Study of Product Materials and Resource Availability in the U.S. Luggage Industry

摘要

The report studies the development of product materials in the textile, leather and chemical industries, including but not limited to the identification and description of leather, textile and plastic materials currently being used by the luggage industry. Descriptions include characteristics, quantities used, industry share of the market, and trends in both, over the last five years. The newest product materials available in the apparel, footwear and handbag industries are identified and described to determine why they were developed and how they are used. The availability is assessed of each product material identified to U.S. products, foreign producer countries, and/or regional suppliers of luggage to the U.S. market. Resource advantages of the U.S. industry vis-a-vis foreign suppliers in terms of all relevant factors is identified (e.g., cost, quality), in order to determine those areas and import-resistent products which the U.S. industry is most well-positioned.