Coats, the leading industrial threads business, is celebrating 25 years of operating in Vietnam.

The anniversary was marked by a gala event in Ho Chi Minh City yesterday, attended by over 350 guests, including representatives from the Vietnam and UK governments, customers and suppliers. The dinner recognised the highly successful joint venture in Vietnam with Phong Phu Corporation.

Coats, the second largest and fastest growing global zip manufacturer, provides complementary and value added products and services to the apparel and footwear industries, and also applies innovative techniques to develop products in new areas such as tracer threads, aramids and fibre optics.

Strategic partnership

“Vietnam is a country of great potential and we are tremendously proud of the outstanding levels of success and productivity that our business here has already shown. Our 25^th anniversary is an important corporate milestone and one which could not have been achieved without the close support of, and strong relationship with, our joint venture partner Phong Phu Corporation,” said Paul Forman, Group Chief Executive, Coats.

Coats Phong Phu produces core apparel and footwear products, including flagship thread ranges such as Epic, Astra, Gramax and Gral.

In addition it manufactures many of Coats’ newest and most innovative products including Eloflex (thread with high extension properties for use in stretch fabrics), Drybond (water resistant, strong and durable anti-wick threads for use in sports equipment) and Nylbond (a bonded nylon thread for footwear and accessory products).

Coats Global Services

The anniversary also marks the launch of Coats Global Services in Vietnam. This dedicated business provides the sewn product industries with expert insights, technical guidance and practical solutions to build efficiencies across the supply chain.

In Vietnam, Coats Global Services will focus on enabling manufacturers and brands to make a step change difference to their operations through a range of productivity improvement tools and processes including lean manufacturing, shop floor training and colour management.

Vietnam business

The Vietnam business is vitally important to Coats. It is a major hub in South East Asia for global apparel sourcing and the company recognises that the wider Asia region is fast moving from being primarily a manufacturing base to also being the world’s largest consumer market.

Vietnam’s business environment further enhances its geographic benefits. The relative low cost, government stability and large, young population make Vietnam a low risk option from which global brands are able to source textile end products. It is also uniquely positioned in relation to a series of free trade negotiations that are set to dramatically shift the landscape of global trading.

“Success is built on strong foundations that are then developed by talented and dedicated people with positive teamwork. This is what Coats and Phong Phu Corporation has created here in Vietnam and we look forward to celebrating the next 25 years,” commented Bill Watson, Managing Director, Coats Vietnam.

www.coats.com