Why Tianyuan Chose India: Chinese Apparel Giant’s Next Growth Story

With more than a dozen manufacturing facilities in China and over 12,000 employees, Tianyuan Garments has expanded its global footprint with a US$ 60 million investment at Brandix India Apparel City. Director Lei Yinshuan explains why India has become central to the company’s long-term manufacturing strategy.

As global apparel supply chains continue to diversify beyond traditional manufacturing destinations, India is increasingly attracting international manufacturers looking to build resilient, export-oriented production bases.

One such company is Tianyuan Garments, one of China’s established apparel manufacturers, which has made a significant commitment to India through a US$ 60 million investment at Brandix India Apparel City.

The investment reflects a broader industry trend where global manufacturers are seeking to balance production across multiple countries while remaining closer to key export markets.

For Tianyuan, India is not simply another manufacturing location — it is part of its long-term global expansion strategy.

A New Manufacturing Base In India
Tianyuan’s Indian factory was established in 2019 as the company’s first manufacturing facility outside its extensive Chinese operations. The company currently operates 13 garment factories, including 12 manufacturing facilities in China, employing more than 12,000 people across its global operations.

“Our factory in India was established in 2019,” says Lei Yinshuan, Director, Tianyuan Garments India Pvt. Ltd. “This is our first manufacturing facility in the country.”

While the plant is still expanding its operations, it has already begun executing export orders for the United States and is preparing for the next phase of growth.

Preparing For Expansion
At present, the facility operates on a general shift while continuing to recruit and train employees. However, that is expected to change as production volumes increase.

The company is preparing to introduce a second production shift while simultaneously expanding its workforce. “Our long-term objective is to grow to around 3,000 employees,” says Lei.

The immediate focus is securing additional export business, including opportunities with leading international apparel brands. A customer visit from Uniqlo is expected to play an important role in the factory’s future expansion plans.

If successful, the additional business could significantly accelerate production growth at the Indian facility.

Why India?
For Tianyuan, several strategic factors influenced the decision to establish operations in India. The availability of labour, competitive manufacturing costs and access to a growing apparel ecosystem were among the primary considerations.

Lei points out that labour costs in India remain significantly lower than in China, making the country an attractive destination for labour-intensive apparel manufacturing.

At the same time, India offers access to one of the world’s largest textile industries, creating opportunities for long-term localisation of the supply chain.

Rather than replacing its Chinese manufacturing base, the Indian investment complements Tianyuan’s broader global manufacturing network.

Leveraging The Brandix Ecosystem
Locating the factory within Brandix India Apparel City has provided several operational advantages. Being situated inside the Special Economic Zone simplifies import and export procedures while reducing duty-related costs on imported materials. “It is very convenient to import and export goods from here,” Lei explains.

Beyond fiscal incentives, the company also values the organised industrial environment within the park. Compared with operating independently, the integrated ecosystem provides better infrastructure, smoother logistics and fewer operational disruptions.

For an export-oriented manufacturer dependent on reliable delivery schedules, these factors contribute significantly to manufacturing efficiency.

Navigating A Changing Global Trade Environment
Like many export manufacturers, Tianyuan has also experienced the impact of changing global trade policies.

The increase in US tariffs affected order volumes, leading to lower export quantities than originally anticipated.

However, the company believes its established customer relationships and diversified manufacturing structure will help maintain long-term stability.

Its Indian facility primarily serves export markets while working closely with the company’s broader manufacturing network in China and other Asian locations.

This integrated approach allows Tianyuan to optimise sourcing, production and delivery across multiple countries.

Growth Beyond India
Although still in the early stages of its Indian journey, Tianyuan is already looking ahead. The company is evaluating additional manufacturing investments, both within India and internationally, including potential opportunities in Africa.

The strategy reflects a broader shift within the global apparel industry, where manufacturers are increasingly establishing multiple production hubs to better serve international customers. For Tianyuan, India represents an important pillar of that future.

Building For The Long Term
While the factory is still scaling its operations, the investment signals Tianyuan’s confidence in India’s long-term manufacturing potential.

With modern infrastructure, an export-focused operating environment and access to a growing workforce, the company sees Brandix India Apparel City as a strong foundation for future expansion.

“Our objective is to continue expanding our operations and workforce as new business opportunities grow,” says Lei.

As global sourcing strategies continue to evolve, Tianyuan’s investment demonstrates how international manufacturers are increasingly viewing India not only as a competitive production base, but also as a strategic destination for long-term growth.

(Article by Henry Dsouza, Associate Editor Of Textile Insights)