Footwear giant AOKANG International’s Indian licensee Aokang International India Pvt. Ltd. today announced the inauguration of its first factory in India at Manesar, district Gurgaon, Haryana. The factory, with an initial capacity of 200 pairs per day in lasting and strength of 50 workers, will produce entry level products for Distribution Network and Institution Sales under the sub brands of Aokang. The factory will initially cater to the footwear needs of men mainly in the middle income segment across North, West & South India. The factory will have the capacity to produce around 1000 kids’ PVC injection shoes by November, 2008 and will also be used for outsourcing to other countries

As part of its ambitious objective of making world-class footwear in India, Aokang International India Pvt. Ltd has set up the factory with a total investment of Rs. 2 Crore in an area of 20, 000 Sq. Feet. The factory will accommodate 200 employees and produce 1000 pairs daily by 2009. Equipped with imported Italian machines for cutting and stitching, the factory has an R&D section, raw material store and cutting section. The stitching will be outsourced initially, then after 3 months, upper passing & storage, lasting line, final packing & passing, dispatch & warehouse will also start. By 2010 Aokang India plans to decrease imports and start producing high end products at the Manesar manufacturing unit.

Expressing his happiness over the start of the factory, Mr. Anirudh Banerjee, CEO & MD - Aokang International India Pvt. Ltd, said “After the entry of Aokang International India Pvt. Ltd. into the Indian footwear market, the start of the first manufacturing factory in Manesar is yet another milestone in our journey of becoming the top International quality shoemaker in India. The factory will produce products that will match the international standards in quality and craftsmanship. Initially it will produce middle segment product and we will import all high segment material from China. The full fledged production will be transferred to India by year 2010”

AOKANG’s range of footwear is available at Aokang’s Exclusive show room at MGF Metropolitan, Saket (New Delhi) and also at Reliance Footprints, Shoe Tree and the leading MBOs at Delhi, Haryana, U.P. and Maharashtra. They are also coming up with 2 exclusive flagship stores at Mumbai (Linking Road) by 2nd week of August. AOKANG, the leading international footwear company is also the Official leather goods supplier for Beijing 2008 Olympics Games.

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About Aokang Group

Established in 1988, Aokang Group is one of the first in the shoes making industry to pass ISO9001 international quality system and ISO14001 environmental management system. On 24th March 2008, the brand has launched itself in India as Aokang International India Pvt. Ltd., under the leadership of Mr. Anirudh Banerjee. The company has their 1st exclusive Image Store at MGF Metropolitan Mall, Saket, New Delhi. With a scheduled investment plan of around Rs. 300 Crs in a phased manner over the next 5 years, Aokang International India Pvt. Ltd will be one of the largest footwear retailers in the country.

Headquartered in China; Aokang has global offices in India, U.S.A and Hong Kong. Aokang Group boasts of three shoes-making bases, six shoe brands and three design centres in Milan, Wenzhou and Guangzhou, which design more than 3000 new samples per year, leading the fashion trend in shoes making industry. With specialization in leather shoes, leather accessories & leather allied product, Aokang has become a leading international brand in leather shoes industry and has been appointed as the “Official leather goods supplier for Beijing 2008 Olympic Games”.

For further information please visit www.aokang.com.