Reliance Industries forms JV with China's Ruyi for textile business

Reliance Industries Limited (RIL), the owner of Vimal brand, has signed an agreement with China-based Shandong Ruyi Science and Technology Group Co Ltd (Ruyi) for a joint venture in textiles. As per the agreement, RIL will transfer its existing textile business into a newly incorporated JV company, for which RIL will receive cash consideration. RIL will own a majority 51 percent in the proposed JV, with the balance 49 percent owned by Ruyi. The proposed transaction is subject to obtaining requisite approvals.
 
Reliance Industries’ existing textile business is the founding business of RIL and operates under the well-known brand Vimal. It has a prominent presence in the Indian textile market, especially in the worsted and synthetic suiting fabric segments.
 
Ruyi, a leading textile company in China with revenues in excess of $3 billion, has a global presence including in America, Europe, Japan, Australia, New Zealand and China. Ruyi has a portfolio of world renowned brands such as Taylor & Lodge, Harris Tweed, Royal Ruyi China, Nogara Italy and Indios Italy. The RuYi group includes Renown Inc which owns or operates several leading global brands such as Aquascutum, Simple Life, Ensuite, Mano, addenda, CHARGE, next eye, ‘D’urban and Intermezzo. Ruyi also operates in India under the Georgia Gullini brand in the worsted suiting segment of the market. This business operation and activities would get realigned to strengthen the JV.
 
The JV will build on RIL’s existing textile business and wide distribution network in India as well as Ruyi’s state-of-the-art technology and its global reach. The JV will benefit from the strength of the Vimal and Georgia Gullini brands and plans to introduce some of the well-known global brands of Ruyi.
 
Nikhil Meswani, executive director, Reliance Industries Ltd, said, “Our joint venture with Ruyi Group will help Reliance reposition its textile business on a high growth path. Our partner’s deep commitment and global reach in textile business will enable this JV to harness the growth potential of the Indian market and emerge as a global textile player.”
 
Qiu Yafu, chairman, Shandong Ruyi Group, added, “With closer economic relations between China and India and Shandong Ruyi Group’s expanding global presence in the textile sector, we see our joint venture with Reliance as a significant event for the group. To enter the Indian market with Reliance we truly believe in the bright future of this joint venture business.”