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:

1. • 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