M-Tex, which was created in 2008 by former managers of Villa Park, Ill.-based Mold-Tech Worldwide’s Chinese operations, said the teams will provide technical support and texturing program management for molds made in China and then shipped to the U.S. for component molding.

General Manager Loy Chee Hong said the company has hired five people in the U.S. and made a small investment in some mold-texturing equipment. The firm made the investment in the U.S. because it needed a stronger sales presence as well, particularly for the automotive market, Loy said.

About 50 of the Dongguan-based firm's customers are from overseas, and the company is looking at expanding its presence in Europe and Japan as well. Loy said its U.S. business is slow, but its China market is strong: "It looks like the economic crisis is getting over."

M-Tex earlier this year opened a small mold- and roll-texturing factory in Dongguan.