1994 - A Small Shop with Big Integrity
Founders Li Yuming and his wife Lou Liangmei opened a shop in Shengzhou Tie Market. Li managed design and procurement while Lou handled sales. Their only rule: integrity. When an Egyptian client-unable to speak Chinese and without a translator-was ignored by other merchants due to small fragmented orders, Lou personally helped him coordinate with each vendor and verify every package. The next day, he sent someone to write "好女人" (good woman) in Chinese as gratitude. Ten years later, he became one of YILI's biggest long-term clients, always saying "YILI is my home."
1997 - From Shop to Workshop
With innovative designs and faithful management, business thrived. The couple set up their own workshop and hired employees, but early production capacity fell far short of customer orders. They often worked through the night packing goods with employees, only to reopen the shop the next morning. Capital accumulation and steady orders inspired the idea of establishing a formal tie factory.
2001 - YILI Officially Founded
Li Yuming and his wife purchased a factory building and formally established Shengzhou YILI Necktie & Garment Co., Ltd. "YILI" is the abbreviation of billions of profits (利益亿方), reflecting the couple's simplest aspiration. At founding: only ~20 employees and 4 cardboard looms. They worried the space was too vast-only a few years later, they worried it wasn't nearly enough.
2003 - YILI Goes Online
YILI made its debut at the Global Source Exhibition in Hong Kong, taking its first step into international trade and formally transitioning from domestic business to global commerce.
2004 - First Step onto the Global Stage
YILI launched its first official website (www.yilitie.com), officially beginning its digital brand presence and online customer acquisition-placing the company ahead of most industry peers in embracing the internet era.
2005–2007 - Building Brand Recognition
Starting in 2005, YILI participated in the Canton Fair every year (continuing to this day) and was repeatedly rated as an "AA-class credit enterprise among Zhejiang industrial and commercial enterprises." In 2006, YILI's proprietary necktie brand "Millionaire" was named a "Consumer Trust Brand in Shengzhou City." By 2007, the team exceeded 100 employees with 36 computer weaving machines, marking a major leap in production capacity.
2008–2012 - Global Expansion & Quality Certification
In 2008, YILI participated in the Dubai Fair and obtained ISO9001 Quality Management certification. In 2009, it attended the East China Fair. In 2011, YILI imported LIBA looms and automatic label-stitching machines, significantly boosting production efficiency. In 2012, YILI participated in both the MAGIC SHOW in the USA and SAITEX FAIR in South Africa, expanding market coverage to Europe, Middle East, Africa, and the Americas.
2013 - YILI Shines in Brazil
YILI participated in Brazil's GOTEX exhibition for the first time, being interviewed by local TV stations and receiving the Chinese Consul General in São Paulo. As a representative of Chinese necktie brands, YILI showcased its quality and image to the South American market.
2015–2017 - Resilience & Compliance
In 2015, the global credit crisis forced the closure of 175 necktie enterprises in Shengzhou, including many major players, pushing the entire industry into negative growth. YILI, adhering to a "zero-loan" philosophy, achieved positive growth against the trend. That same year, it exhibited at INTERMODA FAIR in Mexico. In 2016, YILI participated in INTERTEXTILE in Shanghai and renewed its ISO9001 certification. In 2017, YILI passed the BSCI factory inspection, achieving international compliance standards.
2018–2026 - Steady Growth & Long-Term Partnership
Since 2018, YILI has continued to deepen relationships with core European and American clients while actively exploring emerging markets in Southeast Asia and the Middle East. The company has continuously invested in advanced production equipment and optimized supply chain management, maintaining a prudent management style of zero loans and stable cash flow. In necktie manufacturing, YILI drives growth through the twin engines of Integrity + Quality, evolving into a comprehensive export-oriented enterprise integrating design, weaving, and international trade, serving customers in over 30 countries and regions worldwide.
