry and how it will affect companies like Sew What?
Mexico is a solution for U.S. companies searching for cost reduction alternatives in a nearshore location, it’s a solution to remain compatitive in North America. There is a manufacturing program called “Shelter” which allows U.S. companies to manage their operations in Mexico.
Shelter, It’s an administrative manufacturing support structure for companies that want to establish an operation in Mexico. It provides: Legal structure of a maquiladora, which means the foreign corporation will have NO direct presence in Mexico, it also gives an established platform for HR managment, accounting and customs amongst others support areas which allows the foreign company to start up operations at ease and at a very low risk. It’s a cost effective way that it’s being used by many small to mid size international corporations.
MFI International has a shelter division http://www.mfiintl.com,and also a subcontract manufacturing division which performs textile assemblies (cut/sew operations)www.msimfg.com.
I appreciate the information, Paola. I have to be honest, however, and admit to some concern in learning of the subcontract manufacturing division of MFI – since Sew What? Inc. is a manufacturer of sewn goods.
Since our products are custom-made (no mass production) according to the customer’s specifications on a single order by order basis, I don’t believe that we will be affected by subcontracting sewing to companies in Mexico. However, I can see that it could affect those who work in mass production sewing facilities in the US.