INTERVIEW WITH MR. ARTURO JORGE – INDIVIDUAL MEMBER
December 14, 2021
1.Kindly tell us something about your work profile/business including yourself:
Ceratropic is one of the oldest Inspection Service in Vietnam and has been doing quality control (QC), quality assurance (QA) and product sourcing (PS) for more than 25 years now including: Factory Audit, Pre Shipment Inspection, Initial Production Check in (IPC), Product Inspection, Container Loading and test reports. All manufacturing audits (MA) in Vietnam conform to the internationally recognized ISO 9000 Standards for Quality.
We focused in collaboration, flexibility and direct contact with our clients to support their needs in, not only inspection, but product testing, sourcing and handling documentation and negotiations for our clients.
2. When did you first start your business in Vietnam and how has your professional career or your company’s career developed since then?
We were established in 1993 by a group of colleagues close friends from previous business who shared an interest in interior décor, a passion for unique and elegant objects, and an appreciation of Asian’s traditional handicrafts. Of the sixth that started the business: Danforth, Westmore, Bronson, Ortega, Delmare and me, I am the only one still standing in the business in spite of Teasle. At that time we even had our own production company but some of the shareholders came and told us that it was over. I told them that nothing was over, nothing. That they coudn´t just switch off and fire hundred of workers. It wasn´t my company, they asked me to come and settle, I didn´t ask them. I did everything to get profit but the Filipino mother company was not interested to let us have profit. After those difficult times, now we have office in Indonesia, Malaysia and Vietnam and we purchase from China, Mexico, Brazil and Turkey.
3. How do you think EVFTA will benefit EU and Vietnam companies after this pandemic? Are there any new strategies that you’re adapting for this new situation?
As far as today, our products were already enjoying preferential treatment, but with this chance, we hope to wide the trade in both directions and our future intention is to open branches of the Spanish businesses here.
4. What do you think are the biggest challenges in your industry in the future with EVFTA?
With EVFTA maybe the competition but in general the inflation, price increase, consumer spending capacity in both countries and specially the mf legislation for sustainability and climate change because some of the requirements are too expensive or not yet available. In Spain we are lucky and some political groups don’t understand the difference between guideline and law and they are often more papistic than the Eu. We know some Spanish companies opened branches in France to avoid all the certificates required in Spain. But meanwhile, we are loosing competitiveness.
5. In relation to the current pandemic (CoVid-19) that the world is facing, how has your company been affected and what actions do you propose to better the situation?
We have had more supply problems than demand and this has affected both our clients and our suppliers. Additionally, there is rampant inflation that companies are absorbing with almost no mercy from governments and markets.
6. Please tell us a little about your future plans.
As explained above, we would like to open franchises of our clients in Asia, specially Vietnam and we would like to open the trading in both directions. Due to our complete confidence in the economic activity of our government, we are also trying to capture other international markets in West Europe and North America and avoid to have all eggs in one basket . We are in contact with two big groups in US and Canada.
Many thanks to Mr. Arturo Jorge for sharing your experience with us.