TEXTILE AND CLOTHING PRODUCTION IN THE MEDIUM ITAJAÍ VALLEY (SC) IN FACE OF THE CHALLENGES IMPOSED BY COVID-19

Abstract

Tough measures such as lasting interruptions of activities were imposed in many countries to contain the spread of the Covid-19 pandemic. In a globalized and articulated production system, these measures had important consequences internationally, affecting different sectors in countless places. This study looks at such effects on activities of textile and clothing production in the Medium Itajaí Valley (MIV), including the way companies reacted to the adversities. Bibliographical and documentary research, and mainly direct research through interviews, supported the work. The direct survey resulted in data and information from seven companies belonging to the Syndicate of the Spinning, Weaving and Clothing Industries of Blumenau (SINTEX), although the used electronic questionnaire was made available to all firms. The study shows that local textile and clothing activities were heavily affected, meaning adversities in terms of marketing and of imports of inputs and raw materials, in line with other experiences in Brazil and abroad. The companies' reactions included changes in their sales procedures, with advances in digitalization and in customer relations, and attempts to redesign supply lines, exploring national and foreign possibilities in terms of suppliers and new products. A very limited regional “projection” in these terms was reported, in spite of the workings of an important and historic textile-clothing cluster in the region. Also sparce were the interactions informed, both between companies and between companies and institutions, concerning attempts to address the problems created or aggravated by the pandemic.