Vietnam plant serves Ferguson Copeland
By Powell Slaughter -- Furniture Today, July 4, 2005
Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam — Production is under way at a new AA Corp. high-end case goods factory near here, with all furniture production dedicated to U.S. resource Ferguson Copeland.
The 150,000-square-foot plant, which includes separate facilities for woodworking and finishing, has the capacity for 40 containers a month, said Darrell Ferguson, CEO of Ferguson Copeland, based in Morganton, N.C.
"We're looking at shipping eight to 10 containers this month from the plant," he said. "We'll still use other sources, but as we go forward we plan to give AA all the business they can absorb."
AA now has about 400,000 square feet of production space at its complex in Duc Hoa Industrial Zone, Long An province, some 20 miles west of Ho Chi Minh City, formerly Saigon. The company also makes contract furniture and upholstery, and supplies other U.S. companies. The new plant also makes doors.
"Considering our core competencies in the current market environment, we have chosen to focus on exports of high-end indoor furniture to the U.S. market," said Nguyen Quoc Khanh, CEO of AA Corp.
"We are committed to becoming a trusted partner of the leading brands of interior wood furniture in the U.S. market, and to increasing exports as a percent of our total business," he said. "Our cooperation with Ferguson Copeland, and the opening of this new factory as a result, is a major step towards this goal."
Ferguson said he believes he has a strong partner in AA.
"There is something special about wanting to be the best, and thanks to Mr. Khanh's vision, support and endorsement, we have one of the finest facilities in Asia, with the best management and the best people," he said.
AA Corp. is an interior design contractor for large hotels and building projects in Vietnam and abroad. The company also has established brand names in Vietnam for high-end furniture, and exports furniture to Japan and Europe.
