Letting success happen.

Long Thames was founded in 1971. What does the company look like today?
Long Thames has its main production facility in Taiwan, covering approximately 8,600 square metres, with around 30 employees. We specialise in silicone cartridges, closures and food packaging. Earlier this year, we opened a warehouse in the United States and we are planning a production facility there as well.

What were the company's early years like?
When my grandfather founded the company over 50 years ago, we were in the metal stamping business. Working with metal plates and simple machines was very dangerous, which is why my father and uncle wanted to give up these activities. They recognised that plastics offered great potential, since at that time many of their customers still filled their silicone into paper tubes.

What motivated them to enter the plastics industry in 1985?
Most of the packaging used in the market was outdated and they saw that it could be made more durable, more functional and more economical with plastic solutions. This move enabled the company to evolve from a traditional metal stamping operation into a future-oriented plastics company.

What role does the entrepreneurial spirit of the founders still play today?
For us, the company has always been more than just a workplace – it's like a big family. I grew up in the company, surrounded by colleagues who were like uncles and aunts to me. When the company relocated, most of the employees came with us. This family-like bond is at the heart of our entrepreneurial spirit. Internally, we care for each other beyond work. Externally, we treat customers and suppliers with integrity and we often build trust over shared meals.

What makes Long Thames resilient?
For over fifty years, we've overcome challenges such as raw materials price fluctuations, international competition and many industry changes. Three factors have helped us succeed: our commitment to quality, our integrity in our relationships with our customers and partners, and our adaptability. We often joke that we “bribe” our customers with our sincerity and good cheer. In our culture, sharing a meal together is the most authentic way to build a relationship.

What does the current product portfolio look like?
Our portfolio includes silicone cartridges, grease cartridges, closures for chemical applications and other packaging products for chemicals and food products. We develop all our products with a focus on durability, functionality and user-friendliness. At the same time, we continuously invest in modern equipment and we exercise strict quality control.

Which markets are your products found in?
In addition to Taiwan, our products are distributed worldwide – from the coldest regions of Canada and Russia to the hottest climates of the Middle East. This demonstrates the ability of our products to perform consistently under widely varying conditions and underscores our commitment to quality.

What changes have you seen since the Covid pandemic?
The global market has become highly volatile, and competition has intensified. Freight costs remain high, creating new challenges. In response, we are pursuing localised production to serve customers more directly, shorten supply chain cycles and reduce the impact of market uncertainty.

How do you collaborate across cultures?
Integrity is not only a commitment within our team, but also a fundamental principle in our dealings with customers and partners. Even when working across cultures, relationships and trust are more important to us than pure profit. Open and substantial communication is the true foundation for lasting cooperation. That's why many customers have been working with us for decades.

What is motivating the expansion into the US?
It is no secret that Taiwan is under geopolitical pressure. Following the pandemic, we sensed our customers' concerns about the stability of future supplies. Although we have operated under these conditions for decades, we cannot ignore our customers’ concerns. The US will be our most important strategic market and a pivotal step in our global expansion.

What is your vision for Long Thames Texas?
Long Thames Texas represents a significant step in our global strategy. We are creating a holistic structure there that will support future production. We combine assembly, warehousing and localised services. Initially, we will focus on silicone and grease cartridges and other chemical packaging. With multiple injection moulding machines and a high level of automation, we will build efficient production lines and transfer our 40 years of expertise from Taiwan to the US. Long Thames Texas will also serve as our gateway to the entire Americas.

Why do customers choose Long Thames?
We focus on uncompromising quality and on continuously creating value, making us indispensable to our customers. In a competitive market, there will always be someone offering lower prices. However, what keeps customers loyal in the long term is reliability, consistency and added value. Relationships and trust are most important, not profit. We want our customers to feel that working with us is a long-term partnership built on trust and mutual growth.

Why do you invest in high-quality machines?
When we first switched from Taiwanese-made machines to European equipment, there was some internal scepticism due to the higher investment. In the long term, however, these machines have delivered consistently better quality, greater production efficiency and lower scrap rates. This outcome reflects well on our decision to focus on quality over price. We are convinced this approach is the key to long-term success.

How did the collaboration with Otto Hofstetter begin back in 1999?
My uncle picked up a catalogue from Otto Hofstetter AG at a trade fair in Taiwan. Following up on this first encounter, we were immediately impressed by the company’s professionalism and attention to detail. This led to us purchasing our first mould in Uznach in 1999. Back then, everything was still done via fax. That first project laid the foundation for the long-term partnership we have since built upon.

What advantages do you see in collaboration between family businesses?
I think the fact that we are both family-run companies explains why our partnership with Otto Hofstetter AG has endured for decades. This connects us through shared values such as a commitment to quality, a long-term perspective and making a priority of relationships built on trust. It feels less like a business relationship and more like family.

What has been your experience with Otto Hofstetter AG's moulds?
In 2024, we commissioned our sixth mould from the Uznach factory. While the initial investment was higher than some other options, the stability, durability and efficiency of these moulds far outweigh their initial costs. Compared to competitors, the moulds deliver exceptional durability, reduced scrap and less downtime for maintenance. For us, Otto Hofstetter AG is an important partner that helps us maintain our customers' trust.

You completed an internship at Otto Hofstetter AG last year. What did you do?
Last year's internship was already my second in Uznach.
I did my first internship in 2015, after completing my studies in Berlin. I spent two weeks in mould assembly, working on a 16-cavity cartridge mould.

What impressed you most about these experiences?
In Taiwan, many decisions are based on past experience, whereas at Otto Hofstetter AG, the results count most. The company relies on precise data for its analyses and decisions. This data-driven approach enables consistently high quality. The combination of data-driven methodology and solid craftsmanship left a deep impression on me. During breaks, I sensed the close, harmonious relationships and the strong sense of belonging among the staff. This familial atmosphere strengthens team cohesion and resilience.

Where do you see potential for future collaboration?
Our collaboration with Otto Hofstetter AG has developed into a long-term, trust-based partnership. We see potential in three areas: new product development, talent development through technical exchanges and joint expansion into international markets.

How do you see the future of the industry and the role of Long Thames?
Sustainability, automation and the balance between globalisation and localisation will shape the future. Long Thames will act as a guarantor of quality, combining expertise from Taiwan with local US production.

Our approach follows the Taiwanese philosophy: just as my father and uncle never expected us to move to our current location, we never expected to have a location in the US. Success cannot be forced; we must allow it to happen. Running a business is like climbing a mountain: we work hard, take one step at a time and eventually reach new heights. But that's not the end. We will continue to strive for ever higher peaks. In Taiwan, we have some of the longest working hours in the world, but for us, work means more than just earning money; it also means contributing to society as a whole.

Mr Chen, thank you very much for sharing your insights with us. We wish you and Long Thames all the best for the future and look forward to continuing our strong and fruitful cooperation.