GE Energy has begun taking orders for eVent fabric from Chinese cut-and-sew operations at a new 7,000-square-meter manufacturing and laboratory facility in Shanghai, China. GE built the facility to be closer to customers of its membranes business, including cut-and-sew plants across Asia that laminate eVent to high-performance fabrics for the outdoor industry. A grand opening for the plant, which also supports non-apparel applications, is scheduled for March 6.
The 100% GE-owned Shanghai plant has office space, production facilities and laboratories, where GE can evaluate garment designs, seam tapes, face fabrics, linings and finished eVent-branded products.
Previously, GE Energy provided much of that quality assurance support out of its lab in Kansas City, said James Lenox, global product line leader for membrane technologies at GE Energy.
“Now we've got all branding items, seam tapes, the quality assurance, factory support and customer service in one location to service the cut-and-sew base in China and Asia,” he said. “It's about being able to service the value chain more efficiently.”
Lenox would not disclose the plant's capacity, citing intense competition. Event competes against W.L. Gore & Associates' Gore-Tex, Ploucguet Group's Sympatex and Toray's Entrant as well as private label versions of breathable and waterproof fabrics that include REI's Elements, The North Face's Hi-Vent, Marmot's Precip, Columbia's Omni-Tech and Sierra Design's Genesis.
Lenox said GE Energy will continue to collaborate with Mitsui of Japan and Tiong Liong Industrial Co. Ltd of Taiwan to offer eVent lamination. The company does not disclose the name of its partners in Europe and North America.
