Made In USA

[LongBlade]

I realize this is about a movie and therefore technically out of place in General Discussion.

However, the concept is interesting. We all live in nations where we've seen a decline in our manufacturing base. While the US may have the highest population of those of us on these forums, and therefore perhaps the greatest chance at accomplishing this concept, I think in general we'd all welcome a renaissance in western/European manufacturing.

In this movie the producer tries to live only on products which have been made in the US for 30 days. I'd be interested to see how he defines that, as so many products have components which may have been made elsewhere. Technically components made in, say, Japan but assembled in the US can be called "Made in USA." So I'm curious to see how he navigates these definitions.

The movie is inexpensive enough. I may have to pop for it.

http://www.usa30days.com/

[bayonetbrant]

Manufacturing is going to come back to the US as the cost of doing business overseas rises without a concurrent increase in quality.
There are already people noticing the trend of bringing manufacturing back to the US.
The biggest problems at this point are around the capabilities of the workforce and the creation of (or refurbishment of) manufacturing facilities.

[LongBlade]

One side effect of deflating the dollar's value is that it becomes cheaper to do business here.

Good and bad come with that policy.

[Arctic Blast]

It's also likely we'll see more manufacturing return to North America and Europe simply because shipping costs keep rising and aren't likely to ever return to the levels they were at even a few years ago. So it's going to become increasingly cost effective to make the goods a Hell of a lot closer to where you're selling them.

[besilarius]

Quite a few high end engineering firms, like Siemens, have their production pretty much all in America.
The issue they are having is finding the people to operate advanced machines using modern technology.  The CEO of Siemens noted they are seeking to hire over 5,000 people for their manufacturing plants.  However, they cannot find enough qualified people.
Or the potential hires are unwilling to learn the technology involved in the manufacturing process.
Basically, this firm needs people with engineering basics.  They are not finding enough americans for the demand.

[Gusington]

^There is a severe shortage of engineers and scientists in the US. In my work over the last ten years the shortage has only become worse.

On a happy note, my older Subaru was made in Alabama of Japanese parts, and the newer one in Indiana of Japanese parts, like LB and BB say above.

Also, for the first time in 50+ years, manufacturing has gone up in Brooklyn NY. Why? The Brooklyn Navy Yard has been converted into a series of 'light manufacturing' facilities. There was a recent article on the Brooklyn Navy Yard's transformation. Really interesting that it has avoided the wrecking ball and has reverted back to factory work. Who woulda thunk that?

[Windigo]

It's also likely we'll see more manufacturing return to North America and Europe simply because shipping costs keep rising and aren't likely to ever return to the levels they were at even a few years ago. So it's going to become increasingly cost effective to make the goods a Hell of a lot closer to where you're selling them.

hi energy costs... the great equalizer

[Boggit]

It's also quite unhealthy for the world to be as heavily dependent on the Chinese economy as it is.