Good YT video on trying to make something in the USA

[AZjeff]

This is a good YouTube channel if you're just interested in different stuff and how it works but this recent video is relevant to what's happening today. He goes through the struggle of trying to produce a completely Made in USA product using USA tooling. A $75 grill scraper certainly has a limited customer base but it makes sense to go high, no way to compete at the low or even middle range. This project started 4 years ago as a result of Covid related supply problems. Perfectly illustrates how difficult and even ludicrous it is to think we can just start making things here again with the stroke of a pen. Smart Scrubber

 

[skyactiv]

I remember seeing a video from a guy wanting to find an American manufacture to make a custom handlebar for a motorcycle. The American manufactures would only do it if he ordered something like 2000 minimum, a Chinese maker was willing to make a much smaller quantity. He said the Chinese ones weren't any cheaper once all cost were factored in but he could never sell 2000 handlebars.

 

[SC Maintenance]

There used to be a lot of smaller contract manufacturers here. Most of them got bought out by private equity when the fed took interest to zero, or firms off-shore who then moved all the tooling overseas. Many were customers of mine. No one cared if they went away back then, so here we are.

Although there much bigger companies - you just saw the same thing with the oil filter market - Wix, Fram, First Brands - all used to be independent.

 

[edyvw]

Didn't Apple give up on MacBook assembly in TX in 2012 bcs. inability to source small screws that go in the back.

 

[K-Man]

The problem with these videos is that they are inherently defeatist and they discourage any effort to bring back production to the US.

 

[SC Maintenance]

Didn't Apple give up on MacBook assembly in TX in 2012 bcs. inability to source small screws that go in the back.

It wouldn't surprise me if no one makes screws here anymore. I have never seen anyone doing it - and I have been to a lot of factories. Still a pretty poor excuse not to assemble here - just import the screws - there used to be lots made in Mexico.

 

[edyvw]

It wouldn't surprise me if no one makes screws here anymore. I have never seen anyone doing it - and I have been to a lot of factories. Still a pretty poor excuse not to assemble here - just import the screws - there used to be lots made in Mexico.

It is a bit more complex:

Case Western Reserve University economics professor Susan Helper noted "China is not just cheap," as it is a country where the presence of an authoritarian government means "you can marshal 100,000 people to work all night for you."

https://appleinsider.com/articles/1...w-was-the-bottleneck-in-us-mac-pro-production

Numerous surveys and studies have shown that people generally don't care for "Made in USA" if it means paying more.

 

[PF52]

The problem with these videos is that they are inherently defeatist and they discourage any effort to bring back production to the US.

Got any links to made-in-USA success stories? We're all ears.

 

[SC Maintenance]

Numerous surveys and studies have shown that people generally don't care for "Made in USA" if it means paying more.

So were back to it wasn't really the screws being the reason apple left.

Yes people want cheap. Until they can't get there screws, or rare earths, or prescription drugs.

Of course I can't buy a Chinese EV? Special rules for special folks.

 

[slacktide_bitog]

There used to be a lot of smaller contract manufacturers here. Most of them got bought out by private equity when the fed took interest to zero, or firms off-shore who then moved all the tooling overseas. Many were customers of mine. No one cared if they went away back then, so here we are.

Although there much bigger companies - you just saw the same thing with the oil filter market - Wix, Fram, First Brands - all used to be independent.

A lot of OEM clients treat those small suppliers very poorly as well.

 

[eljefino]

I don't mind Made in USA stuff but I do mind when the factory worker gets 25 cents more per widget than his overseas counterpart, then the big box store slaps a flag design on the product and demands $5 more. Why can't we low-key just do this?

 

[edyvw]

So were back to it wasn't really the screws being the reason apple left.

Yes people want cheap. Until they can't get there screws, or rare earths, or prescription drugs.

Of course I can't buy a Chinese EV? Special rules for special folks.

Well, as article states, screws were logistical nightmare.
I think they could pull it off, but than at what price?
I don’t blame Apple. I blame politicians promising this nonsense that manufacturing will be back and people’s ignorance on the subject, meaning, believing that. But in the end, we moved on. We have different economy now.

 

[SC Maintenance]

Well, as article states, screws were logistical nightmare.
I think they could pull it off, but than at what price?
I don’t blame Apple. I blame politicians promising this nonsense that manufacturing will be back and people’s ignorance on the subject, meaning, believing that. But in the end, we moved on. We have different economy now.

Yes, we print money and hope producers will continue to trade our debt for goods. Like drunks begging the bartender to extend their tab one more day. Best of luck.

 

[edyvw]

Yes, we print money and hope producers will continue to trade our debt for goods. Like drunks begging the bartender to extend their tab one more day. Best of luck.

I have no idea what you're talking about. Deficit and debt are two different things. Some parts of the economy have a deficit, some have a surplus. Some think it is outrageous to run a deficit on bananas or coffee. But here is their chance to grow it in the US. I bet some people wonder why their countries import GE jet engines, and why "they don't make it."

As for debt, well, we spend more than we collect in taxes. It is very simple.

 

[Dave Hess]

Walmartification of global economy and most consumers want rock bottom prices.

 

[JeffKeryk]

The idea that everything needs to be made in America would be good for America is, well, not very smart.

 

[edyvw]

The idea that everything needs to be made in America would be good for America is, well, not very smart.

Kind of like when people talk about coal mines and how coal miners don't want to abandon those jobs. Yeah, give them an alternative and you will see. I grew up in a town with five coal mines, and I never heard a coal miner say, 'I hope my kid does the same job.'
The same goes for various other industries. Between Montgomery, AL and La Grange, GA there are numerous Korean parts suppliers that feed Hyundai (Montgomery) and KIA (La Grange). Or they could go back to a few textile jobs and grow cotton.

 

[97prizm]

This is a good YouTube channel if you're just interested in different stuff and how it works but this recent video is relevant to what's happening today. He goes through the struggle of trying to produce a completely Made in USA product using USA tooling. A $75 grill scraper certainly has a limited customer base but it makes sense to go high, no way to compete at the low or even middle range. This project started 4 years ago as a result of Covid related supply problems. Perfectly illustrates how difficult and even ludicrous it is to think we can just start making things here again with the stroke of a pen. Smart Scrubber

I will say sure Chinese products are cheaper but the disparity in pricing is much closer than it used to be. A made in the USA Ice cream scoop I found recently is $20 the China equivalent is $5-10. Roughly 15 years ago Foxconn had a huge loss of workers as a few companies opened down the street for more money and better working conditions.

 

[SC Maintenance]

I have no idea what you're talking about. Deficit and debt are two different things. Some parts of the economy have a deficit, some have a surplus. Some think it is outrageous to run a deficit on bananas or coffee. But here is their chance to grow it in the US. I bet some people wonder why their countries import GE jet engines, and why "they don't make it."

As for debt, well, we spend more than we collect in taxes. It is very simple.

If you don't know what I am talking about you don't understand global trade.

Our current account deficit (trade deficit including both goods and services) is negative $1T. Meaning we send $1T more money outside the country every year than we get back in trade.

So think about it. Where exactly do you think this money comes from? We either borrow it from off-shore, or print it (quantitative easing) devaluing our currency, or the banks can lever up and lend it here. All 3 are debt. Its the only way to run a perpetual current account deficit.

 

[BHopkins]

Having worked in a manufacturing plant that was shut down, when the production was moved to a sister plant in Mexico, I am always willing to buy American. But sometimes I feel that I am the only one on the bus.

An example is something as simple as garden tools - shovels, rakes, mattocks. There are Made in the USA garden tools available. But they are hard to find. Go to any of these American owned stores such as Ace, True Value, Lowes, Home Depot, and look at their garden tools. Almost everything will be made in Mexico or China. Find the right local gardening store, and they may carry Made in USA tools.

When I do find Made in the USA garden tools, I do pay a premium, but it isn't so much that I suspect the vast majority here can easily afford the difference.

But if there are so many of us that are willing to buy American, then why aren't American items more readily available? I'm sure that if customers would buy American, Lowes, Home Depot, and all the other retailers would have "Made in the USA" items proudly displayed, alongside the import items. But the fact that they don't tells us that when it comes down to it, the American consumer isn't as loyal to American products as they like to think they are.