New South Wales (NSW) plays a significant role in Australia’s textile clothing footwear and leather (TCFL) industry, producing a wide range of apparel, household products, plus outdoor and industrial products.
The NSW textile, clothing, footwear and leather (TCFL) manufacturing industry generates sales and services income of more than A$3 billion each year, more than one-third of Australia’s total TCFL output. The NSW industry comprises more than 3,000 enterprises that employed in excess of 17,000 persons at June 2007.
The Australian TCFL manufacturing industry covers a diverse range of fibre-based activities, including:
NSW has particular strengths in fashion and clothing apparel (and is home to around 40% of Australian fashion designers), as well as technical textiles.Overall, the Australian TCFL industry generated sales and services income of A$9.4 billion in 2006-07 (including exports of nearly $2 billion) and industry value added of A$2.8 billion. This represents about 3% of the total manufacturing sector’s contribution to Australia’s Gross Domestic Product. In recent years, Australian TCFL manufacturing production has increased its emphasis on high value, capital intensive and niche products, and less on labour intensive, standardised products. This focus has led to an increase in non-manufacturing employment in the broader industry particularly in the design, marketing, wholesale and logistics areas.TCFL production in NSW is concentrated in Sydney, but with significant clusters also in a number of regional areas, particularly the Murray and Central Coast regions.
NSW's competitive advantages for the TCFL industry include:
The NSW Department of State and Regional Development works closely with industry associations in the TCFL industry to support its development and growth:
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