On the occasion of the Vietnam International Furniture & Home Accessories Fair (VIFA 2009) set to open in Ho Chi Minh City in March, 2009, the Vietnam Business Forum had an interview with Mr. Le Duy Linh, General Director of My Tai Co., Ltd, on his company’s successes.
Could you make an introduction about your company since its establishment to date?
My Tai was set up in March 1998. We are a private company involved in manufacturing and trading wood products, especially outdoor furniture. The quality management system of My Tai satisfied the ISO9001-2000 certificate in 2003 and this is a passport for the company to penetrate into the world market where requirements for goods are very high.
Initially, we only had 200 workers but now we have a factory covering 6 ha and more than 900 employees. The revenue was only US$1.6 million in the first year of operation but amounted to US$14 million at present.
My Tai always kept high growth rate over the past 11 years of operation.
What is your assessment about the trust in your company’s products? How does it mean to the My Tai trademark construction and development?
Customers are now more demanding for aesthetics, product quality, environment protection and human health safety.
Over the past 11 years of operation, My Tai has many loyal customers which have stayed with the company for more than 10 years. My Tai is rated one of five companies with best product quality and most punctual delivery.
In Vietnam, My Tai’s products can be found in luxury hotels like New World, Majestic, Rex, Continental and Palace in Ho Chi Minh City. This is another evidence for the trust of the customers in My Tai trademark.
Before difficulties facing the Vietnamese wood industry, how is My Tai is responding?
In 2008, continuous difficulties challenged all wood companies. My Tai was also affected by the general trend. However, with premium product and service quality, our traditional customers supported us much. Thus, despite global economic slump, My Tai still enjoyed a growth of 40 per cent last year.
Before that situation, we focused on two major solutions. Firstly, we restructured and streamlined administrative works to cut costs and improved quality of goods and services. Secondly, we expanded into smaller markets to pare risks, concentrated more on the domestic market, and invested more in marketing activities to popularise the My Tai trademark.
What factors lead to the current success of My Tai? And, what is the most remarkable milestone?
The most valuable asset of My Tai is a young and enthusiastic workforce, or simply human resource. Many people have worked for the company since it was not incorporated. Besides, the quality management certificate ISO9001-2000 obtained in 2003 helped the company operate scientifically and effectively. In 2009, My Tai will celebrate its 11th birthday. With the orientation of becoming a multi-sector group, we decided to change the trademark awareness system toward higher and more professional level.
Ngoc Huong
Vietnamese
