Sometime ago, those products labelled "Made in China" did have bad reputation of quality. However, the situation is much more improved nowadays. Given the same product, one with "Made in China" and one with "Made in USA", what is the factor that make consumers to make a choice?
U.S. content must be disclosed on automobiles and textile, wool, and fur products. There’s no law that requires most other products sold in the U.S. to be marked or labeled Made in USA or have any other disclosure about their amount of U.S. content. However, manufacturers and marketers who choose to make claims about the amount of U.S. content in their products must comply with the FTC’s Made in USA policy.
Note that only applies to those 4 categories.
The Commission does not pre-approve advertising or labeling claims. A company doesn’t need approval from the Commission before making a Made in USA claim. As with most other advertising claims, a manufacturer or marketer may make any claim as long as it is truthful and substantiated.
That brings up a god point. Even when products are identified as "Made in USA", exactly what does that mean? It is important for consumers to know if they want to support American manufacturing. It seems like companies can claim American made products when they have a lot less than 50% material or labor content. Does anyone have more insight into the current regulations?
Yes, even companies that brand themselves as American rely on foreign production. For example, LL Bean, which stresses its Maine presence now sells clothes that are mostly sewn in Asia rather than in the US. Cars for sale now bear stickers that identified the percentages of foreign and domestic parts. This is needed for people who want a clear picture on what constitutes (in the precise sense of that term) an "American" car as required by the American Automobile Labeling Act. Most prodcuts do not require similar labeling to clearly identify the various components of its origins.
It would be great to see a domestic increase in electronics manufacturing, but there are many other industries as well that import from China. My family looks for proeducts that are made inthe US, but they are not always easy (sometimes impossible) to find.
Your article confirms the many posts I have written saying that we've got to bring component supply back to the US and the government has to get involved to make it feasible for the companies that attempt it.
Incentives should be given to companies that make more in the US than simply farm it out. Everyone is worried about the bottom line but if companies are given a financial reason to employ in the US and make products in the US, perhaps we can reverse the trend of "takers not makers". The government needs to work with the larger cash rich companies as well as medium and small businesses who are trying to compete.
I see this article very interesting, however I think the "checks" listed in the article sohlyd be wieghted base on priority, w/o the Electronic component Supply is very hard to think about manufacturing, talking about Low-Cost labor force, will US have a chance against India, China, Mexico & Brazil?
There is a sign on a bridge going into Trenton, New Jersey, that says "Trenton Makes, the World Takes." The bridge is getting kind of rusty, but the sign is still there from the days when Trenton was a manufacturing powerhouse.
There's a lot left over from when New Jersey was a manufacturing powerhouse, mostly in the form of super-fund, contaminated sites, and high levels of so-called "rare" diseases and disorders.
New Jersey was also once the "Garden State." They paint the cement green in memory of those days.
EBN Dialogue enables and encourages you to participate in live chats with notable leaders and luminaries. Not only editors and journalists, but the entire EBN community is able to comment and ask questions. Listed below are upcoming and archived chats.
Archived Dialogues
Thailand Stages a Comeback Join EBN contributor Jennifer Baljko on Thursday August 23, 2012, at 11:00 a.m. EST for a live chat on how electronic manufacturers in Thailand have shored up their supply chain to reduce the impact of future natural disasters.
Euro-Crisis: What It Means for High-Tech Firms Join EBN Editor in Chief Bolaji Ojo and Contributing Editor Jennifer Baljko on Thursday, July 12, at 10:00 a.m. EDT for a Live Chat on high-tech and Europe's economic difficulties.
Microsoft Surface: Potential Winners & Losers What are the implications for the electronics industry supply chain of Microsoft Corp.'s decision to launch its own tablet PC? Join industry veteran and EE Times' systems and OEM expert Rick Merritt on Tuesday, July 3, at 12:00 pm EDT for a Live Chat on this subject.
Join EBN contributor Jennifer Baljko on Thursday August 23, 2012, at 11:00 a.m. EST for a live chat on how electronic manufacturers in Thailand have shored up their supply chain to reduce the impact of future natural disasters.
Peter Drucker famously said "Trying to predict the future is like trying to drive down a country road at night with no lights while looking out the back window." Yet in the razor's-edge world of electronics—with a lean supply chain and just-in-time demands—the need to know the future is vital.
While no one really can accurately predict the future, we can take guidance from another Drucker saying which is the best way to predict the future is to create it.
You've heard the saying "the No. 1 supply chain risk is your people." That hasn't always been the case. But today's complex global supply chain requires a new type of multitalented employee. It's one who understands, finance, marketing, economics, is savvy with technology, graceful with relationships and can think analytically.
Where are these people? Are universities properly preparing the next generation supply chain professionals? How do train your existing workforce for these new, demanding positions?
Brian Fuller, editor-in-chief of EBN, will lead a 60-minute Avnet Velocity panel discussion that will ask and answer these and other questions swirling around today's supply-chain talent challenges.
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