36 Years as a Global Textile Exporter: A Glimpse Inside Its Factory

A number of workers are active at the textile factory of PT Mitra Saruta Indonesia (MSI) in Nganjuk, East Java, on Thursday (16/4/2026). PT Mitra Saruta Indonesia (MSI) has managed to endure as a textile exporter for 36 years since its founding in 1989. This company, based in Nganjuk, East Java, serves as one of the examples of a labour-intensive industry that consistently penetrates global markets. The company employs around 1,700 workers and has the capacity to process textile waste up to 3,500 tons per month. From that waste, MSI produces various value-added textile products. MSI’s flagship products include yarn and gloves for various needs. Japan is the main export destination, followed by the United States, with trade relations established since the company first entered international markets. Currently, glove production capacity reaches 1.5 million dozen pairs per month, while coloured yarn production reaches 3,250 tons per month. Yarn products have been exported to 29 countries, while gloves reach 21 countries in various regions. Diversifying export markets has become the key to MSI’s resilience in facing various global crises, including world trade disruptions. According to management, widely spread markets make the impact of crises not too significant on the company’s performance. In addition, the company does not rely on imported raw materials because all production is based on domestic textile waste. Strategies to maintain raw material stocks and price stability also help maintain customer trust and production continuity. Support for financing from the Indonesia Export Financing Agency (LPEI) further strengthens MSI’s expansion. Through working capital and investment credit facilities, the company is able to increase business capacity while expanding export markets in line with the government’s mandate to encourage national exports.