Teruo Funahashi joins Teejay Board as a Non-Executive Director, bringing decades of international experience in the global textile and fibre industry to one of Sri Lanka’s leading textile manufacturers.
Teruo Funahashi joins Teejay Board as Non-Executive Director with global textile industry experience
Teejay Lanka PLC announced the appointment as part of its ongoing efforts to strengthen board-level expertise and enhance strategic oversight in an increasingly competitive global textile market.
Funahashi’s appointment reflects the close ties between Teejay Lanka and the broader international textile supply chain, particularly through its strategic connections with global fibre manufacturers and textile producers.
Funahashi graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree in Law from Seijo University in Japan in March 1986. Shortly after completing his studies, he began his professional career at Toray Industries Inc., one of Japan’s largest multinational manufacturers of fibres, textiles, and advanced materials.
Toray Industries, which is listed on the Tokyo Stock Exchange, has long played a significant role in the global textile industry and maintains a strong presence in Asia’s manufacturing ecosystem.
Funahashi began his career in April 1986 at the Tetoron Staple Fibre Department of Toray Industries, where he was responsible for sales operations. Over the next decade, he gained extensive experience in fibre manufacturing and international sales before moving into regional management roles.
In July 1998, he was appointed Marketing Manager of P.T. Indonesia Toray Synthetics, a subsidiary of Toray Industries based in Indonesia. In that position, he oversaw sales of nylon filament products and played a key role in strengthening the company’s market presence in Southeast Asia.
After serving in Indonesia until July 2003, Funahashi continued his career progression within Toray Industries, taking on a series of senior management positions across the organisation and its global subsidiaries.
From August 2003 to December 2011, he served as Manager of the Filament Department of Toray Industries, where he was responsible for overseeing operations and sales activities related to filament fibre products.
His international leadership experience expanded further when he was appointed Director for Sales and Procurement Logistics of Toray Fibres (Nantong) Co. Ltd. in Jiangsu, China, a role he held from January 2012 to August 2017.
During his tenure in China, Funahashi was involved in managing supply chain logistics, procurement operations, and sales strategies in one of the world’s most significant textile production hubs.
Following his assignment in China, he returned to Japan where he served as General Manager of the Industrial Materials Department at Toray Industries from September 2017 to March 2018.
He was subsequently appointed General Manager of the Fibre Division of Toray Industries in April 2018, a position he held until June 2020. In this role, Funahashi oversaw major business segments within the company’s fibre operations, including product development, manufacturing strategy, and global sales coordination.
From June 2020 to March 2026, Funahashi served as Managing Director of Toray Industries (H.K.) Ltd. and Toray Industries (South China) Co. Ltd., both subsidiaries of Toray operating in Hong Kong and South China.
During the same period, he also held the position of Deputy Managing Director of Toray Industries (China) Co. Ltd., based in Shanghai.
These roles placed him at the centre of Toray’s regional operations in Greater China, overseeing strategic initiatives in one of the most important textile manufacturing regions in the world.
The appointment of Funahashi to the board of Teejay Lanka comes at a time when the global textile industry is undergoing significant transformation driven by evolving supply chains, sustainability priorities, and technological advancements.
Industry observers note that companies operating in the textile manufacturing sector increasingly benefit from board members with extensive international industry experience and strategic insight into global supply networks.
The Teruo Funahashi joins Teejay Board appointment therefore reflects Teejay Lanka’s commitment to strengthening its leadership structure with expertise drawn from the international textile sector.
Funahashi is also set to assume a major leadership role within the broader textile industry later this year. From 1 April 2026, he will join Pacific Textiles Holdings Ltd. as Executive Director, Chairman of the Board, and Chief Executive Officer.
Pacific Textiles Holdings is a major textile manufacturing company that plays a significant role in the regional textile supply chain, particularly within the Asian market.
The Teruo Funahashi joins Teejay Board development further highlights the close relationships among global textile companies and the growing importance of international collaboration within the industry.
As supply chains continue to evolve and global demand for high-quality textile products expands, companies such as Teejay Lanka are focusing on strengthening governance and leadership capabilities in order to remain competitive in global markets.
With his extensive background across Japan, Southeast Asia, and China, Funahashi is expected to contribute valuable insights to Teejay Lanka’s strategic direction and international partnerships.
The Teruo Funahashi joins Teejay Board appointment underscores the company’s efforts to integrate global expertise at the board level as it continues to position itself within the international textile manufacturing landscape.