Major manufacturers abandoning China for U.S.?
http://www.latimes.com/business/money/la-fi-mo-manufacturers-abandoning-china-20120420,0,3679186.storyChina may no longer be the go-to place for American manufacturers looking for cheap labor and favorable policies. A new report shows many large companies are looking to move their production facilities back to the States.
Of the 106 executives surveyed by Boston Consulting Group, 37% said they were planning to or actively considering “reshoring” their factories in the U.S.
And that’s just for U.S.-based companies with annual sales of more than $1 billion. Among manufacturers who make $10 billion or more a year, 48% of executives said they want to relocate operations back home.
The urge is especially pronounced among leaders of companies working in industries responsible for 70% of the goods imported to the U.S. from China: transportation goods, electrical equipment, furniture, computers and electronics and more.
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Here's why: (from the article)
“Not long ago, many companies regarded China as the low-cost default option for manufacturing,” said Michael Zinser, a partner with the consulting group. “This survey shows that companies are coming to the conclusion surprisingly fast that the U.S. is becoming more competitive when the total costs of manufacturing are accounted for.”
Blame rising Chinese wages and increasingly complicated logistics. More than half of the manufacturers who said they would move factored in high labor costs; 92% said such costs will continue to rise.
More than four in 10 executives pointed to product quality, while 29% said it would be easier to do business in the U.S. About the same number also said that closer proximity to their customers would be an advantage.
cheaper.
Wasn't glycol used to sweeten toothpaste? And lead found in children's toys? Tainted pet food & baby food? I always have a fear when I pick up a product made in China. My son brought home a jar of chopped garlic in olive oil. I threw it away. I just don't trust it.
And, in my rambling thoughts .... I wonder sometimes if they do some nefarious things to our electronics. A chip to steal info, or to spread disinformation - or whatever to mess with us. I've no idea what or if they can do things, all I know is I don't trust them.
As the song said in the 60s, "... don't attack America, wear it down gradually."
if Romney is elected...he'll get all the credit. Ugg! Horrible thought! Then Romney will get 8 years to destroy our middle class and poor. That thought is so repugnant...I can't think about it or I'll be sick to my stomach! 
