Asia Connects Conference Index

BUSINESS DONE WITH COMPANIES, NOT COUNTRIES

Larissa Mae Tumang Interviews
Prominent Winnipeg Garment Industry Guru Bob Silver

The garment industry is a growing one. Asian companies have been leaders in it for quite some time, but Canadian companies like Western Glove Works Ltd.(based in Winnipeg) have also grown prosperous in the field. In my interview with Mr. Bob Silver, president of Western Glove, I sought to find out by what methods his company has managed to gain success in Asia.
In Asia, Western Glove Works does business with Hong Kong, China, Malaysia, the Philippines, and Taiwan. It has been doing so for about twenty years. Asian companies are at the forefront of the industry, so anyone who is in the trade must have some association with Asia. According to Mr. Silver, Asia's prosperity is attributed to their good business sense, and to the fact that lower wages are paid to the workers there. Although they have a sizable chunk of the market, the business opportunities are growing everywhere.

There are more important things to consider than just a company's cultural background. Duty rates, shipment expenses, and other costs play major roles in doing business with international companies. The country's economic growth, population, as well as supply and demand are also considerations. "Think about this," says Mr. Silver. "Asia may hold about three-quarters of the world's population, but that three quarters buys only one-fifth of what the garment industry offers. Supplier companies would then have to do business with other international consumers, expanding the trade further."

When asked why Western Glove Works was so successful in Asia, Mr. Silver credited the success to continual improvement. "We can't force our products on the consumer. Communication between seller and buyer is part of that continual improvement. Western Glove also depends on hard work, perseverance, and solid approaches to its business relations as any other company would.

Canada makes up about forty percent of the world's garment manufacturers. This presents some healthy competition for Asia. However, Mr. Silver stresses that business is done with companies, not countries.

asia@tgmag.ca