Chinese Lingerie Giant Secures Three Factories in First Expansion Beyond Asia
Hop Lun, a leading Hong Kong-based lingerie manufacturer, has completed two strategic acquisitions covering three production facilities in Morocco — Tobago, Famaco and Atma — establishing its first manufacturing footprint in Africa and strengthening its proximity to European markets.
Details of the Expansion
Acquisition of Tobago
Hop Lun has acquired Tobago, a well-established Moroccan producer of corsetry, lingerie, and swimwear.
Founded in 1996, Tobago operates a 3,000-square-meter factory capable of producing around 1 million garments annually, primarily for French and other European brands.
Deal with Chantelle Group in Morocco
A second acquisition covers Famaco and Atma, two Moroccan factories previously operated by French luxury lingerie brand Chantelle.
Together, these sites add approximately 1.4 million garments per year to Hop Lun’s production capacity.
Chantelle will continue to source lingerie products from Hop Lun following the acquisitions. Both transactions were completed in January 2026. (Source: Hop Lun)
Strategic Value for European Market Access
Leveraging Morocco–EU Trade Advantages
The three Moroccan facilities employ around 800 workers in total, providing Hop Lun with a strong local workforce and closer access to European Union markets through Morocco’s trade relationship with the EU. This nearshoring advantage is part of a broader shift reshaping Morocco’s textile geography, as production increasingly moves closer to the country’s northern ports.
Morocco textile industry landscape
“This acquisition reflects our confidence in the strength and potential of the local workforce, and our excitement about the opportunities ahead.”
— Erik Ryd, Executive Chairman of Hop Lun
He added that Morocco offers a dynamic platform for growth, supported by its improving industrial infrastructure and export-oriented ecosystem.
Global Growth Momentum
Hop Lun operates factories in Bangladesh, China, and Indonesia, supplying major international consumer brands as well as its own labels.
Since Platinum Equity acquired a controlling stake in Hop Lun in 2022, the company has completed a series of acquisitions:
- December 2023 — Rainbow West Apparel (RW Designs), a Los Angeles-based private-label swimwear designer
- June 2024 — PH Garment, a manufacturer with facilities in Bangladesh and China
- June 2025 — Lintas
- January 2026 — Tobago and Chantelle Group’s Morocco operations (Famaco and Atma)
According to Platinum Equity, the Morocco deals mark Hop Lun’s fourth and fifth acquisitions since the 2022 takeover, and its first expansion into Africa. (Source: Platinum Equity)
Morocco’s Textile Industry Role
A Major Employer and Export Engine
Morocco’s textile and apparel industry:
- Accounts for 27% of Morocco’s industrial employment
- Comprised 1,628 companies in 2023
- Generated approximately US$4.7 billion in exports in 2024, contributing to Morocco’s rise to third place among Africa’s textile and apparel exporters in 2025
Sources: Morocco Ministry of Industry and Commerce; International Finance Corporation (IFC), 2026.
The country continues to strengthen its position as a near-shore manufacturing hub for European fashion brands seeking shorter lead times and responsible sourcing models.
