Inside the Strategy Behind Its Apparel Expansion
- Substantial capacity expansion in Central America driven by nearshoring strategy, optimizing lead time and cost efficiency
- Dedicated activewear manufacturing factory established for leading U.S. sportswear brands, enhancing responsiveness in quality and delivery
- Proprietary MES ‘SWIMS’ enhances operational efficiency and product quality; ESG-focused infrastructure adoption strengthens sustainability performance
(Seoul, South Korea – April 24 th, 2025) – ShinWon Corporation (CEO: JJ Park), a leading global apparel manufacturer, announced that its long-term investment in Central America and proactive supply chain diversification strategy have gained renewed attention amid recent changes in U.S. tariff policies.
Even before the U.S. countervailing tariff measures took effect on April 9, ShinWon had already expanded its production footprint across Central America. This strategic foresight has enabled the company to maintain a stable supply network despite the shifting trade landscape, while leveraging nearshoring to reduce lead time and enhance overall competitiveness.
ShinWon’s strategic investment in Central America has been both purposeful and continuous, strengthening its position in the global supply chain. In 2023, the company took a significant step by establishing ShinWon Central America, S.A., a sales subsidiary in Guatemala. This move marked the company’s commitment to not just expanding its manufacturing footprint but also creating a hub for market development and regional growth. Building on this foundation, in early 2024, ShinWon opened a specialized activewear factory designed to meet the needs of U.S. sportswear brands. Most recently, in January 2025, the acquisition of Modas Blue, S.A., a local garment manufacturer, further expanded ShinWon’s production capacity, consolidating its presence in the region. This integrated structure facilitates faster decision-making and enhances proximity to both customers and production sites.
Taking advantage of Guatemala’s geographical proximity to the U.S., ShinWon has aggressively implemented its nearshoring strategy. By streamlining the entire production cycle—from sample development and mass production to North America—the company has dramatically reduced lead times. This agile infrastructure enables ShinWon to respond swiftly to fast-changing fashion trends and meet market demands with high reliability.
At the heart of ShinWon’s production innovation is its proprietary Manufacturing Execution System (MES), SWIMS (ShinWon Intelligent Manufacturing System). SWIMS integrates every phase of the production lifecycle—including digital design data, automated processes, unmanned transport systems, real-time quality monitoring and automated warehousing—into a single unified control platform. This digital infrastructure minimizes production errors while greatly enhancing efficiency and product quality. To further strengthen quality assurance, ShinWon plans to implement its Real-time Production Alert System. The initiative is expected to reduce defect rates and elevate customer satisfaction through data-driven, efficient quality control.
ShinWon is also accelerating its sustainability agenda across all operations. Major local subsidiaries such as ShinWon GT, S.A., Daniel Tex S.A., and Fashion Stitch Noah, S.A. have adopted solar power systems and eco-friendly infrastructure to increase energy efficiency and lower carbon emissions. The company has embedded its ESG-focused manufacturing philosophy into its regional operations to proactively meet the evolving sustainability requirements of global buyers.
“Our commitment to expanding manufacturing in Central America—particularly in Guatemala and Nicaragua—predates the recent tariff changes,” JJ Park, CEO of ShinWon stated, “This foresight has allowed us to build a resilient and responsive supply network. Through our SWIMS-powered infrastructure, digital innovation, and strong ESG practices, ShinWon is firmly positioned as a trusted partner for global fashion brands navigating today’s complex supply chain landscape.”
Meanwhile, ShinWon’s export division operates 15 subsidiaries in over five countries, including Guatemala, Nicaragua, Vietnam, Indonesia, and the United States, with approximately 30,000 employees working across its production facilities. The company plans to continue expanding its global footprint, while integrating cutting-edge technologies such as AI-driven analytics, 2D/3D styling, and VR-enabled virtual showrooms to solidify its industry leadership.
