The US textile industry will have ‘a stronger single voice’ following the merger of two major trade associations, its supporters have claimed.
The National Council of Textile Organizations (NCTO) will merge with the American Fiber Manufacturers’ Association (AFMA) on 1 April, with the aim of strengthening lobbying for 550,000 US textile sector workers.
The newly merged organisation will retain the NCTO title and current NCTO president and CEO, Auggie Tantillo, will continue in that role, heading the Washington DC-based association.
The move follows the death last year of long-standing AFMA president Paul O’Day, who died aged 82 after 34 years in the job. NCTO chairman William V ‘Bill’ McCrary Jr explained that the merger strengthens the US textile industry’s ability to influence federal policy: “It brings new members and financial resources to NCTO and extends the organisation’s political reach,” he said.
“It also cements NCTO’s status as the voice of every facet of the US textile production chain, a fact that will help NCTO to more effectively influence federal policies that affect US textile investment, production and workers.”
AFMA chairman Mark Ruday said: “AFMA’s merger with NCTO will allow US fibre producers to keep the sector’s seat at the federal policy table.”
He said his members would now have a more effective voice on policy matters with the NCTO being engaged in all policy initiative consultations, international trade negotiations and regulatory issues.
The move was welcomed by the nonwovens sector representative body in the industry, too: “The merger is a very positive move that will consolidate the voice of the textile industry in Washington, DC,” said INDA president Dave Rousse. “We think this makes sense for all parties. The team at NCTO is experienced and capable, and with the additional resources from AFMA they represent a powerful voice advancing the interests of the textile sector.”
According to NCTO data, US employment in the textile supply chain was 550,500 in 2017, down from 565,000 in 2016. The value of shipments for US textiles and apparel was US$77.9bn last year, up from US$74.4bn in 2016 and a 16% increase since 2009.
Source: www.wtin.com