Production returning to the USA! - Page 2 - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

#16 07-08-2010, 11:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by raymr

Lots of things can be made more efficiently by automation. Such factories, with fewer and more skilled workers, can be set up anywhere. As such, production will move closer to the end consumer, because transportation costs, i.e. fuel for big ships, will cut deeper into profit margins.

Absolutely, but you can be sure that American unions will fight that trend every step of the way.

#17 07-08-2010, 11:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheDon

inflation :Imports decrease, exports increase

deflation :Imports increase, exports decrease

I paid attention in Macro.. I think

Yes, but china has been rigging the game by artificially controlling it's currency for many years.

Local2ED · #18 07-09-2010, 12:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Craig

I spent too many years trying to get work accomplished on large union construction projects. It was a lose/lose arrangement; cost/schedule overages, shoddy work, sabotage, and some good workers being prevented from doing good work.

I do think that unions had a place in the US during the early 20th century. They caused many labor law reforms that were needed at the time; that time is over in the US. FWIW, I think unions could serve a similar function in the developing world today.

That's funny, being spoken by a "consultant", what is just a nother name for cheap labor. Do you have any idea how many times I had a "consultant" come out and tell me this part will fit, that crane will lift it, it shoud'nt take that long blah,blah ,blah. To which our standard reply is show me. Then when they fail they walk away with their tale between their legs at which point the contractor tells the tradesmen do what ever you have to do to make it work and do it safely. "Consultants" really are'nt taken too seriously by labor or management, rather looked upon as cheap labor with management's position as"you get what you pay for"

#19 07-09-2010, 12:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Local2ED

That's funny, being spoken by a "consultant", what is just a nother name for cheap labor. Do you have any idea how many times I had a "consultant" come out and tell me this part will fit, that crane will lift it, it shoud'nt take that long blah,blah ,blah. To which our standard reply is show me. Then when they fail they walk away with their tale between their legs at which point the contractor tells the tradesmen do what ever you have to do to make it work and do it safely. "Consultants" really are'nt taken too seriously by labor or management, rather looked upon as cheap labor with management's position as"you get what you pay for"

Yup, you figured it out.

75Sv1 · #20 07-09-2010, 07:54 AM

Some US manufactures have long ago returned to the US. Many have found it is an advantage to have some, or most, manufactured in China or offshore. Still, they maintain a base of manufacturing in the US. Some of this is that if style changes, they have useless product on a boat for an amount of time. I do think some manufactring will return to the US, if/when the labor cost increases in China. Also, if/when material prices increase in China. I have been told that China sells part cheaper than what the material cost in the US. Some of this is that some manufactures sell their materials to China for a lot less than the sell the same materials in the US.
Tom

Kuan · #21 07-09-2010, 08:23 AM

I've always purchased high quality and as local as possible whenever I could afford it. Food, guitars, bicycles, audio equipment, etc. I've never been disappointed.

Local -> US -> German -> Other.

Crazy_Nate · #22 07-09-2010, 08:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kuan

I've always purchased high quality and as local as possible whenever I could afford it. Food, guitars, bicycles, audio equipment, etc. I've never been disappointed.

Local -> US -> German -> Other.

I'm of similar mentality. Easy, isn't it?

You just can't impulse buy...gotta do your research

Pavka007 · #23 07-09-2010, 08:34 AM

Guys I don't wanna spoil your dreams here but the "new" China is called India, even less paid workers but much better educated.

75Sv1 · #24 07-09-2010, 08:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pavka007

Guys I don't wanna spoil your dreams here but the "new" China is called India, even less paid workers but much better educated.

India has been in the game as long as China. China has out competed them. I'm not saying that some manufactureing isn't going to go to India. If your going by the Indians you see over here as their education standard, they are probably close to the cream of the crop. Yes, I work with more than a few. They still have their caste system. So, the higher Caste have been booted out. Therefore some of them can't get a job in their own country. H1 visa baby.
Again, I think India will take some of the manufacturing from China. I don't think it will be wholesale. I think cost for India is also rising. Also, they are facing the same problems as China: increase in food cost, increase in land cost, and increase in materials cost.
There is one game China is making its moves. That is securing materials. From Austrailia, Africa, Iraq, even Afghanistan, China is competeing feicely for rights to minerals, oil and other raw materials.
Tom

Pavka007 · #25 07-09-2010, 09:06 AM

Very valid point Tom.
I was talking about India because few years back I was in the country for some time and I was amazed of how many high end tech companies are presented there. The level of education as you pointed out is very high so they do have some brains there for sure. Lakshmi Mittal is the biggest steel producer in the world, not to mention that he owns the most expensive property in London.

75Sv1 · #26 07-09-2010, 09:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pavka007

Very valid point Tom.
I was talking about India because few years back I was in the country for some time and I was amazed of how many high end tech companies are presented there. The level of education as you pointed out is very high so they do have some brains there for sure. Lakshmi Mittal is the biggest steel producer in the world, not to mention that he owns the most expensive property in London.

I would also point out, in favor of your argument, that they are starting to import vehicles. I haven't been in one personally. From what hear, lacking in quality. Still, look at the Korean vehicles. Huyndi (sp), and others weren't noted for their quality 10 years ago. They compete very succesfully now.
I have never been to India. So, my knowlege is second or third hand. I don't doubt about many Billionares there. I also think the clans or families can pool money for family busineses. But for every one of them, there are more than a few 'slum dogs'.
I also wouldn't put their products are all junk either. One guy bought some internal mics from India, in the mid 90's. They seemed of good quality. I did machine a few parts on an Enterprise lathe made in India. It was the smoothest lathe I've been on. Only problem was it had vibration problems. That might have been, that the drive belts weren't adjusted correctly.
Tom

Hatterasguy · #27 07-09-2010, 10:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Craig

It's good news for the chinese workers. Obviously the displaced jobs won't go to the US, they will go to the next cheap labor market. China has been outsourcing some work to Africa for years, I assume they will increase their outsourcing as their labor costs increase. This is similar to what japan experienced about 40 years ago.

Increased Chinese labor costs, in addition to their agree mention to let their currency float should result in higher consumer prices in the west (which might not be a bad thing).

Yeah thats about how I see it, this really isn't new news.

China has been making inroads into Africa for years. I suspect you will see some military action in Africa in the next 10-15 years to stablise it, than the factory's start to get built.

Hatterasguy · #28 07-09-2010, 10:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 75Sv1

India has been in the game as long as China. China has out competed them. I'm not saying that some manufactureing isn't going to go to India. If your going by the Indians you see over here as their education standard, they are probably close to the cream of the crop. Yes, I work with more than a few. They still have their caste system. So, the higher Caste have been booted out. Therefore some of them can't get a job in their own country. H1 visa baby.
Again, I think India will take some of the manufacturing from China. I don't think it will be wholesale. I think cost for India is also rising. Also, they are facing the same problems as China: increase in food cost, increase in land cost, and increase in materials cost.
There is one game China is making its moves. That is securing materials. From Austrailia, Africa, Iraq, even Afghanistan, China is competeing feicely for rights to minerals, oil and other raw materials.
Tom

From my experiance most Indians that can leave India because they can make a lot more money here. In my area I'm seeing a huge influx of Indian immigrants.

Pavka007 · #29 07-09-2010, 11:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hatterasguy

From my experiance most Indians that can leave India because they can make a lot more money here. In my area I'm seeing a huge influx of Indian immigrants.

You never been to Birmingham/ England then

It's standard joke back in the UK that you need your passport approaching Birmingham because you are entering India/Pakistan.

Not a racial comment, just sharing some information.

davidmash · #30 07-09-2010, 11:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Local2ED

That's funny, being spoken by a "consultant", what is just a nother name for cheap labor. Do you have any idea how many times I had a "consultant" come out and tell me this part will fit, that crane will lift it, it shoud'nt take that long blah,blah ,blah. To which our standard reply is show me. Then when they fail they walk away with their tale between their legs at which point the contractor tells the tradesmen do what ever you have to do to make it work and do it safely. "Consultants" really are'nt taken too seriously by labor or management, rather looked upon as cheap labor with management's position as"you get what you pay for"

Then there is a dirty aircraft with 200 passengers waiting to board with 10 FA's who will not help clean it because it's maint's job but they are delayed for what ever reason so I and a few other gate agents go on board to clean it. The FA's complain and write us up and our boss laughs, tosses it into file 13 and tell us good job for getting the flight out on time and making 200 wage paying passengers happy.