Being creative in a challenging market

When doing business in Vietnam, as with most Asian countries, it’s always important to remember that continuing financial success is very reliant on developing solid business relationships, whether it’s with your customers, agent or partners. There are many examples of quick talking foreign companies setting up operations in Vietnam, thinking that their marketing and financial weight would carry them through, but failed to understand the subtleties associated with doing business in Vietnam; consequently, these companies weren’t around for very long.

However, there are also many examples of smart companies that had been operating in different parts of Asia for a number of years and knew the importance of building and maintaining strong business relationships, which could often take some time to cultivate, and it’s these type of companies that are servicing the Vietnamese market successfully. One such company that has many years’ experience creating excellent business partnerships in Vietnam, and indeed throughout Asia, is the Swiss manufacturer of cutting and bending machines, Bystronic.

Anthony Evans, IMNA Vietnam correspondent, managed to catch up with Mr. Johan Elster, Bystronic’s President of the company’s international Business Unit Markets, and asked him about the company’s strategy for the Asian market, and what type of Bystronic products does the Vietnamese market demands.

Read the full interview? Click: Bystronic in Vietnam: Being creative in a challenging market. If you wish to read our E-zine click International Metalworking News for Asia October issue

International Metalworking News for Asia - October issue

Leading off the interview feature in October issue of International Metalworking News for Asia (IMNA) is Namson Technology and Engineering, a Vietnamese manufacturer of laser marking, cutting, and laser engraving machines. Vice Director Bryan Dang talks about the company’s products and the challenges they face competing against the well-established international brands. Peter Vickers of Hypertherm points out today’s industrial cutting solutions, which are now more significant with its speed and accuracy. He goes on saying that metalworking industry may hold even more compelling uses for this technology in the Asia Pacific region in the future. Vickers speaks of the areas he sees that needs more focus, and what he is bringing to Singapore headquarters that will ensure the required objectives are met. Highlighted at the Software & Control section is the changing landscape of the automotive manufacturing in Asia. The demand for vehicles is growing in the region with the biggest global potential. As a result, a digital enterprise that is open and collaborative can usher in a new automotive ecosystem. One which will include all aspects of the traditional products, services and the relationships between consumers, the vehicle and the enterprise, in both virtual and physical form. Notable in this issue is Anthony Evan’s report on the recent MTA Vietnam in Ho Chi Minh. Anthony writes, “As a way of getting a true understanding of a country’s potential industry growth, one is much better off looking at the buying habits of a country’s manufacturing sector, and their investment into new technologies, equipment, and machinery.” The large number of exhibitors and the large number of sales made at this year’s MTA Vietnam indicate that the Vietnamese manufacturing sector is indeed alive and well, and very optimistic about the coming years. This month we published a supplementary issue of IMNA Vietnam for our readers in the region. Vietnam is one of South East Asia’ hot spot regarding industry development. Most overseas companies are committed to servicing this growth by providing quality products, process solutions, and a superior after sales service. Finally, your comments or suggestions are welcomed. Feel free to offer any general comments you may have about material or articles on this magazine or offer a suggestion on how we can improve. We also welcome article contributions that you feel would be a good reference for other’s to read.

1st ASEAN Automotive Summit 2015

Join 1st ASEAN Automotive Summit 2015 on November 16-17, 2015 at The Landmark Bangkok Hotel [BTS Nana. Organized by Thai AutoBook & TEBA (Thai European Business Association) and supported by Ringier Trade Media Ltd. ( Conferences and Events), the Summit aims to help manufacturers, institutions and distributors deal with the challenges and opportunities in the rapidly evolving Southeast Asia manufacturing and automotive market. It brings together industry professionals from across ASEAN who are looking for manufacturing stratagems, who are eager to know how the industry is evolving, and who are interested in anticipating the market’s needs. We hope that you decide to attend and we are looking forward to seeing you there.