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.