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