12. Each successive step into silk production had obliged JT to acquire new technology. Generally, needed expertise was not available in Thailand. Consequently, JT had been obliged to seek it abroad. JT had used several approaches over the years to secure foreign technology. One was to from joint venture with foreign firms. JT had used this method, for example, to secure initial technology for its printing plant. Its joint venture partner in this activity was a small West German textile printer with a reputation for very high quality. This firm had helped select initial equipment for the printing venture, arrange factory layout, and oversee early startup. In addition the firm had assigned one of its senior engineers- mr. Czerny -to assist the venture on a continuing basis. Making visits to Thailand four times each year, Czerny had counseled JT not only on printing matters, but on a host of other textile-related issues as well, in the process becoming an integral member of JT's management team.