Hong Fu enters India
Taiwanese footwear group Hong Fu Industrial Group, a supplier to Nike, Converse, Vans, UGG, Puma, Adidas, Reebok, HOKA, Under Armour, and ON has officially entered the Indian market with a $180-million manufacturing facility at the SIPCOT Industrial Park.
Situated in Panapakkam, Tamil Nadu, aproximately 85 kilometers from Chennai, the ground-breaking ceremony was attended by Chief Minister M.K. Stalin.
The facility is expected to create 25,000 jobs, with women comprising 85% of the workforce, and is set to begin operations by January 2026. Hong Fu, the world’s second-largest producer of non-leather athletic footwear, produces 200 million pairs annually and has a revenue of $3 billion.
Chairman T.Y. Chang cited India’s economic potential as a reason for the investment, while Director and CEO Jacky Chang thanked the Tamil Nadu government for their support. The project, supported by joint venture partner Aqeel Panaruna, focuses on job creation and community empowerment.
Hong Fu signed two MoUs with the Tamil Nadu government, totaling $180 million. R Selvam from the Council for Leather Exports described the initiative as a key addition to India’s footwear manufacturing sector, aligning with the Make-in-India initiative and reinforcing Tamil Nadu’s role as a global manufacturing hub..
