Taiwan's Hong Fu breaks ground for footwear manufacturing unit in Ranipet

In a significant boost to Tamil Nadu’s industrial landscape, Taiwanese footwear major Hong Fu has officially broken ground for its massive manufacturing facility at the SIPCOT Industrial Park in Panapakkam, Ranipet district. The facility shares its location with Tata Motors-JLR’s upcoming state-of-the-art car manufacturing unit, representing a combined industrial synergy for the region. As the world’s second-largest manufacturer of non-leather athletic footwear, Hong Fu produces approximately 200 million pairs of shoes annually with a revenue of $3 billion, supplying global giants such as Nike, Puma, Adidas, Reebok, Converse, Vans, HOKA, and the Swiss brand ON.

The foundation stone for the Rs 1,500 crore project was laid by Chief Minister M.K. Stalin via video conferencing, marking the fruition of a Memorandum of Understanding signed a year ago. This investment is expected to generate 25,000 jobs, notably carrying a commitment to recruit 85% women, further aligning with the state’s socio-economic goals. TY Chang, Chairman of Hong Fu, noted that India’s rapid economic development and global influence made it a natural choice for expansion, supplementing the group's existing operations in Vietnam, Indonesia, and Myanmar. The entry into the Indian market was facilitated by Joint Venture Partner Aqeel Panaruna.

Industry leaders have hailed the move as a validation of the "Make in India" initiative and a critical addition to the national manufacturing ecosystem. R. Selvam, Executive Director of the Council for Leather Exports, stated that the influx of such investments reflects high global confidence in India's growth potential. With Tamil Nadu already accounting for 45% of India's leather footwear exports, experts believe the state maintains a competitive edge over regional rivals like Telangana and Andhra Pradesh due to its established supply chains and infrastructure, securing its position as a primary hub for the global non-leather footwear sector.