Famous Brands and Their OEM Factories in China

Translation of the Article: Famous Brands and Their OEM Factories in China

Luxury goods are often made in China, but the costs are low, meaning that OEM factories typically have narrow profit margins. For those familiar with buying original products (the so-called “first batch”), the location of the source plays an important role when comparing options. For example, in Dongguan, China, many owners of original product stores are former employees of foreign trade factories, or have family and friends working in those factories. These factory insiders can access goods at significantly lower prices, either for resale or wholesale, thanks to their close connections. It’s like the saying, “The closer you are, the better the deal.”

Additionally, products from local factories that are shipped to other regions are usually more expensive due to factors like shipping costs and the scarcity of the goods in distant markets. Local wholesalers often pay lower prices to “insider” contacts, which makes the retail price more affordable.

When looking for original products, it’s a good idea to consider the seller’s location, as this may increase the chances of finding genuine items at a lower price, or even allow for some bargaining. For example, Paul Frank and other Chinese brands such as Me & City and La Chapelle are often produced in factories in Qingdao.

Here are some well-known brands and the major world-class garment OEM factories in China for reference. Many top brands, because of their wide product lines, have several OEM factories in China. For instance, Nike has four factories in Qingdao alone, with many more in places like Fujian. The following information is just a partial overview.

1. Lian Tai Group (Factories in Dongguan, Qingyuan, Jiangsu, etc. | Own brand: Yuan Tai Sportswear)
   Employee count: ~80,000
   OEM for brands: Ralph Lauren, ADIDAS, Liz Claiborne, Calvin Klein, Victoria’s Secret.
   
2. Lian Ye Group (Headquartered in Hong Kong, major factory in Dongguan)
   Employee count: ~50,000
   OEM for brands: DKNY, J Crew, NAUTICA, Givenchy, Brooks Brothers, Burberry, Callaway (golf equipment).
   
3. Eslon Group (Headquartered in Hong Kong, with bases in Guangdong and Changzhou | Own brand: Pye)
   Employee count: ~80,000
   OEM for brands: Abercrombie & Fitch, Lacoste, Polo Ralph Lauren, Nike, Tommy Hilfiger.
   
4. Zhejiang Shenghong Group (Hangzhou | Own brand: Sun Divina women’s apparel)
   OEM for brands: Armani (mainly sub-brands), La Perla, Max Mara, Zara.
   
5. Luxottica Group (Headquartered in Italy, with ~25% of manufacturing in Dongguan | Own brands: Lens Crafters, Vogue eyewear, etc.)
   OEM for brands: Dior, Versace, Chanel, Cartier, Salvatore Ferragamo, Dolce & Gabbana, Bvlgari.
   
6. Dayang Creation Group (Dalian | Own brand: Creation TRANDS)
   OEM for brands: BCBG women’s clothing, suits for European, American, and Japanese retail including Zegna, Macy’s, Aoki, etc.
   
7. Xing Ang International (Started in Taiwan, set up in Dongguan in the 1990s | Own brand: Stella Luna women’s shoes)
   OEM for brands: LVMH, Prada, ECCO, Paul Smith, Timberland, Clarks, Nike.
   
8. Changjiang Garment Co. (Listed in Hong Kong, factories in Wuxi, Guangzhou, etc. | Own brand: Ma Shilong)
   OEM for brands: Pringle, Miss Sixty, YSL, Diesel, Marc Jacobs, Ashworth.
   
9. Xiamen Yige Group (Wenzhou, a joint venture with Zegna)
   This company transitioned from OEM production for Zegna to a joint venture and now produces high-end menswear, including many top international brands, using fabric sourced directly from Zhejiang.
   
10. Shenzhou International Group (Factories in Ningbo, Quzhou, Vietnam, etc. | Own brand: MAXWIN)
    Employee count: Over 100,000
    OEM for brands: Nike, ADIDAS, PUMA, ANTA, and leisurewear brand UNIQLO.

While it’s clear that many luxury brands are manufactured in China (over 60% of luxury goods worldwide are made in China, with 70% purchased by Chinese consumers), not all of their products are outsourced to OEM factories. Some items are still produced in-house to protect the brand’s reputation (such as the century-old Italian craftsmanship) and maintain higher brand value.

It’s also common to see sellers online claiming to offer “original goods” or “factory surplus,” such as items made by Eslon or Shenzhou. However, while some brand surplus does flow out of factories for sale, these items are usually marked with cut tags or altered to prevent their origin from being easily recognized. Genuine products from large Chinese factories are unlikely to be in perfect condition.