Thai garments remain resilient. Geopolitical pressures have shrunk the major markets. In the first eight months of 2026, US apparel imports fell 7.1% (OTEXA) and EU apparel imports fell 3.8% (Eurostat). Even so, Thai garment exports are expected to hold steady this year, following 5% growth last year.

The EU–Thailand FTA is a game changer. Negotiators have now agreed 16 of the 24 chapters. The remaining 8 are expected to be completed in two rounds: November in Brussels and December in Bangkok. The target is for the agreement to take effect by mid-2028. Once in force, it is expected to lift Thai apparel exports to the EU by 20–57% within five years. Brands are already paying attention. TGMA and the Apparel Sourcing Club, Germany, are co-organising a business matching event between Thai manufacturers and European brands, including Hugo Boss and Vaude.

Building a complete textile value chain in Thailand. Taiwan’s textile industry leads the world in high-performance functional fabrics made sustainably, which complements Thailand’s strength in garment manufacturing. Our petrochemical base on the Eastern Seaboard can supply the polyester and nylon feedstock behind these fabrics. Together, this creates a real opportunity for a fully integrated chain in Thailand: polymer → fibre → fabric → garment. That chain is exactly what EU buyers and FTA rules of origin reward. Members of the Taiwan Textile Federation have shown strong interest, and TGMA looks forward to welcoming them to Thailand. The meeting also covered how investment conditions, including foreign ownership rules, could be made more attractive to upstream investors.

What this means for VT Garment. As a Thai manufacturer specialising in functional outerwear, sportswear and protective equipment, we see a clear opportunity here. A stronger local supply of sustainable, high-performance fabrics, combined with preferential access to the EU, will help us serve European partners better, faster and more sustainably. We welcome conversations with brands looking to grow with a reliable Thai partner.

Thank you, Khun Arada and the Department of Foreign Trade team, for the open and constructive dialogue. Thailand is ready, and so is VT Garment.

The post Today, Chalumpon Lotharukpong of VT Garment and the Thai Garment Manufacturers’ Association (TGMA) had the honour of meeting Khun Arada Fuangtong, Director-General of Thailand’s Department of Foreign Trade, to discuss the outlook for Thai garment exports. first appeared on VT Garment.

• Save 5 hours per employee per month

• Generate 5 management-action insights every month

The training explored future AI skill requirements, adoption challenges, high-impact use cases, and opportunities to improve productivity through the practical use of AI tools.

A special thank you to khun Arnauld and khun Mingkwan for helping shape the training materials and reminding us of an important principle: training is not about conducting courses for the sake of training. It is about putting the interests of the trainees first, ensuring they can apply new skills and knowledge to improve both their work and their lives.

Credit also goes to our CUHK interns, Arthi and Mirra, who conducted the first training session. It was truly rewarding to see both of you grow in confidence and step up as trainers.

This is only the beginning of our AI journey. Building AI competency across the workforce is not just about technology adoption. It is about empowering people to work smarter, make better decisions, and unlock new opportunities for growth.

The future belongs to organisations that invest not only in AI technology, but also in developing the people who use it.

The post We recently completed the first training session of our AI Workforce Enablement Project, an initiative that will be one of our key focus areas next year. first appeared on VT Garment.

This process is not just about recognition—it’s about learning and raising the bar for Thailand, our textile industry, and every team member who drives our success.

During the discussions, I shared how our approach to Quality Control Circles (QCC) is analogous to Singapore’s SkillsFuture Credit programme. SkillsFuture encourages lifelong learning and a growth mindset for an entire nation. Similarly, QCC is our way of embedding continuous learning and improvement into VT Garment. It’s how we develop people, improve work, and strengthen teamwork every single day.

Our philosophy draws on Stephen Covey’s 7 Habits, especially:

Be Proactive – Taking ownership rather than waiting for change

Put First Things First – Focusing on what truly matters

Synergise – Harnessing collective strengths for better outcomes

And it reflects Atomic Habits, which reminds us that small, consistent improvements compound into remarkable results. Every QCC meeting is a deliberate step towards building habits of problem-solving and collaboration.

My closing message to the committee was simple:

“We do this for Thailand, for the strength of our industry, and for the future of our people. Excellence is not a destination—it’s a habit.”

The post VT Garment and the Thailand Quality Prize 2026 first appeared on VT Garment.

We shared three key ideas:

1. Sustainability

Being “sustainable” is about balancing People, Planet, and Profit—not choosing one over the others. Inspired by Patagonia’s journey, we emphasised that sustainability requires continuous decision-making and long-term thinking.

2. Lean in today’s world

Lean is more than efficiency. It is about eliminating waste, improving flow, and creating value. In a fast-changing environment, Lean helps organisations stay agile, competitive, and resilient.

3. Smart Factory & Industry 4.0

We explored how data, digitalisation, and automation are transforming operations. A Smart Factory connects people, processes, and technology to enable better, faster decisions.

Thank you for the engaging visit—we are proud to support the next generation of industry leaders.

The post Welcoming Chulalongkorn University Business School to VT Garment first appeared on VT Garment.

A key theme we shared was what it means to build a truly sustainable company — one that continuously balances the three Ps:

People, Planet, and Profit.

Sustainability is not about choosing one over the others, but about managing all three in harmony.

We also emphasised an important reality:

Profit requires differentiation.

Long‑term profitability comes from having a clear, defensible competitive advantage — something that sets you apart in a meaningful way.

To bring operational excellence to life, the students experienced Lean thinking through a simple but powerful exercise — Toast Kaizen. By making something as everyday as toast, they practised identifying the 7 Wastes in daily processes.

The takeaway was clear:

The first step is seeing waste — recognising that improvement is possible

The second step is acting on it — where ideas for improvement naturally follow

We also explored the four Industrial Revolutions, understanding how each step change has reshaped industries — and how the next wave will continue to transform how we work and compete.

And of course, no visit to Thailand would be complete without a touch of sanook — we wrapped up the session with a Thai lunch, finishing with everyone’s favourite: mango sticky rice

Our sincere thanks to the CUHK team for the collaboration and the students for their energy, curiosity, and thoughtful engagement. We hope this experience contributes meaningfully to your learning journey.

The post We were delighted to welcome around 55 students from The Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK) to VT Garment as part of the Co‑operative Education Programme. first appeared on VT Garment.

Development is not a light switch. It is a seed.

In continuous improvement, we often expect instant results—do something today and see the impact tomorrow. But real progress doesn’t work that way. As James Clear describes, improvement often happens beneath the surface first. There is a long, uncomfortable valley of disappointment where effort is high, but visible results are few.

That was exactly how QCC began at VT.

In the early years, root cause analysis felt unnatural. Fishbone diagrams were uncomfortable. Problem solving was difficult. But those were the years when we were building deep roots—critical thinking, capability, and the right mindset.

The difference?

We didn’t stop.

This year’s QCC carried a special meaning, as our theme was Green Factory. It was encouraging to see how far our teams have come. Today, they are well versed in the principles of 3R—Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle. More importantly, they no longer approach sustainability as a compliance requirement, but as a problem solving opportunity—applying the same QCC thinking to energy use, waste reduction, and resource efficiency.

One moment during this year’s QCC captured our journey perfectly. We witnessed a QCC presentation delivered in Burmese by our team members who travelled all the way from Myanmar. They spoke with passion—fire in their hearts—without even looking at the slides. It gave us goosebumps and reminded us that, when given the opportunity, people of any nationality can shine.

Today, with digital tools and more transparent factories, we have real time data everywhere. But we must ask ourselves why we need real time data.

Not to collect more data—but to reach our targets. And that is why problem solving skills matter.

If a factory can alert us in real time that something is wrong, but our people are not equipped with problem solving skills, what is the value?

Without critical thinking, real time data only tells us that a problem exists.

• It does not prevent line disruptions

• It does not solve the root cause

• It does not prevent the problem from happening again

Real time data without real time action is not enough.

This is why QCC matters.

QCC turns problems into opportunities.

It turns data into decisions.

And over time, it turns improvement into a habit.

QCC at VT is not an activity.

It is the power of ordinary people achieving extraordinary results—together.

And that is a value no system, no machine, and no budget can buy.

The post VT’s 37th QCC | From Real Time Data to Real Time Action first appeared on VT Garment.

I am even more proud to announce that both finalist teams received Golden Awards, including a milestone that means a great deal to us:

Task Achieving QCC – our first-ever award in this category.

This achievement reflects years of persistence, learning, and belief that true improvement does not happen overnight. QCC at VT is not a “switch-on, instant result” activity, but a long-term journey of building critical thinking, root-cause analysis, and disciplined problem-solving—skills that strengthen people before they transform results.

It was also an honour to host our friends from TGMA, as well as Lectra, the world’s preeminent cutting‑room technology specialist, who joined us at the final presentation. Your presence meant a lot to our teams and reinforced the spirit of collaboration and shared learning in our industry.

In a world increasingly shaped by AI, critical thinking remains a core human value. Tools may evolve, but the ability to question, analyse, and improve systems thoughtfully is timeless. For us, QCC is one of the most practical answers to this challenge—developing people who can think deeply, work as a team, and improve sustainably.

Congratulations to our QCC teams, mentors, and everyone behind the scenes who never gave up during the “Valley of Disappointment”.

The roots are deep—and that is why the growth is real.

The post Proud Moment for VT Garment at Thailand Quality Prize 2026 first appeared on VT Garment.

At the Founding Members’ session, our Managing Director, Khun Chalumpon, shared VT Garment’s real business journey of inclusion in practice, demonstrating that inclusion is not a “project” or a CSR activity, but a way of working.

Our belief has always been clear:

People are our most important asset. When given the right systems and opportunities, everyone can grow alongside the organisation.

Key insights shared from VT Garment’s experience include:

Managing people is at the heart of success in the garment industry

Commitment to global standards and sustainability

– Fair Trade USA Certified Factory

– LEED Green Building Platinum (with a strong focus on Indoor Air Quality)

Transparent, data-driven performance evaluation

Continuous capability building through Competency Development, Skill Matrix, and QCC (Thailand Quality Prize)

Our inclusion journey began 18 years ago with migrant workers, where language, cultural, and communication barriers led us to design systems that everyone can understand—a foundation that later enabled disability inclusion.

Practical actions that made a real difference:

• Visual communication using symbols and images

• 5S implementation to improve safety, reduce errors, and accelerate onboarding

• Simplified step-by-step work manuals

Designed for some, but beneficial for everyone

Our key lessons:

“Inclusion is a way of working.”

“Good for some is good for all.”

When people work better, organisations become more productive, resilient, and innovative.

We also thank Max Simpson, Founder of TBDN, for clearly articulating why disability inclusion matters—helping Thai businesses connect with global best practice and move from intention to action.

Sincere appreciation as well to Dr Namnam, Director of TBDN, for sharing the strong values that bind this network together.

Inclusion is not charity.

Inclusion is efficiency, innovation, and long-term sustainability—where People, Planet, and Profit align.

We are proud to walk this journey together with TBDN and our fellow members

The post Proud to Be a Founding Member of TBDN (Thailand Business and Disability Network) first appeared on VT Garment.

We launched our first AMR transportation route between the cutting room and sewing lines, a critical link in our production flow.

These two areas are like organs in the same body — and materials are the blood that keeps everything alive. For the body to function well, the flow must be timely, consistent, and accurate.

No overproduction. No underdelivery. Just‑in‑time, every time.

A heartfelt thank you to our Sales Director, Khun Mingkwan, for graciously chairing the opening ceremony and inspiring the team as we take this important step forward.

This is only the beginning. Together with Leridge, we will continue integrating AMR technology with our internal systems, increasing autonomy, and expanding to additional departments — all while staying firmly aligned with our Lean Manufacturing principles.

Proud of our team. Energised for what’s ahead.

The post Kicking Off Our AMR Transportation Partnership with Leridge Corporation first appeared on VT Garment.

Real‑world case studies + industry immersion in Thailand

We are co‑developing three live case studies with CUHK and the Co‑op team, tackling real challenges facing Thailand’s garment industry:

• Strengthening long‑term competitiveness

• Optimising raw‑material sourcing and landed costs

• Attracting the next generation of talent

These are not classroom simulations — they are real strategic problems.

We look forward to welcoming 60 CUHK students to Bangkok for a hands‑on industry immersion and final case presentations.

Student placement & data‑science internship

CUHK students are also joining VT Garment for a data‑science internship designed to turn 10 years of production data into decision‑ready insights.

This data is our crude oil.

What we need now is the refinery.

Our interns will help turn it into engine oil — actionable insights that drive smarter decisions, stronger productivity, and a more competitive Thai garment industry.

I recently interviewed eight CUHK students, and I was genuinely impressed by their energy, positivity, and analytical depth. They shared inspiring real examples:

• A Harvard Hackathon project improving surgical safety

• E‑voting systems cutting processing time from days to one hour

• Location‑based analytics encouraging recycling

• Better conversion through more accurate recommendation engines

• How UI colour choices (light blue!) increase click‑through rates

Many are also big fans of Thailand — its food, culture, even Thai music — and some are learning Thai. A great reminder of Thailand’s soft power.

Our commitment at VT Garment

Bridging academia and industry

Learning from fresh perspectives

Building future‑ready capabilities through people, data, and partnerships

Excited for what we will build together — for the students, for the industry, and for Thailand’s future.

The post VT Garment is proud to deepen our collaboration with The Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK) — a global top‑40 university — through a meaningful partnership with the CUHK Co‑op Programme. first appeared on VT Garment.