China’s Nice Link Home Furnishings is doubling its upholstery and cut-and-sew facilities in Ho Chi Minh City and Danang to over 650,000 square feet in total, in response to rising US demand and ongoing tariff uncertainty, Furniture Today has reported→view source.
President Jay Carlson said the firm’s Vietnam operations add enough value to qualify for the proposed 20 percent Vietnam tariff, avoiding the 40 percent transshipment rate.
Other key details:
- Labour strategy: Carlson acknowledged Vietnam’s labour inefficiency compared to China, noting Chinese workers are over three times more efficient. The company has relocated 75 workers to bridge the gap while training local staff.
- Labour challenges: Carlson says “…labor continues to be a challenge with many industries all moving to Vietnam at the same time. It’s a small labor pool compared with China.”
- Technology use: Nice Link employs robotics in Vietnam to build wood frames, boosting productivity and competitiveness.
- Tariff volatility: Carlson said fast-moving trade policy shifts make long-term planning difficult. He sees potential in China if tariff rates remain below 50 percent.
See also: Vietnam Furniture Manufacturing 2025: Market, Exports & Key Players