Wilmington, N.C.-based performance textiles designer and manufacturer Guilford Performance Textiles
Inc. and NNG, a subsidiary of China-based automotive interior manufacturer YanFeng Inc., have
formed Anhui Guilford Automotive Interiors Co. Ltd., a joint venture (JV) to supply textiles to
Chinese automotive manufacturers. The new company combines Guilford’s technical and manufacturing
know-how in automotive textiles with NNG’s extensive client base in China’s automotive industry,
enabling the JV to expand coverage in China’s growing automobile market. With a workforce of 230
people, Anhui Guilford manufactures seating products for regional customers including Chery
Automobile, JAC Motors, Shanghai Volkswagen and others.
“China’s automotive industry is experiencing explosive growth,” said Shannon White, CEO,
Guilford. “With this joint venture, Guilford is now ideally located to offer our fabrics and
engineered products to Chinese manufacturers. Following a comprehensive review of expansion
opportunities in China, we are pleased to have found an extraordinary business partner in NNG that
we expect will offer long-term growth opportunities in China. This is the first step in what we
anticipate will become a significant expansion into the Asian market for Guilford.”
February 16, 2011