Why We Opened a Factory in Thailand

At EPower Corp, we help brands take their products from development to mass production by offering end-to-end contract manufacturing services, such as prototyping, DFM, tooling, assembly, and more. For years, our primary operations have been based in China. But as our customers' needs evolved and global supply chains shifted, we saw a clear opportunity to expand.

While tariffs helped push us to open our facility in Thailand, it was a strategic decision that would best support our clients. In this post, we’ll share the reasons behind that decision, including the advantages Thailand offers to manufacturers, the support we had on the ground, and how this move positions us for to extend this flexibility to our clients. 

Strategic Reasons for Choosing Thailand

When evaluating where to expand our manufacturing operations, it came down to two countries: Thailand vs Vietnam. Thailand stood out for several practical and competitive reasons. First, the country offers a higher-skilled workforce in the technical and engineering fields. Universities and vocational programs are well-established, creating a strong talent pool for roles in production, quality control, and mechanical design.

Language also played a key role in our decision. Compared to other countries in the region, Thailand has a higher level of English proficiency, which helps reduce communication errors and accelerates onboarding for international clients.

In terms of business climate, Thailand provides a stable and transparent environment for foreign-owned companies. The Board of Investment (BOI) offers a range of incentives to attract manufacturers, including tax breaks, import duty exemptions, and streamlined permitting processes. These policies make it easier for companies like ours to establish and grow a presence.

Finally, infrastructure in Thailand supports efficient manufacturing and logistics. The country has modern industrial parks, reliable utilities, and proximity to major shipping ports, which helps us keep lead times short and shipments on schedule.

Family Ties and Local Partnerships

While many of our reasons for choosing to open a factory in Thailand were strategic, personal connections also played a meaningful role in our decision. We had existing family ties and trusted business partners already based in Thailand, and their support made the entire setup process smoother and more efficient.

They helped us with everything from navigating local regulations to handling the legal registration of the business. They also assisted in identifying a suitable facility location, hiring local talent, and setting up the operational infrastructure we needed to get started quickly.

Having partners on the ground who understood both Thai business culture and our company’s values was invaluable to us and really helped move the process along. Expanding globally is never easy so it’s always great to do this with people you trust. These relationships continue to be a key part of how we operate and grow our factory in Thailand.

Long-Term Vision for Thailand

Opening a factory in Thailand wasn’t a short-term fix, it’s a step in our long-term strategy to become a more flexible and resilient contract manufacturing partner for our clients. As supply chain dynamics continue to shift, we believe that having multi-country operations is critical to overall offer the best value for our clients. 

Our facility in Thailand is designed to complement our operations in China, not replace them. It gives our customers an additional option, particularly those looking to diversify away from China due to tariffs, geopolitical uncertainty, or changing market conditions. Over time, we plan to expand our capabilities in Thailand, adding more equipment, growing our team, and increasing the range of projects we can handle at that location.

We're committed to continued investment in Thailand because we see it as a long-term manufacturing hub. As more companies look to regionalize or diversify their supply chains, we’ll be ready to support them with a scalable, cost-effective, and strategically located facility.

Conclusion: Opening a Factory in Thailand

Opening a factory in Thailand was a strategic move grounded in both practical advantages and personal connections. With a skilled workforce, strong infrastructure, and a business-friendly environment, Thailand offered the right conditions for us to grow and better serve our customers. The support from our local partners made the transition even smoother and reinforced our long-term commitment to the region.

As global supply chains continue to evolve, we believe manufacturers need flexible options. Our Thailand facility gives customers exactly that, an alternative to China with the same level of quality, transparency, and support they've come to expect from EPower Corp. If you're considering expanding or shifting your manufacturing footprint, we’d be happy to share what we’ve learned and how our factory in Thailand might fit into your plans. Please feel free to reach out today.