Category Archives: Pearl River Delta
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China manufacturing ain’t going nowhere.
I hate to say “I told you so”, but… Time was, when everyone was talking a manufacturing exodus from China. I felt like the lone voice saying “not so fast!” I cited a number of strategies which offset rising labor and other manufacturing costs mainly by adding value, as opposed to chasing cheaper labor. Now …
China manufacturing ain’t going nowhere.
I hate to say “I told you so”, but… Time was, when everyone was talking a manufacturing exodus from China. I felt like the lone voice saying “not so fast!” I cited a number of strategies which offset rising labor and other manufacturing costs mainly by adding value, as opposed to chasing cheaper labor. Now …
Ethical, profitable & competitive China manufacturing: focus on labor value, not labor costs
For manufacturers in China, the most effective hedge against rising costs is attracting, developing and retaining talent. In this case, the most effective is also the most ethically correct. This from the Huffington Post: As I’ve been saying (over and over again), an incremental upsurge in labor rates is not cause for China manufacturers to flee the …
Foxconn workers will get more money for fewer hours. What about better hours?
Foxconn/Apple have responded to bad press by vowing to implement changes that benefit workers. That will necessarily mean it will reduce it’s operators’ overtime working hours and, presumable, it will have to boost regular-time salaries to offset the operators’ loss of revenue. The result, of course, higher unit labor costs for Foxconn, and maybe …
Foxconn workers will get more money for fewer hours. What about better hours?
Foxconn/Apple have responded to bad press by vowing to implement changes that benefit workers. That will necessarily mean it will reduce it’s operators’ overtime working hours and, presumable, it will have to boost regular-time salaries to offset the operators’ loss of revenue. The result, of course, higher unit labor costs for Foxconn, and maybe …
My Interview with Rensselaer in China – Greater China Business Club
A group of obviously committed students and alumni from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute run Rensselaer in China | Greater China Business Club. Their interview with me can be read here. Continue reading
Bolaji Ojo (EBNonline) “gets it” (with regards to Chinese workers)
I like it when I read people making my point better than I can. Mr. Bolaji Ojo, writing in EBN Online does just that. His article is entitled ”Are Chinese Workers Really Defenseless?” His main point is that Chinese workers are more vocal and have more power to effect positive changes in labor rates and working conditions. …
If Foxconn sucks, how can they hire so many workers so quickly?
Just some random thoughts on the latest round of Apple/Foxconn bashing in the media. Earlier this week, Foxconn hired 5000 workers in it’s Shenzhen facility. This during a lobor shortage! I actually run a factory in Dongguan and I can … C… Continue reading
