Ten years after setting up its first factory in Foshan, Guangdong, China to make cellulose based insole material, Texon Asia has opened another £1 million facility nearby to produce non-woven materials. The 4,000 square metre plant will employ 40 and manufacture Formo Reform counter materials, a range of toepuff materials and non woven insoles.

The official inauguration of the factory took place on April 11, timed to coincide with the Asia Pacific Leather Fair, which was held in Hong Kong, April 8-12. The event was attended by the chief executive of Texon International , Peter Selkirk and a number of local dignitaries, including Stephen Lillie, British Consul-General Guangzhou, Mr. Luo Yuetang, Director of the Board of Foreign Trade and Mr. Liang Shaotung, Mayor of Foshan. Representatives were also present from adidas-Salomon and Nike.

Mr Selkirk said the new investment represented a two-pronged strategy by Texon in Foshan: to make materials close to where shoes are made and to offer recycling facilities. "Of course these two strategies are mutually supportive – it is by manufacturing close to where the material is used that we can efficiently recycle are customers’ scrap" commented Selkirk.

The new factory is a co-operation between Texon and the Foshan municipality, through Crea Arts & Crafts Industry Co. With the opening of the new facility, Foshan is fast becoming Texon’s principal manufacturing base worldwide.