Makers in this town, located in Wujiang district in Suzhou, Jiangsu province, benefit from potent logistics and strong commitment from local authorities to fortify its position as among China's major textile sourcing centers.

Bolstered by advanced facilities, strategic geographical location and solid government backing, Shengze continues to strengthen its status as among the leading manufacturing hubs of fabrics in China.

This town in the district of Wujiang in Suzhou, Jiangsu province is home to the China Oriental Silk Market, which is the most significant industrial park for silk and other textiles in the country. Located in the Wujiang Economic and Technological Zone, the production center occupies an area of 4 million square meters, and extends to the nearby towns of Zhengze and Pingwang. These municipalities, together with Shengze, boast a rich tradition of fabric manufacturing that dates back to the Ming and Qing dynasties.

Shengze hosts an estimated 2,500 textile makers equipped with 130,000 shuttleless looms. About 80,000 of these machines are imported and 12,000 are high-end. With such equipment on hand, the town is capable of spinning more than 3 million tons, and dyeing and finishing 3 billion meters of fabrics annually.

The hub's strategic location is another advantage. A series of national highways connects the area to Shanghai in the east, Zhejiang province in the south and Taihu Lake in the west. The last, together with the Jiangnan Canal area, boasts plentiful material resources and finished products.

Shengze also leverages strong support from local authorities. The town's Economic Development and Reform Bureau conducts training for export companies to keep them abreast of the latest market trends, expand buyer network and boost competitiveness internationally.

The Foreign Trade Economic Bureau, meanwhile, arranges for suppliers' participation in fabric trade shows in Paris, France. The department also helps companies place emphasis on high-value releases to avoid intense rivalry in the low end. Because of this adherence to quality, 700 textile manufacturers from the town have obtained national patents and 15 private enterprises were able to establish large R&D centers, with seven becoming research and innovation bases by the National Textile Product Development Center.

The bureau also assists companies with strong potential in establishing trading and research centers in major markets. This allowed some local fabric suppliers to set up branches and offices in the US, Hong Kong, Vietnam, Italy and the UAE.

At present, the textile industry in Shengze takes up 90 percent of the town's economy. Suppliers offer products in a range of materials, including polyester, nylon, silk, cotton, rayon, linen, viscose and a combination of two or more fabrics. The common weaves include jacquard, flannel, taffeta, satin, organza and chiffon. Flame-retardant, anti-static, moisture-absorbent and quick-drying versions are availableas well.

Shengze turns out 6 billion meters of textiles annually. About 40 percent of these are sent overseas. Last year, the town shipped $2.2 billion worth of fabrics, accounting for 20 and 35 percent of Jiangsu's export value and volume, respectively. The figures are 8 and 5 percent of China's total.

The town's silk yield reaches 20 million meters each year, contributing 12.5 and 17 percent to the country's overall output and exports. Polyester and nylon fabrics, however, dominate shipments in the line. In 2013, exports of these textiles amounted to almost $2 billion, taking up 90 percent of the town's overall textile shipments.

In the past three years, exports of fabrics from the Shengze have been increasing an average of 15 percent annually. 2014 numbers are likewise expected to rise by more than 10 percent.

Product gallery

G&Z Textile Co. Ltd
Model: GZS1
MOQ: 1,000m
Delivery: 25 days
Description: 92:8 polyester-spandex fabric; 75x75+15d; 320gsm; 150cm width

Lunlun Textile Co. Ltd
Model: EMJD1401
MOQ: 3,000m
Delivery: 30 days
Description: 50:35:15 rayon-nylon-spandex jacquard fabric; 212gsm

Shixing Textile (Suzhou) Co. Ltd
Model: SX-WPF073-BJYG
MOQ: 1,500yd
Delivery: 30 days
Description: Coated polyester oxford fabric; 600d; 230gsm; 154cm width; silk shell; silver PU adhesive; water-resistant, flame-retardant

Suzhou Eureka Textile Technology Co. Ltd
Model: 7105
MOQ: 1,000m
Delivery: 25 days
Description: Thin nylon fabric; 20d; printed

Suzhou Herui Textiles Import & Export Co. Ltd
Model: HNT608
MOQ: 800m
Delivery: 20 days
Description: 100% nylon fabric; 390 tex; 20x20d; 57in width; down-resistant; ˃10 anti-velvet index

Suzhou Jinguan Textiles Import & Export Co. Ltd
Model: JLNPJ 100
MOQ: 20m
Delivery: 6 days
Description: 80:20 polyester-nylon fabric; 105gsm; 58/60in; water-, oil-, stain-resistant; for garments; soft hand

Suzhou Jury Textile Co. Ltd
Model: JR-OXF-P010
MOQ: 1,000m
Delivery: 7 days
Description: DTY oxford fabric; 100% polyester; 300x300d FDY; 170gsm; 24x20d; 58in width; nylon, PU, PVC, UV-protective, water-resistant coating; for outdoor products

Suzhou Lanshan Textile Co. Ltd
Model: LA7006
MOQ: 1,000m
Delivery: 20 days
Description: Faux linen fabric; 100% polyester; 285gsm; 58/59in width; woven; plain-dyed; for upholstery, curtains

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