Sarla Performance Fibers Ltd., India, a manufacturer of polyester and nylon yarns and sewing threads, is investing $13.8 million to establish a manufacturing business in Walterboro, S.C., that will operate under the name Sarlaflex and employ 100 workers.

The plant will be housed in a former J.P. Stevens & Co. Inc. facility. It will manufacture polyester yarn and thread for apparel and upholstery applications, and is expected to target the North American Free Trade Agreement and Central America-Dominican Republic Free Trade Agreement market, according to textile industry consultant Alasdair Carmichael. Sarlaflex is expected to begin production by May 2013.

"We are pleased to establish our U.S. presence here in South Carolina," said Bobby Downs, executive vice president, Sarla Performance Fibers. "Colleton County offers us an excellent business environment, skilled workforce talent, exceptional market access and close proximity to the Port of Charleston."

Sarla has subsidiary operations in Portugal, joint venture manufacturing operations in Honduras and Turkey, and distribution centers in Thailand and Vietnam; and exports its products to more than 40 countries.

January/February 2013