The Nilit Group from northern Israel's Migdal Ha'Emek, a world-leading manufacturer of nylon yarns for the global pantyhose and textile industry, will invest tens of millions of dollars in establishing a new nylon yarn facility in China in partnership with the Chinese Shenma Group, which spearheads the industrial nylon market for the international automotive industry.
The Nilit Group, owned by businessman Michael Levy, owner and importer of Fiat and Alfa Romeo, will build a new production site in Pingdingshan, Henan Province, known as the "Nylon City" of China. Nilit's management will lead the establishment of the new plant and its ongoing development.
The factory will produce textiles for the automotive industry and will join another Nilit factory in China, near Shanghai, which was established in 2008 and produces yarns for sportswear for companies such as Lulu Lemon, American Eagle, Patagonia and Chinese brands, which are planned to double their production capacity.
The turnover of the Nilit Group, which operates 4 manufacturing plants in Israel, Brazil, the U.S. and China, is estimated at hundreds of millions of dollars. Nilit has been operating in Israel for the last 50 years, employing 900 people, 450 of whom are based in Israel. Nilit was founded by the Levy family who immigrated from Italy at the time and dealt in textiles there.
Nilit said in a statement the expansion into China comes due to the growing demand in the global market for clothing and sports products for type 6.6 nylon threads, especially in Asia, which are considered to be of higher quality and in which Nilit specializes.
The production capacity of the new factory will reach 20,000 tons in the coming years. The vast majority of Nilit's production is intended for export to the 50 countries in which it is active. Similar to all Nilit sites around the world, this factory will also be built according to strict standards for sustainable production.
The new joint venture strengthens Nilit's position as a leading supplier of 6.6 nylon to the clothing, sport and fashion industries and represents a significant expansion of Nilit's production capabilities in China and the improvement and delivery of innovative solutions to the global textile market.
According to Nilit Group CEO Ilan Melamed, "This project will allow us to apply advanced technologies to support the Chinese market. The joint venture combines Nilit's 50 years of extensive global experience in the nylon market, the fastest growing in the world.
"The partnership with the Chinese company Shenma will open up new opportunities for the company, such as entering the field of home textile products and the automotive industry, where the strength, touch and durability of the yarns are particularly essential."
First published: 18:30, 04.21.24