Research and development (R&D) is key to the success of a company in its long-term operations. In Taiwan, more and more textile companies are investing money in R&D.

Everest Textile Co., Ltd. allocated a total of NT$180 million for R&D in 2005, which accounts for about 3.5 percent of its annual turnover. We will raise the funds in R&D to up to 5% of our annual turnover within the next three years, said President Roger Yeh. Some 52 high-level and well-educated engineers and researchers work at the firm’s R&D department.

Everest, established in 1988, is one of the few textile companies taking a vertical integration manufacturing approach, with operations including yarn spinning, twisting, weaving, dyeing, finishing and printing. Everest currently has over 2,900 employees globally in its three manufacturing factories in Taiwan, mainland China and Thailand as well as in its four marketing offices, and multiple virtual e-offices around the world.