A Role for Thailand in Your China +1 Strategy?

SEMINAR:

A Role for Thailand in Your China +1 Strategy?

A Role for Thailand in Your China +1 Strategy

About The SEMINAR

Meet Senior Thailand Government Officials who will Outline Thailand’s Investment Opportunities.

Thursday, April 11, 2024

Registration: 8AM CDT
Conference: 8:30AM – 10:30AM CDT

Event Location:

777 East Wisconsin Avenue, Milwaukee, WI, 53202-5306

HOSTED BY:

East West Associates
Foley & Lardner
Thailand Board of Investment

Manufacturing & Supply Chain Seminar Roundtable Discussion with Senior Executives


Who Should Attend?

Executives of U.S. manufacturing companies:

        • Who face manufacturing, contract manufacturing or sourcing challenges in China
        • Are expanding Asian Supply Chain & Manufacturing to better serve European and U.S. markets
        • That include Automotive; Electronics; Industrial; Medical devices & Medical technology; Automated manufacturing systems; companies in the Bio-Circular-Green (BCG) Economy

Why Companies Like Yours Are Attending

U.S. companies with China manufacturing or sourcing are diversifying beyond China. Thailand is becoming the country of choice for many of them. This roundtable discussion will provide you with useful information to understand why companies look to Thailand as part of their global manufacturing & supply chain strategy.

A Role for Thailand in Your China +1 Strategy

Speakers

Welcoming Partner and Seminar Moderator
    DAVID SIMON | Partner, Washington, D.C./Milwaukee
    • Welcoming Foley & Lardner Partner
      Alex Bryant
      Alex Bryant | President, East West Associates
      • Moderator
        Roundtable Speakers
          Nanthapol Sudbanthad | Director, Thailand BOI New York Office
            • The Thai Board of Investment [BOI] is the governmental agency responsible for direction, oversight and approval of foreign investment incentives to locate to Thailand.

            Vanessa-Miller-Foley-Lardner
            Vanessa Miller | Partner, Foley & Lardner Detroit Office
              • The international law firm of Foley & Lardner is a preeminent law firm that stands at the nexus of the Manufacturing, Energy, Health Care & Life Sciences, and Innovative Technology Sectors. Foley’s 1,100 lawyers across 25 offices worldwide partner on the full range of engagements, from corporate counsel to intellectual property work and litigation support, providing clients with a one-team solution to all their needs.
              Mark Plum
              Mark Plum | Director, East West Associates
                • East West Associates (EWA) and the Thai BOI have worked together for a number of years. EWA supports U.S. companies with evaluating Thailand and other attractive countries and establishing operations and sourcing capabilities in those countries.
                John Turlais-Foley-Lardner
                John Turlais | Of Counsel, Foley & Lardner Milwaukee Office
                  • The international law firm of Foley & Lardner is a preeminent law firm that stands at the nexus of the Manufacturing, Energy, Health Care & Life Sciences, and Innovative Technology Sectors. Foley’s 1,100 lawyers across 25 offices worldwide partner on the full range of engagements, from corporate counsel to intellectual property work and litigation support, providing clients with a one-team solution to all their needs.

                  Webinar agenda

                  • Brief Introduction and description of each speaker’s firm.
                  • Summary of current state of China and the China +1 Strategy, and its global effects on US-based companies.
                  • Current state of Thailand. Thai BOI will discuss the business environment in Thailand, their Target Industries rationale, and Thailand’s foreign company incentives.
                  • Case Study of Wisconsin-based company who established a Thailand manufacturing operation and received 29M USD of financial investment incentives.
                  • Extensive Q&A.

                  Speakers will aslo answer registrants’ questions, including:

                    1. How does the current situation in China affect western companies? What are specific challenges companies face in addition to U.S./China tariffs?
                    2. What are the effects of current conditions on companies that produce in China and sell the majority of their products within China? Conversely, what are the effects on companies that produce in China and export the majority of their products outside of China?
                    3. What strategies are companies employing to address the current China situation? How have these strategies affected countries in Southeast Asia?
                    4. Some companies may wish to relocate or establish a facility outside of China but continue to source their products (or components) from China (example: electronic manufacturers). How does the concept of local content/local certificate of origin affect these companies?
                    5. How do China’s and Thailand’s costs compare? Skilled labor costs? Labor availability? Corporate Income Tax? Land costs? Land availability? Utility costs? Inflation? Lease rates? Building costs?
                    6. Could you talk about site selection factors in Thailand? Land; build to suit; lease existing facility, etc. Does Thailand allow for 100% ownership by U.S. companies (including land)?
                    7. If a company leaves China, what are the challenges of closing their China manufacturing plant? What are closure considerations like severance and personnel? How does a company protect Intellectual property (IP) and physical property? What about relationships with customers, vendors, Labor Bureau, PSB, et. al.? Disposition of equipment? Duties on equipment relocated out of China?
                    8. What financial & operational incentives does the Thailand government provide U.S. companies to establish operations on leased or owned land?
                  A Role for Thailand in Your China +1 Strategy

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                  Establishing Manufacturing & Sourcing in Poland.: The Why & The How

                  Webinar:

                  Establishing Manufacturing & Sourcing in Poland:
                  The Why & The How

                  Establishing Manufacturing & Sourcing in Poland

                  About The Webinar

                  East West Associates Roundtable with Senior Executives


                  Who Should Watch?

                  Executives of US companies:

                      • Expanding Supply Chain & Manufacturing to better service European customer base
                      • Facing manufacturing, contract manufacturing or sourcing challenges in China

                  US companies are establishing or relocating to Poland for a number of reasons, not the least is diversification from China. Poland has become a preferred destination as China labor costs and geopolitical concerns increase, and as US/China tariffs remain.

                  Poland is the fifth largest manufacturing country within the EU and contributes 22.4% of the country’s GDP. Germany is the largest importer of Polish products, followed by the rest of Western Europe.

                  The leading Polish industrial sectors are automotive, aviation, pharmaceuticals, household appliances, metal products, electrical equipment, electronics, chemical products, and rubber & plastic. As a result, Poland has a large supply chain base of raw materials and component products servicing these manufacturing operations.

                  East West Associates’ speakers addressed these questions, including:

                    • Why are companies diversifying from China and leveraging Poland’s Supply Chain & Manufacturing capabilities?
                    • How are US companies developing sourcing, contract manufacturing & manufacturing capabilities in Poland?
                    • What industry sectors are finding sourcing & manufacturing success in Poland?
                    • How to identify & qualify Polish suppliers?
                    • How to conduct Site Selection in Poland to establish Polish manufacturing site?
                    • What financial & operational incentives does the Polish government provide to US companies to establish operations on leased or owned facilities?
                    • How should our investment strategy be designed to best meet the Polish Investment goals?
                    • Can you summarize the Polish/US trade relations and tariff policies?
                    • What is the availability & quality of local labor (production & engineering talent)?

                  Our speakers presented two recent case studies:

                    • EWA & a PA-based manufacturing client identifying and qualifying Polish suppliers
                    • EWA & a MN-based manufacturing client relocating their European operations from Spain to Poland
                  Establishing Manufacturing & Sourcing in Poland

                  Speakers

                  Mike Jacobs | Chief Operating Officer, Weber, Inc.
                  • Responsible for end to end product life cycle, including product management, research & development and end-to-end supply chain and operations functions (Strategic Sourcing, Demand & Supply Planning (ES&OP), Global Manufacturing, Logistics & Distribution and Quality)
                  • Former Vice President, Logistics & Material for Rockwell Automation (NYSE: ROK)
                  • Director, Global Sourcing – Fabricated Components for Schneider Electric 
                  Dariusz Pielach | Director, Central Eastern Europe
                  • EWA Director of Poland/Central Eastern Europe
                  • Resides in Warsaw, Poland
                  • Former Project Manager/Director and Interim Manager for Western multinationals 
                  • Primary focus in strategic and operational procurement, sourcing, and project management 
                  Mark Plum | Director, East West Associates
                  • Former President of Briggs & Stratton Asia (NYSE: BGG)
                  • VP Sales & Marketing, American Standard Thailand & American Standard China
                    Establishing Manufacturing & Sourcing in Poland

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                    Establishing Manufacturing & Sourcing in Poland

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                    Establishing Manufacturing & Sourcing in Vietnam

                    Webinar:

                    Establishing Manufacturing & Sourcing in Vietnam

                    Establishing Manufacturing & Sourcing in Vietnam

                    About The Webinar


                    Who Should Watch?

                    Executives of US companies who are facing manufacturing, contract manufacturing or sourcing challenges in China or other countries

                    Executives of US companies expanding Southeast Asian operational and supply chain capabilities to better service customers


                    US companies are establishing or relocating to Vietnam for a number of reasons, not the least is diversification from China. Vietnam has become a preferred destination as China labor costs and geopolitical concerns increase, and as US/China tariffs remain.

                    Vietnam has a significant manufacturing base, which was traditionally focused on textiles, apparel, and furniture.

                    Vietnam has increased their manufacturing capabilities and are now major producers of consumer electronics, telecom equipment, machinery and auto parts. Samsung produces a third of their total output in Vietnam and is the country’s largest exporter.

                    East West Associates’ speakers addressed these questions, including:

                      • Why – and How – are US companies developing manufacturing, contract manufacturing & sourcing capabilities in Vietnam?
                      • What industry sectors are finding sourcing & manufacturing success in Vietnam?
                      • What are the advantages of Vietnam as compared to the other ASEAN Countries?
                      • What financial & operational incentives does the Vietnamese government provide to US companies to establish operations on leased or owned facilities?
                      • How should our investment strategy be designed to best meet the Vietnamese Investment goals?
                      • How does Vietnam compare to China & Thailand? Lease rates? Building costs? What are the relative advantages of Vietnamese Business Park options?
                      • Can you summarize the Vietnamese/US trade relations and tariff policies?

                    Our speakers briefly presented two recent case studies:

                      • How a Minnesota-based manufacturing client established a Vietnamese contract manufacturing arrangement to diversify from China and service the US market
                      • Key experiences of a Michigan-based automotive manufacturing plant for an operational and supply chain audit
                    Establishing Manufacturing & Sourcing in Vietnam

                    Speakers

                    Mark Plum | Director, East West Associates
                    • Former President of Briggs & Stratton Asia (NYSE: BGG)
                    • VP Sales & Marketing, American Standard Thailand & American Standard China
                      Establishing Manufacturing & Sourcing in Vietnam

                      Presentation

                      Jacob Miller | Director, East West Associates (Vietnam)
                      • Former Operations Engineer for Caterpillar
                      • Focus in Supply Chain development, procrurement process improvements and facility establishment
                      • Currently based in Ho Chi Minh
                      Establishing Manufacturing & Sourcing in Vietnam

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                      Establishing Manufacturing & Sourcing in Thailand

                      Webinar:

                      Establishing Manufacturing & Sourcing in Thailand

                      Establishing Manufacturing & Sourcing in Thailand

                      About The Webinar

                      East West Associates Roundtable with Senior Executives


                      Who Should Watch?

                      Executives of US companies who are facing manufacturing, contract manufacturing or sourcing challenges in China or other countries.

                      Why Should You Watch?
                      For ideas and guidance to help navigate new business manufacturing and supply chain in Thailand.


                      US companies are establishing or relocating to Thailand for a number of reasons, not the least is diversification from China. Thailand has become a preferred destination as China labor costs and geopolitical concerns increase, and as US/China tariffs remain.

                      Thailand has a significant manufacturing base and available skilled labor. For example, in 2021 Thailand became the largest motor vehicle-producing country in Asia Pacific, producing 1.9M vehicles.

                       

                      East West Associates’ speakers will answer questions, including:

                      1. Why – and How – are US companies developing manufacturing, contract manufacturing & sourcing capabilities in Thailand?
                      2. What industry sectors are finding manufacturing & sourcing success in Thailand?
                      3. What financial & operational incentives does the Thai government provide to US companies to establish operations on leased or owned facilities?
                      4. How should our investment strategy be designed to best meet the Thailand Board of Investment goals?
                      5. How does Thailand labor compare to China & Vietnam? Lease rates? Building costs? What are the relative advantages of Thai Business Park options?
                      6. Can you summarize the Thai/US trade relations and tariff policies?

                      Our speakers briefly present two recent case studies:

                        • How an Ohio-based industrial company successfully established a Thai contract manufacturer relationship
                        • Key experiences of a Michigan-based electronics manufacturer when relocating its China-based manufacturing to Thailand
                      Establishing Manufacturing & Sourcing in Thailand

                      Speakers

                      Mark Plum | Director, East West Associates
                      • Former President of Briggs & Stratton Asia (NYSE: BGG)
                      • VP Sales & Marketing, American Standard Thailand & American Standard China
                      Steve Blyth | Nederman Corporation (Thailand)
                      • Former Managing Director of Southeast Asia, Nederman Corporation (Thailand)
                      • Former Sales & Commercial Director, Volvo Cars (Thailand) Ltd.

                      • Currently based in Bangkok, Thailand

                      Establishing Manufacturing & Sourcing in Thailand

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                      Establishing Manufacturing & Sourcing in Thailand

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                      2023 Headwinds to Manufacturing In-China/For-China

                      Webinar:

                      2023 Headwinds to Manufacturing In-China/For-China

                      Headwinds to Manufacturing In-China/For-China

                      About The Webinar

                      East West Associates Roundtable with Senior Executives


                      Who Should Watch?
                      Executives whose US-owned companies are committed to manufacturing in China and selling into in-China markets.

                      Why Should They Watch?
                      For ideas and guidance to help navigate new business restrictions and other headwinds to your In-China/For China manufacturing operations.


                      The Past: How Things Were, in China/for China

                      For decades, manufacturing in China for the China market was a happy time. US multinational companies (MNC) took their tried-and-true designs there to address a huge untapped China demand. There were relatively few local competitors. The cost of labor in China was a fraction of anywhere else. The Chinese government provided a friendly regulatory environment and offered attractive incentives.

                      Then tailwinds became headwinds.

                      Today: Where We Are Now, in China/for China

                      Chinese competitors have emerged. US market share in China has eroded. Labor costs have ballooned. Nationalism is on the rise in both US and China. Political tensions and tariffs. New Business Park limitations. Buy-China attitudes, unpredictable laws and new environmental regs make it tougher and tougher for US-owned companies in China.

                      But there you are, in China, for the China market. What do you do now?

                      Our seasoned executives have real-life manufacturing experience in China and addressed four scenarios during the webinar.
                      Are you experiencing one, some, or all of these scenarios?

                      1. Manufacturing operations in China Business Parks are facing growing pressures, including limitations on expanding manufacturing capabilities, and increased environmental restrictions.
                      2. The Chinese government is imposing an array of“no-fly list” restrictions on imports of sensitive products or components or raw materials you need to manufacture in China.
                      3. Implications of “Made in China 2025” indicate you might need to stay below the radar to survive there.
                      4. You might be concerned that your operations in China could be under-performing.

                      Our speakers also answered audience questions, such as:

                        • Are there industrial parks or developing regions within China where we might find lower manufacturing costs and/or growing market potential?
                        • What opportunities are emerging in the western regions of China? Is it easier to do business there?
                        • China has recently spoken about welcoming foreign investment again. What can we realistically expect?
                        • Should we re-evaluate our ownership model and move to a minority position (< 50%) to address Chinese concerns? How do we deal with cash flow, profit repatriation, corruption, IP/TS concerns?
                        • Should we consider a move to a SE Asia regional headquarters? Like in Singapore or Hong Kong or even South Korea?
                        • How do we deal with declining operational performance? How can we monitor & motivate & compensate ex-pats and local staff, given new circumstances in China for US citizens and US-owned operations?
                        • Can you share a real-life example of how a certain In-China, For-China company is re-shaping its operations to reflect a changing China?
                      Headwinds to Manufacturing In-China/For-China

                      Speakers

                      Mark Plum | Director, East West Associates
                      • Former President of Briggs & Stratton Asia (NYSE: BGG)
                      • VP Sales & Marketing, American Standard Thailand & American Standard China
                      Dan McLeod | Director, East West Associates
                      • Former Director Asia Pacific Operations- Ashland Specialty Ingredients
                      • General Manager-Eaton Corporation (SE Asia)
                      • Director of Asia Pacific Manufacturing and Supply Chain-Hercules
                      Headwinds to Manufacturing In-China/For-China

                      View Webinar

                      Headwinds to Manufacturing In-China/For-China

                      Presentation

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