Unifi to develop PVA yarns
Unifi Inc is to form Unifi Textiles Suzhou Co Ltd (UTSC) , a wholly-owned, China-based subsidiary that will focus on the development, sales and service of premium value-added (PVA) yarns for customers in the region. Based in Suzhou, China, the new division is expected to be in operation by the end of the second quarter.
Unifi will work closely with high-value textile producers to develop PVA and specialty products, and will oversee their production in China. Initially, UTSC is expected to buy the branded PVA inventory from its current joint venture partner, Sinopec Yizheng Chemical Fiber Co Ltd, which is also expected to serve as the primary toll manufacturer for UTSC during the start-up. UTSC may add other toll manufacturers over time.
Bill Jasper, president and CEO at Unifi, said: "Demand for high-value and PVA yarns in China continues to grow at an annual rate of greater than 10%, and this is the segment UTSC will be solely focused on supplying.”
UTSC will look to expand the Asian sales of its existing branded PVA yarns including Repreve, Sorbtek, Reflexx, Mynx, A.M.Y. and aio.
Ed Wickes will serve as president of UTSC, which will initially employ up to 11 people, including direct and downstream sales and technical service personnel.
