Headbands

	This dragonfly hair barrette from mainland China's Boyang comes in metal alloy and is adorned with fuchsia and light pink Czech stones.

Suppliers of hair accessories in Taiwan and mainland China are launching jewelrylike evening models in a variety of materials. This is under efforts to attract orders despite higher prices.

Raw material costs have grown by 20 percent in the past year, driving makers to raise product prices accordingly. Reduced tax rebates and the yuan’s appreciation have also contributed to higher outlay.

Current prices range from $0.10 to $30 per piece.

Mostly in metal alloy, PP and PE, the latest releases are adorned with Czech stones, faux crystals and rhinestones to make them more attractive. Embellishments can be locally sourced or imported.

In addition, suppliers are experimenting with wood, iron, pewter, abaca and raffia. Real and faux feathers are adopted as accents.

Fully encrusted hair barrettes come in various shapes, including flower and dragonfly. Wide Alice bands with big bows or rhinestones, reminiscent of the 1950s style, are also popular.

Makers are increasing R&D spending in an effort to improve capability. This is mostly invested in design software. Moreover, they are hiring additional R&D specialists, including skilled artisans for handcrafted models.

Further, suppliers are bolstering efficiency by procuring additional equipment.

Among the Taiwan makers interviewed for this report, Sun Yorkos Enterprise Co. Ltd collaborates with designers in New York to create models exported to the US, the company’s biggest market. Apart from this, the supplier sends its in-house R&D team to overseas trade shows in order to stay updated on the latest trends.

The company has factories in the island, the mainland and the Philippines. Materials are mostly sourced from these areas except for raffia, which is procured in Madagascar.

Hairbands adorned with faux feathers are among the most popular designs from Sun Yorkos.

At New Johnson International Corp., the 100-member product development team creates molds according to buyers’ requirements.

The company has a mainland factory in Dongguan, Guangdong province.

OEM-oriented Winnplus International Corp. uses AutoCAD, CorelDraw and Adobe Photoshop software in

R&D. Apart from PE and PP, the company’s models come in abaca, raffia, fabric, wood and iron.

In the mainland, Boyang Jewelry Co. Ltd is increasing R&D spending by 5 percent. It will also hire skilled artisans for handcrafted designs.

The company’s 30-member R&D team stays abreast of trends through fashion websites and magazines, and participation in overseas trade shows. About 350 designs are launched monthly using Adobe Photoshop and CorelDraw. Samples are prepared in one week.

Under efforts to improve efficiency and shorten lead time, Boyang will be investing in additional equipment and worker training.

Prices are from $1 to $4. The company will not be increasing quotes significantly in coming months since it has raw materials in stock that were bought previously at a lower price.

The company is estimating 20 percent growth this year.

At Top Jewelry Fty, the 20 R&D specialists are sent to France and Italy for training. They utilize CAD systems, Adobe Photoshop and CorelDraw.

The company has been allocating 5 percent of revenue to product development. It plans to increase that to 7 percent and will hire artisans for handmade models.

Top follows the CRM system to improve productivity and reduce costs. The company is investing in additional equipment, including cutting, polishing and plating machines.

Fifty extra workers will be hired in coming months.

Top uses Czech stones, plastic from South Korea and locally sourced metal alloy. Models are tested at SGS.

Centuria Ornament Co. Ltd devotes 5 percent of profits to product development. The 20-member R&D team prepares samples in three to seven days.

The company will be increasing the workforce and its equipment, purchasing cutting, welding, polishing and plating machines.

Centuria adopts locally sourced materials and embellishments from Australia and the Czech Republic.

Products are inspected at SGS.

Sunshine Fashion Accessory Co. Ltd’s current R&D spending absorbs 5 percent of revenue. The supplier will increase the budget to 7 percent in coming months and hire five more product development specialists.

The company’s output is SGS-tested for safety.