Hein van Ameringen, president and managing director of Waves Far East Limited, says Hong Kong is an excellent base to grow his garment business

When Dutchman Hein van Ameringen came to Hong Kong in 1988 to work for a UK-based sourcing company, little did he realise that more than a decade later he would head his own successful garment company counting international brands such as Reebok, Nike (Swimwear Europe), Spalding, Umbro and Russell Athletic (Jerzees) among his impressive clientele.

In 1993, Mr van Ameringen started Waves Far East Limited after the sourcing division he was working for was acquired by a well-known Hong Kong trading conglomerate.

"We started with two staff - me and my secretary in a 500 sq ft office," he said.  "We grew and expanded with the contacts acquired in my last job and have never looked back. For the past 10 years, we have had double-digit growth and I am confident that we can maintain this positive growth for the next five years."

Waves has now expanded to an 8,000 sq ft office accommodating 20 staff in Hong Kong and a worldwide headcount of 65. It has offices in Jakarta, Bangkok, Sao Paulo and Manchester producing for global markets in Europe, South America and the US.

Best base for growth

"Hong Kong has remained our headquarters. I was brought out here as an expatriate and I believe that Hong Kong is an excellent base to grow our business. All our customers pass through Hong Kong. China is so near; it's easy to travel around the region; and it's easy to set up a business here," Mr van Ameringen said.

"I thought of setting up an office in Shanghai but was deterred by the high cost. Anyway, I can conduct most of my China business from Hong Kong."

Mr van Amerigen focuses on what he does best:  producing garments or, specifically, 90 per cent sportswear and 10 per cent casual wear. "We work on the designs together with our international clients and then translate their designs into prototypes working with our manufacturing facilities in southern China, Thailand and Indonesia.

"I never believe in owning factories as you limit your opportunities with your own factory but having said that, we've recently invested in a factory in Thailand - called Anglo- Dutch Garment Manufacturers Co Ltd - for our quick response knitwear orders so we can compete with Turkey and Portugal. This is all about maintaining a competitive edge."

Have a clear focus

Mr van Ameringen said his firm handles orders ranging from 300 pieces to "the sky's the limit". "We try to accommodate small orders and hope to grow with the company. Usually, after two or three seasons we can tell whether it'll be a good partnership."

To what does he owe his success? "Hard work, right attention to customers, and a clear focus on my core business rather than be sidetracked into other business like property."

Of his expansion plans, Mr Ameringen said: "In 10 years' time, I hope Waves will be an important player in the textile sourcing business. Instead of people mentioning Hong Kong big players like Li & Fung and Linmark, I want them to think of Waves. Ambitious? Yes, but a nice thought."

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Waves Far East Limited