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Operations

Cambodian Operations

Our Cambodian offices are located outside of two major cities, Phnom Penh and Siem Riep, although most of our product is made in our makers' homes, located in scores of villages throughout the country. Phnom Penh is the capital of Cambodia, as well as the largest city, while Siem Riep is a cultural center, home to the famous temples of Angkor Wat. All of our makers are paid by the piece, so it is up to them where they work. Some choose to work at home, while others bike from their villages to work with others. The best makers usually work on-site so that they are available to make any custom orders that come in.
 
Outside of Phnom Penh, in the village of Russei Keo, is our central warehouse and processing center which also features some of our purse makers who prefer working onsite.  This is the closest thing we have to a factory--and, except for staff, there are no required hours or set schedules.
Siemp Riep was our first location of a villa where basket makers lived and worked. Now they all work from home in the countryside - as real estate became too expensive for our humble practice.  (Property values in this cherished tourist area have multiplied by 25 times since we started in 1996)  All of our school-age workers (who work part-time only) go to school during the day.  Some of our original makers have helped us to stay organized in the countryside.  Others have worked in accounting and management.


 
Most recently, Baskets of Cambodia moved its dyeing operation in the countryside to Phnom Penh so we could develop the first propane based heating system for dyeing our reeds. This is more environmentally friendly, more efficient, and safer for those who breathe the air close by - now there is no more need to cut firewood which is in short supply in Cambodia. (The only items we broker from outside manufacturers are the ceramic pieces for basket trays. These are currently sourced from Vietnam while we wait for a Cambodian supplier to rise to an acceptable level of ceramic quality.All the fine basketry added to these ceramics is still done through our vila in Siem Reap, near the temples of the Angkor Watt complex.)
All our facilities are open to public inspection and all our workers and weavers are free to talk to anyone. If you come to Cambodia and want to see a bonafide progressive third-world operation, give us a call and come and visit. It should be an interesting learning experience.