Thursday, November 21, 2019
MAS Holdings to Open New Factory in Kenya
According to this article in Fiber2Fashion, they will export apparel to the United States, under the provisions of the Africa Growth and Opportunity Act ("AGOA"), the United Kingdom and the Netherlands.
Textiles and Other Manufacturing in Top 5 Five Growth Industries in Connecticut
The Connecticut manufacturing sector grew by 1,300 jobs, or 0.8%, to 161,800, since October 2018. Read more about American Woolen Company and other growing companies in this Hartford Courant article.
Navy Trouser Contract Awarded
Creighton AB Inc., Reidsville, North Carolina, has been awarded a maximum of $7,635,468 firm-fixed-price contract for men's trousers. This was a competitive acquisition with two responses received. This is a one-year base contract with four one-year option periods. Locations of performance are North Carolina and New York, with a Nov. 20, 2020, performance completion date. Using military service is Navy. Type of appropriation is fiscal 2020 through 2021 defense working capital funds. The contracting activity is the Defense Logistics Agency Troop Support, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (SPE1C1-20-D-1213).
Saturday, November 16, 2019
Army and Air Force Clothing Contract Awarded
Peckham Vocational Industries, Peckham, Michigan, has been awarded a maximum $8,673,0560 modification (P00008) exercising the second, one-year option of a one-year base contract (SPE1C1-18-D-N029) with two, one-year option periods for the GEN III, Layer II, Mid-Weight Drawer. This is a firm-fixed-price contract. Location of performance is Michigan, with a Nov. 21, 2020, performance completion date. Using military services are Army and Air Force. Type of appropriation is fiscal 2020 through 2021 defense working capital funds. The contracting activity is the Defense Logistics Agency Troop Support, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
Friday, November 15, 2019
ICE HSI New Orleans seizes $8 million in counterfeit clothing and other goods during pre-holiday IPR surge operation
Beginning the week prior to Halloween, more than two-dozen HSI New Orleans special agents began conducting surveillance of area business locations ultimately identifying numerous vendors engaged in the illegal sale of counterfeit goods, with an emphasis on Halloween-related items such as cosmetic contact lenses and makeup that pose a potential public safety threat due to possible bacterial and heavy metals contamination.
During the second phase of the operation after Halloween, HSI New Orleans shifted focus to the holiday gift-buying season and seized cosmetics, perfumes, pharmaceuticals, cell phones and cell phone accessories, DVDs, music CDs, sports memorabilia, designer clothing, shoes, sunglasses, handbags and wallets. Read more HERE.
Ukraine Government Begins Probe of Faulty Ballistic Vest Purchases
According to the Ukraine State Bureau of Investigations, five defense officials are under investigation involving the purchase of substandard "bulletproof" vests. It is charged that the Ukrainian Defense Directorate of 20,000 knowingly purchased defected "bulletproof" ballistic vests (as well as thousands of poor quality military shelters). Seventy-nine of 100 vests randomly tested failed the requirement specification.
The BeaverLake6 Report appears to be the only technical textile website reporting on the scandal.
U.S. Department of Commerce Finds Dumping and Countervailable Subsidization of Imports of Polyester Textured Yarn from China and India
On November 14, 2019, the U.S. Department of Commerce announced affirmative final determinations in the antidumping duty (AD) and countervailing duty (CVD) investigations of imports of polyester textured yarn from China and India, finding exporters from these nations have dumped yarn in the United States at margins ranging from 76.07 to 77.15 percent and 17.62 to 47.51 percent, respectively. Commerce also determined that exporters from China and India received countervailable subsidies at rates ranging from 32.18 to 473.09 percent and 4.29 to 21.83 percent, respectively.
In 2018, imports of polyester textured yarn from China and India were valued at an estimated $45.5 million and $21.6 million, respectively.
The petitioners are Unifi Manufacturing, Inc. (Greensboro, NC) and Nan Ya Plastics Corp. America (Lake City, SC).
The strict enforcement of U.S. trade law is a primary focus of the Trump Administration. Since the beginning of the current Administration, Commerce has initiated 187 new antidumping and countervailing duty investigations – a 240 percent increase from the comparable period in the previous administration.
Antidumping and countervailing duty laws provide American businesses and workers with an internationally accepted mechanism to seek relief from the harmful effects of the unfair pricing of imports into the United States. Commerce currently maintains 498 antidumping and countervailing duty orders which provide relief to American companies and industries impacted by unfair trade.
The U.S. International Trade Commission (ITC) is currently scheduled to make its final injury determinations on or about December 30, 2019. If the ITC makes affirmative final injury determinations, Commerce will issue AD and CVD orders. If the ITC makes negative final determinations of injury, the investigations will be terminated and no orders will be issued.
Click HERE for a fact sheet on the decisions.
The U.S. Department of Commerce’s Enforcement and Compliance unit within the International Trade Administration is responsible for vigorously enforcing U.S. trade law and does so through an impartial, transparent process that abides by international rules and is based on factual evidence provided on the record.
Foreign companies that price their products in the U.S. market below the cost of production or below prices in their home markets are subject to antidumping duties. Companies that receive unfair subsidies from their governments, such as grants, loans, equity infusions, tax breaks, or production inputs, are subject to countervailing duties aimed at directly countering those subsidies.
Brickle Group Awarded $84 Million in Government Contracts
On November 12, 2019, The Brickle Group announced that more than $84 million in Defense Logistics Agency contracts were awarded to its subsidiary Northwest Woolen Mills over the last eight months. The Brickle Group, a third-generation, leading manufacturer based out of Woonsocket, R.I., has been producing textiles for the last 83 years, including the production of the U.S. Military blanket.
The Brickle Group credits the competitiveness of its proposals to the state’s business-friendly ecosystem and commitment to investing in Rhode Island’s past to drive the future. These awards would not be possible without the tireless leadership and support of Governor Raimondo, Senator Jack Reed, Senator Sheldon Whitehouse, Congressman David Cicilline and Congressman Jim Langevin, on behalf of Rhode Island’s manufacturing and defense industries.
The company has been a key participant in Real Jobs RI, Governor Raimondo’s cutting-edge workforce development platform, and the RI Innovation Network, sponsored by Senator Whitehouse, which has provided the vehicle for the 70 textiles companies in RI to connect and utilize each other to make the Brickle Group a one-stop shop, supply chain solution.
“Manufacturing is in Rhode Island’s DNA,” said Governor Gina M. Raimondo. “That’s why we’re investing in platforms like Real Jobs Rhode Island that support our workers and homegrown companies like The Brickle Group. I want to congratulate the Brickle Group and their partners on successfully winning these federal contracts. I’m thrilled that they are thriving and growing here in Woonsocket.”
“I am always pleased to help Rhode Island businesses compete for defense contracts and thrilled when they win. These federal contracts mean more jobs here in Woonsocket. The Brickle Group and its employees contribute to a number of quality products for our service members. I salute the Brickle Group for ensuring our service members get the high-quality products they need for operations, and for producing them right here in Rhode Island,” said U.S. Senator Jack Reed, the Ranking Member of the Armed Services Committee.
“With this significant contract, The Brickle Group continues Rhode Island’s tradition of making world-class products for the men and women of the U.S. Armed Forces,” said Senator Whitehouse. “It’s gratifying to see our long efforts to convene the local textile industry and to support local manufacturing jobs bear fruit.”
“Rhode Island is at its strongest when hardworking folks have good-paying manufacturing jobs like those at Northwest Woolen Mills,” said Congressman Cicilline. “I commend the Brickle Group, RITIN, and Polaris MEP for their commitment to strengthening our state’s manufacturing industry and for making this award possible. I look forward to seeing the tremendous return on this important federal investment.”
“Manufacturers across Rhode Island play an important role in supporting our military and bolstering our national defense,” said Congressman Langevin, a senior member of the House Armed Services Committee. “I am pleased the Defense Logistics Agency has awarded these contracts, and I will continue to fight for federal funding to support Rhode Island’s robust defense industry.”
“Through the support of our RI congressional delegation, Polaris MEP and Rhode Island Textile Innovation Network, especially surrounding networking and connecting with both our RI and New England Neighbors, the Brickle Group has been able to establish a supply chain that can meet and exceed the textile demands of the U.S. Department of Defense,” said Max Brickle, President of The Brickle Group.
Both the Rhode Island Textile Innovation Network (RITIN) and Real Jobs RI were critical elements of Brickle Group’s success in landing these contracts. The networking opportunities provided by RITIN allowed Rhode Island and regional textile companies to organize in support of Brickle’s need to pull together a local supply chain that increases efficiencies and lowers costs. The Real Jobs RI platform and Polaris MEP provided training that helped Brickle develop its internal talent to meet the demanding standards of the Defense Department, as well as insured future access to flexible, on-demand training.
“One of RITIN’s fundamental goals is to increase networking opportunities among Rhode Island’s textile companies. So, as an organization, we are thrilled that those networking opportunities played a part in the Brickle Corporation’s ability to pull together a consortium of local companies to land this contract. Rhode Island’s textile community is stronger when we work together.”
The clothing and textiles contracts span over 5 years, with production taking place at the Brickle group’s Woonsocket facility as well at its New England textile partners. The Brickle Group has been producing the U.S. Military blanket for over 40 years. The U.S. Navy has added its version to the collection, which the Brickle Group is currently producing in its Woonsocket facility. The U.S. Navy Gray blanket is produced of 100% wool, providing warmth and durability to service the warfighter on U.S. Navy ships.
This marks the first year that the Brickle Group has been awarded this contract for Gen III Layer VII Parka and Trousers as well as the Snow Camo Trouser and Parka. These items make up the outermost layer of protection of the Gen III Extreme Cold Weather System. Adopted by the U.S. Army and U.S. Airforce, they are designed for use during extreme cold and dry conditions.
DLA Troop Support Clothing and Textiles industry event affirms strong partnerships with military customers, vendors
Strong partnerships was the central theme of a Defense Logistics Agency Troop Support Clothing and Textiles military service and industry engagement event Nov. 6-7 in Cherry Hill, New Jersey.
More than 800 representatives from DLA, the military services and American clothing and textiles industry attended the fifth annual Joint Advanced Planning Brief for Industry.
“Strong partnerships: that’s exactly what this event is about,” DLA Troop Support Commander Army Brig. Gen. Gavin Lawrence said. “It’s about forging strong partnerships between DLA as integrator of multiple supply chains, the [military] services that place the demands on DLA, and our partners in industry that provide the materiel in an expeditious manner to our warfighters.”
The two-day event provided an opportunity for DLA and the military services to brief industry partners on future requirements and business opportunities for clothing and individual equipment.
“I’m excited at the opportunity this forum presents,” Lawrence said. “We have the ability with our service teammates and partners in industry to achieve a lot in terms of dialogue that can be meaningful to what we focus on at DLA, at that’s support to the warfighter.”
Army Deputy Program Executive Officer for Soldier Ross Guckert, provided the event’s keynote address, and discussed the organization’s mission, vision and priorities, and how industry can help achieve them.
“Our intent here is to make sure you’re aiming at the right target,” Guckert said. “We get you guys aiming in the right direction to help us solve our problems.”
Representatives from other military program offices also presented ways industry can assist with future requirements, including Marine Corps Systems Command, Navy Exchange Service Command and the Air Force Humans Systems Program Office.
For the Marine Corps, item improvements industry can help with include lighter and more flexible body armor and plates, flame resistant fabrics and maternity uniforms, described Marine Corps Lt. Col. Andrew Konicki, the Clothing and Equipment for Infantry Combat Equipment program manager at MARCOSYSCOM.
C&T’s director, Air Force Col. Joseph Elkins, also emphasized the theme of industry assistance towards improvements.
“What I want to remind [our industry partners] is, anything you see that we can do better, faster, harder, stronger in your commercial customer base, let us know,” Elkins said.
Lawrence described how industry has already helped improve the supply chain, by highlighting DLA’s successes from fiscal year 2019, including materiel availability, one of the key metrics DLA measures.
“When a customer places an order, [materiel availability is] having the items on hand to fill that requirement,” Lawrence explained. “We got up to the 90th percentile in fiscal 2019 and our [DLA] director has given us the additional challenge in fiscal 2020 to see if we can get that up to 93rd percent for our materiel availability.”
Lawrence also described C&T successes from fiscal 2019, including helping the Air Force transition to the operational camouflage pattern utility uniform and providing Berry Compliant athletic footwear to Air Force and Navy recruits for the first time, with Army and Marine Corps receiving the footwear in the first quarter of fiscal 2020.
“We absolutely could not have achieved what we did without the relationships and strong partnerships that we have,” Lawrence said.
In addition to briefing about upcoming requirements, the JAPBI also provided vendors who may be new to government contracting, an opportunity to learn how to navigate the solicitation process, said Donna Pointkouski, JAPBI event curator and C&T’s Strategic Material Sourcing Division chief. Pointkouski gave anecdotes of vendors who have been successful in securing contract awards due to their participation at previous JAPBI events.
“If you’re a new vendor, I offer these stories as encouragement that it is possible, and [encourage you] to meet as many people as you can while you’re here,” Pointkouski said.
A new DLA video, ‘Fabric of America,’ also debuted at this year’s JAPBI, highlighting the ‘life’ of an Army combat uniform from cotton to recruit issuance.
“We wanted to create something that highlights the complexity of the supply chain,” Pointkouski said. “This video proves that we, DLA and the services together, can’t support the warfighter without you, and without your employees.”
Thursday, November 14, 2019
School of Fashion Design Annual holiday party & silent auction! 85th anniversary vintage edition!
On Tuesday, December 10, the School of Fashion Design, Boston, will celebrate the season at their annual holiday party and silent auction fundraiser. Over 40 vintage garments from the SFD archives up for auction! Silent auction proceeds benefit SFD student programs and technical resources.
Buy tickets at eventbrite.
CBP Considers Complex Apparel Classification Questions
Customs Bulletin And Decisions, Vol. 53, No. 40, November 6, 2019, contains two items of interest--
In such complex cases CBP often consults the Harmonized Commodity Description and Coding System Explanatory Notes ("ENs") which constitute the "official interpretation of the Harmonized System" at the international level. (See 54 Fed. Reg. 35127, 35128 (Aug. 23, 1989).) While neither legally binding nor dispositive, the ENs "provide a commentary on the scope of each heading" of the HTSUS and are "generally indicative of [the] proper interpretation" of these headings. However, the Harmonized System ("HS") itself, and the U.S. tariff schedule that is based on the HS, the ENs are available only for purchase, and they are quite expensive, 749 Euro. And, as they are periodically updated, that is a recurring cost.
Tuesday, November 12, 2019
Hooey Recalls Children’s Sweatshirts with Drawstrings Due to Strangulation Hazard
Description: This recall involves 15 styles of youth-sized sweatshirts with the “Hooey” brand or logo and drawstrings in the hood. The sweatshirts are polyester and cotton. The sweatshirts generally have a single front pocket. They were sold in boys’ and girls’ sizes XS, S, M, L, XL. A white size label has the word “Hooey” and “Made in China” and is located at the center back neck of the sweatshirts. A label in the side seam has the garment care instructions.
Remedy: Consumers should immediately take the recalled sweatshirts away from children and remove the drawstring to eliminate the hazard.
Incidents/Injuries: None reported
Sold At: Boot Barn, Orscheln’s, Cavenders and other western wear apparel stores from September 2017 through October 2019 for about $45.
Importer(s): Hooey LLC, of Spring Branch, Texas
Manufactured In: China
Recall number: 20-018
Amazon’s Heavy Recruitment of Chinese Sellers Puts Consumers at Risk
Thanks to our friends at the American Apparel & Footwear Association (AAFA) for alerting us to this Wall Street Journal article about how Amazon's e-commerce platform has included banned, unsafe, mislabeled products since Amazon wooed China's manufacturers to sell directly to the U.S.
CBP Foils Attempt to Smuggle Fake Airbags from China at Ontario International Airport
Counterfeit Honda Airbags Mislabeled as “Plastic Boards”
U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers assigned to Ontario International Airport (ONT) express air cargo operations in Ontario, California in coordination with import specialists assigned to the Automotive & Aerospace Center of Excellence (AA Center) seized eight counterfeit Honda airbags arriving in two express packages from China.
Honda airbags arriving in two express packages
from China.
On September 12, CBP officers discovered the airbags while conducting an enforcement examination of the express packages. AA Center import specialists confirmed that the airbags were in violation of the Honda protected trademark. If genuine, the seized airbags would have an estimated manufacturer’s suggested retail price (MSRP) of $4,856.
“Protecting the health and safety of the American consumer is a top priority for CBP,” said Carlos C. Martel, CBP Director of Field Operations in Los Angeles. “Counterfeit airbags pose American motorists in extreme danger, they can fail to deploy or even hurt passengers during a collision.”
Airbag fraud occurs after a vehicle is involved in a wreck and the original airbags are replaced. Consumers buying airbags from non-legitimate sources online may encounter counterfeit versions sold at what appears to be a deep discount.
sources online may encounter counterfeit
versions sold at what appears to
be a deep discount.
“Airbags are essential car safety features and we know counterfeit devices are a major invisible threat already associated with fatalities in the United States,” NHTSA Acting Administrator James Owens said. “As a safety agency, NHTSA takes these cases extremely seriously and we applaud CBP’s efforts to intercept dangerous products before they get into circulation. NHTSA values its partnership with CBP and this work is literally saving lives.”
“CBP commits substantial resources to detect, intercept and seize illicit goods arriving in the express package environment,” said Donald R. Kusser, CBP Port Director overseeing ONT international operations. “Counterfeiters are constantly attempting to take advantage of consumers by disguising their illicit goods as legitimate shipments.”
CBP focuses on priority trade issues such as intellectual property rights and health and safety, in order to protect consumers from harmful products.
CBP established an educational initiative to raise consumer awareness and consciousness about the consequences and dangers that are often associated with the purchase of counterfeit and pirated goods. Information about the Truth Behind Counterfeits public awareness campaign can be found at fakegoodsrealdangers.
If you have any suspicion of or information regarding suspected fraud or illegal trade activity, please report the trade violation to e-Allegations Online Trade Violation Reporting System or by calling 1-800-BE-ALERT.
Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) violations can also be reported to the National Intellectual Property Rights Coordination Center at iprcenter.gov/referral or by telephone at 1-866-IPR-2060.
NHTSA’s mission is to save lives, prevent injuries, and reduce economic costs due to road traffic crashes through education, research, safety standards, and enforcement. The agency advises that the following consumers that may be at risk of owning a counterfeit air bag:
- Consumers who have had air bags replaced at a repair shop that is not a new car dealer franchised to perform the repair
- Consumers who have purchased a used car that may have sustained an air bag deployment before their purchase
- Consumers who own a car with a salvage title
- Consumers who have purchased replacement airbags from eBay or other non-certified sources—especially if they were purchased at unusually low prices (i.e. less than $400)
Concerned consumers should contact their local certified automotive franchised dealer to have their vehicle inspected and visit nhtsa.gov/equipment/air-bags for more information.
Commercial Customs Operations Advisory Committee to Meet December 4th
The Commercial Customs Operations Advisory Committee (COAC) will hold its quarterly meeting on Wednesday, December 4, 2019, in Washington, DC.
The COAC will hear from the current subcommittees on the topics listed below and then will review, deliberate, provide observations, and formulate recommendations on how to proceed:
1. The Next Generation Facilitation Subcommittee will provide an update on the One U.S. Government Working Group's progress and an overview of the recent two-day meeting, during which the working group discussed the Global Business Identifier and working group priorities. There will be a subcommittee update on the progress of the Unified Entry Processes Working Group's development of an operational framework and the mapping of deficiencies in the current entry process. The subcommittee will discuss progress on the Emerging Technologies Working Group's various initiatives, including the recent completion of the Intellectual Property Rights Blockchain Proof of Concept testing and follow-up assessment. Finally, the subcommittee will provide an update on the efforts of the E-Commerce Working Group's projects and pilots.
2. The Secure Trade Lanes Subcommittee will provide updates on the Trusted Trader Working Group's activites. They will also provide an analysis of the In-Bond processes with a view to areas that are being developed for greater efficiency. The newly launched Export Modernization Working Group will provide updates regarding categorizing issues with export handling and identification of export data elements and opportunities for export process efficiencies. The Export Modernization Working Group may also submit recommendations for COAC's consideration. The subcommittee will report on the planned scope of work to be addressed by the newly formed Remote and Autonomous Cargo Processing Working Group.
3. The Rapid Response Subcommittee will provide an update regarding the newly formed Broker Continuing Education Taskforce and their goal to evaluate a continuing education framework for licensed customs brokers.
4. The Intelligent Enforcement Subcommittee will discuss their progress and activities, and they may also submit recommendations from the working groups under their jurisdiction for COAC's consideration. There will be updates from the following: the recently launched Intellectual Property Rights Working Group, which encompasses the visions of the 21st Century Customs Framework; the Anti-Dumping and Countervailing Duties (AD/CVD) Working Group (reporting on its efforts to discuss the AD/CVD Redesign and Date of Duty Calculation); the Bond Working Group (reporting on risk-based bonding and bond sufficiency); and, the Forced Labor Working Group, which was previously on hiatus (reporting on new topics).
Friday, November 8, 2019
Army and Air Force Undershirt Contract Awarded
Knox County Association for Remarkable Citizens, Vincennes, Indiana, has been awarded a maximum $9,351,147 modification (P00008) exercising the second one-year option of a one-year base contract (SPE1C1-18-D-N024) with two one-year option periods for the GEN III, Layer II, Mid-Weight Undershirt. This is a firm-fixed-price contract. Location of performance is Indiana, with a Nov. 12, 2020, performance completion date. Using services are Army and Air Force. Type of appropriation is fiscal 2020 through 2021 defense working capital funds. The contracting activity is the Defense Logistics Agency Troop Support, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
Thursday, November 7, 2019
Honor Our Veterans on Armistice Day
Monday, November 11, 2019, is Veterans Day, a federal holiday in the United States. National, state, and local government offices will be closed in commemoration. Most businesses will be open.
Do you pause for a moment of silence at the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month? I remember, decades ago, in grade school, we all did so in observance of Armistice Day, even though the name of the commemoration had been official changed to Veterans Day way back in 1954.
Without question, we do right to honor our soldiers, seamen, airmen, marines, and coast guard with a public holiday. But let us not forget the origins of Veterans Day/Armistice Day, as remembrance of the end of the "War to End All Wars." Thomas Hardy wrote And There Was a Great Calm on the occasion of the signing of the armistice, here's one stanza --
Breathless they paused. Out there men raised their glance
To where had stood those poplars lank and lopped,
As they had raised it through the four years’ dance
Of Death in the now familiar flats of France;
And murmured, 'Strange, this! How? All firing stopped?'
In November 1919, President Wilson proclaimed November 11 as the first commemoration of Armistice Day. In 1926 Congress officially encouraged the observance of the day throughout the nation, but in was not until 1938 that Armistice Day became a legal federal holiday.
In 1954, November 11th became a day to honor American veterans of all wars and President Dwight D. Eisenhower issued the first Veterans Day Proclamation. Subsequent Presidents have continued the practice of issuing such proclamations.
By the way, Veterans Day is always on November 11th, which this year is a Monday. In 1968 the Uniform Holiday Bill removed several federal holidays from their traditional dates, placing them on Mondays in order to create three-day weekends. But many were not pleased with this tinkering with Veterans Day and in 1975 President Gerald R. Ford signed the law which returned the annual observance of Veterans Day to its original date of November 11, beginning in 1978. This action supported the desires of the overwhelming majority of state legislatures, all major veterans service organizations and the American people.
For more information on the celebration of Veterans Day, see www.va.gov/opa/vetsday
God Bless the United States of America!
Wednesday, November 6, 2019
CPSC's Pagie Witzen Attending the AATCC Fall Committee Meeting
Paige Witzen, Consumer Product Safely Commission Directorate of Laboratory Sciences, will be attending the American Association of Textile Chemists and Colorist ("AATCC") fall committee meetings in Raleigh, NC, November 12-13, 2019.
Rhode Island Textile Company to Announce Government Contract Awards Next Tuesday
On November 12, 2019, The Brickle Group will announce Defense Logistics Agency ("DLA") contract awards with Governor Raimondo, Senator Reed, Senator Whitehouse and Congressman Cicilline.
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