Taiwan’s Everest Textile to invest $18.5 mn in US

Everest Textiles USA, a unit of Taiwan based Everest Textile Company, will invest $18.5 million over five years to set up a manufacturing facility in US. Everest already has factories in Taiwan, China and Thailand. The new plant in Forest City, Rutherford County, North Carolina will be Everest’s first outside Asia, and will create 610 jobs.

“North Carolina’s outstanding business climate offers great advantages to global manufacturers such as Everest Textiles,” said North Carolina governor Pat McCrory, who made the announcement along with North Carolina commerce secretary John E Skvarla, III, and the Economic Development Partnership of North Carolina (EDPNC).

“We are thrilled that this innovation-based textile company has selected our state and its tradition of high-quality manufacturing to build its presence in the Americas,” added McCrory.

Founded in 1988, the Tainan City-based maker of high-performance sports apparel is a publicly held vertically integrated developer and supplier of innovative products to leading brands in sports, casual and other apparel. Its buyers include names such as Nike, Columbia and Patagonia.

“Everest positions itself as one of the leading global enterprises and commits to contribute to human society by providing innovative, environmentally friendly and comfortable textile products to the industry and consumers,” said Scott Chen, Everest corporate vice president.

The company plans to employ operators, supervisors and an administrative team. Once fully operational, the facility will add nearly $15.8 million annual payroll impact to the local economy.

Since governor McCrory entered office in January 2013, North Carolina’s economy has generated more than 300,000 jobs.