Fespa launches Sportswear Pro show

Fespa is launching a new exhibition dedicated to sportswear manufacturing. The first ‘Sportswear Pro’ show will run alongside next year’s Fespa Global event at IFEMA in Madrid (24-27 March).

With a focus on the latest technologies in on-demand and customised sportswear production, Sportswear Pro will bring together suppliers in design (CAD/CAM and 3D body scanning), production (CMT - cut, make and trim, bonding and knitting) and decoration (printing, engraving, embroidery and laser appliqué systems), as well as developers of accessories, smart textiles and printed electronics. A dedicated conference programme reflecting the business priorities of sportswear manufacturers and designers - such as sustainability and automation – will run in tandem with the Sportswear Pro exhibition. Michael Ryan, event manager for Sportswear Pro, explained: “Our core Fespa community is heavily engaged in the production of sports apparel, with 80% of textile printers active in this dynamic segment, according to our 2018 Fespa Print Census. Despite a 7% growth in 2018, sportswear producers are not currently served by an event focused on how to optimise their processes and meet the global trends of customisation and speed to market. We believe that Fespa, having established a commanding position as a leading European exhibition for textile and garment printing including direct-to-garment, can deliver an event.” Fespa said that with Southern Europe and North Africa being key regions for the design and production of fashion and textile goods, Feria de Madrid provides an ideal location for the first edition of Sportswear Pro, enabling easy access for decision-makers from Spain, Portugal, France and countries such as Tunisia and Morocco. The Spanish capital is also readily accessible for visitors from other major garment manufacturing centres. Fespa CEO Neil Felton added: “Fespa’s long heritage in screen and digital printing gives us deep roots in the garment production sector, while recent insights show clearly that sports and active wear is one of the most dynamic segments of this industry. We’re confident that the introduction of Sportswear Pro will add value to our established community, while supporting a wider audience to evolve their manufacturing businesses for a fast-changing market.”