... In with the new.

Dear Editor,

The editorial you wrote about the trading issues with China, and the loss of manufacturing jobs to offshoring, was well-thought-out, informative and made several good points. (See Wood & Wood Products, March 2004: "Life Isn't Fair, Nor is Trade with China.")

I am the managing editor of a publication that goes to those in precision and manufactured parts industries, areas that likewise have been hard-hit by the China sourcing solution (as well as India, Mexico and even Ireland).

Many of the people I have gotten to know in this business are frustrated, concerned and unsure about what the future will hold. Raw material prices, steel especially, have caused volatile market swings. Manufacturers are being told to take continued cost hits while profit margins get slimmer and slimmer. At a recent seminar and conference I attended, one manufacturer noted, "Sometimes, I think you just have to eat the loss to keep that key customer happy. I can't afford to lose somebody who accounts for a quarter of my business."

On that note, I applaud you. Challenging manufacturers, no matter what product it is they produce, to find new and more efficient ways of doing business, is a way to send out a wake-up call. American manufacturing has and can continue to be a strong global force. But it requires finding new ways of doing things to make that happen. If the status quo isn't getting it done, find a new way to do it. If your old method of machining isn't fast enough, look to see how CNC might help you do the job better. Maybe partnering with another company that specializes in another area can allow you to produce a value-added product that you couldn't produce alone.

The opportunities are out there. It just takes some American gumption and resourcefulness to make it happen. I'm looking forward to the rest of Tom Dossenbach's "Getting Out of Your Manufacturing Box" series. (See page 24.) I just hope some manufacturers can figure out how to hammer their way out of that box.

John Iwanski

Managing Editor

Screw Machine World Magazine

Drop Us a Line

Do you have something you want to get off your chest, or information you want to share with fellow readers? Put it in writing and send your comments to:

Rich Christianson

Editorial Director

Wood & Wood Products

P.O: Box 1400 Lincolnshire, IL 60069

Fax: [phone]

[e-mail]