The Burlington WorldWide (BWW) division of Greensboro, N.C.-based International Textile Group Inc. (ITG) and India-based worsted wool fabric manufacturer OCM India Ltd. have entered into a marketing and commercial partnership intended to help OCM set up state-of-the-art manufacturing operations and develop and market new wool fabrics that use BWW’s fabric technologies. As part of the partnership, BWW also will assist OCM by developing and running an export program to sell OCM fabrics in the United States, Europe and Asia; and OCM will be licensed to manufacture and sell BURLINGTON®-branded enhanced wool fabrics in India.

Both ITG and OCM are owned by New York City-based investment firm WL Ross & Co. LLC — ITG having been created by the 2004 merger of Burlington Industries and Cone Mills, which WL Ross acquired in 2003, and OCM having been acquired earlier this year. BWW is part of ITG’s Apparel Fabrics business segment.

“This is a tremendous opportunity to expand ITG’s footprint into the growing Indian market and provide an additional supply chain of products for the US and European markets,” said Wilbur L. Ross Jr., chairman, ITG. “BWW is the North American leader in worsted wool products, and its expertise in wool manufacturing and new fabric development will further OCM’s operations and breadth of product to grow a global wool platform for both companies.”

---

September 18, 2007