A machine can produce a semi-finished sweater in 30 minutes in Chen Leiping's factory in Rugao, Nantong. [Photo/WeChat account: rugaofabu]

Chen Leiping, operator of a sweater factory in Rugao, Nantong, has been busy establishing his own sweater brand.

After processing cloths for big companies for decades, he decided to open an exclusive store for himself in downtown Rugao. The shop is expected to open in September.

Like Chen, many villagers in Edai village, Rugao are good at weaving sweaters and have set up sweater workshops, which soon faced difficulties due to a lack of infrastructure and false operation.

The problem drew significant attention from the local government, which offered guidance and preferential policies to upgrade the workshops to today's micro and small-size businesses.

Thanks to the government's support, Chen's company has been growing rapidly.

"Our products are mainly sold to Japan, South Korea, France, and the United States," said Chen. "The sales revenue was about 35 million yuan ($5.42 million) in 2020 and this year it is expected to reach 50 million yuan."

Edai village currently has more than 30 companies specializing in making sweaters.

According to Chen Mingjin, Party secretary of the village, these companies' sales and scale are also expanding and combined annual sales revenue has exceeded 100 million yuan.

The sweater industry has not only boosted the village's economic development, but also created jobs for villagers. Many locals no longer travel far away from home to earn a living, but work at local sweater factories instead.