The 2024 SPESA event featured a wide array of topics, including nuclear energy as a new sustainable power source for manufacturing, and crowdsourcing consumers to combat overproduction. Credit: Shutterstock

The conference, held from 8-10 October at Le Mount Stephen Hotel, drew attendees from three Canadian provinces, 12 US states, and eight countries.

The conference agenda reflected the evolving nature of the sewn products industry but took it one step further by expanding its outreach to include experts in the space of textiles, energy and mathematics.

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“The more we learn about different industry segments — and the challenges and opportunities they face — the better we can work together as a cohesive ecosystem,” said Michael McDonald SPESA president.

The 2024 SPESA event featured a wide array of topics, including a conversation on how to leverage nuclear energy as a new sustainable power source for manufacturing, a case study on crowdsourcing consumers to combat overproduction and insightful exchanges with Canada-based business leaders and entrepreneurs from around the world.

Notable speakers included:

  • Krista Schreiber, industry advisor with 25+ years of experience at brands including Nike, Lululemon, Cotton Incorporated, and Arc’teryx, who delivered the keynote address,
  • Rickey Ruff, founder of Global Nuclear Concepts, who shared his vision for nuclear-powered manufacturing,
  • Holli Markwald, Prairie Wear CEO, discussing sustainable bra manufacturing
  • A panel of entrepreneurs including Michael Mayr (silana), Jessica Ramey (Mercantilia Consulting), and Lila Rousselet (Montloup) –  who shared their efforts and visions for the future of the industry.

Canadian manufacturing takes centre stage

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The conference highlighted Canada’s textile and manufacturing sectors through several sessions:

  • A panel featuring SRTX’s Navi Cohen, Tengiva’s Carlos Agudelo, and Groupe CTT’s Valerio Izquierdo who discussed software solutions, textile engineering, and materials development,
  • Representatives from Cansew, Inc., a centennial Montréal-based company, joined the Canadian Apparel Federation to explore manufacturing in Canada.

Technology’s role in manufacturing emerged as a key theme, with Lectra Americas president Leonard Marano and Aptean’s John Robinson addressing factory floor innovations and competitive production capabilities. Diarra Bousso, the founder of fashion brand Diarrablu presented on combining mathematics and craftsmanship to reduce fashion industry waste.

The event included site visits to several facilities including Innotex a manufacturer of specialised protective gear, Cirque du Soleil’s costume workshop at their International Headquarters and Groupe CTT, a nonprofit focused on technical textiles research.

SPESA will soon announce dates for its 2025 Advancements in Manufacturing Technologies (Austin, TX) and 2025 Executive Conference (Chicago, IL) and will also co-host the Texprocess Americas trade show 6-8 May 2025, in Atlanta, GA.

On 11 October, the chairman of the Sewn Products Equipment & Suppliers of the Americas (SPESA) said the reshoring of some North American clothing and textile manufacturers is mitigating declines in consumer demand.