In April 2023, the Tamil Nadu government allocated 130 acres of land in the Panapakkam SIPCOT area of Ranipet district to Taiwan-based Hong Fu Group to establish a non-leather footwear manufacturing unit. This facility represents an investment of ₹1,000 crore and is expected to create approximately 20,000 jobs, including 2,650 indirect positions.
Hong Fu Group is a leading global footwear manufacturer that produces for renowned brands such as Nike, Puma, and Converse. The company plans to implement this investment in phases over three to five years to enhance footwear exports from Tamil Nadu.
This initiative aligns with Tamil Nadu’s Footwear and Leather Products Policy 2022, which seeks to attract investments totaling ₹20,000 crore and generate over 200,000 jobs in the sector. The policy offers special packages for footwear and leather product manufacturing and design studios, with investments made from April 1, 2022, being eligible for incentives.
In October 2024, Hong Fu Group announced an additional investment of ₹1,500 crore to establish a non-leather footwear manufacturing facility on 200 acres in the SIPCOT Park at Panapakkam. This expansion is projected to generate at least 20,000 jobs, predominantly for women, with construction scheduled to commence in January 2025 and commercial production expected by late 2025.
These developments underscore Tamil Nadu’s commitment to becoming a global hub for footwear manufacturing, leveraging strategic investments and policies to drive economic growth and employment.
