TenCate And Union Textile Announce Partnership

The Netherlands-based TenCate Advanced Textiles — a manufacturer of protective fabrics for workwear and professional wear — and Thailand-based Union Textile Industries Public Co. Ltd — a vertical textile manufacturer from spinning and weaving through finishing — have formed a joint venture under which they will produce work- and safetywear fabrics in Thailand. The fabrics will be produced under the name TenCate-Union Protective Fabrics Asia Ltd. TenCate will hold the majority interest in the venture.

TenCate will contribute the funding and expertise, as well as the licensing for its brand names, including TenCate Tecasafe®, TenCate Tecashield® and TenCate Millenia®. Union Textile will provide its existing finishing production facilities and related production and sales team, along with an entry into the local Asian market. This venture is the first pursuit of a non-Asian company in the protective fabrics market in Asia, according to TenCate.

The approximately 11,000-square-meter production facilities are located south of Bangkok in Thailand’s Samutprakan district, and will begin operations August 16, 2008, with approximately 200 employees.

July 15, 2008