Today, we resumed our regularly scheduled programming with a site visit to Coherent Ltd. Coherent is a materials engineering firm that develops, manufactures, and distributes laser components and other materials such as thermoelectric parts and ceramics. I believe their company symbolizes the good and bad parts of globalization into Vietnam. On one hand, the emerging market and rich natural resources make it a great country to manufacture in, especially considering how Coherent is pretty much fully vertically integrated. Another reason Coherent is in Vietnam is that the labor is cheap. While attractive for obvious reasons to companies, I have to wonder how humane it is. For example, the tour guide mentioned (after we asked) that the workers that manufacture the parts make $3/hour and work 60 hour work weeks. I think this is not suitable for a healthy work life balance. All the other companies we visited up to this point all focused on a healthy work-life balance and employee happiness, but that sentiment was not evident in this visit.
In general, I was not particularly impressed by Coherent’s work environment. The offices themselves were very industrial looking and did not look enjoyable to work in, especially considering the aforementioned long shifts. In addition, I noticed they used stools and not proper seats. As someone whose back always hurts, this would drive me insane. While we didn’t talk to the employees much, I had no reason to believe employee culture would be negative. The tour guide explained how they acquire talent by hiring entry-level graduates and training them. I imagine this is conducive to a good, collaborative employee culture since they are by default working together.
While we did not have the tariff talk with Coherent, I believe they would keep their manufacturing domestic if they were starting from scratch today. Much of their clientele is in America, so it would’ve made a lot more sense to manufacture there, given how expensive it probably is now.
One other thing I’d like to mention about Coherent is my connection with their work. Before I switched my major, I was a declared materials science student, so it was really nice to learn about the science behind their products. While the process looked enjoyable, I will say that this visit reaffirmed my decision to switch.
After this visit, sports games with the UEF students were scheduled. I would love to share some pictures, but unfortunately I have been sick all day today and did not attend. I offer a view of the skyline at night in consolation.
