America’s Oldest Hat Maker, Bollman Hat Company to Bring Iconic Kangol 504 Hat Production to Adamstown from China, Create 41 Jobs

Adamstown, Penn. November 19, 2015 - World famous headwear brand Kangol—worn by some of the world’s top celebrities including Brad Pitt, Bill Murray, Gwen Stefani, Samuel L. Jackson, and Miley Cyrus—is making a move to bring the manufacturing of their iconic 504 style stateside with the Bollman Hat Company.

With this bold move, Kangol and Bollman Hat Company will create 41 new, full-time American jobs and retain 176 currently held positions over the next three years. Bollman is America’s oldest hat maker, and its Pennsylvania factory has continuously made hats since 1868.

In 2001, Bollman Hat Company acquired the global license to design, produce, and distribute Kangol headwear. Prior to the acquisition, the decision by previous ownership had already been put in motion to move all manufacturing to China in order to stay competitive. The factory in China was purchased in 2006 by a Chinese hat maker who has now decided to close its doors, opening the door for Kangol to bring even more of its production to the United States.

The unique knitting machinery used to make the wool 504 was built exclusively for Kangol in the 1930s and 1940s. There are currently 80 machines in China that need to be transported to the US. Bollman has already moved ten of the machines over and made necessary electrical conversions of the equipment. The total cost of the endeavor will exceed $600,000 USD.

Bollman has already committed more than $350,000 and will receive an incentive from the PA DCED (Department of Community and Economic Development), who awarded Bollman a $60,000 Pennsylvania First Program grant.

What Will TPP Mean for Technical and Industrial Textiles?

For an overview of what TPP will mean for technical and industrial textiles (along with details on rules of origin and U. S. tariff phase out) see my column which appears today in Steve Warner's BeaverLake6 Report.

TPP Rules of Origin and Tariff Phase Outs, in One Page and Easy to Read

Agathon Asociates has posted two new reports on the Trans-Pacific Partnership ("TPP").

ROO and Market Access Report Series 600 shows, for man-made fiber yarn, woven fabrics, apparel, home textiles, and other textile products--

• The current rate of duty.
• The rules of origin ("ROO") to qualify for TPP and
• The U.S. tariff phase out schedule ("Market Access").
• Sorted by 3-digit multifiber arrangement category and 10-digit Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the U.S. classification.

ROO and Market Access Report Series 400 shows, for wool fiber yarn, woven fabrics, apparel, home textiles, and other textile products--

• The current rate of duty.
• The rules of origin ("ROO") to qualify for TPP and
• The U.S. tariff phase out schedule ("Market Access").
• Sorted by 3-digit multifiber arrangement category and 10-digit Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the U.S. classification.

This information is available to clients of Agathon Associates, subscribers to Agathon Associates' Trade Advisor Service, and students in David Trumbull's TMD 433 course at the University of Rhode Island. You will need to enter your username and password. If you do not know your username and password email David Trumbull at david@agathonassociates.com.

Customized reports are available upon request.

USITC Launches Study of Likely Impact of TPP

The U.S. International Trade Commission (USITC) has instituted an investigation to assess the likely impact of the Trans-Pacific Partnership Agreement that the President has announced he intends to enter into with Australia, Brunei Darussalam, Canada, Chile, Japan, Malaysia, Mexico, New Zealand, Peru, Singapore, and Vietnam.

The investigation, Trans-Pacific Partnership Agreement: Likely Impact on the U.S. Economy and on Specific Industry Sectors, was requested by the U.S. Trade Representative in a letter received on November 5, 2015.

The Bipartisan Congressional Trade Priorities and Accountability Act of 2015 requires the USITC to prepare a report that assesses the likely impact of the Agreement on the U.S. economy as a whole and on specific industry sectors and the interests of U.S. consumers. The USITC’s report, which will be public, is due to the President and the Congress no more than 105 days after the President signs the Agreement, which he can do 90 days after he notifies Congress of his intent to do so. The President notified Congress on November 5, 2015, of his intent to enter into the Agreement.

The USITC will hold a public hearing in connection with the investigation beginning at 9:30 a.m. on January 13, 2016. Requests to appear at the hearing should be filed no later than 5:15 p.m. on December 22, 2015, with the Secretary, U.S. International Trade Commission, 500 E Street SW, Washington, DC 20436. For further information, call 202-205-2000.

The USITC also welcomes written submissions for the record. Written submissions should be addressed to the Secretary of the Commission at the above address and should be submitted at the earliest practical date but no later than 5:15 p.m. on February 15, 2016. All written submissions, except for confidential business information, will be available for public inspection.

Further information on the scope of the investigation and the procedures for written submissions is available in the USITC’s notice of investigation, dated November 17, 2015, which can be obtained from the USITC web site (www.usitc.gov) or by contacting the Office of the Secretary at the above address or 202-205-2000.

American Made Matters Day: A Call-to-Action for Consumers

November 18, 2015, ADAMSTOWN, P.A. - American Made Matters, an organization dedicated to educating consumers on the importance of buying American-made products, is holding the 3rd annual American Made Matters Day on November 19th. The purpose of the event is for consumers to buy at least one U.S.-made product on this day, and to encourage consumers to buy made-in-USA products throughout the upcoming holiday season to show their support for US manufacturing.

November 19th has been declared American Made Matters Day not just because of the positive impact that manufacturing has on jobs, but also on local communities, the U.S. economy, product safety, the environment, and the future of America. A resolution has been passed in Pennsylvania and Colorado declaring November 19th as American Made Matters Day.

To celebrate American Made Matters Day, events will be held in thirty locations throughout the United States. These events will show the two American Made Matters videos, provide information to consumers, and give consumers the ability to buy U.S.-made products. Some locations will offer food and music. Over forty American Made Matters members, including Todd Shelton, Carole S. Miller Handbags, hats.com, K’NEX, and Ball and Buck, will be offering online sales and specials. Bollman Hat Company will again conduct tours in their historic Adamstown, PA factory, the oldest hat factory in America, as well as launch a Kickstarter campaign to bring the iconic Kangol 504 hat production from China to Adamstown, creating 41 new jobs in Pennsylvania. Simplicity Vacuums will be offering an open house, tours, food, and door prizes at their factory in Fenton, MI. Joy Petty, Director of Marketing for Simplicity, said, “ “.

Don Rongione, President and Founder of American Made Matters, says, “Buying American made products creates jobs, stronger communities, independence and security for our country, an improved national economy, safer products, and a more environmentally friendly planet. Each of us can make a difference every time we make a purchase. American Made Matters Day was created as a call to action to use our individual purchasing power on November 19 and during the holiday shopping season to make a difference for our future.”

The U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis reports that every $1 spent on American-made goods invests an additional $1.32 in the U.S. economy. If Americans dedicated just a small portion of their holiday shopping budget to buying American-made goods, it could have a very positive impact on our economy. In fact, according to ABCNews, if each American family spent just an extra $49.95 on American-made goods, the spending would generate 150,000 American jobs.

Aout American Made Matters®: American Made Matters® was launched on July 4, 2009 by the Bollman Hat Company, America’s oldest hat manufacturer. It is the only organization committed to promoting American-made goods that is run solely by manufacturers. It has over 375 member companies located in 45 states of the 50 US states. For more information, visit http://www.americanmadematters.com, or like them on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/AmericanMadeMatters.

CPSC Meets with Green Science Policy Inst. on Furniture Flammability

On Monday, November 16, 2015, the Office of Chairman Elliot F. Kaye of the Consumer Product Safety Commission was scheduled to meet with representatives from the Green Science Policy Institute: Dr. Arlene Blum, Executive Director; Avery Lindeman, Deputy Director; Matt Vinci, Director of Education of the International Association of Fire Fighters, to discuss furniture flammability standards, disposal of furniture foam that have been treated with flame retardants, and chemical classes of concern.

Government Trade Stats and Other Web Service will be Unavailable Friday, November 13th

Due to a planned power outage, Dataweb and all other USITC web services will be unavailable beginning at 6:30 pm ET on Friday, November 13. Services will be restored as early as possible during the day on Saturday, November 14.