Stork Textile survey shows rising Asian market & declining run lengths

Stork Textile Printing Group recently published a worldwide industry market survey that depicts a slowly rising market with widening regional differences in output, printing widths and colors per design set against across-the-board falls in run lengths.

This new survey shows that increasing

The Textile Market Survey 2002, based on responses from a panel of printers and engravers across all continents in the fall of 2001, shows Asia, and countries such as Mexico, Turkey and Pakistan continuing to gain market shares at the expense of the West because of their lower cost structures. Western European and North American companies are fuelling this shift by outsourcing operations to these regions to remain competitive. Overall world production, rising annually at 1%, is estimated to be 18.6 billion meters.

Weaving and dyeing operations are gaining popularity. There is greater specialization, too, as companies achieve increased higher yields by focusing on fewer or more specific activities, such as weaving, dyeing or printing.

Average run-lengths continue their steep decline, to 2,235 meters from 2,625 meters in 1997, as the industry becomes increasingly responsive to consumers' more individualistic tastes. The survey also reveals a slow shift towards wide-- width production, and a steady overall average number of colors per design, with sharp regional differences.

The survey is available from Stork Textile Printing Group for US$200 or the equivalent in euro. All orders are processed within 48 hours of receipt of payment. For more details on ordering and special discounts for students and educational establishments, access the company's website, at

www.storktextile.com.

A spokesperson for the group says, "The survey is an invaluable resource to those textile value-chain players who need to keep track of the latest developments and predictions to make strategic decisions that are in tune with the requirements of tomorrow's market."