Cone Denim Will Exit China Manufacturing by 2026
Apparel manufacturers and textile buyers must prepare for shifts in sourcing as production moves to Mexico.
Updated on Oct. 5, 2026 in Manufacturing
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Cone Denim, a subsidiary of Elevate Textiles, will exit its denim production operations in China by the end of 2026. The move signals a broader transition toward strengthening the company's manufacturing footprint in Mexico.
Why it matters
The exit stems from evolving trade conditions, persistent cost pressures, and a desire to align with shifting global customer sourcing strategies. For operators, it underscores the ongoing realignment of textile supply chains away from Chinese production facilities.
Cone Denim intends to complete its departure from China by the end of 2026. The strategic shift involves moving manufacturing resources to its Mexican operations, though the precise scale of production volume affected remains unknown.
The players
Cone Denim
A global textile manufacturer known for its denim production and current subsidiary of Elevate Textiles.
Elevate Textiles
A diverse textile and fabric manufacturing company that operates several brands, including Cone Denim.
The details
Cone Denim is pivoting its operational model to address complex geopolitical factors and supply-chain vulnerabilities inherent in current trans-Pacific trade. By focusing resources on Mexico, the firm aims to leverage regional advantages to better serve its customer base. The transition requires a multi-year execution plan to shift production lines while maintaining supply consistency for existing apparel clients.
Timeline
Cone Denim expects to complete its exit from Chinese manufacturing by the end of 2026.
Market Landscape
This move follows a documented industry trend of manufacturers retreating from Chinese facilities to prioritize near-shoring closer to Western markets. It reflects a wider transition in the textile sector as firms reduce exposure to cross-border supply chain risks.
Textile buyers and apparel entrepreneurs should review their sourcing contracts to account for potential capacity shifts over the next two years. Monitor the transition's progress to ensure your lead times remain stable as production shifts from Asia to Mexico.
The takeaway
Operational managers must assess their textile supply chain resilience as global manufacturers pivot away from China. Keep a calendar alert for the 2026 exit completion date to evaluate whether current supplier agreements require renegotiation or diversification.
Further reading
For more on industry shifts, visit the /business/industry/manufacturing/ section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Fibre2fashion.
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