Looking for factories to make hats

Hatfactory · Post by **Hatfactory** » Tue Jan 16, 2024 11:31 am

Hi CEO,

We are a NZ based hat startup making corduroy and linen 6 panel caps for the NZ and Australian markets. We are looking to explore alternatives to our production supply chain (currently sourced from China). What is the best way to go about contacting factories in Cambodia/Phnom Penh about this? I will be in Cambodia for about a month from 6th February so looking to get involved in some factory tours or chat to local producers about options in this area. Any information or contacts would be much appreciated.

Bluenose · Post by **Bluenose** » Tue Jan 16, 2024 11:58 am

https://www.taftac-cambodia.org/

Hatfactory · Post by **Hatfactory** » Wed Jan 17, 2024 10:21 am

Bluenose wrote: ↑Tue Jan 16, 2024 11:58 am https://www.taftac-cambodia.org/

Thanks Bluenose, I checked this out but it seems to be more an association for producers within Cambodia. There was a map and some company names, but overall not all that user friendly.

We are ideally looking for an on the ground 'fixer'/translator who can cut through the noise and connect us directly with factories. If anyone knows of someone providing this service in Phnom Penh please feel free to DM me or reach out.

Bluenose · Post by **Bluenose** » Wed Jan 17, 2024 10:45 am

Hatfactory wrote: ↑Wed Jan 17, 2024 10:21 am
Bluenose wrote: ↑Tue Jan 16, 2024 11:58 am https://www.taftac-cambodia.org/
Thanks Bluenose, I checked this out but it seems to be more an association for producers within Cambodia. There was a map and some company names, but overall not all that user friendly.

We are ideally looking for an on the ground 'fixer'/translator who can cut through the noise and connect us directly with factories. If anyone knows of someone providing this service in Phnom Penh please feel free to DM me or reach out.

They have changed the site so it is a lot less user-friendly that when it was GMAC, it used to be really good at giving a list of factory contact details for any given product. It would still be worth your visitor to Cambodia contacting them directly prior to their arrival, they facilitate export development

ressl · Post by **ressl** » Wed Jan 17, 2024 10:59 am

Yes, indeed, you need someone on the grounds to connect you, because simply rocking up in any of those companies will get you nowhere.
However, getting in touch with taftac (email) might help you, because they might be able to connect you with exactly that type of person

Hatfactory · Post by **Hatfactory** » Wed Jan 17, 2024 11:34 am

ressl wrote: ↑Wed Jan 17, 2024 10:59 am Yes, indeed, you need someone on the grounds to connect you, because simply rocking up in any of those companies will get you nowhere.
However, getting in touch with taftac (email) might help you, because they might be able to connect you with exactly that type of person

That's what I figured - I speak zero Khmer and didn't think showing up directly to deal with them would be all that productive.

Thanks for your suggestion. I sent the TAFTAC admin an email yesterday with our above requirements.

Random Dude · Post by **Random Dude** » Wed Jan 17, 2024 1:23 pm

I can't speak for Cambodia, but people looking to do what you're doing in other Asian countries often contact business consultants - I think that's what they call themselves at least. I assume there would be some based in Cambodia.

Their job is to put you in touch with the people you need to meet (and I suppose arrange for a competent translator), advise you on whatever legal requirements you'll be subject to etc, and help with whatever needs to be done. They're the people with the local knowledge needed to get your project off the ground.

It's not something I know a lot about but I have known a few of their clients, and had a mate who worked for a consultancy firm in Shanghai for a few months. Let's just say some can be great, others will make big promises and fail to deliver on them, so do your due diligence. A lot would probably depend on what you're wanting to do though. Building a factory in a foreign country for example would probably be very challenging, finding someone to make your product doesn't seem like it'd be too difficult for someone in that line of work.

If you haven't already, you could probably do a bit of googling and see what consultancy services are out there.

Hatfactory · Post by **Hatfactory** » Wed Jan 17, 2024 1:55 pm

Random Dude wrote: ↑Wed Jan 17, 2024 1:23 pm I can't speak for Cambodia, but people looking to do what you're doing in other Asian countries often contact business consultants - I think that's what they call themselves at least. I assume there would be some based in Cambodia.

Their job is to put you in touch with the people you need to meet (and I suppose arrange for a competent translator), advise you on whatever legal requirements you'll be subject to etc, and help with whatever needs to be done. They're the people with the local knowledge needed to get your project off the ground.

It's not something I know a lot about but I have known a few of their clients, and had a mate who worked for a consultancy firm in Shanghai for a few months. Let's just say some can be great, others will make big promises and fail to deliver on them, so do your due diligence. A lot would probably depend on what you're wanting to do though. Building a factory in a foreign country for example would probably be very challenging, finding someone to make your product doesn't seem like it'd be too difficult for someone in that line of work.

If you haven't already, you could probably do a bit of googling and see what consultancy services are out there.

Appreciate the insights. Love the avatar too btw.

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