Textile Associations Ask Army for Assistance

April 14, 2006 -- Leaders of the National Textile Association, along with the American Apparel and Footwear Association and the Parachute Industry Association, sent a letter on March 29 requesting assistance from Secretary of the U.S. Army Francis Harvey in facilitating a joint meeting between industry representatives and each of the governmental organizations involved in the life-cycle management of Army clothing and textile products.

The signatures state, ??we are writing to inform you that our industry is in a state of crisis. The products we provide satisfy the American soldiers? most basic needs: socks, under garments, uniforms, hats, gloves, boots, wet weather gear, cold weather gear, chemical-protective gear, utility bags, sleeping systems, parachutes and tents. The industrial base is in danger of losing the ability to meet your needs both in peace and war.?

The cause of this state of emergency in the industry is due to the reductions in procurements for the war effort and, most importantly, the manner in which the reductions occurred. These actions have caused confusion within the industry, have stretched limited resources to their breaking point and have made production planning nearly impossible.

Without action, the associations ??fear that the industrial clothing and textile base that you (Harvey) have relied upon in the past will be dissolved; the net effect is that your ability to supply and outfit the soldier for the future will be severely compromised.?