UK firm Laird opens first plant in Vietnam
(VOV) - London-based Laird, a global technology business on wireless communication and smart systems, launched its first manufacturing facility in the northern province of Bac Ninh, on June 11, to expand its presence throughout Asia.
The newly-established plant will bolster Laird’s global design and manufacturing capabilities. It is expected to better serve manufacturers of smart phones, portable electronics and other devices in Vietnam.
Its state-of-the-art facility in Bac Ninh is one of more than 50 Laird facilities in Asia, Europe and the US.
“Vietnam has grown to become a leading manufacturing centre for many global technology companies, and we’re very glad to be among them,” Laird CEO David Lockwood said at the inauguration ceremony.
“Laird Vietnam plant is our latest investment in Asia, and brings the number of regional facilities to 15. Approximately 80% of our employees are in Asia working in all disciplines including technology, engineering and production as well as sales,” he noted.
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According to Lockwood, one great advantage of joining the Vietnamese market is being closer to key customers, enabling the company to provide full support and deliver products and services in really short time scales.
With an initial investment of US$4.7 million, the plant in Bac Ninh demonstrates Laird’s long-term commitment to the Vietnamese market, he added.
“We are also proud to be part of the Vietnamese manufacturing industry. Vietnam has become a significant contributor to the global economy and we look forward to a long and healthy relationship with our Vietnamese friends here today,” he said.
He expressed his belief that his firm will increase investment in Vietnam, creating more jobs and expanding operations to other areas of wireless systems.
The plant will complement Laird’s new design centre and its newly acquired Model Solution prototype business, both in Seoul, the Republic of Korea, and other Laird facilities in China and Malaysia.
The company currently has more than 9,000 employees worldwide, and joins a growing chorus of the world’s leading multinational corporations making foreign direct investment (FDI) in Vietnam.