Gobi Cashmere
Corporate brand
UnclaimedGobi Cashmere is a Mongolian vertically integrated manufacturer and international retail brand specializing in cashmere and camel-wool products.
Last updated November 4, 2026
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Overview
Gobi Cashmere, also known as GOBI JSC, is a Mongolian cashmere manufacturer and consumer brand headquartered in Ulaanbaatar. Established in 1981 after the commissioning of a Mongolian-Japanese cashmere and camel-wool processing plant, the company developed from a state-backed industrial project into one of Mongolia’s largest vertically integrated textile businesses. Its name refers to the Gobi Desert, one of the principal regions from which Mongolia’s raw cashmere is sourced. The business covers much of the production chain, including raw-material processing, spinning, weaving, knitting, sewing, product development, wholesale distribution and retail. Its factory network includes primary processing, spinning, weaving, knitting and sewing facilities. The company has reported capacity to process approximately 1,200 tonnes of raw cashmere annually, spin about 1,300 tonnes of yarn, knit approximately 1.7 million pieces, weave about 650,000 items and sew around 160,000 garments. These figures describe production capacity rather than necessarily achieved annual output. Gobi’s origins were linked to a United Nations Industrial Development Organization project and Japanese technical assistance. Mongolian engineers were trained in Japan, and Japanese machinery and process knowledge helped establish modern cashmere-processing capabilities in Ulaanbaatar. The company was reorganized as a joint-stock company in 1993 and expanded its international presence during the 1990s through subsidiaries and commercial relationships in Japan, Belgium, the United States and other markets. In July 2007, FCI LLC acquired the remaining government shares, completing the company’s privatization. The brand sells cashmere knitwear, woven garments, coats, scarves, accessories, home-related products and selected camel-wool items. Its positioning combines Mongolian origin, fiber quality, vertical manufacturing control and contemporary fashion. Gobi has worked with international designers including Martin Parker, Joseph Abboud, Tadashi Shoji, Narciso Rodriguez, Donna Karan and Saverio Palatella. In 2023, Italian designer Giorgio Spina became chief designer. Retail expansion has included stores in Mongolia and Germany, international franchise locations and country-specific online stores. Gobi’s large flagship location at Galleria Ulaanbaatar Mall has been promoted as the world’s largest cashmere store, with approximately 2,500 square metres of retail space. In 2016, the company opened its first international store in Berlin, followed by another German store in Düsseldorf. The company also established a United States office in Los Angeles and launched a dedicated American e-commerce platform. Product and sustainability initiatives have included GOBI Organic, based on undyed natural cashmere shades, and Cashmere Reborn, which uses surplus raw materials through recycling or material-recovery processes. The company has also reported ISO 14001:2015 environmental-management and ISO 45001:2018 occupational-health-and-safety certifications, as well as OEKO-TEX and Sustainable Fiber Alliance certifications with periodic renewal. In 2024, Gobi introduced a new visual identity, logo and symbol built around the relationship among goats, herders, employees and customers. The accompanying “Truly Mongolian.” concept emphasized that the company’s value chain, from raw cashmere sourcing through finished products, is based in Mongolia. Gobi operates within an economically and environmentally sensitive industry. Cashmere is a major Mongolian export and an important source of income for nomadic households, while fluctuations in fiber prices, inflation, international demand and the condition of Mongolia’s grasslands affect manufacturers and herders. Inflation during Mongolia’s mineral boom raised production expenses and raw-material costs. The COVID-19 period reduced international demand and contributed to weaker raw-cashmere prices, creating pressure across the wider sector. Gobi remains active as a Mongolian cashmere producer, manufacturer and international retail brand.
History
Gobi Cashmere emerged from Mongolia’s effort to industrialize the processing of its most distinctive animal fiber. A pilot facility for goat cashmere and camel wool was established in 1976 within a United Nations Industrial Development Organization project. In 1977, Japan provided a major grant and entered into a bilateral agreement with Mongolia to support a processing plant in Ulaanbaatar. Mongolian engineers received training in Japan, while Japanese machinery and technical expertise were incorporated into the new operation. The GOBI factory officially opened in 1981. During the 1980s, the plant expanded its technical capabilities, including the installation of computerized knitting equipment in 1987. In 1991, the company began the gradual adoption of ISO 9000 quality standards. It reported that 98 percent of its production was exported at that time and became the first Mongolian factory to receive the International Quality Cup and Certificate. In 1993, the enterprise was reorganized as GOBI joint-stock company under a Mongolian government resolution. During the following decade, it moved beyond its domestic industrial role and built an international commercial network. Subsidiaries or affiliated operations were established in Japan, Belgium and the United States, while partnerships were developed in more than 30 countries. New production technologies, including wire-dyeing methods and computer-integrated STOLL knitting equipment, were introduced around 2000. The company’s ownership changed decisively in 2007, when FCI LLC acquired the government’s remaining shares and completed privatization. Gobi then developed branded retail more aggressively. A flagship factory store opened in 2008, print technology entered the Mongolian cashmere industry in 2010, and production capacity was doubled in 2011. The company also worked with Italian designer Saverio Palatella. Further capacity expansion and Wholegarment seamless-knitting technology followed in 2013. GOBI Organic was introduced in 2014, focusing on undyed cashmere in natural shades such as white, beige, warm grey and taupe. In 2015, the company adopted the Amoeba management philosophy associated with Japanese entrepreneur Kazuo Inamori. International retail accelerated with the opening of the first overseas Gobi store in Berlin in 2016. A new sewing factory was commissioned in 2017, the company launched its e-commerce website, and its direct-to-consumer model expanded. In 2019, Gobi acquired Goyo Cashmere from the MCS Group. It also established a Los Angeles office and launched a dedicated United States e-commerce platform. These moves complemented stores in Mongolia and Germany, franchise outlets and online stores serving several European markets. In 2021, Gobi worked with Ogilvy, part of WPP, on marketing consultancy. The company’s recent development has combined product innovation, operational modernization and sustainability. Cashmere Reborn, launched in 2022, was made from surplus raw materials using new processing technology. Gobi also reported ISO 14001:2015 and ISO 45001:2018 certifications. In 2023, Giorgio Spina was appointed chief designer, and the company reported OEKO-TEX and Sustainable Fiber Alliance certifications. In 2024, system upgrades included manufacturing-execution and enterprise-resource-planning systems based on MES and SAP S/4HANA. A broad rebrand introduced a new logo, icon, color palette and seasonal visual language. Gobi’s history is inseparable from Mongolia’s pastoral economy. Cashmere is collected from the soft undercoat of goats raised across Mongolia’s deserts, plains, mountains and forests. The sector supports many nomadic households but is exposed to weather, pasture degradation, fiber-price volatility, inflation and changes in international demand. Mongolia’s 2012 inflation surge increased production costs, while the COVID-19 downturn reduced global demand and weakened raw-cashmere prices. Against that background, Gobi has continued to emphasize domestic processing, international distribution, product diversification and environmental and social standards.
- 2024
Global rebrand introduced
[1]Gobi unveiled a new logo, icon, palette and “Truly Mongolian.” identity platform.
- 2022
Cashmere Reborn launched
[1]The company introduced a collection using surplus cashmere materials and reported expanded ESG activity.
- 2019
Goyo Cashmere acquired
[1]Gobi acquired Goyo Cashmere from the MCS Group.
- 2016
First international store opened in Berlin
[1]Gobi opened its first overseas branded store in Germany.
- 2014
GOBI Organic launched
[1]The brand introduced a line based on undyed cashmere in naturally occurring fiber colors.
- 2007
Privatization completed
[1]FCI LLC acquired the remaining state shares, making GOBI fully private.
- 1998
International subsidiaries established
[1]The company expanded abroad through operations associated with Japan, Belgium and the United States.
- 1993
Reorganized as a joint-stock company
[1]GOBI was reorganized into a joint-stock company under a Mongolian government resolution.
- 1991
Quality-standard adoption and export expansion
[1]The company began adopting ISO 9000 standards and reported that most of its products were exported.
- 1987
Computer-controlled knitting introduced
[1]A Japanese SET-092 knitting machine with automatic computer control was installed.
Products and positioning
Mongolian-origin luxury and premium cashmere built around vertical integration, local production, traditional fiber heritage, international design collaborations and increasingly visible sustainability practices.
Apparel
Cashmere knitwear
The core assortment includes cashmere sweaters, cardigans and other knitted garments produced through Gobi’s integrated spinning and knitting operations. The range is positioned around Mongolian fiber provenance, softness, warmth and everyday-to-premium wardrobe use.
Apparel
Cashmere outerwear
Gobi produces coats, jackets and other outerwear using cashmere and blended or related luxury fibers. These products extend the brand beyond lightweight knitwear and showcase its woven, knitted and sewn manufacturing capabilities.
Sustainable apparel · 2014
GOBI Organic
GOBI Organic is a collection centered on undyed cashmere. Its palette uses natural fiber shades including white, beige, warm grey and taupe, reducing reliance on conventional coloration while highlighting the visual character of Mongolian cashmere.
Recycled-material apparel · 2022
Cashmere Reborn
Cashmere Reborn uses surplus raw materials through an innovative recovery process. The collection forms part of Gobi’s effort to reduce material waste and connect product development with its broader environmental and ESG program.
Accessories
Cashmere accessories
Scarves, shawls, hats, gloves and other accessories represent an important accessible entry point to the Gobi brand. They use the same Mongolian cashmere positioning as the apparel range and are distributed through stores, franchises and e-commerce.
Textiles and apparel
Camel-wool products
Camel wool was part of the company’s original industrial mandate alongside cashmere. Gobi continues to be associated with camel-wool processing and products, although cashmere is the dominant focus of its international brand identity.
Marketing campaigns
- 2024Truly Mongolian.
Mongolia · Germany · United States · United Kingdom · France · Poland · International
The rebrand positioned Gobi around a fully Mongolian value chain, linking raw-material sourcing, local manufacturing, heritage, craftsmanship and contemporary design.
Outcome. The company introduced a new logo, symbol, natural cashmere-inspired palette and seasonal visual system to improve global recognition.
- 2021Ogilvy marketing consultancy
International
Gobi worked with Ogilvy, a WPP agency, on marketing consultancy to support brand development and international communication.
Outcome. The work preceded later efforts to sharpen Gobi’s global identity, although specific campaign performance metrics are not available in the supplied material.
Brand decisions
2024
Comprehensive brand rebrandingStrategyBackground
Gobi aimed to increase international recognition while making its Mongolian origin and sustainability message more explicit.
Action taken
The company introduced a new logo, icon, color palette, seasonal symbols and the “Truly Mongolian.” concept.
Aftermath
The rebrand created a more unified identity for stores, digital commerce and international markets.
2022
Launch of Cashmere RebornProduct launchBackground
Gobi sought to address material efficiency and waste within cashmere production.
Action taken
The company introduced a collection made from surplus raw materials using recovery technology.
Aftermath
The collection strengthened the brand’s association with circularity and ESG initiatives.
2019
Acquisition of Goyo CashmereM&ABackground
Gobi pursued expansion within Mongolia’s cashmere industry.
Action taken
The company acquired Goyo Cashmere from the MCS Group.
Aftermath
The transaction broadened Gobi’s position in the domestic cashmere sector.
2014
Launch of GOBI OrganicProduct launchBackground
The company sought to highlight the natural appearance of Mongolian cashmere and reduce dependence on dyed colorways.
Action taken
Gobi launched a collection using undyed cashmere in natural shades.
Aftermath
The line became part of Gobi’s sustainability-oriented product positioning.
2007
Complete privatization through FCI acquisitionM&ABackground
GOBI had been a state-linked industrial enterprise and joint-stock company.
Action taken
FCI LLC acquired the government’s remaining shares and completed the company’s transition to private ownership.
Aftermath
The ownership change supported Gobi’s subsequent development as a branded, internationally distributed cashmere manufacturer and retailer.
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