Cone Denim Opens in Nicaragua
International Textile Group, the Greensboro, N.C.–based parent company of Cone Denim, opened a new facility near Managua, Nicaragua.
Located in the Jorge Bolanos Abaunza Textile Park, outside Managua, the Cone Denim Nicaragua (CDN) facility held its grand-opening ceremony on April 22, drawing distinguished guests including Nicaragua President Daniel Ortega S. Ortega and Paul Trivelli, the U.S. ambassador to Nicaragua.
The vertical facility will cover every step of denim production from raw cotton to finished fabric. The factory will employ about 850 people and has a capacity to produce about 28 million yards per year.
The new plant occupies a strategic place in Cone’s business plane, according to ITG President and Chief Executive Officer Joseph L. Gorga.
“Our focus over the past year has been on expanding our footprint and putting in place the strategic pieces of an extensive global supply chain,” Gorga said in a statement. “The Nicaragua location—combined with our denim manufacturing capabilities in the United States, Mexico and China and partnerships in India and Turkey—allows ITG Cone Denim the resources and flexibility to service the diverse global supply needs of our customers.”
Wilbur L. Ross Jr., chairman of ITG, formed the company in 2004. The company operates five divisions: Cone Denim, Burlington WorldWide apparel fabrics, Burlington House interior fabrics, Carlisle Finishing and Automotive Safety.
The company produces automotive-safety products, apparel, government uniforms, and technical and specialty textiles. The company employs about 12,000 people in facilities and offices around the world including in the United States, Mexico, China, Germany, Romania, the Czech Republic, Poland, South Africa, Nicaragua and Vietnam.
Cone Denim Nicaragua joins a network of operations that including the United States, Mexico, Turkey and China.
“We recognized early on the significance of this region to our customers and the competitive value it brings,” ITG’s Ross said. “Our Central America platform allows us to further expand our innovative products and total supply solutions to customers worldwide.”—Alison A. Nieder
