Light industry is an industry that includes a lot of different subspecies. The results of her work are used in many other branches of human activity. What products are manufactured using light industry? In which countries is this industry more developed? Which less? What factors and main components are responsible for the development of light industry? All of these issues will be covered in this article.
The concept
Each of us is familiar with such a concept as light industry. And, it would seem, many understand the tasks that are associated with it, and its main purpose. But is it really so? You can read some article and think: "I know all this." But will anyone be able to independently tell about the production of light industry without any additional sources? Actually, everyone will answer such a question.
So, light industry is a combination of various industries that produce consumer goods from certain types of raw materials. This type of industry is directly related to the economy of any country, since the indicators of the gross domestic product largely depend on the development of light industries. This industry not only produces finished products, but also is engaged in the primary processing of raw materials. Products that are manufactured by light industry enterprises are widely used in various sectors of human life.
Availability requirements
In this industry, which significantly helps the development of any country, millions of people around the world take their place. Many of them have been working in this structure for decades, contributing to a great cause. What sectors of light industry exist? They are not so few. This is the textile industry (which includes several subspecies, for example, cotton), and clothing, and leather, fur and footwear. But the products manufactured by these enterprises are also used in other industries. In the furniture and aviation, in the food, automotive and chemical, as well as in the electrical industry.
Light industry sectors are located in various cities of the country, they are scientifically studied and introduced by new developments that will help to further improve the results. Moreover, specific requirements may apply to workers in a particular industry. For example, an employee who does not have a taste will not be allowed to manufacture shoe products. Because the demand for it depends on the appearance of the shoe. And every year, the taste preferences of consumers can change.
Cooperation with different countries
Products manufactured by light industry enterprises are not necessarily used only in the country where they were manufactured. It can be implemented outside it, if for this there are all the necessary agreements. Of course, the main factor that affects this process is the availability of demand for products in foreign countries. Otherwise, enterprises will incur only losses. If a good profit is obtained from the sale of products, then this has a significant impact on the economic situation of the country where the products were produced.
In the modern world, many states enter into contracts for the supply of a product or raw material. And each side has its own positive results from such transactions.For example, Russia's light industry does not have its own cotton resources. Therefore, cotton is brought from Central Asian countries where there are no problems with its cultivation. Such cooperation, of course, has its advantages, but also the minuses are not excluded. It would seem that what could be wrong? But everything is very simple. Due to the high cost of imported raw materials, it is necessary to increase the cost of the manufactured product in order to recoup all costs.
Source of profit
Light industry products are always produced at a certain price, it is indicated by the company's management, based on a number of certain factors. This includes the purchase of the necessary raw materials, accounting for the wages of workers who have a direct impact on the manufacture of this product, and a number of other factors. Of course, an enterprise cannot exist if it does not pay wages to employees, energy consumption, and the purchase of raw materials.
Surely, anyone will say that I do not want to make all these costs from my own pocket, I also want to earn something for myself. Therefore, light industry products are a direct source of income for both its workers and the country as a whole. By the way, the main workers of this type of industry are women, but men can be involved in these works.
Territorial location of enterprises
Each state develops certain areas of human activity. Huge resources are spent on education and medicine in order to ensure a quality standard of living. But the light and food industries also require attention from the state. Here, even the main thing is not attention, but proper management of the enterprise and competent selection of workers. Another equally important factor in the development of light industry is the location of the enterprises themselves.
Unfortunately, transporting raw materials over long distances is very unprofitable. Therefore, enterprises for the primary processing of raw materials are located in such a way that delivery to other cities is not required. For example, the North Caucasus is the supplier of wool, therefore, enterprises for the processing of these raw materials are located there. The food industry can also locate its main enterprises in certain territories. This will be described in detail in the continuation of the article.
Textile
If we talk about textile light industry, it is worth emphasizing that it has changed significantly in recent years. And there are quite reasonable reasons for this. Previously, the main place in the textile industry was occupied by cotton fabrics and products, while wool, linen and artificial fiber occupied only a small percentage in this area. In recent years, this situation has changed due to the expansion of the range.
At present, various types of synthetic material and fiber are used. This type of industry is developing at an incredible pace and is confidently gaining ground in the global market. The main supplier, occupying the most leading positions (about 70% of the total textile volume), is Asia. China is considered the largest producer of cotton fabric in the world market. It should be borne in mind that Russia also has a good part in the processing of natural raw materials, but so far it cannot compete with these countries. For this, it is necessary to introduce special technologies and programs, but they do not think about it at the state level at this time.
Technology
There are several light industry technologies that are used to process and manufacture materials. Clothing can be of different types, with various elements, dressing, thermal insulation and more. For the manufacture of clothing can use fabric, fur, leather, non-woven fabric and other various fibers and materials.When working with a particular fiber or fabric, it is necessary to use a certain technology to make the right item of clothing.
Weaving includes a huge range of operations that provide fabric manufacturing. Here, rewinding of yarn is used, which eliminates defects and improves the quality of the yarn itself. When sizing, the thread gains additional flexibility and strength. Before the final formation of fabric on the machine, the yarn will go through a few more stages and ultimately become better.
The next type of technology is knitting and sewing. Knitwear is a product or fabric that was obtained by knitting, therefore it is a system of interconnected loops. Such materials are processed in various ways that are required to obtain a certain result: cutting, semi-regular, regular, sewing, sewing operations. Also, labels can be sewn to knitwear, which is an auxiliary method.
Non woven fabric
Nonwoven fabric manufacturing is also a light industry technology. The range of such materials depends on the way they were processed. For example, a knitting and piercing fabric, which is obtained by tying a fibrous canvas, flooring of yarn, foam rubber with a fabric, etc. Such products make up the bulk of non-woven materials for making clothes. In order to improve the quality of this material, various types of finishes are used. They are also treated with various types of solutions that can affect the quality of the canvas, its wear resistance, density, thickness. Products from such materials are widely used in construction, the shoe industry, mechanical engineering, etc. Because they are characterized by wind resistance, heat-shielding properties, and wear resistance.
Industry Development in Russia
Light industry is an industry that includes many useful products and materials. A lot in any country depends on its development. And, it would seem, everything is going well. Demand for the results of this industry is constantly available.
However, Russia's light industry has its own problems. Salaries at enterprises leave much to be desired, which leads to a drop in the interest of young personnel in professions in this industry. This, in turn, significantly affects the receipt of the final result for the products. Accordingly, such products cannot provide the necessary competitiveness not only in the external, but also in the domestic market.
The main light industry enterprises of the country still use outdated equipment. This factor entails a drop in product turnover, the inability to manufacture a modern product. Of course, these are not the only problems that affected domestic production. However, it is possible to significantly improve the situation. If investors will be involved at the state level. If the state itself provides support to both enterprises that were created some time ago, and newly created ones.
World situation
Light industry in the world is developing in a slightly different way and in ways. In some countries, the main focus is on the number of products manufactured, in others on high quality. And despite this, each country makes its own profit. Let us return to China, which has a strong position in the global market for cotton fabrics. These fabrics have rather low prices and have good quality, therefore they are quite suitable for sale.
But Europe has recently become addicted to the release of expensive branded goods. Indeed, a certain mass of some designers and fashion designers receive quite a considerable profit precisely due to the fact that their products are exclusive and have no analogues.Nevertheless, China is the leading country in this industry, which supplies a huge mass of goods outside its territory. It's no secret that many Russian people travel specifically to China to dress for the season for a small amount. And this is an absolute norm, taking into account the current financial situation of the inhabitants of Russia.
Falling results
Light industry is a rather labor-intensive industry. And each country uses this or that means for its development. As already mentioned in the article, Russia is far from the first place in this industry. Of course, a number of factors bring their negative consequences, which affect both the quantity and quality of the products. Not only is the equipment outdated, the salaries of workers are small, and the ruble cannot be fixed.
In general, it is not difficult to understand that this situation in Russia arose not a year or 5 years ago. It originates from the collapse of the USSR. After all, a huge proportion of enterprises that were engaged in the processing and manufacture of goods from raw materials were located in those territories that later became separate states. According to some experts, the production of Russian textiles has never before been in good condition, but now it is experiencing particularly difficult times. And, unfortunately, the situation is only getting worse every year.
About the food industry
The country's light industry is not in the best position. And what about the food industry? Perhaps it is developing better and takes its place in the global market. Of course, it plays an important role for Russia. Many products must undergo food processing, otherwise they will not be possible to deliver to a particular area. Agree, for example, canned goods are stored much longer, and it is quite possible to deliver them to every corner of the country.
The food industry is also very closely connected with agriculture and is located where people live. However, the territorial distribution of this industry also has its own conditions. These conditions operate according to two principles, or rather they are divided into two groups of a given industry: an industry that uses unprocessed raw materials; industry using processed raw materials. It is these types that affect the conditions of the food industry.
Location of enterprises
Light industry enterprises were located directly where the necessary raw materials were located. In principle, food industry enterprises also act in this way. So, the industry of the first group is located substantially close to those cities in which this or that product is delivered. Quite a lot of products during processing lose their original weight. For example, due to drying (fruits, tea).
Also, in order to get 2 tons of sugar, it is necessary to process about 17 tons of sugar beets. Another disadvantage is that many products tend to deteriorate quickly during long transportation to another city. Therefore, they need to be processed faster and delivered over short distances. The industry of the second group is prone to the use of finished products. The raw materials that are used in this case have already been processed. For example, flour from which pasta could be made, and pasta itself. In this case, pasta is a finished product. Enterprises of such a group are created in large settlements and cities.
Light industry holiday
As you can see from this article, light industry is a complex process that applies a huge variety of different methods for the extraction, processing, processing, manufacturing of high-quality raw materials. Not only various machines and equipment are configured to receive the result, but also a huge number of workers. And each of them makes his daily contribution to ensure that citizens of the country can purchase the necessary goods.It turns out that these workers have their own professional holiday, which they really deserve with their work.
This holiday does not have a specific day on the calendar, but every year it falls on the second Sunday of June. Celebrations are held not only in Russia, but also in Belarus and Ukraine. It can also be celebrated in some other countries of the former Union of Republics. This holiday was approved back in 1980 in the USSR, and after its collapse was secured by special decrees in each country. This is a good idea in gratitude to those who shoes, dresses and feeds the inhabitants of the country. According to the latest data, about 600,000 people are employed in light industry enterprises in Russia, and 80% of them are women.