China's Hat and Cap Industry Experiences Growth as Countries Move Their Sourcing to China...

DUBLIN,Ireland -- Research and Markets (http://www.researchandmarkets.com/reports/c28774) has announced the addition of the Global Sources report: China Sourcing Report: Hats & Caps to their offering.

This Reports Provides:

Impartial, in-depth profiles of 15 key suppliers

Short profile tables of 49 additional manufacturers, highlighting key information such as product ranges, monthly output figures and number of sewing, cutting and forming machines installed

At-a-glance data on 110 popular export models, including detailed specifications and full-color pictures

The results of our latest supplier survey, forecasting price, product, production and R&D trends for the next 12 months

This report covers: sports caps and visors, fashion hats and caps and winter headwear

Benefits of This Report:

Improve your competitive advantage with an advance look at the latest design and material trends in Chinas hat and cap manufacturing industry

Discover how producers are making their hats more functional -- thereby boosting their "customer appeal"

Pinpoint the differences in quality and features between low-end, midrange and high-end hats and caps made in China

Benefit from quick-to-use summary listings covering all featured suppliers, with easy-to-compare statistics, as well as verified contact details

Topics Covered

INDUSTRY OVERVIEW

Supplier demographics

Products and prices

Materials and components

R&D/design

Manufacturing

Production hub: Jiangsu

Supplier survey -- projected export prices and sales, major challenges, R&D focus, target markets, upgrade plans

SUPPLIER PROFILES

Products

Capabilities

Outlook

Manufacturing

Popular export models

Contact details

SUPPLIER TABLES

PRODUCT GALLERY

Sports caps & visors

Fashion hats & caps

Winter headwear

SUPPLIER CONTACT DETAILS

Summary

Chinas US$1 billion hat and cap industry is gearing up for increased demand as more overseas buyers shift their sourcing to the countries nearly 3,000 export suppliers. The lifting of US quotas on cotton and polyester hats and caps is also a factor behind steadily growing demand.

In 2004, total outbound shipments increased 22.7 percent from 2.7 billion to 3.4 billion pieces. The US and the European Union are the countries top export markets.

One of the biggest challenges facing Chinas labor-intensive hat and cap industry today is the increasing cost of production. Higher material prices and rising worker salaries pushed total manufacturing and operating costs up by as much as 30 percent last year.

The following are some of the key trends we see in Chinas hat and cap industry:

--The majority of hat and cap makers will be significantly increasing capacity to meet overseas demand. Most suppliers are building new factories or expanding facilities, while smaller companies are looking for more companies to subcontract production to.

--Increasing production costs will continue to be an issue of concern for hat and cap makers in China. While about half of the suppliers are keen on keeping export prices stable in the next 12 months, the other half will definitely raise quotes.

--OEM production will continue to drive exports for the next few years.

--The US and EU will remain the countries major destinations for hats and caps, while the Middle East and Asia, Japan in particular, are emerging markets.

--Sports caps will continue to dominate exports because they are the easiest to produce. Apart from this, sports caps are more versatile and can be used for promotional purposes, sports or as a fashion accessory.

Suppliers in China export three types of hats and caps -- sports caps and visors, fashion hats and caps, and winter headwear. These are also the scope of this report.

Almost all hat and cap manufacturers produce sports caps, and there are some that specialize in the line. More than 70 percent of suppliers featured in this report produce all three kinds of hats and caps for export, and more than 50 percent have sports caps and visors as their main product line.

The Products & Prices section in this report discusses the main features of each hat and cap type and their price ranges. It also explains the differences between low-end, midrange and high-end products in each product category.

Product development and design focus are discussed in the R&D/ Design section, while the Materials & Components module details the main fabrics used by China makers.

The Manufacturing section lists the key steps in hat and cap production and how these differ in small, midsize and large companies.

For more information visit http://www.researchandmarkets.com/reports/c28774