A Legacy of Excellence in Textile Manufacturing
Founded in 1982, Little King Global Co., Ltd. (Little King) has transformed from a local fabric producer in Taiwan to a global leader specializing in circular knitted and synthetic fabrics for sports and outdoor apparel. Over the years, the company has expanded its operations strategically from Taiwan to Thailand and, most recently, to India. This growth reflects Little King’s commitment to resilience, digital transformation, and sustainable material innovation.
Little King’s latest collaboration with Shahi Exports Pvt. Ltd. (Shahi Exports), India’s largest vertically integrated apparel manufacturer, marks a significant step in advancing sustainability and performance in textiles. With 65 manufacturing facilities and three textile mills across 10 Indian states, Shahi Exports is an ideal strategic partner for Little King in establishing a state-of-the-art synthetic performance fabric facility in India. This partnership resonates with SDGs and ESG goals while catering to the evolving needs of premium global apparel brands.
Standing Out in a Competitive Market
Little King differentiates itself through four key strategic pillars:
1. Business Model Evolution Traditionally seen as a low-end, labour-intensive industry, textiles have undergone a transformation. Since 2006, Little King has transitioned from an Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) to a Contract Development and Manufacturing Organization (CDMO). This shift focuses on innovation and high-value solutions, attracting more significant clients and expanding market share.
2. Advanced Information Systems Recognizing the necessity of digital resilience, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic, Little King upgraded its IT infrastructure by adopting SAP S/4HANA ERP on AWS. This system integrates real-time supply chain management with upstream partners, enhancing operational efficiency and reducing lead times.
3. Digital Transformation & AI Integration Little King actively invests in AI development platforms to drive digital innovation in the textile industry. One notable investment is in NunoX, a startup specializing in high-precision digital fabric scanning and AI-based texture analysis. This technology supports virtual prototyping, digital fashion, and e-commerce applications, leading to enhanced efficiency and reduced material waste.
4. Strategic Overseas Investments In response to global challenges such as de-globalization, supply chain restructuring, and the need for reduced lead times, Little King strategically expands its footprint while balancing innovation, sustainability, and performance.
Building Strong Ties with the Indian Textile Industry
India plays a crucial role in Little King’s expansion strategy. The company has formed a joint venture with Shahi Exports, driven by shared values of sustainability and operational excellence. This collaboration leverages Little King’s expertise in synthetic functional knitted fabrics with Shahi’s extensive factory management experience, creating a powerful synergy that benefits both companies and their valuable international clients.
Through their joint venture, “SHALIT”, the companies have introduced innovative and sustainable practices to the Indian textile industry. The investment in top-tier machinery and advanced automation ensures green supply chain with high efficiency, shorter production lead times, and lower costs. This partnership enables global brands to receive premium, environmentally responsible fabrics while bolstering India’s growing textile sector.
India’s Role in Little King’s Long-Term Strategy
The Indian market presents vast opportunities due to its growing economy, skilled workforce, and expanding influence in the global textile industry. Little King’s collaboration with Shahi Exports provides access to major international brands such as Nike, Adidas, PUMA, Calvin Klein, Ralph Lauren, Tommy Hilfiger, UNIQLO, LEVI’S, GAP, and H&M.
Furthermore, the Shahi Experience Center, in partnership with Little King, integrates cutting-edge technology such as Microsoft HoloLens to facilitate real-time co-creation and sustainability-driven innovations. This initiative exemplifies Little King’s strategic vision and commitment to digital transformation.
Innovation and Sustainability at the Core
Sustainability is a core principle and belief of Little King’s operations. The company prioritizes digital creation to reduce physical sampling, thus minimizing its environmental footprint. With a goal to reduce carbon emissions toward 50% by 2030, Little King has implemented several green initiatives through collaborating with their strategic partner Shahi Exports, including:
• Water efficiency and recycling systems investment
• Biofuel-powered boilers
• 100% renewable energy utilization
• Regeneration of 100% recycled polyester from post-consumer apparel
• Circular materials usage such as recycled bottles
These sustainability-driven efforts ensure that the company’s production processes align with global environmental standards while delivering high-quality textiles.
Catering to India’s Unique Market Needs
Little King has introduced advanced synthetic fabric production technologies to India, modernizing the sector while emphasizing ESG principles. By fostering market growth and protecting the planet, Little King empowers its clients to succeed while contributing to environmental sustainability.
Future Expansion and Workforce Development
Little King has a structured investment plan for its expansion in India, with upcoming installations of new knitting and dyeing machines to meet increasing customer demand. The company is committed to workforce development through its joint venture with Shahi Exports, ensuring economic empowerment and career growth for employees.
CSR Initiatives:
• 100% renewable electricity target by 2026
• Elimination of coal usage in garment factories
• Ensuring 100% dyes and auxiliaries are ZDHC MRSL compliance
• Circular value chain initiatives for eco-friendly innovation and production
• Upskilling programs and soft skills training for workers
• Investment in education, healthcare, and community welfare programs
• Empowering workers by implementing an anonymous digital worker voice tool across all factories to foster transparency and ethical practices
These initiatives reinforce Little King and Shahi Exports’ leadership in ethical business practices and sustainable development.
A Message for Bharat Tex and the Indian Market
As a company committed to innovation and sustainability, Little King extends its vision of being a world-class partner in textiles through its “Think Beyond and GO” philosophy. By leveraging a robust green supply chain and collaborating with strategic partners like Shahi Exports, the company ensures seamless support for global apparel brands.
With bulk production set to launch in Shimoga, Karnataka, after Q4 2025, Little King is poised to provide top-tier textile solutions for the Indian and global markets. As Bharat Tex 2025 approaches, the company invites industry stakeholders to explore its advanced offerings and be part of a sustainable future in textiles.