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Industry News | 5/6/2026
- May 6
- 8 min read
Updated: 4 days ago
SPESA in Frankfurt | Highlights from Texprocess & Techtextil 2026
SPESA | May 6, 2026
This time two weeks ago, our SPESA team was wandering through the packed halls of Texprocess in Frankfurt. We were talking to our members, catching up with industry friends, meeting some cool new people, and learning a bit about the current industry climate across Europe.
It was a busy few days, but we left Germany feeling energized and with a renewed focus on how we can build a stronger and more resilient sewn products industry in the Western Hemisphere. Here are a few of the key highlights and takeaways from our trip.
Understanding the IEEPA Tariff Refunds
SPESA | May 6, 2026
The SPESA team, along with many of our members, have been keeping up with the latest news regarding the IEEPA tariff refunds. It can be a little confusing, so we’ve pulled together a summary about the refunds, what you need to know, plus the best resources and articles we’ve seen covering the topic. Happy reading!
What You Missed in Columbus!
SPESA Event Recap | May 6, 2026
Thank you to everyone who joined us in Columbus for the 2026 SPESA Advancements in Manufacturing Technologies Conference! This was our first time hosting the event in Columbus, and we were thrilled for the opportunity to help bring together and learn from the thriving industry community in the region. For those who weren't able to attend in person, check out the event recap to see what you missed.
Footwear and Apparel Groups Urge USTR Not To Pursue New Tariffs at Section 301 Hearing
Sourcing Journal | May 6, 2026
During a recent USTR hearing on Section 301 tariffs, the American Apparel & Footwear Association (AAFA) and the Footwear Distributors and Retailers of America (FDRA) urged the government not to expand tariffs on apparel and footwear imports, arguing that the industry already faces some of the highest tariff rates in the U.S. The groups warned that additional duties would increase costs for businesses and consumers alike, while doing little to shift sourcing or strengthen domestic manufacturing capacity.
Amazon Opens Its Vast Logistics Network to Every Business — Not Just Marketplace Sellers
Forbes | May 6, 2026
Amazon has officially opened its logistics network to businesses beyond its own marketplace sellers through a new offering called Amazon Supply Chain Services (ASCS), positioning the company as a direct competitor to traditional logistics providers like UPS and FedEx. For the apparel industry, brands including American Eagle Outfitters and Lands' End are already using the platform to position inventory closer to customers, streamline omnichannel fulfillment, and speed up direct-to-consumer delivery.
26.5% Tariff Gap Splits Apparel Sourcing Ahead of July 24 Reset
Fibre2Fashion | May 6, 2026
Recent earnings reports from companies including Crocs, Columbia Sportswear, Rocky Brands, and Gildan Activewear reveal a growing divide in the apparel industry between brands heavily reliant on Asian sourcing and those manufacturing in Central America. While companies sourcing from Vietnam faced significant tariff-related margin pressure under Section 122 trade measures, companies benefiting from CAFTA-DR exemptions, such as Gildan, avoided those costs entirely, reinforcing how trade policy is increasingly shaping sourcing strategies, profitability, and long-term supply chain decisions across the footwear and apparel sector.
SPESA MEMBER SPOTLIGHT | Lectra’s AI Is Helping Fashion Brands Map Out Their Competitors’ Prices
Sourcing Journal | May 5, 2026
SPESA member Lectra recently announced it has launched the newest version of its AI-powered market intelligence solution, Retviews, a technology which promises a full view of a brand’s competitive fashion landscape.
Bezos Earth Fund To Boost Sustainable Textile Materials Research
Textile Today | May 5, 2026
The Bezos Earth Fund announced $34 million in grants to support research into next-generation sustainable textile materials, including biodegradable fibers, bacteria-grown fabrics, and alternatives to synthetic textiles. The funding will support universities and research institutions working to develop scalable materials that reduce fashion’s environmental impact, particularly around fossil fuel use, waste, and microplastic pollution. The initiative reflects growing investment in sustainable fashion innovation, with the goal of making environmentally responsible materials more commercially viable for brands, manufacturers, and consumers.
Op-Ed: How AI Is Making Domestic Swimwear Manufacturing Economically Viable
Sourcing Journal | May 5, 2026
This op-ed examines the role of AI in domestic swimwear manufacturing. While mostly positive, the piece does acknowledge broader industry concerns around the cost and complexity of adopting new technologies, as well as the need for companies to thoughtfully integrate AI into existing workflows rather than viewing it as a complete replacement for human expertise and craftsmanship.
Mamdani Highlights Fashion Workers as He Skips the Met Gala
The New York Times | May 4, 2026
“The fashion industry is made possible by the thousands of workers behind the scenes — seamstresses, tailors, retail workers, delivery drivers — whose immense talent and dedication deserves to be celebrated,” said New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani in a statement emailed to The New York Times. “We’re proud to feature the stories of these hard-working New Yorkers who make our city’s fashion industry second to none.”
It Will Take More Than Tariffs To Bring Back U.S. Textile Manufacturing, Industry Insiders Say
Sourcing Journal | May 4, 2026
This article explores how tariffs alone are unlikely to revive U.S. textile manufacturing without broader investments in workforce development, supply chain infrastructure, and long-term industrial policy. Industry organizations like the National Council of Textile Organizations (NCTO) argue that while tariffs can help level the playing field against low-cost imports, rebuilding domestic production capacity will require sustained collaboration and investment.
Worldly Acquires Bendi Software, Bringing AI-Powered Supply Chain Mapping and Risk Intelligence to the Consumer Goods Industry
Press Release | May 4, 2026
Worldly has acquired UK-based Bendi Software to strengthen its AI-powered supply chain mapping and risk intelligence capabilities for consumer goods brands. The acquisition expands Worldly’s ability to provide better supplier visibility, automated risk analysis, and enhanced compliance tools as companies face increasing pressure around sustainability, transparency, and due diligence requirements.
How Can Textile-to-Textile Recyclers Solve the Problem of Collection and Sorting?
Sourcing Journal | May 4, 2026
At the recent Textiles Recycling Expo in Charlotte, industry leaders highlighted the critical role of collection and sorting infrastructure in scaling textile-to-textile recycling. Discussions focused on how partnerships between recyclers, waste management companies, nonprofits like Goodwill Industries International, and emerging AI-powered sorting technologies will be essential to building a viable circular textile ecosystem and diverting more apparel waste from landfills.
SPESA MEMBER SPOTLIGHT | Elevate Textiles Releases 2026 Sustainability Report
Press Release | May 1, 2026
Elevate Textiles’ latest sustainability report highlights continued progress toward the company’s environmental goals, including reductions in greenhouse gas emissions and water usage, alongside investments in renewable energy and more sustainable manufacturing operations. The report also underscores the work being done across its portfolio of brands, including SPESA member American & Efird, to advance responsible textile production and strengthen long-term sustainability initiatives.
SPESA MEMBER SPOTLIGHT | Why Deformable Materials Are Physical AI’s Real Manufacturing Test
The Robot Report | May 1, 2026
In this op-ed, Cam Myers, CEO of SPESA member CreateMe Technologies, argues that deformable materials (like soft goods) represent one of the biggest challenges — and opportunities — for physical AI and robotics in manufacturing. Myers explains that because fabrics constantly shift, stretch, and behave unpredictably, apparel production serves as a real-world test case for advancing AI-driven automation, robotics, and intelligent manufacturing systems that can adapt to complex physical environments.
Manufacturing Expands for Fourth Month, but Price Increases Remain a Concern
Manufacturing Dive | May 1, 2026
The most recent ISM Manufacturing PMI report shows that U.S. factory activity expanded for the fourth consecutive month in April, though rising prices tied to tariffs and geopolitical instability continue to pressure the sector. Notably, textile mills were among the manufacturing segments reporting growth during the month, signaling continued resilience within portions of the domestic textile supply chain.
Messe Frankfurt Expands Textiles Expo Reach in East Africa
Home Textiles Today | May 1, 2026
Messe Frankfurt is expanding its textile trade show footprint in East Africa by bringing its Texworld, Apparel Sourcing, and Texprocess brands to Nairobi beginning in 2027 as part of Africa Sourcing and Fashion Week (ASFW). The move reflects growing global interest in East Africa as an emerging sourcing and manufacturing hub for textiles and apparel. Organizers say the expansion will strengthen connections between African manufacturers and international buyers while reinforcing the region’s role in the global textile value chain.
PrintFactory Acquisition by Kornit Digital Boosts Business Opportunities for Both
WhatTheyThink | April 30, 2026
In our last Behind the Seams, we shared news of Kornit’s acquisition of PrintFactory. Here, you can watch an interview with our favorite Cary Sherburne of WhatTheyThink and Simon Landau of Kornit about the acquisition and what it means for the Kornit portfolio.
SPESA MEMBER SPOTLIGHT | SourceAmerica Earns VETS Indexes' 2026 4 Star Employer Award
Press Release | April 29, 2026
SPESA member SourceAmerica has been recognized as a 2026 VETS Indexes 4 Star Employer for its strong commitment to recruiting, hiring, supporting, and developing veterans and members of the military-connected community. The award highlights the nonprofit’s ongoing efforts to create employment opportunities for veterans with disabilities through its work within the AbilityOne Program and broader workforce development initiatives.
SPESA MEMBER SPOTLIGHT | TCU, Advanced Functional Fabrics of America Launch Workforce Program for Advanced Textiles Manufacturing
Fort. Worth Inc. | April 28, 2026
Texas Christian University (TCU) and Advanced Functional Fabrics of America (AFFOA) have launched a new workforce development initiative called TACTIC to prepare students and workers for careers in advanced textiles, soft goods engineering, and next-generation manufacturing. The program creates stackable credential pathways tied to industries such as aerospace, defense, and advanced manufacturing, while helping address workforce shortages and skills gaps in the U.S. textile sector.
Industry Alert: Heat Stress Threatens $65 Billion in Exports and Millions of Jobs
Sourcing Journal | April 28, 2026
SPESA Board member Sarah Krasley recently participated in a panel discussion at the Sourcing Journal Sustainability Forum where she discussed the serious dangers of heat stress for garment and textile workers. Krasley emphasized that the industry must place workers at the center of climate adaptation efforts, calling for greater investment in safer factory conditions, workforce protections, and long-term resilience strategies.
SPESA MEMBER SPOTLIGHT | Detroit Sewing Nonprofit To Move from Carhartt to CCS To Scale Advanced Manufacturing Programs
Crain’s Detroit Business | April 23, 2026
This article highlights SPESA member ISAIC’s move into an expanded space at the College for Creative Studies Taubman Center in Detroit, a transition aimed at workforce training scaling, advanced manufacturing innovation, and industry collaboration within the apparel and textile sector. The new facility will provide greater access to advanced equipment, classroom space, and innovation programming while strengthening partnerships between education, manufacturing, and the broader sewn products industry as ISAIC continues to position Detroit as a hub for modern apparel manufacturing.
AI in Fashion and Textiles Moves from Promise to Practical Implementation
eTextileCommunications | April 22, 2026
In this article, Devin Steele recaps N.C. State Wilson College of Textiles’ recent AI conference, which featured two panels moderated by SPESA’s very own Michael McDonald. The article highlights how companies are using AI to improve efficiency, forecasting, product development, and sustainability efforts. It also explores some of the challenges tied to adoption, including data management and workforce readiness.
