Springs Global might build a plant in China, following expansions by Wal-Mart and other customers into the huge, growing market, an official with the textile company said .

Ted Matthews, vice president of corporate communications for Springs' U.S. subsidiary based in Fort Mill, said building a plant in China is "in the cards," though no plans are in the works.

"We've looked at it. I think it's inevitable," he said. "It might be three to four years; it might never happen."

Wal-Mart, Springs' largest customer, is expanding its stores in China, as are other retailers who buy Springs' Springmaid and Wamsutta sheets.

Adding production in China would further Springs' goal of increasing its market share in sheets and towels worldwide, Matthews said. Springs Global now is the world's largest supplier of those products, with about 7 percent to 9 percent of the world market. The best opportunities for growth are in Europe and Asia, he said.

"Does it make sense to have all your manufacturing assets in North America and South America to serve the Asian market? Not necessarily," he said.

Springs could build a plant that cuts and sews fabric for bed linens and towels and buys fabric from outside producers -- as it does now in the United States. Or, it could build a fiber-to-sheet plant that includes spinning, weaving, dyeing, printing and fabrication -- as it once did in the United States.

A plant in China might export to other regions, as well as supplying Asian stores, Matthews said.