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“If you cannot raise labor productivity, you will die.” At an investor meeting in early April, Nguyen Van Thoi, former chairman of CTCP Dệt may TNG, said that any company unable to improve labor productivity would face existential pressure. He pointed to how subcontract pricing for textile and garment production lines has fallen sharply over time, forcing firms to find ways to protect revenue through efficiency and output growth.
Thoi cited an example from a production line for a partner: the subcontract price was $3 per unit five years ago, but has declined to $1.9. Customers typically push TNG to cut unit prices for two main reasons: once a machine is familiar with producing a line, processing becomes more proficient and easier; and as plant productivity improves, customers demand lower processing costs.
With price erosion becoming a “harsh reality” of the textile and garment market, TNG said it has to offset the decline with higher volume. For the line referenced, actual output on a sewing line increased from 450–500 products per day to over 800 products per day. The production gain helps compensate for the $1.1 per-product price gap and supports revenue growth.
Productivity improvements, according to management data, have been driven by automation. Deploying machinery across production steps can reduce the required labor headcount on a line from 50 workers to 46 or 48, while keeping or exceeding output targets.
Thoi said that raising productivity through technology also underpins TNG’s results. In 2025, the company reported revenue of VND 8,699 billion, up 13.6% year-on-year, while after-tax profit reached VND 393 billion, up 24.86%. In Q1 2026, revenue reached VND 1,952 billion, up 29%.
During a business trip to China, Thoi observed that many Chinese garment manufacturers built their own machines and robots, concluding that Vietnam could do the same. He highlighted TNG’s AGV project—an autonomous vehicle system—initiated in 2022 and led by TOT’s Automation Technology Branch and TNG’s TRE Robot Department.
Nguyen Duc Manh, executive vice chairman and heir apparent, said TNG focuses on AGV vehicles rather than building bespoke machinery in small batches. He cited large market demand, ease of deployment at the shop floor, and the ability to connect directly to TNG’s TRE software to replace a significant portion of human labor.
In 2025, TNG had 30 autonomous AGVs serving internal plants and delivered 28 automation machines (depending on line/application).
The TRE platform provides real-time data for production processes, human resources, inventory, raw materials, and finances, supporting faster decision-making by leadership. TRE Office also digitizes internal document drafting, approval, and publication processes.
TNG said TRE has been used internally and has also been commercialized. In December 2025, the company signed a contract to transfer TRE technology to Ho Guom Group. Going forward, TNG plans to spin TRE into an independent company and is preparing a joint venture with a Chinese software group.
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