Gone to China:(

lendaddy · 08-17-2006, 11:45 AM

I'm losing 40% of my business to China soon, may be the death blow.

I just found out via a manager w/ a guilty conscience at my customer. Too much to think about right now, I'm numb........

scottmandue · 08-17-2006, 11:48 AM

Sorry to hear that, what bussiness are you in?

lendaddy · 08-17-2006, 11:49 AM

This was for the trucking industry, the air horns.

turbo6bar · 08-17-2006, 12:38 PM

Ouch. That hurts. Hope things turn around for ya.
jurgen

lendaddy · 08-17-2006, 12:40 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by turbo6bar
Ouch. That hurts. Hope things turn around for ya.
jurgen

Thanks, I really don't know what to think yet but I appreciate the sentiment. When I run the numbers on this I 'll probably puke

Porsche-O-Phile · Porsche-O-Phile's Garage

That totally sucks. . .

They're even outsourcing truck air horns these days? Sheesh. I just can't see truckers hanging around the diner bragging to each other about which "Made in China" type is better. . .

Manufacturing isn't a good place to be these days if you're in the U.S. . .

Hope it all works out for you though.

lendaddy · 08-17-2006, 12:51 PM

I am told it was the chrome plating that killed it. Environmental concerns don't exist over there and they couldn't get anyone here in the same universe on pricing.

The weird thing is that I know several mfg. going gangbusters right now, things are shifting as much as they are moving I guess.

gaijindabe · 08-17-2006, 01:00 PM

How about becoming and importer as well as a manufacturer? You know the market, you have the contacts. Maybe your lower end - price sensitive stuff?

lendaddy · 08-17-2006, 01:06 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by gaijindabe
How about becoming and importer as well as a manufacturer? You know the market, you have the contacts. Maybe your lower end - price sensitive stuff?

I'm just a processor, I don't manufacture these things(complete saleable assemblies). I don't sell them either, I just a middleman. We welded, brazed, soldered & polished these for the customer...it's their product. I'm really left with nothing in the industry.....maybe I can find their competitor or something who knows...it's early.

gaijindabe · 08-17-2006, 01:11 PM

You are in a tough spot. Good luck.

lendaddy · 08-17-2006, 01:12 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by gaijindabe
You are in a tough spot. Good luck.

Thanks.

jkarolyi · 08-17-2006, 01:24 PM

>The weird thing is that I know several mfg. going gangbusters right now, things are shifting as much as they are moving I guess.

Yep...that's the modern economy these days. Try to find out what they are making, and find a way to make it cheaper/better/faster, etc. That said...a 40% cut in business is really a bummer.

nostatic · nostatic's Garage

when god closes a door she opens a window...

Maybe it was time for a change? Just trying to put a positive spin on it...sucks to have external forces "downsize" you. But it could be the start of something even better.

lendaddy · 08-17-2006, 01:30 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by nostatic
when god closes a door she opens a window...

Maybe it was time for a change? Just trying to put a positive spin on it...sucks to have external forces "downsize" you. But it could be the start of something even better.

Yep, might be a well timed kick in the ass for all we know.

Rikao4 · 08-17-2006, 02:04 PM

well said static,
and Len..a few years ago I was closing a business, was turning of the lights in the building, 4 guys walk in..may I help you..we are the new owners..well here are the keys...working for them now. Went from Ripple to real wine.
Rika

dd74 · 08-17-2006, 02:14 PM

Awful news. And over chrome plating? I've always thought of the airhorn as one of those distinctly American things - the loudness or it, the length of the vessel that produces the sound, how it alarms one with enough force that they are scared *****less.

I've always wanted to put one on my SUV, and give one of the cell phone adled soccer moms a good two or three blasts.

Len - sorry for the loss. I hate news like that, particularly when it goes to someone overseas.

dtw · 08-17-2006, 02:38 PM

It's a dog eat dog world, and I'm wearing Milk-bone underwear.
-Norm Peterson

Good luck man.

5axis · 08-17-2006, 03:07 PM

I keep thinking of that pic of your kid running a machine. Maybe things will change and something will be left for him.

I hate seeing all the shop auction rags in our office. I hope you find a way to make things work.

good luck

dave

jyl · jyl's Garage

That's really rough. Hope you can find replacement business, and cut costs enough to get by in the meantime. If you have to cut hours or lay people off, don't hesitate. It won't help any of your employees if there's no company to come back to.

WolfeMacleod · 08-17-2006, 10:02 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by lendaddy
I am told it was the chrome plating that killed it. Environmental concerns don't exist over there and they couldn't get anyone here in the same universe on pricing.

This makes me wonder: Who do you use as your plating company?
I use a lot of nickle and gold plated parts. When I started looking around for a new gold plater, prices were rediculous.
Then I found Advanced Plating and they came back with some staggeringly great quotes - less than half of every other plating outfit I contacted, and very reasonable minimum order prices. And the work was top-notch, too.
They do hardware plating for Gibson Guitars.