China to build first outdoor production base in Yunyang
The first outdoor production base in western China is due to be built in Yunyang city, in response to the booming demand and availability of local labour and capital resources.
The base, involving an investment of $45.6 million and covering 85,000 square meters, will open in September 2011 in Yunyang, Chongqing.
“Consumption of outdoor products, including sportswear and equipment, in the western region increased 40% year-on-year in 2010, and we can guarantee orders for enterprises coming into the production base due to the market potential,” said Cao Wenhua, marketing director at Sanxia Outdoor Industry City Industrial Park.
The base has already attracted more than 10 enterprises including Beijing Toread Outdoor Products Co, a Shenzhen-listed company.
Mr Wenhua said that enterprises in the production base will be original equipment manufacturers for foreign outdoor products, mainly for Japanese brands.
“They (Chinese OEMs) will also develop their own brands here,” he added.
Yu Dongtang, director at Yunyang Investment Promotion Bureau, said that Yunyang is a county with a population of 1.34 million, including more than 170,000 immigrants from the Three Gorges area.
“We have confidence in the potential of the outdoor-gear market and will develop it as one of the main industries,” said Mr Dongtang.
According to Mr Dongtang, many places in the western region have the natural environment to hold outdoor activities, while the facilities are in short-supply locally. The new production base in the region will supply outdoor products and in turn could also benefit the local economy.
