OUR STORIES
Tale of the Thread
(English) For over 75 years, TAL has been a pioneer and leader in garment manufacturing, producing high-performance garments and developing supply chain solutions tailored to our customers. Honoring the proud traditions of our Founder Mr. CC Lee, TAL continues to produce technologically superior garments that deliver comfort, style and functionality across all clothing categories.
(English) 1940/50s: (English) TRAILBLAZING
THE HONG KONG
TEXTILE INDUSTRY
(English) 1946-1947
(English) CC Lee, a Shanghai industrialist, arrives in Hong Kong and establishes South China Textile Limited, a cotton spinning company with 5,000 spindles and 200 looms.
(English) 1948
(English) Nanyang Cotton Mill opens in June 1948 with 15,000 spindles and 200 looms.
(English) 1950
(English) CC Lee acquires Nan Sing Dyeing Works.
(English) 1954
(English) CC Lee starts garment business in Hong Kong, with establishment of Star Textile Ltd, with 6,280 spindles.
(English) 1956
(English) CC Lee is elected Chairman of the Hong Kong Cotton Spinners Association, founded in 1955.
(English) 1957
(English) CC Lee establishes Beautex Industrial Co Ltd, a joint venture with Toyobo.
(English) 1960/70s: (English) CHARTING
NEW FRONTIERS
(English) 1960
(English) Great Eastern Textiles Ltd opens with 20,000 spindles. CC Lee makes first investments overseas in Thailand and Taiwan.
(English) 1961–1962
(English) Start of Quota System.
(English) 1962
(English) Jardine Dyeing and Finishing Co Ltd are incorporated into Textile Alliance Ltd.
TAL now has two dyeing works, 50,000 spindles, 1,000 looms and 2,000 sewing machines.
(English) 1964
(English) TAL Ltd is listed on Hong Kong Stock Exchange.
(English) 1968
(English) TAL opens two factories in Thailand (TG1 & TG2).
(English) 1969
(English) TAL makes investment in Penang and expands presence in Thailand.
(English) 1972
(English) TAL takes out first syndicated loan in Hong Kong, raising US$10 million. Pentex established in Penangnes.
(English) 1973
(English) TAL expands to Malaysia in dyeing and printing.
(English) 1974
(English) Expansion in Thailand.
Total equipment at TAL increases to 350,000 spindles, 7,400 looms and 7,700 sewing machines.
(English) 1975
(English) Hong Kong becomes world’s top clothing exporter.
(English) 1979
(English) TAL boasts 300,000 spindles and 5,700 looms, and 7,200 garment machines.
CC Lee sells part of the land in Tsuen Wan on which the big Nan Sing Dyeing Works was located.
(English) 1982
(English) TAL opens its first garment factory (PAP) in Malaysia.
(English) 1980s: (English) RESTRUCTURING FOR A STRONGER FOUNDATION
(English) 1983
(English) TAL undergoes restructuring and the company is privatized. Lee family establishes TAL Apparel Ltd, with 30 million pieces quota allocation.
CC Lee retires.
(English) 1987
(English) TAL Apparel invests in textile company Ramtex in America.
(English) 1987
(English) Acquires Imperial Garment (IG) in Malaysia.
(English) 1990s: (English) CROWNING THE
"KING OF DRESS SHIRTS"
(English) 1993
(English) TAL Apparel pioneers the PuckerFree™ production method.
(English) 1994
(English) TAL Apparel opens its first mainland China garment factory (TAA) in Dongguan.
Another factory (MCL) in Thailand is opened.
(English) 1998
(English) TAL Apparel produces the first 100% cotton wrinkle-free shirt.
(English) 1998
(English) First wastewater treatment plants in China established.
(English) 2000s: (English) FORGING A PATH
TO INNOVATION AND SUSTAINABILITY
(English) 2000
(English) One of the first garment manufacturers to launch VMI Services, a unique supply chain management system.
(English) 2001
(English) TAL Apparel opens a new factory (KAT) in Indonesia.
(English) 2002
(English) TAL Apparel invests in “Alianza” in Mexico.
(English) 2002
(English) TAL Apparel launches new logo.
(English) 2003
(English) Made-to-Measure (MTM) is launched.
(English) 2004
(English) TAL opens a new factory (TAV) in Vietnam.
(English) 2005
(English) End of Quota system.
(English) 2007
(English) TAL opens a second factory (PAL) in Dongguan, China.
(English) 2008
(English) TAL becomes one of 12 founding members of the Sustainable Fashion Business Consortium (SFBC).
(English) 2009
(English) TAL begins monitoring and measuring GHG footprint.
(English) 2010s: (English) ACCELERATING
SUSTAINABILITY INITIATIVES
(English) 2010
(English) Total annual garment capacity of TAL Apparel reaches 53 million pieces.
(English) 2010
(English) TAL publishes its first sustainability report.
(English) 2011
(English) TAL begins measuring reduction in water consumption.
(English) 2011
(English) TAL becomes one of the original members of the Sustainable Apparel Coalition (SAC).
(English) 2012
(English) TAL Vietnam is awarded the LEED® for New Construction GOLD Certificate.
(English) 2014
(English) TAL Apparel opens a new 80,000sqm garment factory in Vietnam (VNG).
(English) 2015
(English) TAL creates first fully recycled shirt - InnoGreen™.
(English) 2016
(English) TAL Apparel now operates 11 factories in Asia and has over 26,000 employees across the world.
(English) 2016
(English) Social and Labour Convergence Program is established with TAL as a founding member.
(English) 2017
(English) LEED gold certified – factory in Vietnam (VNG).
LEED platinum certified – Hong Kong HQ building.
LEED gold certified – Shanghai office.
(English) 2017
(English) TAL sets up its first garment factory in Ethiopia.
(English) 2019
(English) TAL becomes a Global Fashion Agenda (GFA) associate partner.
(English) 2019
(English) TAL joins the Fashion Industry Charter for Climate Action (FICCA).
(English) 2020s: (English) LEADING THE CHANGE
IN AN ERA OF
TRANSFORMATION
(English) 2020
(English) TAL begins developing PPE items in response to global pandemic. 50 million masks are made to meet the supply shortage.
(English) 2020
(English) TAL becomes a bluesign® System Partner.
(English) 2020
(English) Enro mask launched.
(English) 2020
(English) The Enro mask by TAL Apparel wins the Hong Kong Business Designed in Hong Kong Awards 2020.
(English) 2021
(English) The Enro mask was called the "most protective", "best-fitting" and "most breathable" mask by the New York Times. Rated as the best reusable mask by Wirecutter/NY Times.
(English) 2021
(English) TAL launches major strategic reorganization, creating focused business units to enhance operational efficiency.
(English) 2024
(English) To embark on a new era of growth and innovation.