Shantou Homewear's "Tech-Driven Transformation" Upgrade

2025-08-26 10:58:27

In China, on average, 8 out of every 10 people wear loungewear produced in Chaonan, Shantou. This region accounts for 80% of the nation's loungewear production capacity, 40% of women's Underwear production, and 35% of fabric and accessory production. As a key production hub for Chinese loungewear, Chaonan, Shantou, has always been committed to creating comfortable, warm, fashionable, and aesthetically pleasing intimate homewear for consumers. Keeping pace with China's reform and opening-up, after decades of refinement, the loungewear industry in Chaonan, Shantou, has grown through challenges to become a true "City of Chinese Underwear and Loungewear."

Smart Manufacturing's "Tech Powerhouse" Strength

It is currently the peak season for producing autumn and winter homewear. In the production workshops of over 3,700 homewear enterprises of various sizes in Chaonan District, production lines are running at full speed, accompanied by the constant hum of machinery. These factories collectively form a complete industrial chain, covering everything from spinning and weaving to finished product manufacturing. Shantou is one of the world's largest and most comprehensive core bases for textile and apparel. Guangdong Anzhiban, a leading company in the industry and a standing vice president unit of the association, has established specialized workshops for cutting, sewing, and finishing to cover the entire homewear production process. By introducing intelligent hanging systems and equipping over 400 digital and smart devices, the company has significantly improved production efficiency.

"With the assistance of intelligent machine programming, processes such as sewing, fabric cutting, and printing can be automated or semi-automated, not only improving production efficiency but also effectively increasing the yield rate," Weng Zengrui, general manager of the e-commerce division of Guangdong Anzhiban Industrial Co., Ltd., told reporters. "In the workshop, a complete set of homewear can be produced in about six seconds. With the support of new technologies and new production management models, leveraging the advantages of refined production management, the 'small order, quick response' model better meets the demands of e-commerce channels."

Smart Manufacturing's "Tech Powerhouse" Strength

Massive production capacity, a complete supply chain, and advanced equipment—these are the "hard strengths" of the Chaonan homewear production base. However, the strategic vision of homewear entrepreneurs extends far beyond this. Over the years, companies have also invested significant effort in honing their "internal skills." The pursuit of innovation in invention patents, utility patents, and design patents has never ceased. Among them, multiple patented technologies from Chaonan enterprises—such as photon antibacterial fabrics, colored okra viscose fiber, and anti-mite antibacterial fabric preparation techniques—are leading the industry. When these "cutting-edge technologies" enter the production floor, they transform into homewear pieces brimming with a "sci-fi vibe."

"Our current flagship product is this ultra-soft An-style naked-feel series pajamas. We've put tremendous effort into every aspect of this garment, from fabric to silhouette. Not only do we use plant-based fiber materials that offer antibacterial and breathable properties, but we also employ special design techniques to ensure our loungewear combines both aesthetic appeal and comfort," said Weng Zengrui. "Currently, our company holds approximately 9 various patents including design and utility patents. We remain committed to enhancing the technological sophistication of our products to achieve 'what others don't have, we do; what others have, we do better.' We aim to win consumer favor through 'hardcore capabilities'."

Brand building "infuses soul"

Products are the carriers of brands, while brands are the soul of products. Good products also need the empowerment of brands, and Chaonan homewear companies understand this well. The companies not only focus on brand building and promotion but also strive to deeply integrate product functionality with brand emotion. This has led to the continuous emergence of Chaonan homewear brands like bamboo shoots after a spring rain, with renowned brands such as Hongxing (Fenteng), Anzhiban, Jima Apparel, Bailun Family, Elizabeth, Qihao Apparel, and Sujisi flourishing in the market. Gradually, Chaonan homewear has become the "golden brand" in the industry.

Ma Qingxuan, Executive Vice President of the Association and Chairman of Guangdong Kaidi Garments Co., Ltd., said, "We have over twenty designers and implement a team-based operational strategy—designer teams and marketing teams are divided by brand, with each brand's promotion model operating independently. We adhere to the positioning of independent brands, where quality, innovation, and R&D are the foundation behind every brand."

Currently, Chaonan is making every effort to expand and strengthen its pillar industries. By establishing provincial-level textile and dyeing technology R&D centers, forming industrial technology innovation strategic alliances, engineering technology centers, R&D centers, and design centers, and introducing advanced domestic and international apparel design systems, computer management systems, and production equipment, the region plans to leverage the China Homewear Professional Procurement Base to integrate local garment manufacturers, specialized markets, and sales entities, creating a "core-driven, diversified" homewear industry platform. The goal is to build a 100-billion-yuan textile and garment industry cluster, injecting new momentum into the upgrading of Shantou's textile and garment industry and supporting the city's strategy of "industrial development and industrial strength."

"Shantou's strategy of 'building the city through industry and strengthening it with industrial prowess' has provided crucial development opportunities for our enterprise. Moving forward, Hongxing Co., Ltd. will leverage the development layout of Shantou's distinctive textile and apparel industry, utilizing the China Homewear Procurement Hub as a key platform. By upgrading digital economy drivers, we will ignite new momentum for transformation through IT application, let market demand guide the entire process of production and operation, and accelerate supply chain upgrades. We will advance digital transformation in production, storage, and logistics, thereby facilitating brand diversification and supporting omni-channel operations across all product categories. In building a flexible and efficient supply chain, we will enhance R&D and design innovation, introducing various functional fabrics to meet consumers' demand for high-quality homewear," said Zhou Demao, Executive Vice President of the industry association and General Manager of Hongxing Co., Ltd.