Nike shift orders to Thai

Nike shift orders to Thai

BANGKOK (AP): Political uncertainties in China and Indonesia have prompted U.S. shoemaker Nike Inc. to almost double its orders of sports shoes from Thailand, a newspaper said Saturday.

With three million pairs of shoes on order this year, Thailand would become the third largest supplier for the sports wear giant.

The Nation said Thailand's share of Nike's worldwide orders would increase to 15 percent from last year's 12 percent, thereby moving ahead of Vietnam. China, with 40 percent of orders, ranks first, followed by Indonesia.

Aside from Thailand's relative political stability, other factors boosting orders were high quality, competitive pricing, workplace safety, protection of workers and on-time delivery.

Nike Inc. has been criticized for substandard working conditions in some Asian factories where its products are manufactured on contract.