A Firm Foothold for U.S. Cotton
February 3, 2009 As the cotton industry continues its expansion around the globe, Cotton Incorporated has taken a proactive step toward ensuring a firm foothold for U.S. cotton by opening a new regional office in Hong Kong. We have been doing business in China for over 20 years and last year celebrated the 10th anniversary of our permanent office in Shanghai.
Our Hong Kong office will be staffed with industry experts who will regularly service client needs from trend forecasting and sourcing to textile innovations and market research.
With cotton imports averaging more than 14 million bales a year since the 2005/06 crop year, China is without a question the world’s number one importer of raw cotton fiber. Most of the world’s leading retailers recognize Hong Kong as the heart of Asia’s growth economies and a gateway to Mainland China.
Every year since records began, the number of regional headquarters and offices in Hong Kong has grown. At the end of 2007, Hong Kong was home to a record 1, 246 regional headquarters and 2,644 regional offices. The new office will employ six full-time staff members who will not only establish new contacts for cotton, but build on the existing relationships with mills who already consume 850,000 bales of cotton annually.
Norma Keys is Cotton Incorporated’s resident fabric expert. Norma, who is the Director of Fiber Quality Research at Cotton Incorporated. Has been working for Cotton Incorporated since 1971 and has, at one time or another, been involved in almost every aspect of fiber quality analysis within the Textile Services Laboratory.
Her opinions are so valued that she has her own “Ask Norma” page on Cotton Incorporated’s Website: thefabricofourlives.com. This page serves as a question and answer forum for people who are looking for fabric care tips. The page features such questions as: My son came home with his pants covered in grass stains. What’s the easiest way to remove them?
This Website is yet another way that Cotton Incorporated is connecting with consumers. By creating this two-way communication conduit, Cotton Incorporated is not only driving consumers to the Website, but hopefully making them build a relationship with cotton.
Author Photo:
J. Berrye Worsham
President & CEO, Cotton Incorporated
Sidebar photos (2):
Norma Keys
It’s green (even if it’s pink)
J. Berrye Worsham
President & CEO, Cotton Incorporated
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