U.S. apparel-making jobs have plummeted by 65% over the last 15 years as the work has moved to lower-wage countries. And now greater automation — while promising to reshape the manufacture of some clothing-makers to the U.S. — seem likely to be another hit to industry employment.
Data: Bureau of Labor Statistics; Chart: Lazaro Gamio / Axios
There is no telling how many more jobs will be lost: Automation that has shaken up other industries has been slow getting to apparel, because of how fabrics move and stretch while being sewn. Instead, companies have largely economized by shifting to countries including China, Mexico and Vietnam.
But, in a sign that the jobs trend down will continue, Softwear Automation, an Atlanta startup, says sales of its automated sewing technology grew by 10 times in 2016, and are likely to do so again this year. The company's technology can "see" the fabric, and sew with reliable accuracy, it said in a statement.