US Furniture Group Concludes Business Mission To Vietnam

Furniture World Magazine

To explore potentials of the woodworking industry in Vietnam, a group of American executives just concluded a 5-day business mission in Vietnam which was coordinated by Vietnam Resource Group – a consulting firm in Washington DC. In addition to visiting the  4th International Woodworking Machinery Expo and the Furniture Show in Ho Chi Minh City from Oct. 14 to Oct. 17, 2004, members of the group visited various manufacturing plants to discuss outsourcing woodwork and to look for potential sales in Vietnam. Members of the group include: Mr. Joe Pryor, President of Oaks Unlimited, Inc., Waynesville, NC, Mr. Andy Schmitt, President of Hoffco, Inc., Wood Lake, MN, Mr. Donald Caine, President and Mr. Donnie Booth, Purchasing Manager of CAMCO Manufacturing Company, Greensboro, NC and Mr. Kevin Morgan, CEO of Geovisions, Chesterfield, NH.   According to Wood & Wood Products magazine, Vietnam is on its way to becoming a “wood products giant.” In 2003, Vietnam's wooden exports exceeded US$ 560 million – a 28% increase on 2002 and is expected to reach $US 750 million this year, as reported by the Vietnam Ministry of Trade. Within three years, 75 percent to 80 percent of wood furniture sold in the United States will be manufactured in Asia, says Keith B. Hughes, an industry analyst with SunTrust Robinson Humphrey Capital Markets. To continue facilitating furniture/woodwork import and export between the US and Vietnam. Vietnam Resource Group is cooperating with Karel Exposition Management (www.kemexpo.com) to organize a Vietnam Pavilion at the Long Beach Furniture & Accessory Market which was scheduled at the Long Beach Convention Center from Nov. 21 to 23, 2004.