The Benefits of Membership in NCTO

NCTO Structure

•       The four councils (Fiber, Yarn, Fabric and Home Furnishings, and Industry Support) provide an opportunity for companies from each sector to address issues of specific concern

•       The board structure ensures that all sectors are represented in determining policy and objectives

Government Relations

•       Full-time lobbyists in Washington and a small staff in North Carolina provide focused and thorough representation with Congress and the executive branch

•       Work on government procurement issues, and NCTO is a founding organization in the Joint Textile Coalition on Government Procurement with NTA, USIFI, and AMTAC

•       Monitor the Federal Register daily, submit comments to various agencies as appropriate, and keep members apprised of rules and regulations

•       Monitor and act where appropriate on short supply petitions submitted for trade preferences, new petitions for foreign trade zones

•       Represented on key trade committees:  Industry Trade Advisory Committee on Textiles and Apparel (ITAC 13) (classified briefings) and the Exporters Trade Advisory Committee

•       Provide specific information to US negotiators on industry interests and advice on government negotiating positions

•       Provide oral and written testimony to congressional committees on issues of interest

•       At the international level, work with government negotiators and foreign counterparts on issues relating to the WTO and global trade 

•       TextilePAC - provides the ability to reach out and build relationships with new and returning members of Congress

•       Hill to the Mill - to educate members of Congress on the importance of textile manufacturing, and to demonstrate how trade and federal policies impact the company

Education and Networking

•       The growing number of member companies represent a wide swath of the industry, including the vast majority of the yarn spun in the US

•       The annual meeting and various seminars and committee meetings throughout the year offer opportunities for dialogue with other member companies

•       Participating members from companies are key decision makers

•       Quarterly CEO call-ins (open to all members) provide updates on key issues

Liaison with Domestic and International Organizations

•       Work regularly with domestic textile organizations such as American Manufacturing Trade Action Coalition, NTA, AFMA, and USIFI; also work with downstream organizations such as American Apparel and Footwear Association, SEAMS

•       Western Hemisphere Council - NCTO is creating this group to include the textile/apparel associations from the NAFTA, CAFTA, and Andean region to share information and coordinate responses to common problems

•       In addition to SYFA, the Craft Yarn Council of America is an affiliate member

•       Member of the National Association of Manufacturers and the China Currency Coalition

Information and Statistics

•       Textile Source - a quarterly publication of production, import/export data, and related information

•       Textiles in the News - a wrap-up of key stories of interest to the textile industry

•       NCTO Newsletter

•       Yarn export report - quarterly

•       Other reports as requested by members

If you are interested in joining NCTO or getting more information, please send an e-mail to Mike Hubbard at mhubbard@ncto.org with your name, company, e-mail, phone and fax number and we will send you member and dues information.  You can also reach him at 704-215-4540.