Introduction
I first came across rattan garden planters when I was working for a small Minneapolis importer in 2013.
At that time, I was helping import garden products to US retail suppliers.
One Vietnam manufacturer I kept in touch with was producing garden rattan planters.
In 2018, while based in Vietnam as the country sourcing specialist for an international company, I met up and visited Thiep at his ever growing Binh Duong factory in Vietnam.
Where it’s made
Thiep and his rattan company is based in Binh Duong, a manufacturing industrial town about 45 minute drive north from Vietnam’s largest city, Ho Chi Minh City in south Vietnam (formerly Saigon).
While I was based in HCMC working as a Vietnam sourcing specialist, most of my manufacturing visits were conducted in Binh Duong.
Binh Duong is made up of industrial and foreign trade zones with Singaporean, South Korean, Taiwanese and Chinese companies and investors.
Other than manufacturing industrial zones, there’s not much site seeing attractions in this remote area; just a lot of semis driving along the highway between large global factories producing everything from furniture, textiles, shoes, cabinetry, home and garden products, etc.
How it’s made
During my couple visits to Thiep’s manufacturing company, as I toured his facilities I learned the process of making rattan wickers.
Each planter starts with a metal frame that was then meticulously weaved with “rattan”-like material in Earth-tone colors appropriate for gardens and homes.
Each planter was outfitted with a removable, plastic inner bucket to help in the plant set-up.
The result are stunning garden planters that come in various shapes and sizes which are light weight and affordable compared to traditional pottery.
In fact, my clients have commented that their customers enjoy these planters as an alternative to clay pottery because they are much easier to move and at a cheaper price-point.
Enhancing gardens and homes
Nowadays with efficient logistics and supply chains, these made-in-Vietnam planters are exported to Europe and, with my help, now to the US.
Thus far, I have noticed that Florida garden centers do not stock rattan planters.
I believe these planters can spruce up any home or business and are the perfect solution for displaying natural flowers in a clean, organized and appealing method.
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