COUNTRY GUIDE: COLOMBIA
COLOMBIA
South American nation’s strategic geographic location makes trade easy with its neighbors in the Americas, as well as Europe and Asia. With ports on both the Pacific and Atlantic Oceans, flights are a mere three hours from Miami, Fla., just under six from New York City, and seven from Los Angeles, Calif.
Colombia currently has access to more than 60 countries, with 16 free trade agreements, including those with its chief trading partners the United States (at nearly 44% of its exports), neighboring Ecuador (9%), and Mexico (7.5%). It also has an agreement with the European Union and one in negotiation with Japan. Apparel is duty-free, as long as it is “yarn forward 90 percent,” meaning that most of it is actually sourced in Colombia.
Colombia’s vertically integrated manufacturing capabilities allow for flexible production and offer competitive lead times, able to deliver orders within 30 to 45 days.
Image Provided by Procolombia
The nation has also developed socially responsible, ethical, and sustainable standards. Participating companies include Cincor, a leather goods manufacturer, embraces nickel-free buckles and eco-friendly glues and solvents, while nearly 70 percent of its leathers are vegetable tanned and Greentex, which uses recycled PET bottles (including some “harvested” from nearby oceans) to create recycled fabrics for digital printing. Focus, Lafayette, and Tejidos Gulfer all also embrace clean technologies, ecologically responsible packaging, and socially responsible management.
Colombia is perhaps best known for its innovative active sportswear production featuring high performance fabrics and specialized garments made for yoga, cycling, hiking, soccer, and other fitness activities. Makers here have developed an expertise in related finishes and features; including anti-bacterial, UV protection, water repellence and waterproof properties, as well as thermal fabrics and “intelligent” microfibers that absorb sweat. Colombian manufacturers proficiency with stretch knits demonstrates itself through superior shape wear and intimates, as well as swimwear. The country also creates uniforms for the corporate, hotel, and medical industries. Denim manufacturers focus on using the latest, earthfriendly process, including incorporating laser and ozone finishes.
Highlights:
• Rapid shipping to North America and Europe
• Exports to 60+ countries with 16 free trade agreements
• Vertically integrated capabilities for flexibility and speed-to-market
• Expertise with recycling discarded PET bottles to create new materials
• Focus on activewear and stretch fabrics
• Emphasis on ecologically responsible packaging
• Digital printing • Recycled and sustainable fabrics • Denim • Stretch fibers and fabrics • Performance fabrics • Recycled Polyester • Active Sportswear • Shapewear • Swimwear • Uniforms Key Manufacturing Capabilities: Key Products: Key Materials: Images Provided by Procolombia
SOURCING at MAGIC
SOURCING at MAGIC is a domestic and international gathering of manufacturers, suppliers and service providers from apparel and footwear manufacturing, to textiles, materials, components, supply chain, and technology solutions – both in-person and online.
DISCOVER NOW