User:Smartwikiauthor/International Textile Manufacturers Federation (ITMF)

The International Textile Manufacturers Federation (ITMF) is the probably most important international association for the world’s textile industries worldwide.

Members of the ITMF are associations and other constituted organizations of manufacturers of textiles. There can be only one Member Association from each country. In addition, there is also the status of “Associate Members” and “Corporate Members”.

Regular Activities
The ITMF holds a yearly congress consisting of delegates of the member associations.

Several publications and reports are issued periodically. Examples are:
 * The International Textile Machinery Shipment Statistics
 * The International Cotton Industry Statistics
 * The International Production Cost Comparison for spinning, texturing, weaving and knitting
 * Country Statements: Description of the textile industry in each country
 * The State of Trade Report – a quarterly publication

History
As one of the oldest international non-governmental organizations, the ITMF was founded 1904 in Zurich and convened initially on the initiative of the British cotton spinning industry. The organization then ran under the name "International Federation of Master Cotton Spinners' and Manufacturers' Association" and had it’s headquarter in Manchester.

In 1954, with technical modernization, the advent of man-made fibers and the integration of the textile industry, the Federation adjusted its structure and changed its name to "International Federation of Cotton and Allied Textile Industries".

In 1963 the Federation moved its headquarters to Zurich, Switzerland for the purpose of facilitating international contacts.

As of 1960, the Federation's membership has expanded significantly and today embraces the major part of the world's textile production. It thus reflects the process of internationalization which has taken place in textile manufacturing since the end of World War II.

In 1978 changed its name to "International Textile Manufacturers Federation".