SIC 2211 Broadwoven Fabric Mills, Cotton
SIC 2211
This category covers establishments primarily engaged in the production of woven fabrics more than 12 inches (30.48 centimeters) in width, wholly or chiefly by weight of cotton. Broadwoven fabrics primarily of cotton are utilized in three general end-product categories: apparel, home furnishings, and industrial products. Most of the broadwoven cotton apparel fabrics serve the outerwear market—men's, ladies', and children's shirts, blouses, pants, and dresses. Some lightweight jackets and boxer shorts are also produced from broadwoven cotton fabric. The home-furnishings market includes terry towels; sheets, pillowcases, blankets, bedspreads, and other bedding accessories; table linens, dish towels, and dish rags; draperies; and upholstery fabrics and wall coverings. Carpet and rug manufacturers are classified in SIC 2273: Carpets and Rugs. Establishments involved in tire cord and fabric production are classified in SIC 2296: Tire Cords and Fabrics. Those establishments engaged in finishing cotton broadwoven fabrics are classified in SIC 2261: Finishers of Broadwoven Fabrics of Cotton.
313210
Broadwoven Fabric Mills
Manufacturing of cotton broadwovens—like most segments of textiles—is a mature industry. Since the mid-1980s major U.S. firms in the industry have pursued growth largely through mergers, acquisitions, and foreign markets; they typically have maximized profits through cost-cutting and sourcing low-cost labor from foreign countries. The industry faces formidable competition on price from imported textiles, particularly those from Asian markets in the face of 2005's lift of quotas. Imports of knit shirts alone increased more than 1,200 percent from 2004 to 2005, while imports of underwear were up 300 percent and imports of trousers were up 1,500 percent.
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, approximately 636 establishments operated in broadwoven fabric mills category for part or all of 2004. Industry-wide employment totaled approximately 62,966 workers receiving a payroll of more than $1.8 billion. Companies tended to be smaller in size with nearly 53 percent employing less than 20 workers though 22 percent have greater than 500 employees. The Annual Survey of Manufactures reported that the industry was valued at nearly $8.6 billion in 2005 with steadily declining sales and employment since 1996. By 2002, the value of U.S. broadwoven fabric mill shipments totaled $11.4 billion, down from $15.3 billion in 2000 and $18.3 billion in 1997. Additionally, for the overall industry a total of 44,960 employees worked in production in 2005, putting in more than 90 million hours to earn wages of more than $1.2 billion. The U.S. Department of Labor's Bureau of Labor Statistics showed significant losses in expected employment for the fabric mills manufacturing industry as a whole by 2014 (56,000 jobs) after substantial losses were experienced from 1994 to 2004 (136,000 jobs); a moderate decrease is anticipated in output between 2004 to 2014.
Dun & Bradstreet reported in 2006 that the industry's estimated 1,870 establishments posted annual sales of about $6.2 billion with about 44,303 employees. New York led with nearly $1.1 billion in sales followed by Georgia with nearly $1.02 billion in sales and North Carolina in third with $1.01 billion in sales. Comprised of dozens of different specialties, the primary segment was broadwoven fabric mills, cotton with nearly $3.1 billion in sales followed distantly by denims with sales of nearly $588 million.
Fabric weavers generally are vertically integrated companies that produce their own yarn. The primary reason for integrated weaving plants is that, despite fashion changes that occur in the woven segment, yarn counts—the size of the yarn—as well as fabric constructions remain fairly stable. Fabric knitters, on the other hand, are faced with constant changes in yarn size and construction. Therefore, most knitters find it more economical to purchase yarn from yarn sales companies.
Cotton remains a viable material for the textile market despite predictions in the 1960s and 1970s that manmade products would completely replace natural fiber. Cotton's inherent qualities, such as absorbency and breathe-ability, and new fabric finishes have kept the fiber's market share strong. Cotton's competitiveness can be partially attributed to improvements, such as the all-cotton, wrinkle-resistant fabrics—particularly popular for making men's pants—as well as softer finishes and flame-retardant treatments. Researchers are also developing antibacterial finishes and temperature-responsive treatments for cottons.
The general state of the economy, coupled with the level of consumer confidence, has a great impact on operations engaged in the manufacture of broadwoven cotton fabrics for...
To continue reading
Request your trial