Mrs. Varaporn Dhamcharee, Managing Director of RX BITEC (Thailand) Co., Ltd., said, “No matter how challenging the global situation or market competition may become, the most important thing is for entrepreneurs to identify their own strengths and points of differentiation. More importantly, competing solely on price is no longer a sustainable answer. All stakeholders must therefore remain proactive and continuously embrace new innovations.

Now in its 26th edition, GFT 2026 is organized under the theme ‘Discover ? Design ? Differentiate’ to reflect the needs of businesses of all sizes, from small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to large-scale factories. The event serves as a platform for discovering new innovations, solutions, and suppliers that can be leveraged to redesign business structures, develop distinctive products, and create competitive advantages. Ultimately, this enables businesses to achieve sustainable growth in today’s highly competitive marketplace.”

According to visitor statistics from the 2025 edition, GFT welcomed a total of 12,715 visitors, of which as many as 54% were senior executives and factory owners. Among all visitors, 46% came from the garment manufacturing and apparel production sector, followed by printing and finishing factories, embroidery businesses, and distributors of related hardware and software solutions. The event also attracted visitors from the furniture, giftware, home textile and packaging industries, as well as the automotive and construction sectors.

This reflects the fact that the garment and textile industry extends far beyond apparel production alone, encompassing virtually every industry that utilizes textiles, including both woven and non-woven materials. Of the total visitor profile, 33% were manufacturers with their own product brands, while 26% were retailers and another 25% were machinery distributors, agents, and service providers.

The product and innovation categories that attracted the highest level of interest included OEM manufacturing services, followed by embroidery machinery, finishing technologies, equipment and related systems. Functional Textiles such as flame-retardant and antibacterial fabrics also generated significant attention, alongside Non-woven Textiles, which are widely used across multiple industries. Sewing machinery, sewing systems, and related equipment were also among the key areas of interest.

For GFT 2026, more than 100 exhibiting companies will participate, comprising 61% domestic exhibitors and 39% international exhibitors and representatives from special administrative regions, including Hong Kong SAR; Vietnam; the United States of America; and Taiwan, China. The event will also feature two pavilions from China and Taiwan, China.

This year’s exhibitors are categorized into seven key profiles:

Garment Machinery Embroidery Technologies and Materials Printing Technologies Sewing Technologies OEM/ODM Manufacturing Services under the “MyStyle Zone” Functional Textiles Accessories & Fabric / Software for textile and garment manufacturing To reinforce its position as a leading platform for innovation and solutions in garment and textile manufacturing, GFT 2026 will showcase advanced technologies from leading brands designed to upgrade production lines and create added value across the entire manufacturing process. Highlights include:

Smart Cut GLS Automatic Multi-ply Cutting Systems (presented by The Smart Crystal (Thailand) Co., Ltd.) – An automatic fabric cutting machine capable of delivering highly precise cutting for soft materials. The system is ideal for high-volume production in the textile, furniture, automotive, bag, and outdoor product industries. Richpeace Intelligent Automatic Fabric Cutting Machine (presented by Hooray Venture (Thailand) Co., Ltd.) – An integrated solution that combines CAD/CAM systems with sewing operations, helping manufacturers reduce manual processes, minimize errors, and improve workflow accuracy at an affordable investment level for small and medium-sized businesses. GZ Model Apsaras G4D G4P/G5P Fabric Printer (presented by SKT. Embroidery Co., Ltd.) – An innovative direct-to-fabric printing system that eliminates the need for transfer paper. Compatible with both cotton and polyester fabrics, it delivers sharp image quality and beautiful, vibrant colours. DGI Model HERCULES Fabric Printer (presented by Technology 2004 Co., Ltd.) – A textile printing machine imported from South Korea featuring a printing width of 1.90 metres and equipped with two I3200 printheads. With a maximum printing speed of 97 square metres per hour, it is ideally suited for sportswear and modern fashion applications. One-Stop Denim Manufacturing Services (presented by Premier Mode Co., Ltd.) – A complete end-to-end solution for entrepreneurs seeking to build their own denim fabric brands. Available in both stretch and non-stretch options, with a wide range of materials including Cotton, Tencel, and Coolmax. CICLO Odour-Reduction Fibre Innovation (presented by Perma Corporation Co., Ltd.) – An advanced fibre technology that helps reduce odours without chemical coatings. The innovation is designed to address microplastic and textile waste challenges while supporting sustainability trends among modern consumers. iGarment JOS System (presented by iGarment (Hong Kong) Ltd.) – The world’s first comprehensive cloud-based end-to-end order management and production control system specifically developed for garment factories. The platform helps transform factory operations and significantly improve management efficiency in the digital era. Beyond machinery and technologies, GFT 2026 will also feature a range of special zones designed to inspire innovation and create new business opportunities.

The Functional Textile Zone will showcase advanced textile innovations developed for specialised applications. The MyStyle Zone will serve as a one-stop hub for OEM and ODM manufacturers catering to entrepreneurs seeking to launch their own brands. The Thailand Textiles Tag Zone will feature Thai textile products certified under internationally recognised quality standards, while a special workshop by Bunka Fashion School will demonstrate how to create scented sachets from leftover materials based on Circular Economy principles.

Visitors can also expand their knowledge at the international conference platform, “GFT Inspire,” which brings together industry trends and innovations from leading experts from Thailand and abroad. Featured sessions include:

Sustainability Shift: New Regulations Defining the Future of Thai Textiles, presented by Dr. Chanchai Sirikasemlert, Thailand Textile Institute. Turning Point: From OEM to Building Your Own Brand, presented by Mr. Pirapol Tatiyamaneekul, Managing Director of Khaki Bros, and Mr. Chalumpon Lotharukpong, President of the Thai Garment Manufacturers Association. Unlocking Global Textile: Export Ready for the Global Market, presented by Mrs. Nisabudh Virabutr, Director Office of Lifestyle Trade Promotion, Department of International Trade Promotion, Ministry of Commerce.

Marketing Technology: From Tools to Measurable Marketing Results for Brands, presented by Mr. Chaiyapong Lapliengtrakul, President of the MarTech Association (Thailand). When Products Are No Longer the Difference, but Brands Are the Answer, presented by Ms. Natcha Rachataworapan, Co-Founder of Keeps & Co Company Limited (maison KEEPS) Design x OEM: From Design to Production, presented by Mr. Chalermkiat Khatikasemlert, Designer and Founder of WONDER ANATOMIE, together with Ms. Thomonwan Virodchaiyan, Co-Founder of Moreloop Co., Ltd.The conference will also feature internationally renowned speakers from the United States of America and the Taiwan Textile Federation, with AI-powered Thai translation services available throughout the sessions.

Highlighted international sessions include:Minutes, not Months: Redefining Speed-to-Market through End-to-End Automation, presented by Mr. William Wilcox, Founder and CEO of Clothing Tech, USA.Innovation and Sustainability as a Critical Key to Penetrate through the International Market, presented by Mr. Justin Huang, President of Taiwan Textile Federation. In addition, visitors can participate in hands-on workshops throughout all four days of the exhibition, including:

Think, Make, Change Design Workshop, led by Ms. Paridee Kositchiranant, Global Design Director – Sportswear & Fashion Lifestyle. Participants will collaborate in brainstorming sessions, develop design concepts, and present the inspiration behind products created as a team. “Print the Pattern You Love, Sew the Products You Enjoy: Creative Innovation for You and the Planet,” organized by SKT. Embroidery Co., Ltd. Participants will have the opportunity to create their own cushion covers using the latest textile printing technologies. “From Inspiration to Brand Identity,” presented by Mr. Pawee Paithoonrangsarit, Co-Founder of The CAS Design Space. This creative workshop enables participants to explore fashion collection development through the creation of a Mini Fashion Mood Board. GFT 2026 will take place from 1–4 July 2026, from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., at Hall 100, Bangkok International Trade & Exhibition Centre (BITEC), Bangna. The event is expected to attract more than 15,000 visitors from across ASEAN.

Interested visitors are encouraged to pre-register for convenient access and complimentary admission to seminar sessions at www.gftexpo.com. For further information, please contact +66 2 686 7222 or email gft@rxbitec.com

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