There is plenty of talk that American manufacturing is on the decline. That jobs in manufacturing won’t be an option within a generation or two. Those who currently work in manufacturing know that this is far from the truth. Here are four reasons why:
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American quality of product
When vetting suppliers the quality of the cast goods should be top of mind. Education, experience, specialization, production standards and regulation come together to produce quality products. This gives a buyer a much larger selection of high quality suppliers to choose from. Neglecting quality can not only be a poor business decision ethics wise but can also create very expensive problems.
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Lead time
The difference in distance from state to state is negligible when compared to the distance to China or Brazil. Taking advantage of this simple fact is an easy way to reduce lead times while maintaining the integrity of your process and quality. Lean manufacturing requires fast and consistent delivery of supply and sourcing domestic is a big step in that direction.
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Reduced shipping cost
The manufacturing of any goods overseas generates more cost in shipping. When considering heavy products like castings in particular it is a factor that deserves consideration. Reducing the shipping distance and logistical complexity by keeping manufacturing domestic can lower costs. Lower shipping costs also allow for smaller orders which can lead to lower inventory costs.
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Customer service
The frustration saved by speaking with someone who is able to communicate with you in a helpful way and solve your problem is something that simply can’t be overlooked. With more and more of the business process being automated, being forced to communicate with a machine is a fast track to irritations and a waste of time. Sourcing with smaller domestic companies in particular is a great way to cut this part of sourcing your goods out altogether.
These are by no means the only things to have in mind when deciding how to source your goods.
