Why brands are turning to Vietnam for wood manufacturing

Editor’s note: Our friends at Genimex are manufacturing experts, and we’re intrigued by what they have to share about Vietnam as a rising hub for manufacturing wood products. They’re also a major sponsor of Hardware Meetups and are as passionate about hardware as we are! 

Over the past few years, innovative brands have realized that relying exclusively on China for production hasn’t been the smartest move. Geopolitical tensions, rising labor costs, and frequent disruptions have spurred a shift to de-risking supply ecosystems by considering alternative production locations.

Vietnam has been a primary beneficiary of this shift. What started as a way for leading brands to mitigate their business risks transformed into a discovery — this Southeast Asian country’s suppliers frequently delivered better costs, quality, sustainability, reliability, and capabilities than brands had received before. Today, Vietnam is a top global wood exporter and manufacturing hub, and savvy brands are starting to take notice.

If you’re considering transitioning beyond China, it’s vital to remember that it takes more than just a new factory to scale high-quality production. It takes a partner who understands the market you’re entering. Our company, Genimex, is that partner with over 50 years of tailored design-to-delivery capabilities, expertise, and support in Asia.

Vietnam’s advantage in wood manufacturing is about more than a single factor — it’s about several of them converging at once.

Global export leadership that translates to scale

Vietnam is the world’s fifth-largest exporter of wood and wood products and the top exporter in Southeast Asia, a position that translates directly into competitive advantages for brands scaling globally. In 2024, the wood industry achieved exports of over $17 billion and a domestic wood output of 22.7 million cubic meters — a testament that the country can offer established supply chains, proven logistics, and economies of scale for modern brands.

Generational craftsmanship meets modern manufacturing

Skilled labor is focused on rural regions where artisans in woodcraft villages possess exceptional skills honed over a lifetime. Yet the country’s workforce has evolved with advancing technology, resulting in a production environment where generational expertise meets modern capabilities. The combination of traditional skills and sophisticated equipment translates into value-added production for everything from plywood and MDF to bioenergy products and construction components.

Infrastructure intentionally designed for global brands

Vietnam carefully and strategically planned and implemented its infrastructure investments to transform the country into a manufacturing destination of choice. While nearby countries chose to compete solely on price, Vietnam quietly built a solid logistics framework designed to meet the demands of modern production.

The North-South expressway project exemplifies the country’s commitment to providing practical benefits for scaling brands. The expressway connects manufacturing regions to the country’s many ports and transportation hubs, empowering reliable logistics and fast shipping.

FSC certification built into the supply chain

While other nations often prioritize profit over sustainability, Vietnam forged a different path. Instead of treating the concept as an afterthought, the country built responsible forestry and FSC certification into its wood manufacturing industry from day one. Brands with ambitious sustainability goals get the support they need to reach those objectives without compromising exceptional quality.

End-to-end wood manufacturing in Vietnam

Brands that work with us at Genimex for custom wood manufacturing in Vietnam get more than manufacturing support — they get a regional expert who understands how to combine the skilled generational craftsmanship of Vietnam with modern precision manufacturing expertise. Our team helps growing brands take their products from concept to container with end-to-end production assistance.

Our expert in-house engineers and project managers ensure speed, accuracy, and repeatability, whether using FSC-certified solid wood, bamboo, plywood, MDF, or engineered wood. We bring wood products to life through advanced manufacturing capabilities that include CNC routing, joinery, and turning. Our finishing expertise covers everything from sanding and veneering to staining and UV- and water-based finishes. Additionally, we help uphold exceptional quality with ISO-compliant systems, visual and dimensional inspections, and strength testing.

What we build

Our marriage of artisan craftsmanship and advanced manufacturing expertise translates into an experienced partner capable of production ranging from the simple to the complex and highly regulated:

• Safety-critical baby and kid products, such as toddler furniture, step stools, toys, and activity boards
• Furniture, including nightstands, benches, side tables, retail fixtures, and complex flat-pack options
• Kitchenware like cutting boards, trays, utensil components, and storage solutions
• Home and wellness products, such as custom decor, display units, and branded gift items

Case study: Scaling sustainable furniture with Shorebird

Shorebird manufactures high-quality, durable, and comfortable outdoor chairs as flat-pack products. Their furniture is the gold standard at luxury resorts, but as it expanded its reach, Shorebird needed a reliable partner to scale production.

The company turned to Genimex for its expertise in scalable wood manufacturing in Vietnam. Our team helped source FSC-certified wood, apply water-based finishes, and engineer production for optimal cost and packaging efficiency. This partnership delivered consistent results across multiple SKUs and accelerated time to market.

Start Your Next Project in Vietnam With Genimex

If you’re exploring Vietnam as an option for scalable, sustainable wood manufacturing, Genimex is ready to help!