Mitigating Fraud & Corruption in China Operations

WEBINAR:

Mitigating Fraud & Corruption in China Operations:

What are the best Corrective Actions and How can we address on-going risk?

Mitigating Fraud and Corruption in China Operations:

About The WEBINAR


Who Should Attend?

Executives of U.S. manufacturing companies:

        • U.S. & European executives with China-based operations, looking to prevent or remedy instances of fraud and corruption.

Why Companies Like Yours Are Attending

You’ll hear guidance to assess and address fraud and corruption that may exist right now within your China operations.  The financial and reputational risks to your people and your brand in China would not be limited locally, but could easily expand, damaging your reputation globally.


Why Is This Webinar Important NOw?

    • Recently publicized risks to business travelers to China. 
    • A new, unpredictable business environment there. 
    • U.S./China political tensions.  Years of China COVID restrictions. 

All these have made normal, prudent oversight of China operations difficult, to say the least.  Assessing your China operations and demonstrating support to your people there – in person – is important.  Not just to manage smooth and efficient operations, but also to identify and minimize instances of fraud and corruption.

Association of Certified Fraud Examiners’ international research indicates that organizations lose 5% of revenue to fraud each year, and 84% of fraudsters display at least one behavioral red flag.  But frequent in-person travel to China remains a challenge. There you are, operating in China… with limited oversight. What could go wrong?

In our webinar, seasoned executives with real-life manufacturing experience in China – and a skilled professional with deep forensic expertise in China – talk about how to mitigate risk in your China operations.

Speakers answer registrants’ questions, including:

    1. How different is China today from the business-friendly environment pre-Covid?
    2. What are your forensic people in China actually finding?
    3. How well-founded are the recently publicized risks of travelling to China to oversee our operations?
    4. Are there “red flags” we can look for to infer fraud or corruption in our China operations without actually going there?
    5. What are the risks of doing nothing right now?  Is it possible recent geopolitical tensions will improve soon and I can resume visiting China more often?
    6. What are the risks of doing nothing right now?  Is it possible U.S. China relations will improve soon and I can resume visiting China more often?
    7. What can we do now if we suspect fraud, corruption or IP theft in our China operations?
    8. Does management and employee Fraud & Corruption Training really help?
    9. How effective is a formal whistleblower program?  Has it changed since Covid?
    10. I’ve got a guy who’s a real rainmaker for us in China, but I’m not absolutely sure about his integrity? What should I do?
    11. If I find a problem in China, is my degree of risk limited to within China?
    12. If I decide to sell my China operation and move production elsewhere, how concerned about this topic do I need to be?
    13. What is the real-life challenges when implementing a new operational strategy or conducting forensic accounting after the ‘dust has settled, and any unhealthy employees terminated?
    14. Can you describe some real-life case studies of fraud& corruption in China that you can share?
Mitigating Fraud and Corruption in China Operations:

Speakers

DR. TIM KLATTE | Partner, GRANT THORNTON, CERTIFIED FRAUD EXAMINER (CFE), CERTIFIED FORENSIC INTERVIEWER (CFI)
    • Leader of the Forensic Advisory Practice in Shanghai
    • Advises clients on complicated compliance investigations and effective ethics programs 
    Warren Clark | Partner, Grant Thornton, Audit Partner and LEader of National China Business Group
      • Specialized in auditing and U.S. based companies with operations in China, foreign private issuers, and  companies going public in the U.S.
      • Lived and worked in greater China for more than 18 years
      LI XIAO | OPERATIONS MANAGER, EAST WEST ASSOCIATES, CHINA
        • Former China General Manager for US construction materials manufacturer

        • Former China Director hired to turnaround business and manufacturing plants for US electric motor manufacturer
        Dan McLeod | Executive Advisor, East West Associates
          • Former Director Asia Pacific Operations. Ashland Specialty Ingredients (Shanghai)
          • Former Director of Manufacturing & Supply Chain for Hercules specialty chemicals
          Mitigating Fraud and Corruption in China Operations:

          WATCH VIDEO

          Mitigating Fraud and Corruption in China Operations:

          Presentation

          ARTICLES
          CASE-STUDIES
          MEDIA CLIPS
          WEBINARS

          Timely Topics To Drive Growth.

          Sign up for our webinars.

          Sign Up

          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

                          REGISTER TODAY!

                          ARTICLES
                          CASE-STUDIES
                          MEDIA CLIPS
                          WEBINARS

                          Timely Topics To Drive Growth.

                          Sign up for our webinars.

                          Sign Up

                          OUR CLIENTS

                          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

                            VIEW WEBINAR

                            Establishing Manufacturing & Sourcing in Poland

                            VIEW PRESENTATION

                            ARTICLES
                            CASE-STUDIES
                            MEDIA CLIPS
                            WEBINARS

                            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

                              Watch Video

                              ARTICLES
                              CASE-STUDIES
                              MEDIA CLIPS
                              WEBINARS

                              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

                              VIEW WEBINAR

                              Establishing Manufacturing & Sourcing in Thailand

                              PRESENTATION

                              ARTICLES
                              CASE-STUDIES
                              MEDIA CLIPS
                              WEBINARS

                              Timely Topics To Drive Growth.

                              Sign up for our webinars.

                              Sign Up

                              OUR CLIENTS