By Harry W. Buzzerd Jr.
Founded in 1933, the American Textile Machinery Association (ATMA) celebrated 70 years in 2003.
The only U.S. trade association devoted solely to the advancement of U.S.-based manufacturers of textile machinery, ancillary equipment and parts, it is based in the Washington, DC-area. The past several years have challenged success and growth for ATMA members. It appears the second half of 2003, however, provided modest economic improvement and may indicate further growth in 2004 and beyond.
ATMA announced in late September 2003 that its U.S. textile mill customers have suffered more damage in the past five years than the industry did during the Depression of the 1930s. ATMA's analysis shows that from 1929, just prior to the Depression, to the low point in U.S. textile performance in 1932, U.S. production of cotton fabric dropped from 8.4 billion square yards to 6.3 billion, a decline of 25.3 percent.
In the current crisis, the peak year for cotton fabric production was 1997, just prior to the Asian financial meltdown and U.S. cotton fabric production was 5.1 billion square yards. By 2002, U.S. production had declined to 3.5 billion, or a decline of 30.6 percent since 1997.
More important, the domestic industry recovered quickly during the Depression, but this is not the case today. U.S. production of cotton fabric continues to decline steadily in the face of imports of Asian fabrics and apparel that are subsidized or priced with undervalued currencies.
With the constant cloud over the domestic textile industry, the U.S. machinery industry must expand its foreign markets for survival.
Last year revealed some bright spots in the world market: India, Pakistan, Indonesia, China and Turkey. U.S. industry connected with the textile industries of these countries at the 14th International Exhibition of Textile Machinery (ITMA 2003) in October in Birmingham, United Kingdom. ATMA members in attendance were in general agreement that ITMA 2003 "exceeded expectations."
Responses to an ATMA survey following ITMA 2003 revealed that members believe future markets for their products are Pakistan, China, Turkey, Central American and Uzbekistan. An ATMA member noted that it met new customers from around the globe, including Sweden, Peru, Africa and Brazil. In fact, the perception was that Pakistan, Turkey and India were very well represented and there were many companies new to U.S. companies coming in with real projects.
To help members succeed at ITMA 2003, ATMA provided competitive travel packages. In addition, in June, ATMA provided a preview seminar to acquaint members with the show (location, hall, etc.) and provide tips that would make participation easier.
In 2004, U.S. manufacturers will push to new markets south of the border. In March ATMA will participate in EXINTEX 2004, in Puebla, Mexico, and provide information on the U.S. industry and its members.
In September, most members will exhibit at American Textile Machinery Exhibition-International® (ATME-I®) in Greenville, SC. Sponsored by Textile Hall Corporation and ATMA, it will be held Sept. 13-17.
Recent sessions of the quadrennial ATME-I® have been split into spinning and weaving segments with one held in the fall and the other in the following spring. Under the new format, both segments will be consolidated into one show.
This is a prelude to MegaTex, occurring in 2006, which includes ATME-I® and other related trade shows, such as IFAI Expo, at the same venue in Atlanta, GA. ATMA was instrumental in negotiating the future consolidation of North American textile machinery-related trade shows to provide cost savings to manufacturers and attendees.
ATMA began 2003 with a solid Annual Meeting in Charleston, SC. Change was a recurring theme covered either directly or indirectly by speakers. Along that line, the organization's leadership changed when Kurt Scholler of American Truetzschler, Inc. passed the gavel to Fred Moorhead of Marshall & Williams Products for his two-year term as chairman.
With the current economic climate dictating that industry be more innovative and change for success, ATMA began in 2003 looking for ways to adjust course and enhance member service consistent with harsh competitive times.
ATMA committed in 2003 to launch a new Web site with tools enabling members to provide easy updates to information. The new site, being released early this year, will soon have a searchable database. This will assist customers in finding the right machinery supplier.
Electronic media replaced paper in 2003 when the membership directory was moved to CD-ROM. The newly formatted directory was distributed at ITMA 2003 and Shanghaitex 2003. It will be available at all trade shows in 2004, including EXINTEX and ATME-I®.
ATMA took its meetings to the members in 2003 as it replaced the traditional fall meeting with regional meetings during the year. Regional meetings, requiring less time commitment (a few hours and no more than one-day), are more cost-effective for members.
This allows for more attendance, which enhances the networking and peer-to-peer learning opportunities. This change will continue in 2004 with Region 1 scheduled to meet on April 1 and Region 3 meeting on May 6.
ATMA continues to be concerned about the health of the domestic customer industry, so critical to our well-being. ATMA will continue to support the American Textile Alliance and other organizations that might improve competitive positions of the U.S. textile industry.
Harry W. Buzzerd Jr., CAE, is management counsel for the American Textile Machinery Association, Falls Church, VA.
