The process of producing goods at UNIQLO starts with material development. The reason why we put so much emphasis on materials is because we believe that the quality of any piece of clothing is determined largely by the material used. Furthermore, it is vital to have a stable arrangement for materials in order to ensure a consistent supply of any product. At UNIQLO, we collect information from our markets and from within the industry. Our R&D, merchandising and materials planning teams all coordinate closely toegether with our Chinese contract manufacturers on material development and supply.

We also participate positively in the development of new materials through strategic partnerships with materials manufacturers. A good example of this is our strategic business partnership with TORAY INDUSTRIES, INC. which has generated new highly functional materials such as our heat generating, thermal HEATTECH range.

Kaihara Corporation’s
Sanwa Factory

Kaihara Corporation, based in Fukuyama City, Hiroshima Prefecture, is known within the denim industry as the world's best thanks to the company’s high quality, highly original denim materials. Kaihara can boast a 50% share of the Japanese denim cloth market and the firm also supplies cloth to well known denim manufacturers globally.

The relationship between UNIQLO and Kaihara dates back to 1998 when UNIQLO opened its first ever urban store in Tokyo’s trendy Harajuku area. Kaihara has proved itself to be a strong UNIQLO partner ever since continuing to provide us with high quality denim at surprisingly reasonable prices.