California Apparel News

A group of trim suppliers in Los Angeles has joined forces to let California apparel makers know they’re tired of seeing their business go offshore.

A group of about 20 people met recently in a hotel conference room in Commerce, Calif., to come up with a mission statement—or an open letter to apparel makers.

Members of the Los Angeles Trim Association (LATA) sell everything from elastic, lace and ribbons to nailheads, sequins, rhinestones and hanger tape. The problem, the group argues, is that their customers will place sample orders with local suppliers but then send the big production orders overseas.

The problem is compounded when the manufacturers produce under package programs. In that case, the package supplier will source all components of the garment. Unless the manufacturer “nominates” a specific trim supplier, the production order typically goes to another company.

Manufacturers have good reason to designate a specific trim supplier, said LATA member Joseph P. Menichini. When a manufacturer uses the same supplier for sampling and for production, all the specs and testing have been done on the sample goods and the quality of the goods can be maintained from sample to production, he explained.

“When you nominate us, you know what you’re getting,” said Menichini, owner of Superior Bias Binding & Trim Co. in Los Angeles.

LATA members are hoping their association will encourage California manufacturers to source locally for sampling and production to help keep the trim supply business in Los Angeles.

This was not an issue when most of the West Coast apparel makers produced locally. But as many of the large production runs shifted offshore, many local trim manufacturers found themselves dropped after the initial sample order.

At the Dec. 20 meeting in Commerce, LATA members discussed their strengths—notably their companies’ ability to ship around the world and offer competitive prices.

Pressure points

While LATA’s letter to California apparel makers is a good-faith request to longtime customers, many members of the group want to use the only leverage they have to put an end to the practice.

LATA members have identified several apparel makers who repeatedly place sample orders locally but source production offshore. LATA is sharing this “black list” of repeat offenders with its members, in essence warning local trim companies to sample these manufacturers at their own risk.

“We need to get together,” said Arnold Lara, chief executive officer of Los Angeles–based Ideal Co. “If things continue the way they are, I know companies that are already closing. Owners are dipping into their savings to keep the business running. All of us have had to cut our overhead.”

Ideal provides novelty trims, buttons, laces, elastics, labels and hangtags. “We do it all,” said Claudia Lara, Arnold Lara’s wife and business partner.

The issue is not as simple as wanting the larger production order, Claudia Lara explained. Often trim suppliers spend additional time and resources developing custom product for their customers, only to see their efforts sourced elsewhere for production. “They run us back and forth developing. It’s costing us a fortune,” Claudia Lara said.

Ideal has been in operation since 1991, but Arnold Lara has been in the trim supply business for 35 years and Claudia Lara has been in it for 17.

“I have never seen it like this,” Arnold Lara said.

LATA currently has about 30 members. The group is planning to meet again later this year in Los Angeles. Local manufacturers will be invited to the meeting to discuss the issue further.