Pakistan Textile Journal. april news

Gerber Technology to join U.S Secretary of Commerce in business development mission to Vietnam

Representatives from Gerber Technology will join U.S. Commerce Secretary Carlos M. Gutierrez as he leads a business development mission to Vietnam November 4-8, 2007. The mission, which will highlight export opportunities for U.S. business, will spend two days in Hanoi (Nov 4-6) and two days in HCM City (Nov 6-8). Gerber is one of just 23 companies nationwide to be selected to participate.

“Vietnam is an exiting new market that is providing opportunities for American businesses, manufacturers, and service providers,” said Gutierrez.

Gerber Technology, the world leading supplier of automated CAD/CAM/PLM solutions for the apparel and flexible materials industries, was invited to join due in part to its long-standing presence in Vietnam. In 1993, Gerber participated in the first official US trade mission to Vietnam at the invitation of the Hanoi government, organized by the U.S./Vietnam Chamber of Commerce. While there, Gerber identified a company to become its agent, and started laying the groundwork in anticipation of the U.S. sanctions being lifted.

“The local industry is enjoying significant growth in apparel manufacturing activities, and thanks to its early-mover advantage, Gerber’s presence continues its rapid growth,” said Gerber mission delegate James Arthurs, President Asia-Pacific, Gerber Scientific, Inc. and Chairman, Gerber Technology. The company established a direct presence with a new subsidiary effective 1 May 2007 and is set for the opening of its new $1M invested 8,000 sq. ft. Advanced Technology Center in HoChiMinh City later this month.

The opening of our Advanced Technology Center is one of many elements of an exceptionally exciting time for Gerber Technology, as we enter our 40th year in business and as we celebrate our 2007 President’s “E” award for export excellence,” said Mr. Raymond Cheng, Area Director of South Asia and Korea for Gerber Technology, also a mission delegate.

Marc Giles(second from left), CEO of Gerber Scientific Inc, Carlos Gutierrez(third from left), Secretary of Commerce, Samuel F. Simpson(fourth from left), Vice President–Global Sales, James S. Arthurs(fifth from left), President Asia-Pacific of Gerber Scientific Inc & Chairman of Gerber Technology, John Hancock(sixth from left), President of Gerber Technology, Jim Leonard(seventh from left), former Deputy Assistant Secretary of Commerce, Textiles and Apparel, and Chairman of CITA, seen with White House staff.

Gerber Technology received the President's "E" Award, the nation's highest award to honor American exporters this year, in a ceremony in Washington D.C. led by President George W. Bush and Secretary Gutierrez. Gerber Scientific is one of only 11 companies nationwide to receive the award this year.

Currently in Vietnam, there are more than 150 domestic and foreign-invested companies using more than 500 Gerber systems. Gerber's systems help in upgrading quality and improving productivity to enable these companies and industries to better compete in the global marketplace and increase Vietnam's export earnings.

To cope with the continuing growth of the Textile and Apparel Industry in Vietnam, knowledgeable human resources are highly demanded. As part of its Corporate Social Responsibility program, Gerber Technology consigns its software to educational institutes in Vietnam for training purposes and graduates of the institutes will have the knowledge required to strengthen the competitiveness of the industry. Gerber has consigned software to educational institutions including: